Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

[flyonthewall2983]

Thief was split up just recently.

[Bruce]

Correct me if I'm wrong and that this was always a thing, but the last time I was browsing at Barnes & Noble, they had a solo Blu of Red River that was in a regular case sans the novel.

Ah I've been waiting to buy red river without the space killing book, good to know.

Yes, me too!

However, I'm a bit puzzled. I've searched on various internet sites, including Amazon and DVD Empire, and I can't find any listing for a BD-only edition of the Criterion Red River. Can anyone point me to one?

Have Criterion actually made it known that they intend to eventually release separate BD and DVD editions of all their dual-format editions?

[Arthur House]

Correct me if I'm wrong and that this was always a thing, but the last time I was browsing at Barnes & Noble, they had a solo Blu of Red River that was in a regular case sans the novel.

Ah I've been waiting to buy red river without the space killing book, good to know.

Yes, me too!

However, I'm a bit puzzled. I've searched on various internet sites, including Amazon and DVD Empire, and I can't find any listing for a BD-only edition of the Criterion Red River. Can anyone point me to one?

Have Criterion actually made it known that they intend to eventually release separate BD and DVD editions of all their dual-format editions?

Judging by the research y'all have done, I think I may have been the victim of a incorrectly shelved w/the BluRays DVD edition of Red River, which I guess I forgot existed. Seeing the thinner version there in place of the DF (because that's where they keep those at that B & N) obviously threw me.

Sorry to get your hopes up. #-o

[Bruce]

Judging by the research y'all have done, I think I may have been the victim of a incorrectly shelved w/the BluRays DVD edition of Red River, which I guess I forgot existed. Seeing the thinner version there in place of the DF (because that's where they keep those at that B & N) obviously threw me.

Sorry to get your hopes up. #-o

No worries!

But can I repeat my question to anyone out there who might know: have Criterion actually made it known that they intend to eventually re-release all their dual-format editions as separate BD and DVD editions?

[swo17]

They have not.

[domino harvey]

Couldn't you just buy Red River and take the digipak Blu-ray case out of the box if you're so worried about the book?

[Self]

Further confirmation for a 4K restoration of McCabe & Mrs. Miller from this posted on the Criterion site Remembering Vilmos Zsigmond, Master of Light and Dark

[pzadvance]

Further confirmation for a 4K restoration of McCabe & Mrs. Miller from this posted on the Criterion site Remembering Vilmos Zsigmond, Master of Light and Dark

Damn. So unfortunate it sounds like he wasn't able to put any work in on that. I hope they do him proud.

[Minkin]

I suppose we talk about the month's announcements in the "monthly guessing thread" now? It perhaps makes more sense, than cluttering up here! But in case you otherwise don't check that topic, here I am with the speculation roundup for the month:

Barcelona - Whit Stillman has been pushing for this for years. He somewhat recently admitted that Criterion was working on it.

Phoenix - Newsletter + (likely) New Years clue as well.

Only Angels Have Wings - Newsletter + (less likely) New Years clue as well.

Robert Drew - Recent Janus Films confirmation + New Years clue.
-----------------------
Thus all were hinted at or at least on the forthcoming list (no surprises). A somewhat light month, but finally getting Barcelona + the Drew films more than make up for that.

[movielocke]

The "death" (or perhaps I should add an r and say dearth?) of the bluray upgrade in 2016 so far is a serious bummer, I'd happily trade a few new releases for more upgrades. :-/

[Ribs]

It's pretty ridiculous. I can't imagine why; surely the overhead on releasing something like the Z restoration is super low, they've recently released stuff by the same team(s), and there's only four proper releases announced for the month anyway so it's not like they're afraid of spreading their sales too thin.

Maybe they'll just have a month where they play catch-up and dump like five upgrades out? I really don't understand it, it always seemed like a low-risk investment to continually be updating the catalogue.

[Frumaster]

Anyone have an idea of when we will get Wim Wenders Until the End of the World? French blu-ray of this was released in December. Last year he said it was coming to Criterion, and the his approved 5 hour version is still touring in the US.

[tenia]

I too am surprised by the overall lack of upgrades (there only will be Bicycle Thieves since Downhill Racer on Dec 1st 2015) so far for 2016. On the other end, we're getting the Lean set being split and a bundle set, plus their DF release being re-released as separate releases ?
While I'm very happy with the titles they're releasing for the first time, I have to say I've seen more exciting.

[Omensetter]

Yet another fantastic month---really, it is hard to see them offering up another July 2012 going forward. Unfortunately, not all months can see the collection introduction of Rivette, another Oshima, and A Brighter Summer Day. My hope is that they continue to provide surprises ala I Knew Her Well and A Special Day. Fingers-crossed that they are still in the Francesco Rosi game.

[sir_luke]

Yeah, I'm also disappointed by lack of upgrades, but like Omensetter says, we've had some long-awaited promise fulfillment with Rivette, A Brighter Summer Day, The Emigrants/The New Land, etc. as well as some delightful left-field surprises. 2016 is a great year for new releases so far and I can't imagine that they won't get back to releasing upgrades regularly in the near future.

[Drucker]

I too am surprised by the overall lack of upgrades (there only will be Bicycle Thieves since Downhill Racer on Dec 1st 2015) so far for 2016. On the other end, we're getting the Lean set being split and a bundle set, plus their DF release being re-released as separate releases ?
While I'm very happy with the titles they're releasing for the first time, I have to say I've seen more exciting.

At this point, couldn't this just be the result of waiting on new restorations, which is better than upgrading an already existing HD master? Bicycle Thieves took longer than many expected, but we got a 4k restoration out of it. Considering the flack we give Criterion for upgrades of old masters, this seems like a smarter move to me.

[Ribs]

But stuff like Z, the Dreyers, and The War Trilogy (or even something like Tales of Hoffman that's apparently coming from Criterion despite it being an SC title) have already been restored and/or released elsewhere. Unless they're proper upgrades with a bevy of new features I don't see why they should wait around.

[tenia]

I too am surprised by the overall lack of upgrades (there only will be Bicycle Thieves since Downhill Racer on Dec 1st 2015) so far for 2016. On the other end, we're getting the Lean set being split and a bundle set, plus their DF release being re-released as separate releases ?
While I'm very happy with the titles they're releasing for the first time, I have to say I've seen more exciting.

At this point, couldn't this just be the result of waiting on new restorations, which is better than upgrading an already existing HD master? Bicycle Thieves took longer than many expected, but we got a 4k restoration out of it. Considering the flack we give Criterion for upgrades of old masters, this seems like a smarter move to me.

Like Ribs wrote, I'm not sure there isn't already plenty of stuff that could be done like right now. But on the other end, again, I'm quite happy with what getting released. It's just that there are many titles I'd love to get instead of a solo release of a BBS or a Lean title.

[DeprongMori]

I've often wondered whether Criterion's upgrade schedule is driven by not only by the availability of a restored master but their current inventory stock level. I can imagine them not wanting to do an upgrade if they are sitting on a pile of unsold DVD stock of a title in their warehouse.

This might explain why their upgrade of a title is frequently immediately preceded by me finally giving up waiting and buying the DVD. You can thank me for "F for Fake", "The Killers", "My Dinner With Andre", "The Friends of Eddie Coyle", and "Night and the City." (Sadly, it hasn't worked for "Shoot the Piano Player.")

[AK]

I've often wondered whether Criterion's upgrade schedule is driven by not only by the availability of a restored master but their current inventory stock level. I can imagine them not wanting to do an upgrade if they are sitting on a pile of unsold DVD stock of a title in their warehouse.

First of all, let me humbly thank you for the F for Fake upgrade!

The inventory stock level offers a useful angle. Considering they're trying to make as big a profit with their products, it's logical that part of the scheduling revolves around maximizing profits from the current DVD edition as well as from the eventual upgrade. Bicycle Thief, for one, seems like an ideally low-risk upgrade.

Licensing also might play a rather significant role in this - "safe" films don't need to be rushed out. And of course, since they're capable of releasing only a certain number of films a month, financially speaking, they know that Chaplin will sell well, so it's prioritized - I'd expect them to expect Yang to sell good numbers too.

Which brings into mind wistful thoughts of a new Blu-ray edition of The Human Condition. Would you, perchance, be (re)buying it anytime soon?

[movielocke]

I'd say it's a combination of multiple factors.

They're getting dinged for technical aspects now for the first time in years.

We are in the early stages of a new restoration/mastering life cycle with 4k plus being done on catalogs around the world. Conversely 2k masters are mature in their life cycle while merely HD masters are now obsolete and often considered unacceptable by their customers. That depletes the possibility of issuing extant HD masters to blu.

DVD sales are decelerating reducing turnover of unsold stock.

Major studio titles available at the moment means they are putting all resources towards taking advantage of a window that could slam shut at any moment.

Tangent off above, criterion is so notorious for dragging their feet on releases that these major studios may be specifying in the contract a timely release with deadline or contract is voided.

They're waiting on restorations because of the new 4k life cycle things have slowed down.

Lack of interest by staff in issuing a catalog title that is otherwise ready to go.

Continued fall out cost savings from not doing dual format means no budget for the labor cost of issueing catalog to blu.

[FrauBlucher]

Major studio titles available at the moment means they are putting all resources towards taking advantage of a window that could slam shut at any moment.

Tangent off above, criterion is so notorious for dragging their feet on releases that these major studios may be specifying in the contract a timely release with deadline or contract is voided.

I definitely think this one here is a big reason. With studios opening their vaults to Criterion, especially Warner Brothers now, it is probably pushing some titles and many upgrades back to get these studio titles out. Especially if they have to do the mastering themselves. And then Kino has lost several directors (Haneke, Tarkovsky, Kar Wai Wong) that Criterion have seemed to pick up.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a month where there are 3, maybe 4 upgrades.

[ianthemovie]

Have any sources confirmed that The Decalogue is coming? I'd like to sell my copy of the Facets DVD but I don't want to get rid of it if Criterion ends up dropping the ball with their edition.

[Ribs]

Yes, it's coming eventually, probably w/ Short Films About Killing/Love bundled in. Apparently it was scheduled for December 2013 but was delayed indefinitely because of news of a better restoration that's being done/been done.

[Roscoe]

The new Film Forum repertory calendar has a few Janus re-releases: JEANNE DIELMAN, TOUCH OF ZEN and Ozu's LATE SPRING -- should we assume these will be Criterions at some point?