Why Won't They Release Only What I Want?

[che-etienne]

I guess I'm just a sucker for those re-releases because the fact that Yojimbo, Sanjuro and Seven Samurai are all coming really excites me. These spines were staples just because of the films, but now they'll finally get the royal treatment. I also have a good feeling we'll be seeing more Ozu this year so for the time being I think I'm going to just treat this as a slowdown in output.

[Narshty]

I was going to suggest we have a dedicated thread entitled "They released THIS before more Ozu??" in which people could update their outrage as the months rolled by, but this seems a very good substitute.

I don't see why delays are anything to get upset over. Maybe all those years of getting R1 discs sent via airmail to the UK has instilled me with a Zen-like patience, but I'd much rather they ironed out the kinks before unleashing it onto the market. (I remember when they delayed Carnival of Souls a full two months a couple of weeks before street date, and if anything it only heightened the anticipation.) Once the disc is in your hand, all is forgotten anyway. I don't see anyone having a pop at peerpee for delays over various MoC discs, and nor should they. Spending time to get it right is something that should be applauded, not scolded. Delays in production actually cost money, so Criterion aren't dicking about for the sheer hell of it.

As both Dazed and Confused and Equinox were just about my two most anticipated Criterion titles, I have few qualms about June's schedule. I was blown away with last month's triple whammy of Renoir, Ford and Ealing, and I'm similarly excited about the triple bill of Truffaut, Ozu and Bunuel in May. Overall, I think it's been pretty good thus far - the only thing that's concerned me about 2006 was the windowboxing, which I hate. It basically means you have to watch the film as a frame within a frame which has a very distracting and distancing effect.

[justeleblanc]

Truffaut

Malle

[Michael Kerpan]

No one here is a bigger fan of Ozu -- but I don't THINK I 've complained about Criterion's other choices (other than the peculiar Ichikawa possibility).

I can understand why Criterion doesn't want to get thumped by people who may not realize that "transfer problems" may be due to unrestored (as opposed to merely patched up) source materials.

[Narshty]

Truffaut

Malle

No, no - I was one of the ones holding out for an individual release of 400 Blows since the Doinel set was released. For Johnny-come-latelys like me, it's a "new release".

[justeleblanc]

Truffaut

Malle

No, no - I was one of the ones holding out for an individual release of 400 Blows since the Doinel set was released. For Johnny-come-latelys like me, it's a "new release".

Ahh... I got the boxset of all the Doinel films -- which I highly suggest if you're a Truffaut fan.

[Narshty]

I'm not, especially. But is there a man, woman or child on earth who doesn't love The 400 Blows?

[nick]

I'm not, especially. But is there a man, woman or child on earth who doesn't love The 400 Blows?

My wife. But I didn't find out until after we were married!

[zedz]

Almost every important (ok famous) film is now available in a decent form on DVD.

Sorry, but this is just too ridiculous an assertion to let lie.

Surely most informed notions of Great Cinema would find room for more than five silent films and more than four women directors. Furthermore, world cinema wouldn't just dry up some time in the seventies, there would probably be more than one country in Asia, and Africa and South America wouldn't be written out of cinema history entirely.

There are thousands of genuinely great films currently unavailable in any form, and hundreds of them would by any reasonable measure count as 'masterpieces' or 'important'. At their current rate of releasing Criterion could go another hundred years before the well would dry up (and by that time there'd be another whole history of cinema upon which to draw).

[Taketori Washizu]

No offense but why are people complaining about Dazed and Confused as if its the end of Criterion? I take back my comments about Equinox. Back in the day, Criterion released The Big Chill and Ghostbusters on laserdisc for Christ's sake! I admire this company for their diverse output and Dazed and Confused is a welcomed addition. One of the seminal films of the 90's in my humble opinion. The Bad Sleep Well, The Virgin Spring, the Malle set, De Sica, Welles, Bunuel and Ford. The forthcoming reissues of Seven Samurai, Yojimbo and Sanjuro. Also, I'm sure they will make up with more foreign classics by the end of the year. Really, it isn't the end of the world people, put it in perspective.

Something else too, it isn't a necessity to BUY every Criterion. Ever heard of renting? It saves you a lot and you can cherry pick what you like.

[ben d banana]

apocalyptic decision to picturebox titles

How about Holocaustian?

[Napoleon]

Almost every important (ok famous) film is now available in a decent form on DVD.

Sorry, but this is just too ridiculous an assertion to let lie.

No it isn't, re-read with the emphasis on almost and important (ok famous).

Or better still list your top 50 important AND famous (at least famous in arthouse circles) unreleased films, then see how they do on theyshootpictures. Not very well I'd wager.
And if you don't think that (the dreaded word!) lists like this don't mean anything to the average cc punter, you are fooling yourself.

[Michael Kerpan]

Let me add another vote for "too ridiculous".

Yes, I read what you wrote, n.w. -- and I think you haven't a clue as to the immense number of important (and aesthetically rewarding) films from all around the world -- over the course of the past 100 years -- that are not available (or readily available).

[Napoleon]

Let me add another vote for "too ridiculous".

Yes, I read what you wrote, n.w. -- and I think you haven't a clue as to the immense number of important (and aesthetically rewarding) films from all around the world -- over the course of the past 100 years -- that are not available (or readily available).

So I take it that you honestly believe that any so far unreleased Ozu or ANY Naruse would generate 1/10th of the interest as 8 1/2, Rules of the Game, Sunrise?

No, I don't think that Zedz or yourself are understanding what I am saying. I'm not stating that there are no more worthy films to release. Please read my original message, (not Zedz quote out of the context).

My point is that the accepted big releases by the accepted big directors like Kurosawa, Fellini, Bergman, Renoir, Powell etc. can no longer be used to split up the release schedule as they all already exist in decent versions.

It isn't a question about the quality, it is more about the familiarity.

[Napoleon]

No offense but why are people complaining about Dazed and Confused as if its the end of Criterion?

I get the impession that they've never seen it and think that it must be a stoner high-school comedy. Probably with cameos from Cheech and Chong.

[Arn777]

My concern is not with Dazed & Confused (nor Equinox for that matter), I saw it at the cinema and loved it (even bought the soundtrack on Cassette!), but more about the overall lack of inspiration from several of the films released this year. E.g. This month I have no interest for the 3 Malle films (I saw Au revoir les enfants when it came out and didn't like it, and the other two don't appeal to me at all), and the De Sica. I was under-whelmed by Kind hearts…, Metropolitan was interesting but not amazing, La Bete Humaine and A nos Amours exist in superb R2 editions, so all of this means a not very exciting release schedule so far this year for me compared with the previous years. I would much prefer they release more challenging films than the mix-bag so far this year (not helped by the fact they put 3 out most month in 2006 than 4 or 5).

n.w. There are tons of great films to be released on dvd beyond the usual Top 100 or so most important films.

[Napoleon]

n.w. There are tons of great films to be released on dvd beyond the usual Top 100 or so most important films.

When did I say that there wasn't!

[toiletduck!]

so all of this means a not very exciting release schedule so far this year for me compared with the previous years.

This really isn't directed soley at you Arn, as you seem quite rational, but since you bring it up: how can you possibly blame Criterion for your own cinematic tastes? Releases that you don't savor do not equal the collection going down the pooper. Is it no longer possible to accept the fact that not liking something doesn't necessarily make it of poor quality?

-Toilet Dcuk

[Arn777]

I agree with your point, as I said it makes it less exiting to me. I find that some other companies particularly in Europe have a much more interesting schedule so far this year than what Criterion has on offer to my taste and I'm less willing to spend money buying criterion discs.

[rwaits]

Man, I don't even understand this debate. There are tons of amazing Hollywood films I'm waiting on that have yet to be released...much less World Cinema.

[Gigi M.]

Man, I don't even understand this debate. There are tons of amazing Hollywood films I'm waiting on that have yet to be released...much less World Cinema.

So, what're you doing in this board? Films are films no matter where they're from.

[Napoleon]

Man, I don't even understand this debate. There are tons of amazing Hollywood films I'm waiting on that have yet to be released...much less World Cinema.

The key word being I'm. I don't doubt that there are a few thousand great films unavailable, but how many of these are ones that are going to have 95-100% of potential cc buyers salivating?

Because I think that pretty much all of the so-called prestige titles that would elicit such a response are already out there.

[kschell]

Because I think that pretty much all of the so-called prestige titles that would elicit such a response are already out there.

Pretty much all? I disagree. There are a lot of prestige films that are indeed "already out there", but a substantial number that aren't. A by-no-means-exhaustive list of must-haves byu major directors would have to include

* The African Queen
* Potemkin
* Greed
* Isn't Life Wonderful?
* The Magnificent Ambersons
* Chimes at Midnight
* A Foreign Affair

Heck, what about Oscars "Best Pictures" that aren't out?

* Calvacade
* Wings

probably lots of others.

I know i'm missing a lot, but you folks get the point. Sure there's a lot out, but ther'es a wealth of stuff not out there yet.

[rwaits]

So, what're you doing in this board? Films are films no matter where they're from.

Yes, I realized that.

[carax09]

Man, I don't even understand this debate. There are tons of amazing Hollywood films I'm waiting on that have yet to be released...much less World Cinema.

So, what're you doing in this board? Films are films no matter where they're from.

Why are you jumpin' on rwaits? He was making a valid point. What's your point? Maybe you need to make sure you understand what someone is saying before you get all snippy.