Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

[oh yeah]

I can't find a thread for Fine Line or New Line but has there ever been any rumblings about a potential release of Egoyan's The Sweet Hereafter? That'd be very welcome. Since they've obtained other Fine Line titles like Short Cuts it shouldn't be difficult I wouldn't think.

EDIT: Whoops, I didn't realize that the film got two blu releases (Artificial Eye and Alliance), but my comment still stands.

[ryannichols7]

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

yes. Wenders and Kieslowski aren't exactly the big crossover sellers like that will be. though they're two I've waited since I started buying Criterions for...

I don't quite think it's time for Grand Budapest yet, I think we'll see that early 2017. same with Boyhood probably as I doubt they'll pair it with the Before Trilogy box. Squid and the Whale and Election are extremely likely though

[kekid]

When will we see the continuation of their projects on Satyajit Ray, Chaplin, Ingmar Bergman and Ozu? It seems they go in hibernation for long periods of time on their long-term projects. Any communications from them that would give a clue as to when one of these will re-awaken?
(I am absolutely delighted by their announcements over the last two months; so this is simply a call for information, not a complaint.)

[McNulty]

Chaplin

The Kid was released <5 months ago, bringing the total of Chaplin's feature films on Criterion to seven. That leaves them with four more features, so they're more than halfway done with the Chaplin material (if given the rights, they could possibly also release a boxset full of shorts too).

Begs the question though: who's really pining for A Countess from Hong Kong on Criterion?

[Noiradelic]

When will we see the continuation of their projects on Satyajit Ray, Chaplin, Ingmar Bergman and Ozu?

Chaplin has been continuing as McNulty said. There's not much post-1952 Bergman left for them to release. The more apt question is, can they acquire the rights to the rest of the MGM Bergmans?

They released that Ozu Eclipse a little more than a year ago. They're sitting on an enormous catalog of Japanese films that are available on Hulu (and will presumably be transferred to their own streaming service in September), so it's hard to predict what from that will get released next. They also have some more Ozu DVDs to upgrade. Personally, I'd rather see more Naruse, on Blu-ray in the U.S. for the first time.

Ray's a slightly different situation, because he didn't join the collection till 2011. The Apu Trilogy just came out 7 months ago and that was a massive project. I'm sure more will be coming at some point, but it's unpredictable.

[tenia]

What I'm quite eager to see is more Harold Lloyd. The original announcements hinted at something quite big, but now, we're 3 years after the release of Safety Last! and only 2 other Lloyd movies have been released, which is rather underwhelming.

[Roscoe]

"who's really pining for A Countess from Hong Kong on Criterion?"

Was anyone pining for VALLEY OF THE DOLLS or THE IN-LAWS on Criterion?

[Big Ben]

I'd love to see more Bergman on Blu-Ray, especially his trilogy of Through a Glass Darkly, Winter Light and The Silence. But the one Bergman I keep holding out for the most is Hour of the Wolf though!

[knives]

"who's really pining for A Countess from Hong Kong on Criterion?"

Was anyone pining for VALLEY OF THE DOLLS or THE IN-LAWS on Criterion?

Me on the first.

[matrixschmatrix]

I'm looking very much forward to The Circus, and I'm interested to see what kind of package they put together for A Woman of Paris (I know it's one Kalat's taken an interest in, so maybe they could lure him out of retirement for it?) but the remaining sound features are both kind of skippable, for me. Which is likely unfortunate, since they'll probably do another sound one (presumably A King in New York) next.

[aox]

I'd love to see more Bergman on Blu-Ray, especially his trilogy of Through a Glass Darkly, Winter Light and The Silence. But the one Bergman I keep holding out for the most is Hour of the Wolf though!

Scenes from a Marriage, The Virgin Spring, and the stated trilogy are high on my list for BD upgrades.

[sir_luke]

Criterion posted about One-Eyed Jacks playing at Il Cinema Ritrovato.

[Cinephrenic]

I'm thinking they will do a 100th year anniversary full set of films like Kurosawa.

[FrauBlucher]

Park Circus has A Place In The Sun listed on their site as a 4k restoration. It will be screening in Canada as part of their Classic Film Series at various theaters. Perhaps the George Stevens phantom page may be an indication this could be CC bound.

[Buttery Jeb]

Well now we know why Tampopo hasn't been released yet. A theatrical run through Janus Films is scheduled for October 21st at the New York Film Forum.

Other Criterion-related runs include La Notte and The Battle of Algiers (via Rialto), the new rerelease of Howard's End from Cohen Media, and the new restoration of One Eyed Jacks (hopefully). Also looking forward to some of their double bills they're highlighting in August and September, including one of Bicycle Thieves and Pee Wee's Big Adventure.

[Drucker]

Kudos to Criterion for what has been an exceptional year. 2015 had a number of great releases, but lots of problems as well. A bunch of releases were bested by other labels, there was encoding issues, and old-master upgrades. By my count, I've already picked up 14 releases this year, and have about 10 on my wishlist I'll get as of now as well. I started posting here in 2011, and this year has seen the release of many films people were calling for back then, with Rivette, A Brighter Summer Day, and the Road Trilogy. And their work on the 4k MGM titles and Warner selection has been solid thus far. Criterion still has spots they ignore, and the lack of Eclipse is sad, but after a few years where it seems all priase went to MOC/Arrow/BFI, Criterion's been hitting it out of the park this year.

[movielocke]

Now surpassed the longest gap ever between eclipse releases

[Finch]

Thrilled with the announcement of The Executioner, hopefully the first of many more releases of Spanish films that aren't directed by Almodovar (not a dig against the man, I'm a fan), and I'm also in for The Tree of Wooden Clogs.

[knives]

Thrilled with the announcement of The Executioner, hopefully the first of many more releases of Spanish films that aren't directed by Almodovar (not a dig against the man, I'm a fan), and I'm also in for The Tree of Wooden Clogs.

I count at least three non-Almodovar Spaniards in the collection. In fact it seems odd to target him since he only has one film in the collection.

[Noiradelic]

We can all agree there aren't enough classic Spanish films in the collection.

[Luke M]

Every now and then Criterion reminds me there's still so much cinema I've yet to explore. Admittedly, I've never heard of The Executioner nor its celebrated director. Hope to see more Spanish releases from Criterion.

[FrauBlucher]

Interesting note for this month. Two films in one month that is influenced by Franco's spain. Coincidence?

[Minkin]

Monthly Roundup and very little was speculated/known this time around!

Pan's Labyrinth - Cover art leak, interview in Spanish magazine, Del Toro has been confirming or pushing this for a number of years now. Even when people would ask him directly, he would say "its coming." He probably helped finalize the WB deal for Criterion even.

Boyhood - Similarly known for quite some time. Linklater confirmed it awhile ago, then we got the Paramount release, then Linklater further confirmed a "special Criterion edition is still on the way." So its finally here now.

The Tree of Wooden Clogs - Complete surprise, not speculated anywhere!

The Executioner - Complete surprise, not speculated anywhere!

Short Cuts - Not hinted at in any way. My own research indicates that this is from Avenue Pictures, which means this should be licensed from Rehab Entertainment (not WB). Perhaps Chris can confirm this? I'd expect more films from Avenue/Rehab - like Drugstore Cowboy.
-----------------------

An interesting month! We typically only get one non-speculated title in a month's announcement (and usually an upgrade at that), but here we get three out of the five announced titles! Interesting that they didn't go all out for their horror push month (only 2/5 - if you count Executioner). I rather expected a Sisters upgrade or the two Warhol OOP titles, or some classic Universal horror or the rumored Night of the Living Dead. But with Carnival of Souls being released in July and Cat People in september, I suppose they preferred to spread their horror films out more. Still, a surprising and great month.

Also glad that discussion of announced titles has returned to the proper thread!

[johnnysnatchclub7]

MISTER JOHNSON and THE PLAYER were Avenue.

[Ribs]

Given Criterion seems to have a newfound fondness for these trilogy box sets, are there any other future bundles that seem likely? Would they pair Squid and the Whale with Frances Ha and Kicking and Screaming? A third Sturges title being put bundled with the other two?