Why Won't They Release Only What I Want?

[Michael Kerpan]

I have access to nine brocka films and three Bernal films, and the elements for all look fine to me-- after all, these are relatively modern films.

Which films are you talking about which are blasted beyond repair?

By Bernal -- Manila by Night (City After Dark), Relasyon and Himala (best looking, but dual burnt-in subs -- apparently a feature of the best available source).

By Brocka -- Insiang

These are all things I got on supposedly "restored" DVDs -- which were comercial releases.

Moroever, Noel Vera has reported that many of these "fairly modern" films are in pretty deplorable condition -- as there was no conservation of any sort for negatives (etc.) from this era.

[ouatitw]

Worst Criterion month ever.

A greed at least one of the worst, nothing I want from the main line (the eclipse set looks amazing though).

[bamwc2]

Worst Criterion month ever.

A greed at least one of the worst, nothing I want from the main line (the eclipse set looks amazing though).

I'm really surprised to hear anyone say this in a month where Z is released. If you haven't seen it, then I recommend holding your criticism until you have. It's a phenomenal film, in fact one of the best in the collection in my opinion.

[GringoTex]

Worst Criterion month ever.

A greed at least one of the worst, nothing I want from the main line (the eclipse set looks amazing though).

I'm really surprised to hear anyone say this in a month where Z is released. If you haven't seen it, then I recommend holding your criticism until you have. It's a phenomenal film, in fact one of the best in the collection in my opinion.

I saw all of this month's films the first time they were released on DVD.

[HerrSchreck]

I have access to nine brocka films and three Bernal films, and the elements for all look fine to me-- after all, these are relatively modern films.

Which films are you talking about which are blasted beyond repair?

By Bernal -- Manila by Night (City After Dark), Relasyon and Himala (best looking, but dual burnt-in subs -- apparently a feature of the best available source).

By Brocka -- Insiang

These are all things I got on supposedly "restored" DVDs -- which were comercial releases.

Moroever, Noel Vera has reported that many of these "fairly modern" films are in pretty deplorable condition -- as there was no conservation of any sort for negatives (etc.) from this era.

Manila by Night (in a compressed audio-video-interleave):

Himala:

Brocka's Insiang:



I don't see anything particularly woesome here, as far as the prints look, though they could probably use a fresh transfer. None of these films are more than 30 years old.

[benny profane]

I still want the Rublev reissue. Maybe next month...

[bamwc2]

A greed at least one of the worst, nothing I want from the main line (the eclipse set looks amazing though).

I'm really surprised to hear anyone say this in a month where Z is released. If you haven't seen it, then I recommend holding your criticism until you have. It's a phenomenal film, in fact one of the best in the collection in my opinion.

I saw all of this month's films the first time they were released on DVD.

Sorry about that. When I wrote it, I didn't mean to imply that you passed judgment without having seen the films. I just feel so passionately about Z (I consider it one of the three best films of all time), that I guess I automatically assumed that if you don't feel the same way that I do, you must have missed it. It was a very silly assumption to make.

On a side note, I'll likely use this disc about a year from now when I have a chance to teach a philosophy through film course. I have the Wellspring disc, but aside from its well known weaknesses, my copy also has a small scratch that makes it jump a bit, so the replacement will be highly welcome. Hopefully my students will enjoy the film as much as I do.

[Michael Kerpan]

I don't see anything particularly woesome here, as far as the prints look, though they could probably use a fresh transfer. None of these films are more than 30 years old.

It is not the age of the films, but the total lack of conservation. As I understand it, there are no original elements to make transfers from -- for a number of these films. The best sources may be poorly preserved exhibition prints. But all my info is second-hand (and based mainly by things said by Noel Vera -- to whom I defer on all issues regarding Filipino cinema).

[MuzikJunky]

I don't understand how you think using Sarah Palin techniques is going to get you anywhere with this forum. A bunch of people don't share your enthusiasm and they're haters. Make peace, man.

As a Sarah Palin hater, I don’t think it’s very nice to ridicule someone who has a passionate enthusiasm for the cinema of places that would otherwise be neglected by this forum. So I make peace.

[HistoryProf]

Worst Criterion month ever.

A greed at least one of the worst, nothing I want from the main line (the eclipse set looks amazing though).

I'm really surprised to hear anyone say this in a month where Z is released. If you haven't seen it, then I recommend holding your criticism until you have. It's a phenomenal film, in fact one of the best in the collection in my opinion.

=D>

Z alone eliminates the month from such disdain...though it's not helped a bit by Monsoon Wedding...what a colossally mediocre waste of a spine #.

[Cinéslob]

It looks like a director's cut of Ang Lee's Ride with the Devil is screening at the Film Society of Lincoln Center. I wasn't aware that an alternate cut of the film even existed. Could this be in advance of an upcoming Criterion release - the Ang Lee title that's been suggested?

Indiewire confirms that the director's cut of Ride With The Devil will be released by Criterion in May 2010.

I'm sure many now dearly miss the days of yesteryear when Ozu fatigue was this forum's greatest concern!

[What A Disgrace]

I'm sure many now dearly miss the days of yesteryear when Ozu fatigue was this forum's greatest concern!

What I wouldn't give to hear cries of "A *THIRD* Silent Ozu box?! This is insane!"

It wouldn't be so bad if these more modern film releases were, you know, interesting and necessary. Would anybody complain about yet *another* release of Matewan or Lone Star?

[HerrSchreck]

Have any other labels seemed to folks to have undergone this substantial a change in their lineup? I ask because when I first started mentioning this detected change around a year ago, the reply was "the economy" and that what they were doing (which to some really wasn't a noticeable change in the first place), was a smart move to keep them afloat so they could release more of the goodies that used to constitute 95% of their output once upon a time.

So my wondering out loud, to folks perhaps in the UK & Europe in general where there are similar labels that they may have watched more closely than I (I only hear about the good releases that I'm interested in), is the following-- have other labels, traditionally dedicated to arthouse, begun shifting their output to more mainstream titles.. and if so to what degree? The only labels to compare CC to here in the states are say Kino, Flicker Alley, and Milestone, (and Facets I guess, but they *cough* don't count.. the same way alpha, who also puts out some fantastic titles in rotten quality, doesn't count) and they've not really changed much if at all. (Aside from NY'er, of course, which tragically went under)

[Tommaso]

I don't really know in general, as the labels I'm closely following are basically those that you mention (plus the BFI). But I would say that with respect to silents, arte edition Germany have considerably lowered their output and didn't release anything that wasn't already available from their French counterpart this year (the films released were "The Last World", "Phantom of the Opera", and the two silent Duviviers). No further announcements for anything else for the rest of this year. Mirrors the situation of silents on their TV programme I just pointed out in the "Growth of the Soil" thread.

[GringoTex]

Have any other labels seemed to folks to have undergone this substantial a change in their lineup? I ask because when I first started mentioning this detected change around a year ago, the reply was "the economy" and that what they were doing (which to some really wasn't a noticeable change in the first place), was a smart move to keep them afloat so they could release more of the goodies that used to constitute 95% of their output once upon a time.

I did this in about five minutes by cutting and pasting from Criterion's website into Excel.

Average age of Criterion films:

2005- 1965
2006- 1967
2007- 1965
2008- 1968
2009- 1975

2009 is a very substantial statistical leap. Criterion is definitely going with more newer films.

[CSM126]

Mayhaps they noticed their mission statement contains the word "contemporary"?

Also: no way is Schindler better than Armageddon.

[Tommaso]

Mayhaps they noticed their mission statement contains the word "contemporary"?

Impossible. Otherwise we would already have Rivette, Greenaway or Sokurov in the collection.

[Michael Kerpan]

To take the Pollyanna-esque perspective -- it's just wonderful when Criterion issues a lot of stuff that doesn't interest me, it gives me a chance to buy some of the wonderful releases by other companies world-wide, without fear of utter financial ruin.

[Matt]

To take the Pollyanna-esque perspective -- it's just wonderful when Criterion issues a lot of stuff that doesn't interest me, it gives me a chance to buy some of the wonderful releases by other companies world-wide, without fear of utter financial ruin.

I agree, Criterion is saving me a lot of money at just the right time.

[jbeall]

Seconded (or thirded). I suspect that Criterion had several months' advance warning of the B&N sale, and decided to ease back on their important releases to give everybody's wallets time to recover.

[Murdoch]

To take the Pollyanna-esque perspective -- it's just wonderful when Criterion issues a lot of stuff that doesn't interest me, it gives me a chance to buy some of the wonderful releases by other companies world-wide, without fear of utter financial ruin.

I agree, Criterion is saving me a lot of money at just the right time.

It's funny, I have little interest in their newest releases yet because of all the sales I've bought more Criterions than ever.

[Finch]

To take the Pollyanna-esque perspective -- it's just wonderful when Criterion issues a lot of stuff that doesn't interest me, it gives me a chance to buy some of the wonderful releases by other companies world-wide, without fear of utter financial ruin.

I agree, Criterion is saving me a lot of money at just the right time.

I'm the same. I have yet to buy a 2009 title from the main collection, with my only purchase so far the Eclipse Shimizu set and the next one being, you've guessed it, being another Eclipse (the Nikkatsu Noir). Homicide and Z might be the only CC titles for me this year if Make Way For Tomorrow doesn't appear on the November or December schedule. Michael's right that thankfully other companies fill the gap just nicely.

[Max von Mayerling]

I'm the same. I have yet to buy a 2009 title from the main collection, with my only purchase so far the Eclipse Shimizu set and the next one being, you've guessed it, being another Eclipse (the Nikkatsu Noir). Homicide and Z might be the only CC titles for me this year if Make Way For Tomorrow doesn't appear on the November or December schedule. Michael's right that thankfully other companies fill the gap just nicely.

Ok, different strokes for different folks, but I say Science is Fiction, the Exterminating Angel, 2 or 3 Things I Know About Her, and Imamura, and Last Year at Marienbad at you. I mean, not to be a Criterion apologist, but, for me anyway, 2009 has been better than 2008.

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

I'm the same. I have yet to buy a 2009 title from the main collection, with my only purchase so far the Eclipse Shimizu set and the next one being, you've guessed it, being another Eclipse (the Nikkatsu Noir). Homicide and Z might be the only CC titles for me this year if Make Way For Tomorrow doesn't appear on the November or December schedule. Michael's right that thankfully other companies fill the gap just nicely.

Ok, different strokes for different folks, but I say Science is Fiction, the Exterminating Angel, 2 or 3 Things I Know About Her, and Imamura, and Last Year at Marienbad at you. I mean, not to be a Criterion apologist, but, for me anyway, 2009 has been better than 2008.

I was just thinking "Was 2009 really a bad year for Criterion?". In retrospect, it wasn't at all. These were all A-class releases, and several on Blu-Ray no doubt! We got our first taste of Oshima (with news of his best work from the 60's to come), The Friends of Eddie Coyle, a new transfer of My Dinner with Andre, The Human Condition, a great release of Repulsion, and Dosdes'ka-den.

For every unnecessary reissue and Monsoon Weeding, we get several great titles in it's place. And we still have a Makavejev boxset and two months of unreleased titles! In the end Criterion is a business and tries to cater to all cinematic tastes, which I think is great. Say what you will about other films in the collection, there are audiences for all these films otherwise they wouldn't even put them out. I'm not trying to be apologetic for their choices, but they have to make a profit in the end.

[Finch]

Ok, different strokes for different folks, but I say Science is Fiction, the Exterminating Angel, 2 or 3 Things I Know About Her, and Imamura, and Last Year at Marienbad at you. I mean, not to be a Criterion apologist, but, for me anyway, 2009 has been better than 2008.

I didn't mean to imply Criterion have had a bad year (in fact, I welcome their decision to branch out a bit more into films from the 70s onwards); it's just that few titles have appealed *to me* so far (but thanks for the reminder about the Bunuel which completely escaped my mind!). I also recognise that they have to make a profit and that there is an audience for Button and Monsoon Wedding; I'm only saying that there hasn't been that much from the mainline this year that *I* wanted to buy right away. Objectively though, it has been a quite solid year to date.