The Criterion Collection

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by NeilZ

I don't disagree with what you say although for the record Fisher King absolutely did need a new 4k scan but that's a minor matter.

I think the main reason we are seeing so many of their biggest selling titles being rushed to 4k is exactly for that, to improve their sales.

They've had to make cuts on their staff and as a business were clearly not doing as well in recent years.

I'm inclined to believe this is a direct result of them diversifying into categories of films that probably don't sell as well (I know Mifunefan is happy that we're getting unknown films from smaller countries, but I don't think those are hot sellers).

Criterion may have had more leeway because they are so big and have support from libraries and the likes, but at the end of the day they too need to run a profitable business. Upgrading David Lynch, Terry Gilliam, Martin Scorsese, or George Romero to 4K is an easy way for them to get there.

I think it's fine to go for some big guns, but is Chilly Scenes of Winter or Love and Basketball really going to sell like gang busters? Probably not. A big title a month is not a bad idea, but there really need to be less focus on releasing titles that already have decent releases and are not extremely popular.

It's a tough business for sure, but when numerous other labels seem to "get" it when it comes to their release schedule, it seems strange that Criterion doesn't. Again, they simply have too many titles which they hoarded for their fledgling streaming service.

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

Maybe so. I worked in the script departments for the major studios in Los Angeles for over 35 years and the policy was always mums the word on most things. At times it made perfect sense, but at other times it came back to bite us on the you know what. Sometimes dispelling a rumor is more valuable than silence. It can work wonders as a gesture of good will, but perhaps Criterion, who may not have instigated it, but surely are aware of the rumor as it's not just in the purview of these forums, feels they get more momentum out of just leaving it alone. That's a business idea whose potential success is open for debate. As much as I've sparred with the public rep for KINO, I have always appreciated when he shares if something might be in the works or isn't and many times why or why not. Whatever the reality, Criterion won't divulge anything anyway so it's all moot.

Interesting discussion and I see value in both of our perspectives.

Yeah, you don't have to start a rumor to quash it. They're obviously aware a lot of people are expecting/hoping for it, and if it's not coming, they should say as much.

AEW sold out United Center simply on "we never said CM Punk wasn't coming".

[dzd]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Nice. I love Deakins' work so much. I wonder if they stopped by for something Criterion related? Criterion mentions Deakins' book in their tweet, but that's not really something new. If it's something both were involved with, perhaps there will be a release of Secret Garden (1993) later this year? It checks a lot of boxes. It has its 30th anniversary this year, it's from Warner, so they can license it, It's a beautifully shot film, and it's yet to get a BD release (which is quite odd). If it's just something Roger has done, then there are so many possibilities. Perhaps The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, which Deakins has been vocal about Criterion releasing.

I'd be thrilled with The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford or (more likely) The Man Who Wasn't There. The Secret Garden (1993), however, is my most desired Blu-ray/4k, and I'm always surprised that I never see people talking about how it has never gotten so much as a Blu-ray release. It seems like a lot of people have seen it, and most of them like it a lot, and you would expect people to have nostalgia for it, so what gives? Would The Secret Garden be more likely to get a release from Criterion or Warner Archive?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by koberulz

Yeah, you don't have to start a rumor to quash it. They're obviously aware a lot of people are expecting/hoping for it, and if it's not coming, they should say as much.

AEW sold out United Center simply on "we never said CM Punk wasn't coming".

But what's the point? What if I told you someone contacted Mulvaney years back, and asked if there were any plans for such a set and someone got a response that said "thanks, but right now there are no plans for such a set". Would that have quieted anyone down, realistically? Absolutely not. Because people would simply look at that as a boiler-plate response that any company gives when not divulging their own future business plans.

Plenty of people have reached out to other labels like Shout Factory, and Arrow and got that exact same response, only for such titles to be announced eventually anyway. A company denying something is completely pointless. Perhaps it gives people a false sense of a company being transparent, but really, it's nothing of the sort.

[MrGarmonbozia]

Argh!

Just received the Once Upon in China set.
Every
single
disc
is
scratched!

Some look like Freddy Kruger handled them!

Damn you plant in Mexico!!!!

[SmittysGelato]

Originally Posted by MrGarmonbozia

Argh!

Just received the Once Upon in China set.
Every
single
disc
is
scratched!

Some look like Freddy Kruger handled them!

Damn you plant in Mexico!!!!

My Karel Zeman set had all scratched discs too, but they all had no playback issues. Scratches are weird that way. Sometimes the smallest scratch will **** everything up, other times you can have nasty scratches with zero effect.

[MrGarmonbozia]

Originally Posted by SmittysGelato

My Karel Zeman set had all scratched discs too, but they all had no playback issues. Scratches are weird that way. Sometimes the smallest scratch will **** everything up, other times you can have nasty scratches with zero effect.

I'd just like to not worry about playback. I've come to accept smaller scratches or if there is one.

But these ones have these claw looking marks.

The discs may play but seeing as how it will be a couple of months before I can get to it best to just keep playing the send it back to Amazon mix and match game to get clean discs.

Sadly, it's not like one of them is scratched. All of them are.

What a pain in the buttocks, Criterion. :P

[Rayjg]

I know it's at least eight years away but any guesses on the next Kurosawa release

[SmittysGelato]

Originally Posted by MrGarmonbozia

I'd just like to not worry about playback. I've come to accept smaller scratches or if there is one.

But these ones have these claw looking marks.

The discs may play but seeing as how it will be a couple of months before I can get to it best to just keep playing the send it back to Amazon mix and match game to get clean discs.

Sadly, it's not like one of them is scratched. All of them are.

What a pain in the buttocks, Criterion. :P

Yes, it makes collecting less fun than it used to be. It forces you to watch everything RIGHT NOW to make sure everything is fine, which obviously not everyone can manage depending on your schedule.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by Rayjg

I know it's at least eight years away but any guesses on the next Kurosawa release

Well, chances are it won't be a Toho film

[MrGarmonbozia]

Originally Posted by SmittysGelato

Yes, it makes collecting less fun than it used to be. It forces you to watch everything RIGHT NOW to make sure everything is fine, which obviously not everyone can manage depending on your schedule.

The other problem with these scratched discs that, even if they play, if you want to sell off something some places/people may not take the discs because they are scratched at worst and, at best, you have to lower the price because the NEW product you thought you had looks damaged.

[MrGarmonbozia]

Grrrrrrr

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Rayjg

I know it's at least eight years away but any guesses on the next Kurosawa release

Maybe Rhapsody in August since that's with MGM in the US I believe.

[NeilZ]

Not sure why people still think Criterion has troubles with Toho. That’s as much a fabrication without evidence as those of us who believe the Kurosawa set is coming. At least those of us believers in the AK set come to this conclusion by logical order of elimination. Many of us believe a Kurosawa set is coming because Criterion did one for Fellini and Bergman (and now even more big director sets). It’s really as simple as that. Sure there are other reasons such as all missing movies having 2k scans in Japan for over a decade but that’s just icing on the cake.

I understand Toho is notoriously hard to deal with but Criterion has never had any issues getting their films from them before. They were commonly releasing Toho films all the way till around 7 or 8 years ago which specifically coincided with the point where the founders (Stein husband and wife) sold the company to new owners. After that point they didn’t just slow down on Toho films but ALL Japanese films. Clearly the new owners just have different priorities and have not shown great interest like the Steins did.

Furthermore even if it was a Toho issue which I’m not inclined to believe, nothing was stopping them from doing blu ray releases of Kurosawa films such as The Idiot, Scandal, or Dersu Uzala (among other non Toho films).

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

But what's the point? What if I told you someone contacted Mulvaney years back, and asked if there were any plans for such a set and someone got a response that said "thanks, but right now there are no plans for such a set". Would that have quieted anyone down, realistically?

On the other hand, if they came out publicly and unprompted and said there was no set coming, that would be much more meaningful.

[tatterdemalion]

Originally Posted by Rayjg

I know it's at least eight years away but any guesses on the next Kurosawa release

My guess is when zombie Kurosawa comes back from the dead and releases his new film The Brainless Fortress.

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by NeilZ

Furthermore even if it was a Toho issue which I’m not inclined to believe, nothing was stopping them from doing blu ray releases of Kurosawa films such as The Idiot, Scandal, or Dersu Uzala (among other non Toho films).

Just because it’s not Toho doesn’t mean that there aren’t a bunch of other issues. Don’t expect to see Dersu from Mosfilm anytime in the foreseeable future.

[MrGarmonbozia]

Reached out to Criterion directly regarding the scratched up Once Upon a Time in China set, basically mentioning that the bulk of my Criterion purchases over the last year or so have had scratches but none looked as horrible as this set.

I really don't want to play the exchange/mix n match game with Amazon so here's hoping Criterion offers replacements.

SHOUTS answer to basically the same email for scratched discs in their Chan/Chiba sets was, to summarize, we will only issue replacement if the damage is "significant" and "irreversible"

[Yami]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I think it's fine to go for some big guns, but is Chilly Scenes of Winter or Love and Basketball really going to sell like gang busters? Probably not. A big title a month is not a bad idea, but there really need to be less focus on releasing titles that already have decent releases and are not extremely popular.

I happen to agree with you on this but I really don't think Criterion can win - if you go into most of the comments sections, it's people moaning that there aren't 4K upgrades or a Criterion release of films that are already widely available on disc. We, the people, complaining that they're not releasing more e.g. Obayashi or Glauber Rocha appear to be in the minority. But even when they do release relatively 'popular' films like a Scorsese, it seems like it only placates people for the 4 weeks until the next announcement.

[Yami]

Originally Posted by koberulz

On the other hand, if they came out publicly and unprompted and said there was no set coming, that would be much more meaningful.

But that would set a precedent and rumours would gain traction simply because they haven't come out and denied the fantasy release flavour of the month.