The Criterion Collection

[Egbert Souse]

Originally Posted by Yami

According to Brownlow, the legal disputes have been resolved but it's unlikely to get a release due to the large amount of money required. I'd like to think that if no one company can foot the bill themselves or agree to co-fund then there could be some sort of Kickstarter project. If Manos: The Hands of Fate can raise that much, why not Napoleon?

Napoleon needs fresh 2K scans of both the 5 1/2 hr. complete version and the Zoetrope cut. While I prefer the uncut version, the Zoetrope version is too important to not include. Two discs would fit the complete version while one would fit the Zoetrope. Carl Davis' score has to be re-recorded, too. There's a lot of material out there for extras between all the alternate footage in the 1935 and 1971 dubbed versions, The Charm of Dynamite documentary, and excerpts from Brownlow's Cinema Europe. Easily would make a 4-disc Blu (5-disc DVD).

[stobbart]

I'm pretty sure that all current OOP titles are going to remain OOP for the next few years at least. Studio Canal chose not to renew the rights for a reason. However, they may allow for titles to come back now that they have made their own blu releases (Grand Illusion for example). But I cannot see them licensing anything back until 2014, once their releases have been available for a couple years.

[dag]

I was finally able to rent a few Criterion BDs that were originally released last fall.

The Phantom Carriage was very interesting, although at times it felt like an extended advertisement for a Swedish temperance movement.

Island of Lost Souls was absolutely delicious! Charles Laughton was the cat's meow, and I also enjoyed the whole exotic locale and setting. A very entertaining movie.

Kuroneko was a bit long-winded, but I appreciated its anti-violence theme.

[DetroitSquirreL]

call me a slacker but I finally got around to watching my 'Paris, Texas' BD. All I can say is ....Simply amazing

[greekak229]

Originally Posted by detroitsquirrel

call me a slacker but i finally got around to watching my 'paris, texas' bd. All i can say is ....simply amazing :d

Well gyeah, obviously!!

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

I just watched the original Pufnstuf TV movie (or as much as I could stomach) on cable recently. While I agree with most every Monkees comment you made in a positive light, I must say this bit hurt and almost made me wish the Monkees into oblivion



That last sentence reminds me of this. (I gave up on trying to embed the video)

Now, about Ochs vs. Dylan,

[Show spoiler]they were two very different artists. From what I've read, I'd much rather have known Ochs. I'd have also followed him where he marched. I can't find the video, but Dave Van Ronk near the end of his life had some interesting comments about Dylan that I think were pretty spot on (and he had a mixed appreciation, especially early on).

The fallacy in the comparison is you have to limit Dylan to the era where both were performing since Ochs' life ended so long ago. Hell, I don't think you can compare Dylan to himself depending on the decade/era. For instance, the growlier old Dylan has plenty in common with Leonard Cohen's new disc, late Tom Waits and recent Eric Andersen, but (arguably) little relation to his more well known 60s work. [Link to solid Christgau essay on Greenwich Village and critique of Dylan.]

Next argument: Could the Traveling Wilburys have existed without the Monkees and which Monkee is the analogue for which Wilbury

The Pufnstuf film is godawful, but it's a guilty pleasure of mine because I'm a Mama Cass fan. Don't feel bad, considering that a few of the Monkees themselves often wished that they hadn't been Monkees, so they could have their music taken more seriously. I was reading the other day that Peter Tork had a bit of a harem rock group (all the band members but him were females, and Peter in real life was the antithesis of his TV persona, highly intelligent and nowhere near as "innocent") called Release, and they almost made it on the Easy Rider soundtrack.

All the Monkees got to sit in on Sgt. Pepper at some point, and Peter was even asked to play banjo on Harrison's Wonderwall. Stephen Stills was the one who got Tork the Monkees gig afterall, because they were both folkies from the Greenwich Village scene, and were in Buffalo Fish, a pre-cursor to Buffalo Springfield together. It's why we see Peter Tork introduce the Springfield onstage at Montery.

I know Dylan has evolved and changed, but I still personally prefer Phil, and not just because he seems like he was a genuine, albeit mentally messed up, man. I can appreciate Dylan, I just appreciate Ochs more, much like I appreciate Buffalo Springfield more than Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Sometimes young, although I love CSN&Y quite a bit. Dylan was also only a Ochs fan when it was convenient for him, because at one point, he threw Ochs out of a limo and said he wasn't a musician but a f***ing journalist.

I agree with rock, stone's breakdown of the Monkee/Wilbury comparison also. Yeah, Wilburys were a bit dull, compared to the aforementioned CSN&Y, but I still enjoy them.

folkie/Monkees talk isn't too off topic, we haven't had the announcements yet, and it's still related to Criterion, as many of the artists/groups have appeared in a Criterion release in some shape or form.

Here's more for food for though, I already compared Hausu to a cracked out episode of The Monkees, can anyone imagine the reaction of the teenyboopers if the Monkees actually madeHausu instead of Head?

Also, announcement day! Any guess guys?

Fail-Safe
Rashomon
Shallow Grave

I forget the other clue we got for today, my apologies.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by Egbert Souse

Napoleon needs fresh 2K scans of both the 5 1/2 hr. complete version and the Zoetrope cut. While I prefer the uncut version, the Zoetrope version is too important to not include. Two discs would fit the complete version while one would fit the Zoetrope. Carl Davis' score has to be re-recorded, too. There's a lot of material out there for extras between all the alternate footage in the 1935 and 1971 dubbed versions, The Charm of Dynamite documentary, and excerpts from Brownlow's Cinema Europe. Easily would make a 4-disc Blu (5-disc DVD).

The complete 5-1/2 hr restoration of Napoleon is screening for the first time in something like 30 years at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival next week. I wish I could attend. Live orchestra and 3-screen Polyvision.

http://www.silentfilm.org/napoleon-home.php

[DarkRyder]

Originally Posted by Egbert Souse

Napoleon needs fresh 2K scans of both the 5 1/2 hr. complete version and the Zoetrope cut. While I prefer the uncut version, the Zoetrope version is too important to not include. Two discs would fit the complete version while one would fit the Zoetrope. Carl Davis' score has to be re-recorded, too. There's a lot of material out there for extras between all the alternate footage in the 1935 and 1971 dubbed versions, The Charm of Dynamite documentary, and excerpts from Brownlow's Cinema Europe. Easily would make a 4-disc Blu (5-disc DVD).

This needs to be made. NEEDS to be made.

[ShellOilJunior]

With respect due to the Monkees, the Wilburys are damn awesome. Such a fun collection of songs to listen to with Jeff Lynne's "Poor house" probably being my favorite....


Predictions:

• Shallow Grave
• M.Hulot's Holiday
• Weekend
• Le Havre
• Gold Rush
• The Spy Who Came in From the Cold

[rkish]

Originally Posted by DetroitSquirreL

call me a slacker but I finally got around to watching my 'Paris, Texas' BD. All I can say is ....Simply amazing

YES...I bought this blind when it was first released on blu (based on stellar reviews) and I was driven to tears by the end of the film. It really sucks you in...

[octagon]

Time for bed...I fully expect Shakes the Clown, Charley Varrick and Rosemary's Baby when I wake up.

Or other stuff. That could be cool too.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

With respect due to the Monkees, the Wilburys are damn awesome. Such a fun collection of songs to listen to with Jeff Lynne's "Poor house" probably being my favorite....


Predictions:

• Shallow Grave
• M.Hulot's Holiday
• Weekend
• Le Havre
• Gold Rush
  
• The Spy Who Came in From the Cold

That one would be a good choice, considering the new version of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy comes out this coming Tuesday, and the mini-series comes out in April, if I'm not mistaken. More people are into Le Carre right now.

[ShellOilJunior]

That, plus something else make me think it's coming soon...

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

That, plus something else make me think it's coming soon...

I'd buy it day one, if it does come out.

Did Criterion say why Harold and Maude has been delayed BTW? It's still saying April for the Canadian release, despite Amazon.com and Criterion saying otherwise: http://www.amazon.ca/Harold-and-Maud...1817242&sr=8-1

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I'd buy it day one, if it does come out.

Did Criterion say why Harold and Maude has been delayed BTW? It's still saying April for the Canadian release, despite Amazon.com and Criterion saying otherwise: http://www.amazon.ca/Harold-and-Maud...1817242&sr=8-1

I am sure that link just hasn't been updated. If you look at the Criterion page for the disc it has the June date, but the "Coming Soon" page still lists April. They are probably just behind, although it would be pretty funny if they released the Canadian one first. It would be like the tables were turned for once!

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

I am sure that link just hasn't been updated. If you look at the Criterion page for the disc it has the June date, but the "Coming Soon" page still lists April. They are probably just behind, although it would be pretty funny if they released the Canadian one first. It would be like the tables were turned for once!

Wait a minute, I just thought of this. I wonder if the delay until June is due to a gigantic back order from everyone buying it up during the Valentine's Day sale, and Amazon is just assuming the release date is changed? Maybe it will still be coming out in April. Barnes and Noble also still have a release date of April 17th on their site as well: http://video.barnesandnoble.com/DVD/...rold+and+maude Best buy also still has the April release date too.

Why would it only be Amazon.com and Criterion to change the date, but no other site?

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by DLizzle

Ended up watching a "divisive contemporary directors in the Criterion Collection" double feature last night with Rushmore and Tiny Furniture. Rushmore was up first, and I ended up completely in the "love it" camp. In fact, I can barely even discern where the hate might come from for this one. I found it very funny and ultimately a "feel-good" experience, though there are dark elements to the story and characters.

The humor was not as out-there as I expected considering the opinions I had heard going in. This put me over the edge into Wes Anderson fan territory, and I go there proudly. I look forward to watching this again, as well as his films that I haven't seen; The Royal Tenenbaums and Life Aquatic.

I look forward to your assessment of The Royal Tenenbaums and Life Aquatic, as they're probably my two favourite Andersons. I like Darjeeling a lot, as well

[BohemianGraham]

Criterion's tweeted that the announcements are going to be late today.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Criterion's tweeted that the announcements are going to be late today.

I have enough going on today that it doesn't really matter to me, but I do wonder, given how late the last few announcements have been, what counts as "late" anymore. Isn't this just the new norm?

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

I have enough going on today that it doesn't really matter to me, but I do wonder, given how late the last few announcements have been, what counts as "late" anymore. Isn't this just the new norm?

Touche, but for me, late usually means tomorrow, and not today.