Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

[Mr.DarjeelingLimited]

If it didn’t seem so with the Mike Mills box set, it definitely seems now that they have access to whatever Lionsgate-owned A24 movies they’re passionate about/have a preexisting relationship with the director of. It’d be real easy for them to 100% the Sofia Coppola filmography now.

I really do hope Beau is Afraid is in the works.

This, After Yang, and Problemista are my biggest wants from this partnership.

[HardNight'sDay]

I also want to see Good Time in the collection, but I'm not sure if it's going to happen given the behind the scene controversy.

[guyetgenevieve]

If Criterion is doing more A24, The Florida Project seems like a lock given their good relationship with Baker

[Mr.DarjeelingLimited]

Any shot that we see the new FHF restoration of Pakeezah alongside Sholay, the Bimal Roy restorations, and Mother India? It seems like kind of a no brainer release to me.

The Shemaroo/Neomark release is terrible.

[FrauBlucher]

My A24 picks for CC are Enemy, The Witch (although unlikely) and First Reformed

Back in the day of phantom pages there was one for Denis Villeneuve

[beamish14]

Spring Breakers would probably be on their want-list (although I wish they were working on Julian Donkey-Boy)

Sally Potter’s Ginger and Rosa would be nice. I’m surprised they’ve never handled The Tango Lesson or Yes

[Finch]

My A24 pick would be Good Time.

[crimlaw]

We definely need more Sofia Coppola.

Waiting to finally retire my monthly Quaruntine Guessing Game request for ‘ Lost in Translation’’.

[crimlaw]

Definitely*

[therewillbeblus]

KLSC had the UHD rights to Lost in Translation but it never came to fruition. Is it possible that Criterion snagged them?

[Lowry_Sam]

Barry Jenkins states that Moonlight is coming to Criterion 4K on A24 Instagram reel about the 10th anniversary.

This is a pleasant surprise. I had hoped for a Criterion release of this, but when the UHD was released I assumed it would never happen (same for Brokeback Mountain, so maybe there's still hope for more Ang Lee in he collection?). Zone Of Interest & Stop Making Sense were the 2 A24 titles I was most expecting on Criterion & Precious was the title I was most anticipating from Lionsgate. Maybe still possibilities?

[nicolas]

KLSC had the UHD rights to Lost in Translation but it never came to fruition. Is it possible that Criterion snagged them?

Fingers crossed that they did. It really is ironic that Kino announces titles years in advance long before they work on the discs but are so impatient when it comes to seeking approval from directors.

[James Stock]

I have no proof but I'm like 90% sure Criterion will release Lost in Translation.

[MovieBuff647]

Echoing above sentiments that a Criterion 4K of BEAU IS AFRAID would be wonderful and far preferable to A24 releasing one themselves. I've also been holding out hope for Second Sight releasing a 4K of EDDINGTON with it being a Universal UK title like PEARL and MAXXXINE, but Uni seem to be kinda sorta closing off licensing these days, so not sure what I should do.

Also, STARS AT NOON would be great given no English-subtitled release for that one exists, and MENASHE has been OOP for some time so that would be lovely as well. Both are unlikely though because not Lionsgate.

If Criterion is doing more A24, The Florida Project seems like a lock given their good relationship with Baker

No reason to do a "what if" scenario for that one when a perfect and Baker-supervised/approved Second Sight release already exists anyway.

I also want to see Good Time in the collection, but I'm not sure if it's going to happen given the behind the scene controversy.

I don't think they're touching any other films by the Safdies now, honestly. I adore GOOD TIME and would obviously love to see Criterion get it—especially given the Lionsgate BD is junk and the Curzon BD, which I own and is significantly better, still has room for improvement—but what happened on that set is really bad and really a bad look for both but especially Josh, even if, yes, he is the brother with the juice.

[James Stock]

No reason to do a "what if" scenario for that one when a perfect and Baker-supervised/approved Second Sight release already exists anyway.

Well it doesn't have a U.S. 4K and a Criterion seems like a safe bet.

[MovieBuff647]

No reason to do a "what if" scenario for that one when a perfect and Baker-supervised/approved Second Sight release already exists anyway.

Well it doesn't have a U.S. 4K and a Criterion seems like a safe bet.

It would not surprise me, but my point is that there's no reason to wait for any "what ifs" when a perfect release that will not be bested already exists.

[Matt]

Zone Of Interest & Stop Making Sense were the 2 A24 titles I was most expecting on Criterion. Maybe still possibilities?

I wouldn't think so. Both have special edition UHDs from A24 already.

[MovieBuff647]

Zone Of Interest & Stop Making Sense were the 2 A24 titles I was most expecting on Criterion. Maybe still possibilities?

I wouldn't think so. Both have special edition UHDs from A24 already.

Yeah, I would not bet on anything that A24 have released themselves on UHD through their Shop getting a Criterion release.

I also wouldn't bet on Criterion releasing MIDSOMMAR at all unless they and Ari Aster are fine with only releasing the Theatrical Cut as A24 will almost certainly want to hold onto the Director's Cut as it has to be one of their best-sellers. And of course they won't license out EEAAO (both a Lionsgate and an A24 Shop release, each one having differing extras).

[Finch]

Sorry for my ignorance but what went down on the Good Time set?

[Matt]

An actor exposed himself to a 17-year-old actress playing a sex worker.

[dadaistnun]

Not getting my hopes up, but On Becoming a Guinea Fowl would be a very welcome A24 pickup, especially given the lack of a disc release anywhere in the world.

[Finch]

thanks, swo.

[Lowry_Sam]

Zone Of Interest & Stop Making Sense were the 2 A24 titles I was most expecting on Criterion. Maybe still possibilities?

I wouldn't think so. Both have special edition UHDs from A24 already.

Yeah, I would not bet on anything that A24 have released themselves on UHD through their Shop getting a Criterion release.

I wouldn't expect them to be released while they're still in stock, but if they truly are limited editions, Criterion might issue the general release when they've sold out, which would be nice as I don't recall A24 issuing a standard edition of any of its limited editions.

[MovieBuff647]

An actor exposed himself to a 17-year-old actress playing a sex worker.

The actor in question of course being Buddy Duress.

He has passed away in recent years, but it's still a bad look and I highly doubt Criterion want to be associated with it or any other Safdie films after this got out. Look at how they haven't touched any Polanski in a while or upgraded KNIFE IN THE WATER to BD.

[bad future]

Also, STARS AT NOON would be great given no English-subtitled release for that one exists

I have been hoping for this! It's a top 3 film of the 2020s for me, and I doubt A24, Lionsgate or almost any boutique label would expect it to sell well enough to justify release, but a Criterion release seems like something that really could sell.

As it is now, because it came and went with so little fanfare (it was one of two Denis films that year, wasn't heavily promoted or widely championed by critics, I think it went to streaming at the same time or very soon after its limited theatrical release, etc) I think being an A24 release by Claire Denis starring Margaret Qualley is weirdly working against it.. if people are aware of it they might assume there's a reason they hadn't heard of it / haven't seen it. But if Criterion released it, I think that would be the 'and it's actually good!' endorsement currently missing from its identity which would flip all those other things back into selling points.

It's really not a film that I'd expect to connect with a huge audience (I only just realized that having it star the then-current partners of Taylor Swift AND Jack Antonoff could have been a selling point to a huge audience who REALLY wouldn't connect with it) but I do expect its reputation to slowly and steadily improve, and a Criterion release could certainly speed that up.