My Own Private Idaho (1991)

[Oscar Rothman]

Street date - 10/6

http://www.criterion.com/films/249-m...q=autocomplete



New, restored 4K digital transfer, approved by director Gus Van Sant, with 2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray
Alternate Dolby Digital 5.1 surround soundtrack
Illustrated 2005 audio conversation between Van Sant and filmmaker Todd Haynes
The Making of “My Own Private Idaho,” a 2005 documentary featuring cast and crew
Kings of the Road, a 2005 interview with film scholar Paul Arthur on Van Sant’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry IV and Orson Welles’s Chimes at Midnight
Conversation from 2005 between producer Laurie Parker and actor River Phoenix’s sister Rain
Audio conversation from 2005 between writer JT Leroy and filmmaker Jonathan Caouette
Deleted scenes
Trailer
PLUS: A book featuring essays by film critic Amy Taubin and Leroy; a 1991 article by Lance Loud; and reprinted interviews with Van Sant, Phoenix, and actor Keanu Reeves

[asabreed]

Originally Posted by Oscar Rothman

Just announcedhttp://www.criterion.com/films/249-m...q=autocomplete

Awesome. Another one I'll be snagging during the next Criterion BN sale.

[KeithVK]

What an expensive month that's going to be.

[D4L3K]

It's about time River Phoenix is getting Bluray treatment. Loved him.

[D4L3K]

Why does the posted announcement say it will be released in September and has a street date for October 6th?

[truecineaste]

This is very encouraging news for fans of Van Sant but it begs the question: Did Criterion also attempt to snag Franco's MY OWN PRIVATE RIVER (2012) from New Line and were they denied? The announced "deleted scenes" were already on the old DVD and apparently won't feature any footage of the (many hours of) dailies Van Sant shared with Franco. The doc on Phoenix has screened at several festivals and Franco has expressed interest in putting it on other platforms but will New Line budge?

[Namuhana]

Out of the October titles, this is the one that I am definitely getting. I really enjoyed the film when I last saw it, so I'm excited to see it in high-definition. It doesn't look like there are any new features, though does anyone else find it curious that the description says we're getting a book with this release? I wonder if that's a typo?

[Ray_Rogers]

Why isn't the alternate Dolby Digital 5.1 track in DTS-HD MA 5.1 instead? Is it due to the source of the audio they used? Only asking since it's a bit puzzling.
Glad CC has chosen another title they had on a prior format(s? Was it also on LD?) to Blu-ray. Been way too long since I've last watched this movie so it's due for a rewatch.

[Infernal King]

I've never seen this movie but I want to give it a shot now.

[Dortmunder]

Beautiful news

I am disappointed that Franco's edit ~ 'My Own Private River' ~ is not to be included, although not entirely surprised: A few months ago a Franco/Idaho disciple had started an on-line petition campaign to get the alternate version released on DVD. I think it got upwards of a thousand 'signatures', but in the course of campaigning they had contacted various people who they thought could be influential in this endeavour {New Line, a couple of Idaho's producers, van Sant, Franco, River's mother... } and word came back from Laurie Parker, '..Idaho' Producer, that both she and van Sant wouldn't support a dvd release and that "we respect the privacy of the Phoenix family in all such matters".

So I am assuming that the Phoenix family do not want the alternate edit out there, for whatever reasons. I know that Joaquin, having initially agreed to Franco's Gagosian Gallery 12 hour looped screening of the '..Idaho' dailies, then felt it was too much and asked Franco not to screen that version again, but seemed OK with the 101 minute 'My Own Private River' screening wherever Franco chose to, namely at various international film festivals. Perhaps Joaquin feels a full commercial release is a step too far.
The film is to be found, if you really look hard enough.

I have seen 'My Own Private River' and it is a truly beautiful thing, and it would have made a fascinating and excellent supplement to this Blu-Ray release. And I am sure that Criterion wanted to include it, but I'm also sure that they would wish to respect and agree to the wishes of the Phoenix family who continue to feel the loss of a much loved member.

It is also rather...queer that all that JT Leroy silliness is retained. I wonder whether an addendum will be included "* the following person is a figment" or somesuch.

But why on earth quibble, when you read those thrilling words "New, restored 4K digital transfer, approved by director Gus Van Sant"?
Having seen it in 720p I cannot imagine how much more sublime this film is going to seem on Blu-Ray

Thank You Criterion!

ps ~ October the 6th is shaping up to be New Queer Tuesday, what with this and 'Spartacus'...

[bookcase]

I'm very excited about this. I'll sell my CC DVD and upgrade to BD.

[I KEEL YOU]

Originally Posted by Namuhana

It doesn't look like there are any new features, though does anyone else find it curious that the description says we're getting a book with this release? I wonder if that's a typo?

The "book" mentioned seems to have the exact same material that was in the DVD release's book:

https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/My-Own-P...aho-DVD/17268/

I think they call it a "book" and not a "booklet" mainly because of the thickness. If you look at the back cover of the DVD release, it says that it's 64 pages long and it will be at least just as many pages for this blu ray release, if not more since blu ray packaging is smaller. You can also see the DVD release's book on the "Slip" photo.

Because of this, I think that like the DVD release, this blu ray release will have digipack packaging because the Criterion amaray case can barely hold a booklet that is half as thick as the MOPI one. The thickest booklet in an amaray Criterion I have is the one for Two Lane Blacktop and it's around 30 pages and it barely fits.

[jaffef]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

Why isn't the alternate Dolby Digital 5.1 track in DTS-HD MA 5.1 instead? Is it due to the source of the audio they used? Only asking since it's a bit puzzling.
Glad CC has chosen another title they had on a prior format(s? Was it also on LD?) to Blu-ray. Been way too long since I've last watched this movie so it's due for a rewatch.

More than likely it's due to bitrate issues. A feature film with 2.0 DTS-HD sound (the original theatrical audio?) and all the bonus features plus a 5.1 DTS-HD track would be a tight squeeze. I agree with Criterion on this one.

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

The "book" mentioned seems to have the exact same material that was in the DVD release's book:

https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/My-Own-P...aho-DVD/17268/

I think they call it a "book" and not a "booklet" mainly because of the thickness. If you look at the back cover of the DVD release, it says that it's 64 pages long and it will be at least just as many pages for this blu ray release, if not more since blu ray packaging is smaller. You can also see the DVD release's book on the "Slip" photo.

Because of this, I think that like the DVD release, this blu ray release will have digipack packaging because the Criterion amaray case can barely hold a booklet that is half as thick as the MOPI one. The thickest booklet in an amaray Criterion I have is the one for Two Lane Blacktop and it's around 30 pages and it barely fits.

Ah, okay. That makes sense then. Thanks!

[thegrunter]

Insta-buy.

Now where's my "Pretty in Pink?"

[Malv1]

I've always been intrigued by this one but have never seen it. I may jump in on a Criterion sale for it though.

[MTRodaba2468]

This'll be a definite upgrade for me.

[Joeyseven]

Really like this movie.River Phoenix performance was so very good in this film.

Yeah day 1 buy for me.But I'm also keeping my CC DVD and my other DVD that I own of this movie.

[Telstar]

Originally Posted by Joeyseven

Yeah day 1 buy for me.But I'm also keeping my CC DVD and my other DVD that I own of this movie.

Why?

[mattyp4]

Aww man. DigiPack?