Yeah in the Janus Films timeline, shouldn't The Lure be coming up to bat soon? At least at my local arthouse cinemas, it hit shortly after The Marseilles Trilogy.
I know it's coming sooner or later, but I'm ready to revisit my murderous disco mermaids.
Last edited by monorail91; 04-15-2017 at 11:36 PM.
[Show spoiler]To be fair, Ravenus, our own site equates anime as a genre, alongside science fiction, film-noir, drama, comedy, action, etc. Look at the profile for Akira. I certainly agree with your characterization of anime as a format. In my clearly uneducated opinion, where anime is concerned, I think it could almost be considered both, in a way. And here's why I say this. Yes, anime is the method by which the story is rendered. You can have an anime science fiction film; you could also do a drama, even a comedy. And, there's certainly no shortage of adult anime. But, I also see it as a genre. Why? Think of my favorite genre, film-noir. While there are certain character and narrative elements that help determine if a movie falls within that category (ie the femme fatale, the private dick, violence and a central crime, often a falsely accused protagonist, melodrama), there are also stylistic elements that are very clearly at play. Noir can, of course, be shot in color, but when I think of classic noir, it is black and white, and the lighting methods and cinematography angles employed tend to give film-noir a gritty, and, at times, a voyeuristic feel. When a suspect is being interrogated, the bright lights make the viewer sweat alongside the accused. Even the clothing worn by the principal characters are styled for the genre. The private eye in the long trench coat, the femme fatale with the dark lipstick, and (for the time) alluring dress, showing off their legs. The hair styles, the doe-eyed look. Well, there are stylistic flourishes in anime, too, that set it apart from regular animation, aren't there? These alone might not constitute a genre, but different genres, when coupled with these stylistic choices, could further categorize a film as being of the anime genre. Take two films like Bambi and Akira. Both fall within the animation format. Yet clearly, from a stylistic standpoint, they could not be more different. Disney has a distinctive style, and, to my knowledge, anime comes primarily from Japan; those artists have their own flair. I would humbly submit that there might be somewhat of a gray area where this is concerned. Ain't that life, though?
I will admit that I am not a fan of anime, really, but that's because I haven't been properly exposed to it. That's certainly not due to some predisposition against it. I don't want to appear ignorant, and I would never say something like "Criterion shouldn't have anime in their Collection." Criterion is, ultimately, about art in film, and that art can come in many different forms. So, maybe I should check some anime out. This is probably the worst comparison to make, and I will likely be shining a bright light on just how big a noob I am. But I loved watching Star Blazers as a kid. One of my favorite ever cartoons. Is that considered anime? Voltron, too.
I'm still a kid at heart, and probably always will be. I still watch Battlestar Galactica because it was my favorite show as a kid. I remember when I was visiting my Aunt and Uncle in San Francisco in about 1980. I saw Dirk Benedict on the street, and started yelling out, "Starbuck!!!!!!!" It took both my Uncle and my Dad to restrain my little 8 year old body from rushing the guy for an autograph! The reimagined series is great, and the 70s show is definitely long on the cheese. But I still get a kick out of it. Maybe I can recapture part of my childhood by going back to the cartoons I loved, and then go from there into more serious endeavors.
I'm open to suggestions.
I think anime is probably over represented in my collection so here goes - since it is such a wide area, I've feebly tried to categorise:
Ghibli - epic: Princess Mononoke
Ghibli - realist: From up on Poppy Hill or The Wind Rises
Ghibli - "junior": My neighbour Totoro or Ponyo
And for non-Ghibli:
Akira and the original Ghost in the Shell are the stand out classics and are classic manga/anime action/sci-fi fare.
I have not seen it yet, but Miss Hokusai for realistic and apparently ravishing visuals.
Appleseed
Blood: The Last Vampire (great - often overlooked) Your Name
The Girl who Leapt through Time
To be fair, Ravenus, our own site equates anime as a genre, alongside science fiction, film-noir, drama, comedy, action, etc. Look at the profile for Akira. I certainly agree with your characterization of anime as a format. In my clearly uneducated opinion, where anime is concerned, I think it could almost be considered both, in a way...
I agree with the points you have raised about style, but the way I see it, by classifying anime as a genre, there is a danger of people turning away from it after seeing one or two films that do not match their preferences. All too often people have a misconception that anime is only giant mechas, tentacle sex and scenes of mass destruction. But like you said, you can use anime to make charming family stories (My neighbors the Yamadas), epic adventures for all ages (Spirited Away), Lynchian mind-games (Paranoia Agent, Perfect Blue) and even realistic stories (Hokusai). And even the visual style can change from hyper-detailed to barely there brush-strokes, depending on the style the maker chooses to go for.
Do we know yet if Criterion will announce new titles today or push them until Monday?
I'm thinking Monday at the earliest, although I have no way of knowing.
In other Criterion news...
I just placed a pre-order for Ghost World ($23 and change from Amazon) and They Live By Night ($24 and change from Amazon), since those are both Day One titles for me.
Ok, that's weird, because before I made my post about Bette Davis et all, I cut a bunch out where I listed the films that most needed to get a high def release for Missy and Miss. Davis. And those were the three from Bette I cited. I was going to include Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte, but I see that Twilight Time has released it.
How Now, Voyager, Jezebel and The Little Foxes are not out is a curiosity, to me. I have All About Eve, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, Dark Victory, and Petrified Forest. I'd like to see Marked Woman get a release, too. That's one I've never seen, but any chance to see Bogie and Bette on screen together is too good to pass up.
You didn't mention it, but if you don''t have Of Human Bondage, you should check it out. Davis's performance is iconic, if a bit over-the-top, even for her. I'd also like to see The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, but Warner is sitting on so many great movies, it's hard to say where to start.
As for Miss Stanwyck, I know where I would start. Ball of Fire, please!
If Sony won't allow new extras to be made for titles they license out, I'm guessing Criterion wouldn't be interested giving Sony titles a release. No CC Shaolin Soccer or Kung Fu Hustle I suppose.
If Sony won't allow new extras to be made for titles they license out, I'm guessing Criterion wouldn't be interested giving Sony titles a release. No CC Shaolin Soccer or Kung Fu Hustle I suppose.
What are you talking about? I'm pretty sure Sony isn't stopping anyone from adding new extras to their licensed titles. There are plenty of Sony licensed titles in the collection with newer extras produced by Criterion.
The "Three Films by Hiroshi Teshigahara" box set is OOP and Woman in the Dunes ended up getting a new Blu ray release. Is Pitfall and The Face of Another in rights issues or going to be re-released by another company?
The "Three Films by Hiroshi Teshigahara" box set is OOP and Woman in the Dunes ended up getting a new Blu ray release. Is Pitfall and The Face of Another in rights issues or going to be re-released by another company?
They'll probably be released separately in the future.
I saw Your Name on Sunday and really enjoyed it. It is a fantastic film! I'm still thinking about it and I am looking forward to watching it again.
Caught this on a flight home from Europe earlier this year and was really impressed. Fans of the medium/genre won't be disappointed, and Shinkai is an incredibly gifted storyteller. Very excited it's finally reached the US.
Edit: but I'm not sure whether anime fits on Criterion.
The "Three Films by Hiroshi Teshigahara" box set is OOP and Woman in the Dunes ended up getting a new Blu ray release. Is Pitfall and The Face of Another in rights issues or going to be re-released by another company?
Based on the supplements included on the Woman in the Dunes blu it certainly doesn't appear that Criterion has any intention of releasing them. Unsure where the rights stand, or if any other companies have plans for them.
I would love to see an upgrade of Eisenstein: The Sound Years, which includes: Ivan the Terrible Parts One and Two and Alexander Nevsky. Has there been any buzz about any of these masterpieces?
Just gave Rumble Fish a second go around and I'm glad I did. While not quite a perfect film I really enjoyed it quite a bit. What a cast! Whenever I watch an early 80s film with Mickey Rourke I can't get over with how much he has changed since. Still an excellent actor. I'll definitely be getting this Criterion release.
Just gave Rumble Fish a second go around and I'm glad I did. While not quite a perfect film I really enjoyed it quite a bit. What a cast! Whenever I watch an early 80s film with Mickey Rourke I can't get over with how much he has changed since. Still an excellent actor. I'll definitely be getting this Criterion release.
Age, prize-fighting, and bad plastic surgery will do that to you.
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