The Criterion Collection

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by jayembee

The version of Show Boat that Criterion released was Universal's 1936 version by James Whale. Ownership of that version came into MGM's hands when it bought the rights to do their 1951 remake, which is why it's under Warner's control now. MGM made a habit of this sort of thing. They also acquired ownership of the 1933 RKO version of Little Women when they remade it in 1949, as well as the 1932 Paramount version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde when they remade it in 1941. Just to name two other examples.

Speaking of remakes, The Philadelphia Story paired with High Society would make one hell of a two-fer.

[Jobla]

My biggest Warner wants:

PRIVATE PARTS (1972)
A FACE IN THE CROWD
GUN CRAZY
HELEN OF TROY (1955)
PORGY AND BESS (rights quagmire)
THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Far too many to list. A couple of months ago, I posted a (short) list of titles currently owned by Warner that Criterion had released on laserdisc back in the day -- at least not including ones that Warner has released on BD themselves (such as Citizen Kane and Casablanca).

This is (edited) what I wrote then. I think any of these would make great Criterion BD releases.

Adam's Rib
Arsenic and Old Lace
Bad Day at Black Rock
The Magnificent Ambersons
A Night at the Opera
Scaramouche
Show Boat
Swing Time

The version of Show Boat that Criterion released was Universal's 1936 version by James Whale. Ownership of that version came into MGM's hands when it bought the rights to do their 1951 remake, which is why it's under Warner's control now. MGM made a habit of this sort of thing. They also acquired ownership of the 1933 RKO version of Little Women when they remade it in 1949, as well as the 1932 Paramount version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde when they remade it in 1941. Just to name two other examples.

Wasn't there a Laserdisc boxset that included the '29, '36, and 1951 versions of Show Boat?

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

Wasn't there a Laserdisc boxset that included the '29, '36, and 1951 versions of Show Boat?

Yes, MGM/UA (this was a couple of years before Ted Turner sold his MGM, RKO, and early WB libraries to Warner) released a Complete Show Boat LD set, which, in addition to the three film versions, included the Show Boat sequence from the 1946 film Till the Clouds Roll By.

[ThisKid]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

They're just going to release a black box with a white C on it.

That's reserved for a release of This Is Spinal Tap, depending if that New Years clue was right or not.

[jshaide]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Yes, they own Greed. I don't know for sure why it isn't a Criterion title yet, but my educated guess is that it's because the film, for all practical purposes, doesn't exist anymore. What currently exists might be the best we can hope for, but it's still a pale shadow of what the film should be.

A good essay about the 1999 reconstruction can be found here.

The two and a half hour cut that exists now is still a remarkable film. And Criterion could release both that along with the 4 hour restoration with the still photographs. It would make a terrific set.

[malakaheso]

Originally Posted by nitin

Have you seen what makes money these days? The films in CC's catalogue, and many other labels, would considered high brow/elitist/snobbish etc by most people.

Unfortunate but true.

The casual film goer doesn't even know Criterion exists. I've found the biggest resistance to labels like C.C tends to come from hardcore genre nuts who are butthurt that Criterion won't consider releasing films like Silent Night Deadly Night.

[mrjohnnyb]

As I compiled my Warner Brothers list yesterday, I was thinking about how many of director Sam Peckinpah's films are not currently on Region A blu-ray:

Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
The Ballad of Cable Hogue
Ride the High Country
Cross of Iron
Junior Bonner

I would absolutely salivate if a box set of these films was announced by Criterion.

[SlickDamian]

Watched The Squid and the Whale last night. Fantastic film. Really gut-wrenching at times. The performances from all of the actors, especially Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney, were spot on. Also, it had some great references to classic art house films, such as a reference to Godard and my favorite "try to get the blonde nurse, she looks like a young Monica Vitti".
The criterion disc has a really nice transfer and soundtrack.

My only question is, why the hell hasn't Dr. Svet reviewed this get?? I really hope he doesn't feel like it is "beneath" him, like Fantastic Mr. Fox.

[Aladinsane]

I have a question for people on here. What is the generally accepted definition of a blind buy? Is it simply buying a film you have never seen before? Or is it buying a movie without knowing anything about the director or the plot?

I just find it weird that so many people are opposed to blind buying. Isn't it a good thing to watch a movie for the first time in the best quality version? I personally have had times where a 4k remastered blu-ray has changed my opinion of a film that i previously only saw on a crappy DVD.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Aladinsane

I have a question for people on here. What is the generally accepted definition of a blind buy? Is it simply buying a film you have never seen before? Or is it buying a movie without knowing anything about the director or the plot?

I just find it weird that so many people are opposed to blind buying. Isn't it a good thing to watch a movie for the first time in the best quality version? I personally have had times where a 4k remastered blu-ray has changed my opinion of a film that i previously only saw on a crappy DVD.

A film you haven't seen before. The big risk argument comes down to cost mostly. I don't think anyone would be opposed to blind buy any Criterion if it were dirt cheap. Of course, with Criterion titles, they do hold their value fairly well (assuming you're buy them during a sale) which makes it less concerning.

I think services like Hulu, and now Filmstruck, are a great way to assist in buying. I watched many titles that I was on the fence about, and some I now plan to buy, and others I realized I don't need to. For the price, those kinds of services are worth it in my view.

[DaBargainHunta]

Most of my Criterions have been blind buys.

Granted, I usually get deals on them - at minimum, the 50% off Criterion.com/B&N sale price, but sometimes even lower from places like AWD (though not in several years) or thrifts/libraries (DVDs).

[Aladinsane]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

A film you haven't seen before. The big risk argument comes down to cost mostly. I don't think anyone would be opposed to blind buy any Criterion if it were dirt cheap. Of course, with Criterion titles, they do hold their value fairly well (assuming you're buy them during a sale) which makes it less concerning.

I think services like Hulu, and now Filmstruck, are a great way to assist in buying. I watched many titles that I was on the fence about, and some I now plan to buy, and others I realized I don't need to. For the price, those kinds of services are worth it in my view.

I totally get the try before you buy mentality. It does make sense if you want to avoid disappointment. And I totally get that it is a good idea if for example you only own contemporary English language criterion blu rays (Wes Anderson, Linklater, Fincher etc.) and then you blind buy weekend (Godard), or last year at Marienbad.

But does it apply if you blind buy "fox and his friends" for example, after enjoying all the other Fassbinder releases? Is that really going in blind?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Aladinsane

I totally get the try before you buy mentality. It does make sense if you want to avoid disappointment. And I totally get that it is a good idea if for example you only own contemporary English language criterion blu rays (Wes Anderson, Linklater, Fincher etc.) and then you blind buy weekend (Godard), or last year at Marienbad.

But does it apply if you blind buy "fox and his friends" for example, after enjoying all the other Fassbinder releases? Is that really going in blind?

The conventional use of the term applies to movies you haven't seen. Being familiar with the director, or the plot makes it a safer blind buy. You can make the same argument with theatrical films you see in theaters. If you've seen trailers, or your familiar with the director, or read reviews, or perhaps even read the book it might be based on, is it still considered blind?

[DaBargainHunta]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

The conventional use of the term applies to movies you haven't seen.

I think this is the best way to describe a "blind buy," and I really don't see any need to complicate it further.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

As I compiled my Warner Brothers list yesterday, I was thinking about how many of director Sam Peckinpah's films are not currently on Region A blu-ray:

Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
The Ballad of Cable Hogue
Ride the High Country
Cross of Iron
Junior Bonner

I would absolutely salivate if a box set of these films was announced by Criterion.

FYI, Cross of Iron is available in a region A release from Japan, but I get your point.

[bwdowiak]

I had an interesting double feature last night: Francois Truffaut's The Wild Child followed by Eraserhead.

I preferred the Truffaut film, but consider it a small victory that I didn't quite feel the same level of disconnect that I know some have w/ Eraserhead.

The Wild Child is a pretty straight forward film that has some of Truffaut's unique feel. It is kind of like a fictional Project Nim. I'd probably rank it in my Truffaut top half dozen or so - maybe around 6 or 7.

re: Eraserhead... it held me for the most part,

[Show spoiler]although I had no idea that an alien baby was part of the plot.

Not exactly my speed, but anyway...

it made me think - what films in the CC have the least amount of dialogue? This one and Bresson's Mouchette, which I also recently saw, don't have too much. Any others?

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

it made me think - what films in the CC have the least amount of dialogue?

The Naked Island
Le Cercle Rouge
His Girl Friday

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I had an interesting double feature last night: Francois Truffaut's The Wild Child followed by Eraserhead.

I preferred the Truffaut film, but consider it a small victory that I didn't quite feel the same level of disconnect that I know some have w/ Eraserhead.

The Wild Child is a pretty straight forward film that has some of Truffaut's unique feel. It is kind of like a fictional Project Nim. I'd probably rank it in my Truffaut top half dozen or so - maybe around 6 or 7.

re: Eraserhead... it held me for the most part,

[Show spoiler]although I had no idea that an alien baby was part of the plot.

Not exactly my speed, but anyway...

it made me think - what films in the CC have the least amount of dialogue? This one and Bresson's Mouchette, which I also recently saw, don't have too much. Any others?

Qatsi Trilogy lol

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

The Naked Island
Le Cercle Rouge
His Girl Friday

I haven't seen HGF yet.. very much looking forward to it. That has an insane amount of dialogue, though, no?

Good call on LCR. Forgot about that one.