Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

News on Criterion and Janus Films.
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Minkin
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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1676 Post by Minkin » Sat Jul 29, 2017 9:39 am

Barbet Schroeder's More and La Vallee (Obscured by Clouds) are attributed to Janus

I wonder if they might consider a Pink Floyd set and include The Wall + Zabriskie Point + Wizard of OZ :P

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Never Cursed
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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1677 Post by Never Cursed » Sat Jul 29, 2017 10:21 am

Maybe Criterion will finally put out a Blu-ray of Pink Floyd The Wall. As far as I know, no one has ever put out that movie on Blu.

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Omensetter
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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1678 Post by Omensetter » Sat Jul 29, 2017 12:55 pm

Graphist wrote: If they release only TCOP, I just hope they don’t include it in another WCP box. The film is truly one of a kind, it is #84 on the S&S list and definitely deserves a packaging of its own. Plus there are rumors that they restored two versions of the film: the original Armenian (director’s) cut and the shorter Soviet cut, which they would include in the release. Now, wouldn't that require a separate, standalone release to issue the both cuts and some other additional extras?
I similarly wish that Memories of Underdevelopment will receive at least a semi-lavish treatment (Gutiérrez Alea's other films have always sounded interesting, but I guess Underdevelopment is the one that took hold, in the States at least), but it seems any forthcoming volumes would need an "anchor" film ala Taipei Story and Touki bouki (S&S #93). Just looking at the list above, the only titles that seem like they could serve as anchors are Underdevelopment and Pomegranate (maybe the early Hou?).

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domino harvey
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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1679 Post by domino harvey » Sat Jul 29, 2017 1:01 pm

hVe released More, so Criterion already passed once. And the BFI Blu-rays are region free. So, I doubt it

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jwd5275
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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1680 Post by jwd5275 » Sat Jul 29, 2017 1:51 pm

From what I recall, the old hVe release of More credited Janus as a rights holder, similar to Pale Flower which was subsequently released by Criterion. And then there's this from over a year ago. Looks like we had the exact same debate then.

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Graphist
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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1681 Post by Graphist » Sat Jul 29, 2017 2:52 pm

Omensetter wrote: I similarly wish that Memories of Underdevelopment will receive at least a semi-lavish treatment (Gutiérrez Alea's other films have always sounded interesting, but I guess Underdevelopment is the one that took hold, in the States at least), but it seems any forthcoming volumes would need an "anchor" film ala Taipei Story and Touki bouki (S&S #93). Just looking at the list above, the only titles that seem like they could serve as anchors are Underdevelopment and Pomegranate (maybe the early Hou?).
A Brighter Summer Day and Black Girl, both from the WCP collection, were released separately. I strongly feel Parajanov’s film needs to be a standalone issue as well. It is not a film you can pair with anything else (if not the auteur’s other films). If they do include it in a monstrous dual-format set I won’t buy the box set, no matter how crazy I am about the film. Image

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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1682 Post by Noiradelic » Sat Jul 29, 2017 5:02 pm

And if any film ever needed contextualization....

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whaleallright
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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1683 Post by whaleallright » Sat Jul 29, 2017 11:31 pm

The Film Foundation had a hand in preserving and restoring both the Armenian release and the international (Russian-language) release versions of The Color of Pomegranates, though given that the latter is the one that has been circulating in DCP I don't know if it would be a simple matter to license both for home video. I would hope that Criterion would release them side-by-side, but I wouldn't hesitate to email them to encourage this.

If anyone's curious about the differences between the two versions (other than just the language they're dubbed into), Parajanov scholar James Steffen goes into some detail on his blog.

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Roger Ryan
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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1684 Post by Roger Ryan » Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:49 am

domino harvey wrote:
hVe released More, so Criterion already passed once. And the BFI Blu-rays are region free. So, I doubt it
Also, both films were released on Blu-ray and DVD as part of that massive Pink Floyd: The Early Years (1967 - 1972) box set that came out last year...although that wouldn't necessarily preclude a separate release.

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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1685 Post by flyonthewall2983 » Tue Aug 01, 2017 11:40 am

Especially since you can only get those films if you buy the whole thing, as they're exclusive to it (which runs at about 400 bucks on Amazon) and not the individual volumes that were released separately (all of which run there currently at about under 50 each) earlier this year.

Unless something has changed recently, the home video rights to Pink Floyd The Wall belong to Sony which is Pink Floyd's American label (and now I believe they distribute titles under the name Pink Floyd Records). For the last several years it's been rumored that a new 5.1 mix of the original album has been in the works, and I'm guessing that once work on that is done there will be a new 4K restoration of the film done as well. I don't see Sony letting it go to Criterion.

The one title I do hope to see Criterion release is Live at Pompeii. I'm pretty sure that a restoration for the film has already been done and so it's just sitting around waiting to be released by someone. Beyond that it makes sense because the band doesn't own it, Universal does.

Regarding Schroeder it appears Maitresse will be on the Criterion Channel on Filmstruck at the end of the month. Hopefully this bodes well for a Blu-ray release down the road.

richast2
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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1686 Post by richast2 » Wed Aug 02, 2017 12:59 pm

flyonthewall2983 wrote:The one title I do hope to see Criterion release is Live at Pompeii. I'm pretty sure that a restoration for the film has already been done and so it's just sitting around waiting to be released by someone. Beyond that it makes sense because the band doesn't own it, Universal does.
That's also in the box set, but unlike the Schroeder films it's also available in one of the smaller individual sets, so it seems unlikely.

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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1687 Post by flyonthewall2983 » Wed Aug 02, 2017 1:44 pm

Sort of. It just contains the musical performances (with both parts of "Echoes" joined together and minus the brief blues number with the dog), and none of the Abbey Road footage that was included in the 1974 cut, which is the version that was subject to a recent restoration. The version on the 1972: Obfusc/ation set is also presented in a stretched image, looking closer to the version on the previous DVD iteration.

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Roger Ryan
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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1688 Post by Roger Ryan » Wed Aug 02, 2017 2:11 pm

flyonthewall2983 wrote:...The version on the 1972: Obfusc/ation set is also presented in a stretched image, looking closer to the version on the previous DVD iteration.
Just for clarification...is the image actually "stretched" to fit a 16:9 frame (in effect, distorting the picture) or is the image cropped at the top and bottom to convert it to a 16:9 image? The "Director's Cut" on the DVD was cropped to 16:9 whereas the original theatrical version was presented full-frame 4:3 on the same disc. Cropping the image is questionable, but "stretching" the image is an abomination.


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Roger Ryan
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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1690 Post by Roger Ryan » Wed Aug 02, 2017 3:52 pm

flyonthewall2983 wrote:Pretty sure it's cropped. Here's a clip that was used in promotion for the box.
Yes, that snippet shows top-and-bottom cropping (not an actual distortion of the image). While the new framing is satisfactory for the right-to-left tracking shot and the shots of Nick Mason on the drums, the loss of the top of David Gilmour's head demonstrates why this is not an ideal aspect ratio for the material. Note that the subsequent live footage in the promo (not from Pompeii) is full-frame 4:3. By the way, the Pompeii footage used in that clip looks like it comes directly from the DVD with compression jags and a standard definition look - I wonder if the actual Blu-ray image looks any better?

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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1691 Post by flyonthewall2983 » Thu Aug 03, 2017 8:00 am

I doubt it. If the band had full ownership (they do have the rights to the audio, as a soundtrack of the performance was released with the box set) over the movie it's likely that whatever resulted from the new restoration would have been released fully here. The real draw of it is the new 5.1 mix that was created for the performances, anyway.


ianungstad
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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1693 Post by ianungstad » Mon Aug 07, 2017 9:30 pm

I wonder if Steven Soderbergh will release Logan Lucky through Criterion. He's been doing numerous interviews touting the new financing/distribution method he's trying to employ on mid-budget films. It's self financed through his new company Fingerprint Releasing. He signed a service deal with Bleeker Street (he's paying Bleeker Street a flat fee to distribute the film theatrically on his company's behalf) and signed the VOD/streaming rights to Amazon Prime. As far as physical media....I don't see why he would go with another label/studio. He seems like a Criterion nerd.

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Red Screamer
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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1694 Post by Red Screamer » Tue Aug 08, 2017 1:45 am

At a screening of Stalker this weekend, a friend overheard a rumor from someone who claimed to work with Criterion that a Maya Deren box is in the works. Sketchy source, but if it has any weight I'll be very happy.

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Ribs
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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1695 Post by Ribs » Tue Aug 08, 2017 11:25 am

Considering now Awful Truth, Philadelphia Story, and Bringing Up Baby are all coming, I guess it's reasonable to assume the classic Hollywood screwballs are selling pretty well.

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HitchcockLang
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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1696 Post by HitchcockLang » Tue Aug 08, 2017 12:30 pm

Ribs wrote:Considering now Awful Truth, Philadelphia Story, and Bringing Up Baby are all coming, I guess it's reasonable to assume the classic Hollywood screwballs are selling pretty well.
Any time a screwball comedy is announced, it's an insta-buy for me (blind or otherwise). Was there ever confirmation Bringing Up Baby was coming? I just saw a lot of speculation.

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Gregory
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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1697 Post by Gregory » Tue Aug 08, 2017 1:19 pm

Superswede11 wrote:At a screening of Stalker this weekend, a friend overheard a rumor from someone who claimed to work with Criterion that a Maya Deren box is in the works. Sketchy source, but if it has any weight I'll be very happy.
Sadly she wasn't prolific enough in her short life to fill out a Criterion box. Even with the posthumously assembled work included it's less than three hours, and it could be hard to round up tons of extras. The most coveted single film was undoubtedly Meshes, and the Blackhawk restoration of that one was of course already released by Flicker Alley—on two different sets, no less!

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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1698 Post by ianthemovie » Wed Aug 09, 2017 10:24 am

Ribs wrote:I guess it's reasonable to assume the classic Hollywood screwballs are selling pretty well.
And yet The Lady Eve has yet to receive an upgrade...

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Drucker
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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1699 Post by Drucker » Wed Aug 09, 2017 10:31 am

ianthemovie wrote:
Ribs wrote:I guess it's reasonable to assume the classic Hollywood screwballs are selling pretty well.
And yet The Lady Eve has yet to receive an upgrade...
I think it's pretty fair to assume LE would have to get a new restoration to warrant a release. Certainly not a guarantee, but PBS had a 4k restoration, can't imagine LE wouldn't eventually be a candidate as well.

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swo17
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Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#1700 Post by swo17 » Wed Aug 09, 2017 10:36 am

Wait, Philadelphia Story was a comedy?

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