The Criterion Collection

[Rzzzz]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Thank you! I would love to see that one get a release, especially in an Ishiro Honda boxset with all the other films Criterion has. That would easily be a major seller for them. Either way, thank you once again.

Got a quick response to my inquiry...

"Thanks for reaching out! I'm happy to help you on behalf of Jon.

To the best of my knowledge, there are no current plans to release WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS in the foreseeable future. I'm sorry I don't have better news for you at the moment.

The good news is that the film is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel for subscribers in the US and Canada: https://www.criterionchannel.com/vid...the-gargantuas

We try to announce our upcoming releases as far in advance as possible, so the best way to stay up-to-date on our future release plans is to check our "Coming Soon" section, watch our social media accounts, or to sign up for the e-newsletter at the bottom of Criterion.com, if you haven't already.

If you ever think of any additional films or artists you'd like to see added to our collection, you are always welcome to email suggestions@criterion.com. While we can't respond to everyone, we do read every email that we receive and take your suggestions into account!

Thank you for supporting Criterion,

Jill"

Not what I wanted to hear but the good news is, I have the Dvd which looks and sounds better than most (at least the U.S. version of the film anyway, which is my preferred cut). Hopefully they have better news for you concerning Japanese films in general.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Rzzzz

Got a quick response to my inquiry...

"Thanks for reaching out! I'm happy to help you on behalf of Jon.

To the best of my knowledge, there are no current plans to release WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS in the foreseeable future. I'm sorry I don't have better news for you at the moment.

The good news is that the film is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel for subscribers in the US and Canada: https://www.criterionchannel.com/vid...the-gargantuas

We try to announce our upcoming releases as far in advance as possible, so the best way to stay up-to-date on our future release plans is to check our "Coming Soon" section, watch our social media accounts, or to sign up for the e-newsletter at the bottom of Criterion.com, if you haven't already.

If you ever think of any additional films or artists you'd like to see added to our collection, you are always welcome to email suggestions@criterion.com. While we can't respond to everyone, we do read every email that we receive and take your suggestions into account!

Thank you for supporting Criterion,

Jill"

Not what I wanted to hear but the good news is, I have the Dvd which looks and sounds better than most (at least the U.S. version of the film anyway, which is my preferred cut). Hopefully they have better news for you concerning Japanese films in general.

That's their copy and paste response. They just switch out your name at the start, and whatever title you're asking about. 99% of the time that's exactly the response I get for anything, even films like Cure which they ended up releasing like a month or two after I asked them about it and they told me there were no plans.

[dkelly26666]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

That's their copy and paste response. They just switch out your name at the start, and whatever title you're asking about. 99% of the time that's exactly the response I get for anything, even films like Cure which they ended up releasing like a month or two after I asked them about it and they told me there were no plans.

I remember asking about more Pasolini titles or a possible Pasolini box set back in mid-2022, for his 100th birthday, and I got that same response.


The next spring, they announced 'Pasolini 101' box set, which was released in June of 2023. Which made my year.

Writing to them is basically pointless. They are professionally polite, but aren't going to divulge information not yet announced, either way.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by dkelly26666

Writing to them is basically pointless. They are professionally polite, but aren't going to divulge information not yet announced, either way.

I don't really expect them to divulge anything, but I only write to let them know there is demand for certain titles or to make a certain point clear. For example, their recent lack of new to HD Japanese films. If they respond fine, but I just want to let them know my thoughts, etc.

[dwk]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Has there ever been a case where a film that is currently streaming on the CC channel that opens with the CC logo that got a release from another label?

Phantom of the Monastery, is on the channel and opens (or opened, I haven't checked it in a while) with the Criterion and Janus logos but Indicator released it on Blu-ray. But, the rights to these older Mexican films seems to have been licensed to different companies at the same time (see those Santo titles that were licensed to Kino and VCI and subsequently dropped by Kino and picked up by Indicator.)

(Don't remember if I posted this here or not, if I already have, sorry) Speaking of opening with the Criterion and Janus logos, Mr. Vampire IV, like the first 3, now opens with both of those logos. I figure their absence was just an oversight.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by dvining

Really, his whole filmography is worth checking out and the Criterion Channel has a good selection, though the one of his features that I feel is the most absent from their collection is Three Loves, the film he made after The Thick-Walled Room was suppressed.

I still hold out hope for a big ole box set of everything because I'm naturally a hopeful person.

He's one of the best and that Eclipse set was something special. Not a weak film in there. I'd still want Samurai Rebellion before any of those on Blu-ray, but I'd be happy for those to be upgraded as well.

Originally Posted by dwk

(Don't remember if I posted this here or not, if I already have, sorry) Speaking of opening with the Criterion and Janus logos, Mr. Vampire IV, like the first 3, now opens with both of those logos. I figure their absence was just an oversight.

Truly hoping for a HK horror themed boxset for October with these films and Encounters of the Spooky Kind. I think that would do well for Criterion.

[dwk]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Truly hoping for a HK horror themed boxset for October with these films and Encounters of the Spooky Kind. I think that would do well for Criterion.

Especially if they can convince WB to let them have Spooky Kind 2 and the Mr. Vampire sequel they control.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by dwk

Especially if they can convince WB to let them have Spooky Kind 2 and the Mr. Vampire sequel they control.

If anyone would be able to convince WB to license those out, then it probably would be Criterion. A 7 films set would be nice, and if it includes those two, then sales would be a lot better, as those that imported the other films would probably buy this boxset for those films.

[Watershipdownisgood]

Yeah that’s the response I got I feel they’re hiding things from us Blu Ray and 4K UHD collectors it feels like a bunch of nonsense honestly. Anyways I think they do have plans to release some of these films Stray Dogs, and Snow Trail included. The thing is I think Arrow might release them on Blu Ray much sooner than Criterion will I mean just look at the amount of Japanese films that got Blu Ray releases courtesy of Arrow Video. I wouldn’t be surprised if Arrow Video releases Stray Dogs and Snow Trail on Blu Ray themselves. I just got the Black Society trilogy of films from Takashi Miike on Blu Ray from Arrow so I don’t think these other films are out of their reach.

[Watershipdownisgood]

I would find it quite funny to be honest with you if Arrow announces Stray Dogs, Portrait of Hell, Snow Trail, and War of The Gargantuas for release on Blu Ray this year or next. It would come out of nowhere but it would be ridiculously funny. It would also make me very happy at the same time.

[Watershipdownisgood]

Not to mention other companies releasing films on Blu Ray that were previously on DVDs before on Criterion like Drugstore Cowboy and The Straight Story got Blu Rays recently courtesy of imprint.

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by Watershipdownisgood

Not to mention other companies releasing films on Blu Ray that were previously on DVDs before on Criterion like Drugstore Cowboy and The Straight Story got Blu Rays recently courtesy of imprint.

Neither one of those got DVD releases from Criterion.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Watershipdownisgood

I would find it quite funny to be honest with you if Arrow announces Stray Dogs, Portrait of Hell, Snow Trail, and War of The Gargantuas for release on Blu Ray this year or next. It would come out of nowhere but it would be ridiculously funny. It would also make me very happy at the same time.

At this point almost no one has gotten a deal with Toho in years, so I don't know about that. Most of those would be UK only as Criterion has them in the US if Arrow did break the barrier with Toho. Either way, I do wish someone could crack the Toho code without having to break the bank. Outside of the titles Criterion has, I would love to see Portrait of Hell, Under the Flag of the Rising Sun, and The Wolves get a release.

[Watershipdownisgood]

Gosh dang it still picking up those films though haven’t seen Drugstore Cowboy in years and I’ve never seen Straight Story but I hear it’s really really good. And also probably the most normal film David Lynch has ever made.

[Watershipdownisgood]

Even if they end up UK only I would still pick them up although I would have a region free 4K Blu Ray player at that point.

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by monorail91

Have any (post-Disney) Fox Searchlight movies gone CC?

Thinking of Andrew Haigh’s All of Us Strangers as a good candidate, even in the next couple years, given their past releases plus the fact that it’s so beloved and critically appreciated despite Fox Searchlight pretty much botching its theatrical rollout.

What about the Obayashi adaptation of the novel, The Discarnates?

Originally Posted by Taylor3978

Astounding that Z is not available on BD.

It is in France, Germany and Spain.

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Has there ever been a case where a film that is currently streaming on the CC channel that opens with the CC logo that got a release from another label?

The Criterion disc of The Graduate was loaned to Shout Factory for the Anne Bancroft boxset.

During the 00s/early 10s, Eureka released some Janus Films titles.

Originally Posted by Watershipdownisgood

Straight Story Honestly right now I’m just going to pick up the Imprint Blu Ray as it’s Region Free but if Criterion does release it themselves I’ll buy that version too.

4K UHD released in a few months.

[Somebuddy]

Apologies if this was answered recently but when would the next Criterion 50% off sale be?

[Jobla]

Originally Posted by Somebuddy

Apologies if this was answered recently but when would the next Criterion 50% off sale be?

Those usually occur in July and November.

[latehong]

Originally Posted by Somebuddy

Apologies if this was answered recently but when would the next Criterion 50% off sale be?

Originally Posted by Jobla

Those usually occur in July and November.

July, November = 50% sale on B&N for one month

February/March, October = 50% Flash Sale on the Criterion website for 24 hours. Usually on Tuesday.

Last year, the first flash sale was unusually late on March 21 (Tue). Before that,

2022 Mar 9 (Tue)
2021 Feb 23 (Tue)
2020 Feb 25 (Tue)

[Somebuddy]

Originally Posted by Jobla

Those usually occur in July and November.

Thanks for info! I want Amazon to get Trainspotting blu ray down to 19.99 then i'll pounce