Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

[dwk]

Peter Becker did a Q&A last month at the Buenos Aires International Independent Film Festival, mostly stuff we've heard already (the history of Criterion, the how they work, etc.) but at the end he said that they have acquired seven of Ousmane Sembene's films. He also mentioned that it took ten years to get the rights to the Satyajit Ray films and seven years to get the rights to A Brighter Summer Day.

[onedimension]

Would love to see more Pasolini at some point, & seems inevitable, but don't know the rights situation..

[Cinephrenic]

Pretty Baby from Warner Archive was discontinued and The Dresser from Columbia/Sony. Criterion?

[onedimension]

Weird month, great to see McCabe and Chimes, but wish they would upgrade entire box sets to blu instead of plucking one film out.

[Minkin]

Late this time, but here is your speculation roundup:

McCabe & Mrs. Miller - Confirmed on the Criterion website itself! + Also the New Years clue (man with coat).

Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words - Never hinted anywhere! A Surprise!

A Taste of Honey - New Years Clue (honey pot by clock)

Woman in the Dunes -An upgrade, no real hint other than the Teshigahara box being out of stock, so something was bound to happen with it. Still a surprise.

The Immortal Story - Hulu + Confirmed by a producer

Chimes at Midnight - New Years Clue (clock) + Janus tour + confirmed by producer
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Only two surprises this month (although there's rarely ever hints for upgrades). Not many New Years clues are left after this announcement.

[djproject]

Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words - Never hinted anywhere! A Surprise!

Though you could argue their Ingrid Bergman centennial birthday tribute posted on YouTube was perhaps a more subtle hint.

[movielocke]

August is a really impressive slate, to me. I have no must buys from July's slate but it will be difficult not to buy the entire August Slate, I may sell the Teshigahara set to finance it.

[Bruce]

In view of the Criterion-Warner relationship, I'm wondering whether they might have licensed 'Klute'. Has there been any speculation about that? I'm certainly surprised it hasn't yet appeared on Blu.

[colinr0380]

If they have, look out for a wacky tin of catfood clute.

[Calvin]

According to Mr. Lime over on the Blu-Ray.com forums, Criterion have the rights to Borzage's Moonrise

[FrauBlucher]

I find it curious and amusing when the others give up the info on Criterion's acquisitions.
Do the folks at Criterion look like this when that happens...

[FrauBlucher]

Why do some folks over on the HTF think that The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941) is a Warner Brothers film, is there any reason to think that?

[Minkin]

Why do some folks over on the HTF think that The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941) is a Warner Brothers film, is there any reason to think that?

It was originally released by RKO -and that's the the only connection to WB. At some point (since laserdisc?) Criterion/Janus ended up with the rights (did it revert to the Dieterle estate?) - thus they have it on Hulu/Itunes + back of case gives the Janus logo. HTF don't seem to be the most informed /able to do simple research... didn't they not even realize Criterion had a deal with WB?

[FrauBlucher]

Why do some folks over on the HTF think that The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941) is a Warner Brothers film, is there any reason to think that?

...didn't they not even realize Criterion had a deal with WB?

That was the guy that runs their forum. But the guy that was hoping for WB to release The Devil and Daniel Webster usually seems more aware, although I guess not in this situation.

[FrauBlucher]

Anyone surprised The Age of Innocence, which got a 4k restoration in 2013, hasn't entered the bluray market in the States? Could this mean Criterion has this on it's crowded schedule and is taking time to put a supplement package together. You would think Sony would have already released this themselves or given it to TT or Mill Creek by now.

[Minkin]

Here is your speculation roundup:

(In / Beyond) the Valley of the Dolls - Newsletter + New Years 2016 clue (this can probably be added as another mythical "double clue" in both cases).

Dekalog - Confirmed by Criterion Rep at the Midnight Sun Film Festival (only "Its All True" has yet to be announced from that rep's list) + Short Film about Killing/Love are on Hulu.

Cat People - Newsletter clue + cover art leak + was also on Ian's WB short list of WB DVDs that went OOP that were likely to come to Criterion

Blood Simple - Janus tour + confirmed by employee / that screening in SF

The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum - New Years clue + Janus tour

Night Train to Munich - Upgrade not otherwise hinted at (only surprise of the month). By my count (when boxsets are counted as "one") - this leave 282 upgrades remaining.
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Quite the month! This further clears out the Newsletter (minus the rat/possum) + most of the New Years clues that are remaining. This seems like a November lineup, so I wonder what surprises we'll have in store then! Also surprised they didn't "save" Cat People for October for their requisite horror month (makes me wonder what other horror titles they are saving for October, now that Cat People + Carnival of Souls came out earlier). Dekalog has been one of those titles that have been desired/speculated for decades. I'd say everything here is essential (even Night Train - which is fantastic /fun).

[criterion10]

This further clears out the Newsletter (minus the rat/possum)

Can we finally just admit this was a clue for Il Sorpasso and close the books on it for good?

[The Narrator Returns]

We can do that the same time we admit the Kennedy assassination was performed by jellyfish.

[Jeff]

This seems like a November lineup, so I wonder what surprises we'll have in store then! Also surprised they didn't "save" Cat People for October for their requisite horror month (makes me wonder what other horror titles they are saving for October

Pan's Labyrinth for October, and probably some other big mainstream titles like Boyhood, Election, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Squid and the Whale and whatever they may or may not be working on from John Hughes and Amy Heckerling for November and December.

[criterion10]

I'd also add that there's a strong chance we'll be seeing the Before... Trilogy in November.

[FrauBlucher]

By my count (when boxsets are counted as "one") - this leave 282 upgrades remaining.

By my count, at this current pace, it'll take till 2091 to get these all out. \:D/

[colinr0380]

I particularly liked from this month's announcements that in the month of Cat People's release Criterion seem to have alluded to another renowned Val Lewton director with Mark Robson, who long before Valley of the Dolls began his filmmaking career with The Ghost Ship, Isle of the Dead, Youth Runs Wild, Bedlam and of course the magnificent The Seventh Victim!

[Ribs]

Night Train to Munich - Upgrade not otherwise hinted at (only surprise of the month). By my count (when boxsets are counted as "one") - this leave 282 upgrades remaining.

Whatever one says, this has to at least have been in the top ~275 most wanted upgrades.

[Drucker]

Personally I'll be picking up Cat People and Blood Simple. I have to say this year Criterion has been kicking ass. Last year I bought less than 10 releases, and a few of those were upgrades. I joined the board a few years ago, and it seems so many fantasy releases at the time finally became reality this year. Chimes at Midnight, Road Trilogy, A Brighter Summer Day, Rivette were among many of the "where are these" titles. And now here they are.

[Roscoe]

NIGHT TRAIN TO MUNICH is certainly a film to raise one's respect for THE LADY VANISHES.