Criterion Random Speculation Vol.2

[Steven H]

I would love to see a release like what Nick described but I have to disagree with "hands down." A High and Low SE is what I've been waiting for with the greatest anticipation.

It's a shame the BFI couldn't have pulled through for this one. It's a serious blight on their reputation.

Count me in for Rublyev, though. I can't think of any of their releases that need this more, considering the film, the filmmaker, and the quality of disc. You could write a book based on the DVDBeaver comparison alone, so there is considerable room to improve and question content. Considering the extras and versions that appear readily available (documentaries, interviews, and two different edits of this film) you could almost make a Fanny and Alexander sized DVD shrine to this film. With the history, academic writing, and Tarkovsky's musings, a massive booklet would be appropriate. After seeing the September schedule, wouldn't we all be more surprised if they didn't return to this film than if they did? Then again, wish in one hand... you know the rest.

[Gordon]

Les Diaboliques deserves something special, I feel, to compliment the other excellent Clouzot sets. However, it may not be until next September until we see any other remastered SEs.

[Cinephrenic]

We still have Yojimbo, Sanjuro, and Picnic at Hanging Rock re-issues.

I think Andrei Rublev, High and Low, and the two Fuller's should be next. Perhaps they are also going by the rights renewal.

[Dr. Mabuse]

Don't forget the remaining Tati's if they choose to release a boxset.
I wouldn't rule out them doing a rerelease of "Life of Brian" if they could secure an extension. Kwaidan is also another possibility. An while I'm at it, Alphaville could use a new high-def transfer with some additional extras.

[HerrSchreck]

Most pressing reissue hands down........ ANDRE RUBLEV

I would love to see a release like what Nick described but I have to disagree with "hands down." A High and Low SE is what I've been waiting for with the greatest anticipation.

I'm with you on the HIGH & LOW, but-- and this is just my opinion of course-- this film, as well as all the issues regarding versions, controversies, etc, is in a completely different universe of significance as HIGH & LOW. A.R. is a virtual religion, a philosophy, history lesson, acting tour de force, frightening compendium of cinematic skill and genius potentiated by an on-the-set cinematic good luck and epiphany far beyond the zone of the possibility of mere happenstance.. whereas H&L is a very nice Japanese noir with some moments of elevated poetry.

[godardslave]

well they should. 8-)

I for one am tired of unmatched separate, expensive ways of collecting criterion dvds. I want an Ozu box, a Tati box would be nice to. how about Ophul or godard or Mizoguchi (and so on) box? why oh why don't these exist? will they ever?
do you prefer box sets or individual releases?

this issue has both aethestic (sets look nicer) and economic (they are cheaper) components to it, on both the consumer and producer side. and probably lots of other things i haven't thought of!

discuss.

[marty]

I don't mind box sets if they are released first. Releasing single titles on DVD first and then putting them together for a box-set later smacks of pure capitalist greed and is just a cheap to way to rip off consumers and make more money.

[Cobalt60]

I have zero interest in boxed sets of previously released disc, its a slapp in the face to those that supported the films when they where first released. I dislike even more boxed sets that include previously released material but add a bonus disc or a film that is not availabel elsewhere (see the "Very Crudley Yours" set). However, I would much rather have new stuff as boxed set then as individual releases if they are linked director and where going to be released close together anyway. As long as the films are still available seperately. The Herzog/Kinski set, the Hitchcock Masterpiece and Signature sets, the first Universal monsters set, these are all examples of top notch sets.

[benm]

the pacific cinematheque is showing 6 mizoguchis in the coming months so it could mean fresh new prints...

[Lino]

In France, Carlotta Films will release Kobayashi's The Human Condition Trilogy on DVD in December. I'm guessing these are from new masters and could very well be an indication of a future Criterion release.

Menwhile, mk2 has some very good releases too coming:

Planning de sortie éclectique et alléchant chez MK2

L'éditeur français annonce quelques sorties DVD parmi lesquelles quelques classiques incontournables:

14 juin : 2ème volume du Coffret Harold Lloyd

6 septembre :
Dersou Ouzala d'Akira Kurosawa dans un nouveau master
The Ballad of Narayama de Keisuke Kinoschita
Candy de Christian Marquand

20 septembre :
Le Spécialiste de Sergio Corbucci
Coffret Cartier-Bresson (double DVD : docs de CARTIER-BRESSON / docs sur CARTIER-BRESSON + un livret) et une exposition à la Fondation Cartier

4 Octobre : Hôtel du Nord de Marcel Carné (Collector double DVD)

11 Octobre :
- Der Golem de Paul Wegener
- Tartuff de F.W Murnau
- Coffret Erich Von Stroheim composé de Blind Husband, Foolish Wives et Queen Kelly

Novembre 2006 :
- Coffret D.W. Griffith composé de Naissance d'une Nation et Intolérance
- Nostalghia d'Andrei Tarkovski
- Coffret James Ivory composé de Shakespeare Wallah, Heat & Dust, Bombay Talkie et Householder
- Cinéma de Notre Temps, l'intégrale (18 titres) : Youssef Chahine par Jean-Louis Comolli, Manoel de Oliveira par Jean-Paul Rocha, Eric Rohmer par André S. Labarthe, Abbas Kiarostami par Jean-Pierre Limosin, Alain Cavalier par Jean-Pierre Limosin, Shohei Imamura par Paulo Raucha, Chantal Akerman par Chantal Akerman, Hou Hsiao Hsien par Olivier Assayas, Jean Rouch par Jean-André Fieshi, Philippe Garrel par Françoise Etchegarray, Abel Ferrara par Raffi Pits, les Straub par Pedro Costa, Mac Laren par André S. Labarthe, Andrei Tarkovski par Chris Marker, Aki Kaurismaki par Guy Girard, Ken Loach par Karim Dridi, John Cassavetes par André S. Labarthe et Takeshi Kitano par Jean-Pierre Limosin.

Décembre 2006 :
- Herbes flottantes de Yasujiro Ozu
- Coffret Akira Kurosawa composé de Rashomon et Derzou Ouzala

[HerrSchreck]

Perhaps DERSU is the edition we've all been hoping & dreaming for. Another old Kino we can flush down the outhouse pipe.

[What A Disgrace]

the pacific cinematheque is showing 6 mizoguchis in the coming months so it could mean fresh new prints...

The Letterbox Monster hungers.

[atcolomb]

Perhaps DERSU is the edition we've all been hoping & dreaming for. Another old Kino we can flush down the outhouse pipe.

I have the Kino and the Ruscico dvd versions and the Criterion laserdisc and all of them are poor in the print they used. The movie needs a major restoration and i hope Criterion can do it.

[Tommaso]

Ah.... a new "Nostalghia" from mk2. Well, the world badly needs a good version of that glorious movie, but even if they manage to get a decent print this time and restore the audio, I fear that there won't be any English subs...

[BrightEyes23]

perhaps we WILL get subs on Nostalghia...they had 'em on Ivan's Childhood...I wish mk2 would put subs on everything they released...although i'd have a LOT more DVDs in my collection and LOT less money to my name...

[thethirdman]

It appears that Turner Classic Movies is spotlighting the Criterion Collection in September. Over 28 Criterion films will be airing. Most will be airing on Tuesdays, but there are others sprinkled throughout the month. There may be other films shown during the month that could be future Criterions. I noticed they are showing Odd Man Out (but not on a Tuesday.)

[Cold Bishop]

Maybe this has already been speculated, but during there Anniversary, they are showing Death of a Cyclist (Dir: Juan Antonio Bardem), which from the looks of it, is the only non-Criterion to do so.

That looks like a hint at a future release if I've ever seen any.

[mikeohhh]

Death of a Cyclist is one of the films being shown in a new print at the Janus Films anniversary thingy, so yeah, that's pretty much etched in stone now.

[Ashirg]

Just saw Malle's Black Moon on Flix and there was a Janus logo before the film. It was also window-boxed at about 1.66:1. Let's hope it means something.

[Lino]

Just saw Malle's Black Moon on Flix and there was a Janus logo before the film. It was also window-boxed at about 1.66:1. Let's hope it means something.

Well, it's a Fox title so maybe it does mean something. Frankly, I can't see Fox releasing this one -- it's so out there that they probably wouldn't know how to market it. Criterion is best suited for this job. And more Malle in the Collection is always a good thing.

[Grimfarrow]

Looks like Bresson's little girl is on the way.

[Gigi M.]

Mouchette? Care to indulge more?

[arsonfilms]

It's on its way via Rialto, with the last scheduled screening in August.

[Nihonophile]

be on the look out for the Bresson 'We are sad and we die' giftset featuring Diary of a country priest, Au hasard balthazar, and the new release Mouchette. More Details Soon!

[Ashirg]

Based on the logos on Flix channel, it's no longer a Fox title