Why Won't They Release Only What I Want?

[Napoleon]

The Ozu film is one of his most important. The Bunuel film is one of his most important. I'll leave it to others to comment on the importance of the Welles, etc.

So you think that Late Spring and Viridana have the same level of recognition to the average cc punter as 8 1/2, Grand Illusion, Seven Samurai, Seventh Seal?

No, but they should, and getting them out will go a long way towards rectifying this. The film 'canon' (the cinematic equivalent to a classic rock station, where classics are determined by familiarity and constant rotation) isn't a fossil, isn't set in stone - there are too many blank spots on Criterion's map. Not being as famous as 8 1/2 doesn't mean that Late Spring, or never-gonna-be-Criterions like A Touch Of Zen, or Charulata, or something recent like Kore'eda's Distance are worthless.

Agree absolutely. But my original point was made in response as to why certain posters on here were being antagonistic towards the current release schedule, not my own personal critic of the schedule, which almost everyone seems to have taken it as being.

[Gigi M.]

I currently have The Complete Mr. Arkadin boxset (it arrived on Monday) and it is simply put a masterpiece. The kind of treatment we all received with The Battle of Algiers, Fanny and Alexander, The Rules of the Game, and plenty more all-out as special an edition that there ever might be release format.

Is it windowboxed?

[Musashi219]

As far as I can tell, no it is not windowboxed. Granted I've only watched the Corinth version so far, everything seems perfectly fine.

Edit: I lied. According to DVDBeaver, Arkadin is pictureboxed. My TV must be one of those that zooms in on the screen. Read more here

[stroszeck]

Has anyone actually watched their newly arrived Arkadin set? I was considering purchasing this until I read about the apparent dubbing issues (I believe they are innate to the movie and not the result of shoddy transfer work) which I find VERY VERY distracting (Its probably why I dislike Welles' Othello so much). I'd like to get a clearer picture before the purchase this one. THanks.

[Musashi219]

Has anyone actually watched their newly arrived Arkadin set? I was considering purchasing this until I read about the apparent dubbing issues (I believe they are innate to the movie and not the result of shoddy transfer work) which I find VERY VERY distracting (Its probably why I dislike Welles' Othello so much). I'd like to get a clearer picture before the purchase this one. THanks.

As I said in the above post, I have watched the Corinth version so far. Yes, the dubbing does seem a bit off at times but that is purely the fault of the movie itself - not Criterion. I have some $5 supermarket version of Mr. Arkadin from long ago and the same problem exists on there. I don't find it to be too noticeable though, I think you'd actually have to sit there and make yourself notice it.

Also, since I guess I lied in my above post, the film is indeed windowboxed. I guess my TV just zooms in.

[atcolomb]

Speaking of Criterion 2006 i am still waiting for the rerelease of Tati's Playtime and lets hope it's done correctly with more extras and the story behind the making and release which forced him into bankruptcy.

[Cinephrenic]

They should include an extra on why its taking so long for Criterion to release it.

[atcolomb]

There was a restored print that was being shown in theaters recently so maybe when the tour is over they will release it or maybe they are looking for more materials for the extras....who knows?....

[Narshty]

Anyone else noticed the "growing pains" theme so far this year? It's seven confirmed so far by my count, with Metropolitan, Murmur of the Heart, Lacombe Lucien, Au revoir les enfants, A nos amours, Dazed and Confused, Kicking & Screaming, and eight if we include the 400 Blows re-release. Not to mention the extreme likelihood of The Spirit of the Beehive.

Maybe it's all these films about the young 'uns that's getting folk all riled?

[atcolomb]

I hope Spirit of the Beehive gets released, it's one of my favorites and in Criterion's hands it will be worth it. I have the region 2 dvd which has a nice picture and is a big improvement over the VHS tape!!

[kinjitsu]

Anyone else noticed the "growing pains" theme so far this year? It's seven confirmed so far by my count, with Metropolitan, Murmur of the Heart, Lacombe Lucien, Au revoir les enfants, A nos amours, Dazed and Confused, Kicking & Screaming, and eight if we include the 400 Blows re-release. Not to mention the extreme likelihood of The Spirit of the Beehive.

Maybe it's all these films about the young 'uns that's getting folk all riled?

Interesting point, Narshty, as there is definitely a pattern here. While I don't have much to be riled up about considering all of the exceptional films coming our way, I found that this sort of subgenre wears thin after a while, with obvious exceptions of course.

[rlendog]

I think that June is the perfect month for Criterion Collection. Sure, they had much more productive months but June will bring something for everyone.

Funny, but for me June is the first month of 2006 that I won't have something to buy. The first 5 months of the year brought/will bring such gems as Bad Sleep Well, Young Mr Lincoln, Virgin Spring, Bete Humaine, the Malle box, Mr Arkadin and Late Spring. But June has nothing I find remotely interesting. Not that I am complaining - I think 2006 has been far more productive than 2005, where until a blowout November the pickings were pretty slim all year.

[Gordon]

re: Koko

I'm sorry - WHAT?

A Creationists favourite, but not mine. There are SO many films not on DVD that Criterion have the power to release. But this is not one of them, unfortunately.

[stroszeck]

what the FUCK?

Oh yes, and to those people who lashed out at the rest of us when we predicted that the low-tier quality of films being released and rumored (Dazed & Confused, Equinox, Kicking ...) would inevitably lead to a veritable who's who of junk being released by our beloved Criterion, thank you very FUCKING MUCH! (Oh, and "we told you so.") =D>

[mmacklem]

Far be it for me to act contrary, but I think regardless of people's thoughts about this particular movie, this film has the potential for a fantastic set of extras. Imagine: behind-the-scenes with the scientists, in-depth discussions on how one goes about doing this kind of research. Audio commentary with the filmmakers and trainers. That could all be very cool. Not particularly filmic, but I'm willing to at least hope at this point.

[Cinephrenic]

Oh relax, they probably just announicing the lower tier films for July because they know about how crazy we are, perhaps the next 2 or 3 films will be from the masters.

[Gregory]

Oh relax, they probably just announicing the lower tier films for July because they know about how crazy we are, perhaps the next 2 or 3 films will be from the masters.

What do you hope to prove by labeling Yi Yi "lower tier" (with not a single word of justification or explanation, as usual) and trying to exlude Yang from some nebulous pantheon of "masters"?

Oh yes, and to those people who lashed out at the rest of us when we predicted that the low-tier quality of films being released and rumored (Dazed & Confused, Equinox, Kicking ...) would inevitably lead to a veritable who's who of junk being released by our beloved Criterion, thank you very FUCKING MUCH! (Oh, and "we told you so.")

You never said clearly what's wrong with the other films on this Criterion shit list of yours, and now you're adding Koko without so much as saying whether or not you've seen it.

Folks, why not make comments about Criterion's standards in the "Criterion 2006" thread where those of us who get sick of endless posts full of unconstructive griping can more easily avoid them?

[Jeff]

Oh yes, and to those people who lashed out at the rest of us when we predicted that the low-tier quality of films being released and rumored (Dazed & Confused, Equinox, Kicking ...) would inevitably lead to a veritable who's who of junk being released by our beloved Criterion, thank you very FUCKING MUCH! (Oh, and "we told you so.") =D>

Surely the fact that Criterion is releasing one of the very best films of the last decade at the same time as Koko must be of some consolation to you. Besides that, they are expected to release films by Ozu, Naruse, Fuller, Tati, Powell & Pressburger, and Antonioni before the year is out. This increasingly popular notion that Criterion is somehow "going downhill" of late is absurd. For the past twenty years, they have released a mix of classics by respected auteurs, trashy cult films, and contemporary crowdpleasers. And for every Silverado, SuperCop, Armageddon, Chasing Amy, and Equinox that Criterion has released, there has been someone there to bitch about it. I don't particularly want to own any of those films on DVD either, but after careful strategic planning, I have come up with what I think is an ingenious solution: don't buy them. The idea that the release of Koko is inhibiting the release of a different Criterion film is just silly. I think I've said this before, but clearly it bears repeating. It is not as though at the last Criterion staff meeting, they had people vote on which film they liked better, Koko the Talking Gorilla or Double Indemnity, and Koko won in a landslide.

Criterion's business model is quite simple. They release the films that they have the rights to when the have the best possible elements, the best possible restoration, and the highest quality supplements. Right now, this is what they've got. If you are only interested in a company with a great library of classic films dumping its catalog haphazardly on to DVD with no regard to quality, many of the early Fox Lorber/Winstar titles are still available. As for me, I'll wait for Criterion to treat the masters right. Even if that means they have to bide their time with Koko.

[Michael Kerpan]

"Koko" sounds like it is far from a routine "nature special". I find the whole spectacle of people pissing on films they've never seen pretty pathetic.

[cdnchris]

Silverado

That's it dude: You, me, the playground. I'll be damned if you lump Silverado up with SuperCop and Armageddon. :p

My wife is actually pretty excited about the Koko release. I've always found Koko to be interesting, so I'm actually interested in the film. Plus I loved Schroeder's Idi Amin doc, so I'm not weary of it. Or is everyone jumping on it because it's about a signing ape?

Is Jane Goodall still around? Maybe she could offer something to the release.

Yi Yi, though, is far from a shit release.

[LightBulbFilm]

Seriously, the constant complaing is getting annoying. It's not going to change anytihng, at all. Criterion has it's reasons for releasing certain films. Either they are important to society, world culture or cinema itself... Just think about it this way... Crtierion has obviusly released one of your favorite films, it also has introduced you to new ones. Give them a break guys. Let 'em do what they want, you know it will pay off in the end.

[miloauckerman]

The upcoming titles seem fine to me. Maybe even better than usual. The Complete Mr. Arkadin, Dazed & Confused, Harlan County, Late Spring, Viridana are all on my list to buy, I don't know that I bought that many Criterions all last year.

[domino harvey]

I think you all have lost the child-like enthusiasm at seeing the newest title, the newest cover, etc. Isn't this supposed to still be even a little fun to you guys if you continue to post in this forum? So you don't like a movie, so what, others presumably do, and there's probably reason for anything getting released that might not be immediately apparent. I've been waiting for them to release more Godards, and I know eventually I'll get my wish, and until then, I'm not going to bitch because I'm getting Koko over Karina.

[pzman84]

You all know me as one of the biggest bitchers of Criterion this year. However, I have to say Koko, A Talking Gorilla actually looks interesting.

However, I can understand the frustration people are expressing. The first reason probably the title. Koko just doesn't have the same feel as Citizen Kane or La Regle du jeu. However, don't judge a movie by its cover.

The second (and more important reason) is the previous month's release of Equinox, which has a wierd gorilla-like creature. While "Criterion, the cool films from the 90s" might look bad for a theme, "Criterion, devoted to monkey extravaganzas," looks worse. (Note, I love sarcasm. I hope you all like it too).

But, hey. Maybe they will live up to the sentence in their promotional pamphlet The foundation of the collection is the work of such masters of cinema as Renoir, Truffaut, Godard, Kurosawa, Cocteau, Fellini, Bergman, Tarkovsky, Hitchcock, Fuller, Lean, Kubrick, Lang, Sturges, Dreyer, Eisenstein, Ozu, Sirk, Bunuel, and Powell and Pressburger by the end of the year.

[dx23]

The idea that the release of Koko is inhibiting the release of a different Criterion film is just silly.

Actually, I think it is. Criterion is spending time and energy on a so-so films as Koko and Equinox, when they could be focusing their efforts in Spanish, Latin-American and other types of cinema that haven't been profiled on the Criterion Collection. Criterion is not new to the home video business. I'm pretty sure that they have the rights or the necessary contacts to better films than Koko and Equinox. As customers, we have had incredibly high expectations year after year that have been met by the company. Unfortunately, most of this year releases have left us hanging dry and haven't fulfill the high expectation of the quality films that Criterion has given us in the past.