The Criterion Collection

[dvining]

Originally Posted by DimitriL

There was a recent interview with Ethan Hawke where he says, IIRC, that Weir told him working with Crowe and Johnny Depp (on an abandoned project) pretty much killed any pleasure he got from making films.

Yeah, and a Sydney paper interviewed Weir where he equated himself to an extinct volcano.

He's done, but I can still dream. Master and Commander and The Way Back felt like the first two parts in a thematic trilogy.

[RWZMJL]

I saw the 4K restorations of both Werkmeister Harmonies and Soy Cuba at Lincoln Center (the latter all the way back in 2018), and I’ve been waiting for them to come on disc ever since. To get them both in one month is insane! And I thought they’d be relegated to just 1080p. 4K Tarr! Now let’s get a Turin Horse 4K.

[shimmy]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I Am Cuba (Soy Cuba) 4K UHD

https://www.criterion.com/films/33466-i-am-cuba

Nice.

[HenryHill]

Originally Posted by jw007

Well, I've never seen Werckmeister Harmonies and Dogfight, but these would be my picks for the April releases.

Dogfight is excellent, but Werckmeister Harmóniák is transcendent, one of the most emotionally stunning films I have ever experienced. In his review, Roger Ebert wrote, "(the film) is maddening if you are not in sympathy with it, mesmerizing if you are. If you have not walked out after 20 or 30 minutes, you will thereafter not be able to move from your seat."


Just watch the final scene (no spoilers)

Werckmeister Harmonies (2000) - Finale - YouTube

[themp3000]

Originally Posted by RWZMJL

I saw the 4K restorations of both Werkmeister Harmonies and Soy Cuba at Lincoln Center (the latter all the way back in 2018), and I’ve been waiting for them to come on disc ever since. To get them both in one month is insane! And I thought they’d be relegated to just 1080p. 4K Tarr! Now let’s get a Turin Horse 4K.

I really, really wish Cinema Guild would’ve went with this as their first 4K title instead of Typhoon Club. Feels like a huge misstep to me. I wish Arbelos would jump into the 4K game as well, I’d double dip on Satantango and Damnation in a heartbeat. Just gimme all the Tarr on UHD.

[Gacivory]

This month feels like it was designed for me!

I can now stop harassing Milestone about an I Am Cuba release. I’ll just harass them about a Killer of Sheep release.

[mande2013]

I think I’ll preorder the Werckmeister Harmonies 4K. Soy Cuba I’ll think about. On a side note, I wouldn’t picking up the Apu Trilogy at some point, but I kind of want to wait and see if criterion release that one on 4K in the UK. Also, Carlotta released the Apu Trilogy on Blu-ray in France last month, so I’m curious to see how Criterion’s 4K SDR discs would actually compare to Carlotta’s presumably FiM-encoded 1080p ones. If it’s a scenario similar to how BFI’s FiM-encoded Rules of the Game Blu-ray compares to Criterion’s 4K SDR disc then I may be fine with the Carlotta discs.

[HenryHill]

Originally Posted by Taylor3978

Happy for all fans of this film....

....but what are the chances of at least a BD of The Year of Living Dangerously or a 4K of Master and Commander?

Or an HD upgrade for Weir's The Last Wave, a criminally underrated horror film about a Sydney lawyer caught up in First Nations magic starring Richard Chamberlain and David Gulpilil (best known for Walkabout).

[mclellandj]

I'll never understand people who look at a slate of releases like this and go "ugh nothing for me" -- I don't think Criterion has ever had a month where I wasn't interested in at least two titles they were putting out.

[Cremildo]

In for the Weir and the Tarr. The latter's is the kind of movie I didn't quite get at first glance but that demands further contemplation.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by HenryHill

Dogfight is excellent, but Werckmeister Harmóniák is transcendent, one of the most emotionally stunning films I have ever experienced. In his review, Roger Ebert wrote, "(the film) is maddening if you are not in sympathy with it, mesmerizing if you are. If you have not walked out after 20 or 30 minutes, you will thereafter not be able to move from your seat."


Just watch the final scene (no spoilers)

Werckmeister Harmonies (2000) - Finale - YouTube

I just watched that 8 minute clip. No doubt I think I already know what I'm getting into here. It looks like a meditation or one long tone poem that aims for emotional devastation. The question is, how often will I be in the mood to watch this film? I doubt I'd watch this movie once a year. Maybe five years and then watch it again? I am certainly going to see this film though and if I find it cathartic enough that I'd want to screen this for friends and family who have the patience to sit through this 145 min. film, I'll probably purchase it. Sadly, a lot of young folks would dismiss this beautiful piece of work and go watch a Marvel superhero movie instead. However, I do have some friends who are cinephiles and those are the people I'd want to watch it with, than some ordinary person who might fall asleep after a half an hour. Don't you just hate when you're watching an important movie with someone and they fall asleep? One of the worst things. But of course, I can think of worse... such as someone texting and answering phone calls during a screening. We sure don't need people like those in our lives, right?

[RevolverOcelScott]

Originally Posted by mclellandj

I'll never understand people who look at a slate of releases like this and go "ugh nothing for me" -- I don't think Criterion hasn't ever had a month where I wasn't interested in at least two titles they were putting out.

So crazy that other people have different opinions than yours.

[WillieMLF]

Originally Posted by eas8

I know it's not likely but I would like to see Gus Van Sant Elephant make it. But I feel like it's gonna be one of those that get a DVD release

Last week, I broke the DVD clean in half pulling it off the spindle. Never seen anything like this happen. I wasn't even trying to force if out of the case.

[GenPion]

April looks to be an excellent slate of releases. My only concern is the transfer for Picnic at Hanging Rock. It would be nice if it's the same restoration/master as Second Sight but without the controversial DNR on the transfer.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I think Picnic at Hanging Rock will be announced for 4K. I noticed Criterion has switched out the screenshots they had with shots with new color grading that was supervised by Peter Weir.

That girl in the foreground has got some big feet!

[Show spoiler]

[themp3000]

Originally Posted by mclellandj

I'll never understand people who look at a slate of releases like this and go "ugh nothing for me" -- I don't think Criterion hasn't ever had a month where I wasn't interested in at least two titles they were putting out.

They’ve been pretty okay for me (averaging one “high priority” title a month) but this month more than makes up for it. It’s an embarrassment of riches. I’m legitimately thrilled with this month. I don’t know how they could top it! But I hope they do!

[Show spoiler]Please gimme Erich von Stroheim’s GREED. Thanks.

[NeilZ]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

It's from the same the same restoration.

Thanks for the info. What a pity though.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

There's an extensive restoration seminar that was done in 2022. Peter Weir was apparently unhappy with the previous color grade (despite supervising that transfer), and they apparently used reference prints for this new color grading. From what I've read, the film looked closer to the existing Criterion Blu-ray when it was screened theatrically, but I personally don't know if that's true or not.

I saw it when it opened in theaters and I remember being impressed by the overall color spectrum and how beautifully attractive it was, enough for me to want to go visit there. It certainly had no golden old west desert hue because if it did, I would not remember all these years later how much I loved it.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Trying really hard to think if there are any classic Japanese films that were made by a farmer for 5 blueberries and a goat.

Throw in some mochi ice cream and you got a deal!

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by dvining

Nice to see Weir still doing...something film related.

Another movie would be cool, though.

I wish we were getting a Criterion Blu or 4K of THE LAST WAVE instead of HANGING ROCK again.