The Criterion Collection

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by Martin_31

We would know by a film never being released at all—which isn’t happening with this label. As another member mentioned Winchester ‘73’s portrayal of Indigenous peoples being problematic, that doesn’t mean Criterion held off on releasing it for years. If they did, then we wouldn’t be seeing this release. The Jazz Singer was released on blu-ray and is still available. So, CRASHLANDING is correct in saying it’s “internet grumbling.” Perhaps, from curmudgeons.

But that would mean Criterion would have to confirm that they had the rights to a particular film that would not be released. A movie just not coming out wouldn’t prove anything nor elaborate on the particulars as to who, what, when and why. And Criterion rarely if ever publicly speaks about films they have the rights for releasing on disc. We would only discover it from third party sources.

And Warner Brothers having released THE JAZZ SINGER Blu has nothing to do with the possibility of Criterion ever potentially bringing it out. The point was not that the movie would never be released, just never by Criterion. Perhaps a better example would be BIRTH OF A NATION or TRIUMPH OF THE WILL, neither of which could I ever envision Criterion releasing in today’s cultural climate.

[Martin_31]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

But that would mean Criterion would have to confirm that they had the rights to a particular film that would not be released. A movie just not coming out wouldn’t prove anything nor elaborate on the particulars as to who, what, when and why. And Criterion rarely if ever publicly speaks about films they have the rights for releasing on disc. We would only discover it from third party sources.

And Warner Brothers having released THE JAZZ SINGER Blu has nothing to do with the possibility of Criterion ever potentially bringing it out. The point was not that the movie would never be released, just never by Criterion. Perhaps a better example would be BIRTH OF A NATION or TRIUMPH OF THE WILL, neither of which could I ever envision Criterion releasing in today’s cultural climate.

The problem with your thinking is “envision.” You’re simply trying to imagine whether or not Criterion would release these films. When what we have now is whether they are not releasing certain films because of what they portray or depict which isn’t the case: Look at the current catalog. Instead of claiming what you envision this label’s reasoning is about their release schedule (today’s cultural climate), think on what has been released already that contradicts that.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by Martin_31

The problem with your thinking is “envision.” You’re simply trying to imagine whether or not Criterion would release these films. When what we have now is whether they are not releasing certain films because of what they portray or depict which isn’t the case: Look at the current catalog. Instead of claiming what you envision this label’s reasoning is about their release schedule (today’s cultural climate), think on what has been released already that contradicts that.

Good point and it makes sense. But I admit I lost a lot of faith in Criterion when they ran scared from that NY Times article and then capitulated to it. As such I’m prepared to think the worst of them these days with regards to their integrity.

Back to the start: I’m disappointed in the lack of extras for WINCHESTER 73 and in their last couple of years with sparse extras on some releases and that just reawakens the elephant in the room for me about Criterion focusing less and less on films and instead trying to shoehorn current idealized perspectives to cover what they perceive as historical flaws. I mean, does WINCHESTER 73 really need an essay about Native Americans? Wouldn’t that have been more appropriate on their STAGECOACH release? But back then they weren’t as concerned with those types of supplements.

[Noir Black Schwarz]

The B&N sale should be happening in the next week or two, right?

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by Noir Black Schwarz

The B&N sale should be happening in the next week or two, right?

I hope so! What’s some items people are looking to get?

Greg Arraki Trilogy, Albert Brooks two films and Farewell My Concubine are at the top of my list to get!

[Jobla]

Originally Posted by Gacivory

I hope so! What’s some items people are looking to get?

Greg Arraki Trilogy, Albert Brooks two films and Farewell My Concubine are at the top of my list to get!

I'm considering Not a Pretty Picture Pandora's Box, Seventh Victim/I Walked with a Zombie, and Happiness.

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by bergman864

They've waited more than a year on previous releases. Look how long Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Cry-Baby took from first announcement. It's ridiculous to assume it's simply KL wanted to put it out sooner.

Then why did they gripe about it publicly? They literally said they were tired of waiting. That’s not ridiculous. That’s the actual explanation they gave.

[moviesaremylife]

Originally Posted by Noir Black Schwarz

The B&N sale should be happening in the next week or two, right?

Flash sale on criterions website is LIKELY next Tuesday. The b&n sale will LIKELY start on the first Friday of November. I would actually guess November 1.

[Watershipdownisgood]

Hmmmmmm when the sale starts I know exactly what I want titles that I missed out on this year.

That being
Repo Man
Happiness
Long Good Friday
Pandoras Box
Demon Pond
Perfect Days
Anatomy of a Fall
Most of them Blu-Ray except for Repo Man

They'll be two separate orders with 5 titles each
The other three, or four titles I'll be picking up are these ones
Menace II Society 4K
Eyes Without a Face
The Killing
Ghost Dog Way of the Samurai

[Jorvic]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

The Studio Canal 4k looks spectacular, so I don't see any reason to pick up the Criterion or for a new scan in the first place outside of being used as marketing bait.

Yes, the SC is a great disc. Superb transfer.

[Sifox211]

Originally Posted by moviesaremylife

Flash sale on criterions website is LIKELY next Tuesday. The b&n sale will LIKELY start on the first Friday of November. I would actually guess November 1.

I don't do the B&N sale anymore as the Criterion flash sale is a much better alterative for me; I plan on picking up only UHDs:

• I Am Cuba
• Repo Man
• Demon Pond
• Farewell My Concubine
• Blue Velvet

Since I use Stackry, I also have a couple of non-Cs on the way: Arbelos versions of Sátántangó and Twlight, and To Rome with Love (the US version is the only fully English friendly release, I believe).

[Taylor3978]

Originally Posted by DimitriL

Then why did they gripe about it publicly? They literally said they were tired of waiting. That’s not ridiculous. That’s the actual explanation they gave.

Um, no, they literally said:

it was becoming very complicated release with lots of people to please.

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by moviesaremylife

Flash sale on criterions website is LIKELY next Tuesday. The b&n sale will LIKELY start on the first Friday of November. I would actually guess November 1.

Yeah, it would have to be this Tuesday. I'm ready.

[The Sovereign]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

Where would we get such evidence from?

I think Happiness and Gummo are good evidence, as are some other recent releases. And I'm with you regarding what seems like a trend toward fewer extras for some releases. But I'd leave the woke panic out of it.

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by Taylor3978

Um, no, they literally said:

I noticed how you omitted the part where they said, “We waited two years, we can’t wait any longer.”

Also, even the very selective part you quoted is a stupid rationale. MOST releases have a lot of people to please. That’s the business. You had to wait two years? It’s becoming complicated? BOO HOO. Kino does a lot of great work but this was stunningly unprofessional. That whole statement didn’t sound like film lovers. It sounded like a company whose overriding concern was to push out a product.

[DrasticHandprint]

Originally Posted by moviesaremylife

Flash sale on criterions website is LIKELY next Tuesday. The b&n sale will LIKELY start on the first Friday of November. I would actually guess November 1.

I think it might be a little after the first, I don’t know if B&N will have overlap between Kino (which ends on Nov 3) and Criterion sales - so I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s after the 3rd. I’ve been noticing a gap between the label sales, but who knows.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by The Sovereign

I think Happiness and Gummo are good evidence, as are some other recent releases. And I'm with you regarding what seems like a trend toward fewer extras for some releases. But I'd leave the woke panic out of it.

Sounds reasonable. There’s never any winning with critical statements of Criterion anyway, at least never in this thread.

But in general I still think political correctness is playing a part in Criterion’s operations, probably not to the degree I suspect, but at least in part these days. Hopefully it will never outright prevent releases or otherwise disrupt their mission statement.

For now, I’ve waited this long for WINCHESTER 73, I’ll give it awhile longer and see if an overseas label tackles it with more extras about the film itself and not reprehensible American history.

[Sommerswerd]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuZo__82POU

Also this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvX8AGKHKCE

[Scottie]

aye yo Anna Kendrick in the Closet

EDIT: Just watched it. Probably one of my favorite visits.

[MifuneFan]

Just got my $10 email from Criterion for the upcoming Flash sale