Criterion and Warner Bros.

[MichaelB]

I suspect this impression was the product of educated guesswork - as far as I'm aware, Warner Bros hasn't issued any kind of official statement on The Devils aside from occasional one-liners during online chats with executives.

But the corporate loathing of the film predates Alan Horn's arrival by decades. In fact, it dates from the time Warner executives first saw the film in 1971.

[Arthur House]

Does Warner Bros. still hold the U.S. rights for The Loneliness of The Long Distance Runner? I got to thinking about the film the other day and saw that their dvd is now OOP (and I've probably missed the window to get it for $3-5 @ Big Lots). I don't see it popping up in the Archive anytime soon, and the BFI did a blu in 2009, so high-def materials are out there.

[Jeff]

I think a big title to look forward to has to be Badlands, which has been rumored for a while now, and word on the street is that the Warner Bros legal folks have finally signed off on it.

[feihong]

In a perfect world there would be similar word on the street about Blow-Up, with a Criterion blu-ray following! But that's probably not in the cards, right?

[ianungstad]

Well we know that they are doing Badlands, so maybe we'll see other Warner titles. Paul Maher Jr. who runs terrencemalick.org has been stating on Mubi and other sites that Criterion are currently working on Badlands. He seems reputable. In addition to running the Terrence Malick website, he just recently published a book on Malick and has previously written books on Jack Kerouac. Unrelated but Paul has also indicated that To the Wonder has already screened for distributors and they are having a hard time selling the picture. Jeffrey Wells actually wrote an obnoxious piece on Hollywood Elsewhere about the issue a week or so ago that is of course full of speculation and lacking in facts.

It is odd that Criterion actually responded to a Facebook suggestion....

EDIT: Looks like the poster I was responding to deleted his post!

[eerik]

It turned out to be a fake account (with exactly the same name and profile picture), I already deleted my previous post.

[ianungstad]

Really? That somehow makes their Facebook wall look even more Pathetic. (If that was somehow possible)

[swo17]

Someone actually posted something on the forum yesterday about Criterion commenting on Facebook that they were working on Hard Eight but that was also quickly deleted.

[ryannichols7]

Someone actually posted something on the forum yesterday about Criterion commenting on Facebook that they were working on Hard Eight but that was also quickly deleted.

that was me, quickly deleting after i realized "Colection" was very odd.

definitely a low for me

[mfunk9786]

Wait, what?

[ianungstad]

Someone on Facebook created an account with the username Criterion Colection and made their profile identical to Criterion's and is pretending to be the company and responding to requests on their wall.

[flyonthewall2983]

Is there any chance WB could buy Glengarry Glen Ross from Lionsgate, whether or not there's a possibility they license it to the CC? I watched the DVD again, and it could surely use an upgrade.

[ianungstad]

Why would Warner Brothers need to license it? Glengarry Glenross is an independent film. The sales company is Westchester films who've licensed plenty to Criterion in the past.

[flyonthewall2983]

I figured it'd be sought out because it was distributed by New Line, and would be something of a prestige title considering the cast and legacy it still has. But that's encouraging to hear, especially if it comes into consideration for a spine and Criterion is able to port over most of the special features from the 2002 Artisan edition.

[rockysds]

Whit Stillman's "Barcelona" is going to be released through the Warner Archive, so goodbye Criterion and blu-ray on this one. Bummed.

[Harmonov]

Whit Stillman's "Barcelona" is going to be released through the Warner Archive, so goodbye Criterion and blu-ray on this one. Bummed.

Bummer. I asked Whit about this at a screening for Damsels in Distress and he said he thought it was going to happen at one point, but that the window was likely closed. I think it's a real shame.

[vsski]

Boy, am I glad that I sold my Barcelona DVD on ebay a few years ago thinking a BD release would be imminent. Who needs BD if I can pick up a DVD-R from the Archives. ](*,)

[Buttery Jeb]

Wonder how Richard Linklater will react when "SubUrbia" is announced for the Warner Archive.

[Jean-Luc Garbo]

Whit Stillman's "Barcelona" is going to be released through the Warner Archive, so goodbye Criterion and blu-ray on this one. Bummed.

Those bastards. This and CC's blu upgrades just prove yet again the farce of WB's business model. Little ole Criterion can give Stillman the works, but WB can't even be arsed to try. ](*,) Not to mention the great extras listed for Damsels In Distress!

[Props55]

The last five posts bring up an interesting question I've yet to see addressed in any interviews I've read with contempory film-makers (who presumably have ongoing relationships with all the major corporate players), i.e. just what their reaction is to being shunted into the MOD basement where the possibility of their work finding new audiences (and reaping optimal residuals) is reduced to virtually nil. I'd imagine that this would be a prime area of contention in any upcoming DGA, WGA and SAG/AFTRA contract negotiations.

[knives]

I know several directors who have been outspoken about it, but a few to the best of my knowledge (haven't met any in this later camp) are just glad for any exposure.

[movielocke]

I know several directors who have been outspoken about it, but a few to the best of my knowledge (haven't met any in this later camp) are just glad for any exposure.

Precisely. Being on the archives means never going out of print and always available at a moments notice for anyone to click and download. It's an incredible level of availability.

Asking if they hate it is sort of like asking the Beatles if they hate being on itunes since it means stores won't carry LPs anymore.

[knives]

That analogy doesn't work since LPs are still being carried in stores, but you won't find a copy of The Little Drummer Girl in store.

[matrixschmatrix]

Also because things on iTunes are cheap and more or less universally available, whereas people don't know what the hell is in the Archive and it's overpriced when they find it

[captveg]

Whit Stillman's "Barcelona" is going to be released through the Warner Archive, so goodbye Criterion and blu-ray on this one. Bummed.

Those bastards. This and CC's blu upgrades just prove yet again the farce of WB's business model. Little ole Criterion can give Stillman the works, but WB can't even be arsed to try. ](*,) Not to mention the great extras listed for Damsels In Distress!

Warner has 10x the film library than Criterion has. Apples, oranges.