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Latest low quantity report. The Altmans are already up there with some of the earliest releases.

The Sunday Woman 95% sold out
Red Sun 90% sold out
Miami Blues 90% sold out
The Hot Spot 85% sold out
Fill 'Er Up with Super US 85% sold out
A Woman Kills 70% sold out
A Woman Kills US 70% sold out
Yakuza Graveyard 70% sold out
She Dies Tomorrow 70% sold out
The Bride Wore Black 70% sold out
Yakuza Graveyard US 65% sold out
Thieves Like Us 60% sold out
Cosa Nostra 60% sold out
Fill 'Er Up with Super 55% sold out
O.C. and Stggs 50% sold out

Drucker wrote: Wed Aug 02, 2023 1:40 pm Latest low quantity report. The Altmans are already up there with some of the earliest releases.

Spoiler

The Sunday Woman 95% sold out
Red Sun 90% sold out
Miami Blues 90% sold out
The Hot Spot 85% sold out
Fill 'Er Up with Super US 85% sold out
A Woman Kills 70% sold out
A Woman Kills US 70% sold out
Yakuza Graveyard 70% sold out
She Dies Tomorrow 70% sold out
The Bride Wore Black 70% sold out
Yakuza Graveyard US 65% sold out
Thieves Like Us 60% sold out
Cosa Nostra 60% sold out
Fill 'Er Up with Super 55% sold out
O.C. and Stggs 50% sold out

Hoping their success leads to more Altman licenses, though there presumably aren't that many that are feasible (Fool for Love was already mentioned, and I think they'll go for it if they do another MGM deal; maybe Cookie's Fortune if they strike a Universal one). The Player would be brilliant of course, but they might be put off treading on Criterion's toes too many times (I'd love to see it though, one of those titles particularly neglected on the UK market).

Perhaps they'll look into some Alan Rudolph films too. MGM have Welcome to L.A., Roadie, Choose Me, The Moderns, Love at Large...enough for a little box set there. Trouble in Mind is also available on Park Circus (not sure on the rights-holder though). Remember My Name is with Sony, of course (might've been a cool title for Indicator to tackle, once upon a time).

rapta wrote: Thu Aug 03, 2023 5:46 pm

Drucker wrote: Wed Aug 02, 2023 1:40 pm Latest low quantity report. The Altmans are already up there with some of the earliest releases.

Spoiler

The Sunday Woman 95% sold out
Red Sun 90% sold out
Miami Blues 90% sold out
The Hot Spot 85% sold out
Fill 'Er Up with Super US 85% sold out
A Woman Kills 70% sold out
A Woman Kills US 70% sold out
Yakuza Graveyard 70% sold out
She Dies Tomorrow 70% sold out
The Bride Wore Black 70% sold out
Yakuza Graveyard US 65% sold out
Thieves Like Us 60% sold out
Cosa Nostra 60% sold out
Fill 'Er Up with Super 55% sold out
O.C. and Stggs 50% sold out

Hoping their success leads to more Altman licenses, though there presumably aren't that many that are feasible (Fool for Love was already mentioned, and I think they'll go for it if they do another MGM deal; maybe Cookie's Fortune if they strike a Universal one). The Player would be brilliant of course, but they might be put off treading on Criterion's toes too many times (I'd love to see it though, one of those titles particularly neglected on the UK market).

Perhaps they'll look into some Alan Rudolph films too. MGM have Welcome to L.A., Roadie, Choose Me, The Moderns, Love at Large...enough for a little box set there. Trouble in Mind is also available on Park Circus (not sure on the rights-holder though). Remember My Name is with Sony, of course (might've been a cool title for Indicator to tackle, once upon a time).

I wish Choose Me and Remember My Name were possible, but they both have major music licensing issues. I’d love to see Rudolph’s hugely underrated Equinox starring Matthew Modine in dual performances get a release

beamish14 wrote: Thu Aug 03, 2023 5:54 pm

rapta wrote: Thu Aug 03, 2023 5:46 pm

Drucker wrote: Wed Aug 02, 2023 1:40 pm Latest low quantity report. The Altmans are already up there with some of the earliest releases.

Spoiler

Hoping their success leads to more Altman licenses, though there presumably aren't that many that are feasible (Fool for Love was already mentioned, and I think they'll go for it if they do another MGM deal; maybe Cookie's Fortune if they strike a Universal one). The Player would be brilliant of course, but they might be put off treading on Criterion's toes too many times (I'd love to see it though, one of those titles particularly neglected on the UK market).

Perhaps they'll look into some Alan Rudolph films too. MGM have Welcome to L.A., Roadie, Choose Me, The Moderns, Love at Large...enough for a little box set there. Trouble in Mind is also available on Park Circus (not sure on the rights-holder though). Remember My Name is with Sony, of course (might've been a cool title for Indicator to tackle, once upon a time).

I wish Choose Me and Remember My Name were possible, but they both have major music licensing issues. I’d love to see Rudolph’s hugely underrated Equinox starring Matthew Modine in dual performances get a release

I just wish that somebody somewhere would release a nice edition of Quintet, my own favorite Altman. If O.C. and Stiggs can get one then it really doesn't seem too much to expect.

As to Rudolph, as someone who has always loved his work dearly I would appreciate a release of any of the titles mentioned, but perhaps especially Equinox as it's been so profoundly neglected and deserves a reappraisal (but that could be said for the entirety of his work). Also, I would welcome another release of Love at Large if it could include the fabled deleted scenes, a series of alternating dream sequences for the two lead characters of which only a glimmer remains in the finished film.

I'd love to hear your defense of Quintet (a cursory search shows this is the first time you've mentioned it on this board!) but even though those are both relatively obscure Altmans without large underground fanbases, I think their marketability is wildly differently. I'd never expect a label to risk Quintet - a slow, often boring (I hate using that word to describe films, but it's so pronounced here, for a film that's premise, crew, actors, etc. should merit a lot more stimulation and 'right' choices, and yet seems to make every possible wrong one into its own maze traps), tonally-confounding odyssey - in the same way they can risk O.C. and Stiggs - which, even if it's not one's cup of tea, at least channels the manic, shaggy-dog, quiet satirical mayhem of Altman's most beloved films.

I know it's an unpopular position but it has established itself for me more and more over the years as that film is simply the one I return to the most and probably get the most out of too. I used to be satisfied with just rallying for it as his most underrated but it goes beyond that for me now. I could explain that at more length but probably should reserve that for a dedicated thread elsewhere.

I'd be interested in reading that too! Altman has such terrific highs and lows for me, but it's always interesting when someone takes up the cause of something I'd personally put in the latter category. Quintet at least has originality (although I'm with TWBB in thinking all the choices were wrong!), which I wouldn't say about something like The Gingerbread Man.

John Cope wrote: Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:00 pm I know it's an unpopular position but it has established itself for me more and more over the years as that film is simply the one I return to the most and probably get the most out of too. I used to be satisfied with just rallying for it as his most underrated but it goes beyond that for me now. I could explain that at more length but probably should reserve that for a dedicated thread elsewhere.

I didn't mean to yuck your yum (it's also an unpopular opinion to hold O.C. & Stiggs in as high a regard as I do!) - just that one seems like a safer sell for a startup label

And Voila!

I also don't think highly of OC & Stiggs, but I decided to buy the Radiance and try it out again. What I like about is the typically Altmanesque style, and the fun of watching him do a studio film after a few years of play adaptations, but I thought the script wasn't very good and the basic idea ill-defined to begin with. Hopefully I'll just focus on the strengths of the "form over content" and enjoy it for that aspect.

I think the only feasible Altman I'd be exercised about getting a new release would be Secret Honor, which I don't think has been seen in the UK since the VHS. A new transfer of that with TVTV's Four More Years +/- David Frost's interview with Nixon would sweet.

beamish14 wrote:
I wish Choose Me and Remember My Name were possible, but they both have major music licensing issues. I’d love to see Rudolph’s hugely underrated Equinox starring Matthew Modine in dual performances get a release

Are you sure about Choose Me? MGM released it on DVD in the US without any apparent issues. However, Fran has looked into it, and apparently, it isn't with MGM in the UK - and he's not sure who does own it.

A Matthew Modine double bill of Equinox and Abel Ferrara's Mary would be ideal.

Calvin wrote: Fri Aug 04, 2023 12:52 am I think the only feasible Altman I'd be exercised about getting a new release would be Secret Honor, which I don't think has been seen in the UK since the VHS. A new transfer of that with TVTV's Four More Years +/- David Frost's interview with Nixon would sweet.

beamish14 wrote:
I wish Choose Me and Remember My Name were possible, but they both have major music licensing issues. I’d love to see Rudolph’s hugely underrated Equinox starring Matthew Modine in dual performances get a release

Are you sure about Choose Me? MGM released it on DVD in the US without any apparent issues. However, Fran has looked into it, and apparently, it isn't with MGM in the UK - and he's not sure who does own it.

A Matthew Modine double bill of Equinox and Abel Ferrara's Mary would be ideal.

Choose Me went OOP fairly quickly after it got a DVD release, and no other label in North America has managed to reissue it. I’ve always thought that it was because of Teddy Pendergrass’ songs, but I might be mistaken.

Interesting to note that Carolyn Pfeiffer, the co-founder of Alive Films/Island Alive, which produced most of Rudolph’s films between Roadie and The Moderns, just released her autobiography

Just wanna add to the Rudolph love and wishes. Anything would be good, but especially Equinox (the DVD I have is one of the worst-looking ones I've ever seen) and, yep, Breakfast Of Champions, my opinion of which tends to accord more with that of Luc Moullet than with the rest of the planet (and surely the Bruce-gets-really-weird factor may generate a few sales?). Choose Me would be a dream come true and, yes, I heard the Teddy tunes were the problem too (ironic due to the project's genesis as a Pendergrass music video, but I guess that's the "business"...)

I've held off on watching Equinox because of how poor the DVD looks, it truly is terrible. Would that merely posting about films with troubled music rights could bring about their release somewhere, anywhere. Choose Me deserves all the celebration it gets. Just a magical film.

My favorite Rudolph after Choose Me would be Afterglow. It might have my favorite Julie Christie performance, certainly a career high, and for that reason I'm a bit surprised no boutique UK label to my knowledge has ever pounced on it. I don't care to keep track of rights or the business side of releases, but an extremely cursory search says it may be with Sony? As kubelkind said, any Rudolph would be welcome.

Afterglow already has a US blu release, coupled with his most recent Ray and Helen, so maybe that would have lower priority for me. I haven't picked it up yet, or seen either, so thanks diamonds for the reminder!

kubelkind wrote: Fri Aug 04, 2023 7:08 pm Afterglow already has a US blu release, coupled with his most recent Ray and Helen, so maybe that would have lower priority for me. I haven't picked it up yet, or seen either, so thanks diamonds for the reminder!

Indeed, through MVD. I believe they also released Miami Blues a few months before Radiance, so I figured why not? (Assuming the MVD uses the same master as the old French Blu-ray, it could probably benefit from some "clean up work").

Enjoy it! It's a special film. I really like Ray Meets Helen as well. Absurdly romantic.

The problem with Quintet is that it's a Fox title, so therefore trapped in Disney limbo (who knows, maybe they'll drop it onto Disney+...in time for...Christmas?). MASH, A Wedding, A Perfect Couple, Health and Popeye (specifically UK rights) are all in the same boat too (which makes me even more glad we got 3 Women when we did).

Shame that Choose Me isn't available for the UK; I just checked the Park Circus site and indeed, it isn't available (only Welcome to L.A., Roadie, The Moderns and Love at Large).

PS: The other Altman film that could be possible that I didn't mention before is Dr. T & the Women, if Sony would allow it (and that's assuming Radiance would even go near another studio deal, they might just stick with MGM, and perhaps Paramount if they can get anything). Not a perfect film by any means but if you surrender to its light touch, it's far more enjoyable than you might expect.

Looking forward to the two Raro properties, not only Il Boss (di Leo) but also Gang War in Milan (Lenzi). Hopeful that with strong encodes these titles could look almost as good as, say, the ones in Severin's Lenzi/Milian box or Arrow's Castellari/Testi double bill. Or perhaps the lesser transfers in Arrow's Years of Lead (my favourite box set ever). Not expecting the level of Grindhouse's Tough Ones or, ever so slightly better, Arrow's Calibre 9, mind; surely the reference titles of Poliziotteschi genre on Blu ray.

Hope the collaboration goes well & heralds more.

beamish14 wrote: Fri Aug 04, 2023 1:16 am Choose Me went OOP fairly quickly after it got a DVD release, and no other label in North America has managed to reissue it. I’ve always thought that it was because of Teddy Pendergrass’ songs, but I might be mistaken.

It looks like it is/was under licence to a label, so it's possible that it's one of those titles Criterion have just been sitting on for a long time

Finding it odd that none of the November announcements are listed on Amazon, HMV, Zavvi etc. Asked about it a couple of days ago and was told 'soon!' but it has been a week since announcements...

AVAILABILITY WATCH

The Sunday Woman 95% sold out
Red Sun 95% sold out
Miami Blues 95% sold out
The Hot Spot 90% sold out
Fill 'Er Up with Super US 85% sold out
The Bride Wore Black 75% sold out
A Woman Kills 75% sold out
A Woman Kills US 70% sold out
Yakuza Graveyard 70% sold out
She Dies Tomorrow 70% sold out
Yakuza Graveyard US 70% sold out
Cosa Nostra 65% sold out
A Moment of Romance 65% sold out
Red Sun US 60% sold out
Thieves Like Us 60% sold out
The Iron Prefect 60% sold out
O.C. and Stiggs 55% sold out
Fill 'Er Up with Super 55% sold out

2024 member packages will also be launched next month.

Radiance on Twitter:

*STOCK ALERT* there are less than 100 copies of the MESSIAH OF EVIL Limited Edition in the UK. Amazon has sold out, HMV have a small allocation and our store has some remaining.

We are checking on stock levels in the US and will update on this soon.

With it not released until October, it sounds as if they underestimated demand.

well, I made it about 10 months of being 100% completionist with this label. without a subscription I was getting each of the LEs as they'd crop up on Orbit (got Commedia Alla'Italiana en route), or direct via the bundles when postcards were being offered. considering I'm not much of a horror fan and I'm not prioritizing a preorder of something I'm not terribly interested in, this calls it. will still blind buy a majority of releases and look into subscription offers for next year...been pleased with everything so far, even if I don't necessarily love the respective films.

The next batch of Radiance titles will be announced in a couple of weeks, and if I am not mistaken, the 2024 subscriptions will also pop up next month. If I were to purchase both of these at once, will the December titles ship by themselves, or with the first batch of subscription titles?

ryannichols7 wrote: Fri Aug 25, 2023 3:42 pm well, I made it about 10 months of being 100% completionist.

If you’re in the US there is still availability…