The Criterion Collection

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I'm in for AK,JLG and PPP. I'm really stoked for that trilogy set. I haven't seen them but they look terribly fascinating.

It seems like ON THE WATERFRONT is going to be doing the heavy lifting in December possibly. It'll be a sparse month with it and maybe something like BITTER RICE and few others ones they finally clear out of the ol' closet .

I hope December brings a Truffaut pair with The Soft Skin and a Jules & Jim upgrade.

[Cinemach]

This is admittedly a big month but only Weekend gives me pique, though even that's pending a Hulu+ watch: Godard's a huge hit or miss. I think I might like it, though.

If there is indeed a B&N November sale my ledger will be fairly light: Lonesome, In the Mood for Love, Rosemary's Baby constitute my only definites thus far (I'll be picking up the UK version of Children of Paradise).

Which is just as well as there are quite a few sets of interest coming up.

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

I hope December brings a Truffaut pair with The Soft Skin and a Jules & Jim upgrade.

I can cosign with this notion. I'll even throw a please on it.

I know there's a blu of Jules et Jim somewhere but I believe the quality is suspect. I wonder what the restoration/transfer/print status is on that title?

[TimmyWeiss]

I think that Criterion dropped the ball on Heaven's Gate. This was a release that demanded a doc about it's making, release, and overall impact. I don't see any doc, or commentary, so I feel they dropped the ball. If Brazil can have a 3 disc release, why not Heaven's Gate?

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by TimmyWeiss

I think that Criterion dropped the ball on Heaven's Gate. This was a release that demanded a doc about it's making, release, and overall impact. I don't see any doc, or commentary, so I feel they dropped the ball. If Brazil can have a 3 disc release, why not Heaven's Gate?

I understand that the "Final Cut" doc may have been a no-go given its portrayal of Cimino - who was involved with this release - but you're correct this is a case where a bevy of contextual extras would've been incredibly compelling. Probably moreso than the actual film.

There is still time for the list to be amended. This has happened a number of times within the past few months.

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by Cinemach

I can cosign with this notion. I'll even throw a please on it.

I know there's a blu of Jules et Jim somewhere but I believe the quality is suspect. I wonder what the restoration/transfer/print status is on that title?

I think it is a matter of time hopefully sooner than later. It would be a great pairing to close out the year.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

I think it is a matter of time hopefully sooner than later. It would be a great pairing to close out the year.

I would love to see Shoot the Piano Player get an upgrade. That's my favorite Truffaut. Haven't watched The Soft Skin yet thou.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by Cinemach

(I'll be picking up the UK version of Children of Paradise).

Any particular reason you're not going CC? Are you in region B-land? Or is there another reason? (no criticism implied, just wondering if I need to reconsider).

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

Any particular reason you're not going CC? Are you in region B-land? Or is there another reason? (no criticism implied, just wondering if I need to reconsider).

It's just as simple as liking the cover and French title better. No I'm not as package-fanatic as others, but when given the choice at practically the same price I'll gladly pick the one I favor, as I'm not waiting on a 'sale' for this title. They're going to be practically the same transfer, and maybe give/take an extra or two.

[montereypop]

If the Abel Gance page on Criterion's website means that 'Napoleon' is coming out, then that would truly be the release of a lifetime as it is my all-time favorite movie!

Also, the Eclipse set for November has some truly awful movies that are must-sees- 'Goke-The Body Snatcher From Hell' is actually pretty good but 'The X From Outer Space' and 'Genocide' are two of the most (semi-) unintentionally hilarious movies ever made.

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

I would love to see Shoot the Piano Player get an upgrade. That's my favorite Truffaut. Haven't watched The Soft Skin yet thou.

I wouldn't complain about Shoot the Piano Player Either. That is on my want list also.

[BluPix]

Just saw the announcement of the stellar lineup coming from Criterion in November. I'll buy all four blu-ray packages fairly early—especially with a B&N 50% off sale (if it happens)—and possibly (down the line) the Eclipse Series box of four horror films from the Shochiku studio. My thoughts...

Rashomon. I don't usually make a lot of predictions but I did predict in a number of posts that an Akira Kurosawa film would be released by year's end, and here it is. It's not surprising that it's Rashomon, justifiably one of the most popular Kurosawa films in Criterion's library. I do hope that next year brings his Ikiru.

Weekend. I honestly didn't think Jean-Luc Godard's Weekend would be released this year, so soon after Andrew Haigh's recent and completely different (but excellent) film of the same name. The 1967 picture is definitely a film I'm interested in seeing for the first time, especially given how much I enjoyed my copies of the same director's Breathless and Pierrot le fou (I have yet to see Vivre sa vie.) My little Godard collection grows a bit with every Criterion blu upgrade and I'm glad for it.

Trilogy of Life. Although this has been predicted (like a lot of titles), it's still impressive to see it confirmed, especially since 2012 has turned out to be such a big year for the work of Pier Paolo Pasolini on premium blu-ray and DVD in various territories: Accattone; Hawks and Sparrows (DVD); Oedipus Rex; Pigsty (DVD); Ro.Go.Pa.G.; and now the region A release of the Trilogy of Life. Those who are interested in having the most complete collection of extras available for the films in this trilogy may also want to look into obtaining BFI's editions of the films, which appear to sport a largely different assortment of supplements: The Decameron; The Canterbury Tales; and The Arabian Nights. (Last year, BFI reissued those packages as dual-format editions, but the content should be the same.) My Pasolini collection will grow by leaps and bounds this year. And to think I just today—the day of the Criterion announcement—received my order of Accattone from the Masters of Cinema series / Eureka. What pleasant synergy.

Heaven's Gate. Ever since I saw what was apparently director Michael Cimino's cut of this film on cable a few years ago, I felt it was underrated. I quite enjoyed it for what it was and I'm glad it is making it's way to blu, on Criterion no less. I predict it will find many new audiences who appreciate the it. This is another nice result from the worthwhile partnership of Criterion and MGM. I do agree with others who say it would have been nice to have also included the extended cut of the film, just for the edification of audiences, but I'm not really complaining.

In my book, August, September, October and November 2012 will be strong months for Criterion. I can only imagine what December will be like.

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by montereypop

If the Abel Gance page on Criterion's website means that 'Napoleon' is coming out, then that would truly be the release of a lifetime as it is my all-time favorite movie!

Also, the Eclipse set for November has some truly awful movies that are must-sees- 'Goke-The Body Snatcher From Hell' is actually pretty good but 'The X From Outer Space' and 'Genocide' are two of the most (semi-) unintentionally hilarious movies ever made.

The restored Napoleon is touring theatres now. No doubt probably this time next year we may have the Blu ray and DVD announcement. That seems like the BIG title next year.

[Darkcritic]

Just noticed Arturo Ripstein has a Criterion page too and with one of his films already on Hulu no less ! For anyone with Hulu access I recommend checking his film out, it is called Profundo Carmesi (Deep Crimson). I am excited to hear there are so many WCF titles's directors listed, lets hope Criterion takes notes and release the thing already .

[Dragun]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

The restored Napoleon is touring theatres now. No doubt probably this time next year we may have the Blu ray and DVD announcement. That seems like the BIG title next year.

I hope they release the longest cut. On Blu-Ray the triptych sequence can finally be presented somewhat decently on a home video format. 1.33:1 for the main film, and full width (but shorter) for the triptych.

[SlickDamian]

Originally Posted by BluPix

Just saw the announcement of the stellar lineup coming from Criterion in November. I'll buy all four blu-ray packages fairly early—especially with a B&N 50% off sale (if it happens)—and possibly (down the line) the Eclipse Series box of four horror films from the Shochiku studio. My thoughts...

Rashomon. I don't usually make a lot of predictions but I did predict in a number of posts that an Akira Kurosawa film would be released by year's end, and here it is. It's not surprising that it's Rashomon, justifiably one of the most popular Kurosawa films in Criterion's library. I do hope that next year brings his Ikiru.

Weekend. I honestly didn't think Jean-Luc Godard's Weekend would be released this year, so soon after Andrew Haigh's recent and completely different (but excellent) film of the same name. The 1967 picture is definitely a film I'm interested in seeing for the first time, especially given how much I enjoyed my copies of the same director's Breathless and Pierrot le fou (I have yet to see Vivre sa vie.) My little Godard collection grows a bit with every Criterion blu upgrade and I'm glad for it.

Trilogy of Life. Although this has been predicted (like a lot of titles), it's still impressive to see it confirmed, especially since 2012 has turned out to be such a big year for the work of Pier Paolo Pasolini on premium blu-ray and DVD in various territories: Accattone; Hawks and Sparrows (DVD); Oedipus Rex; Pigsty (DVD); Ro.Go.Pa.G.; and now the region A release of the Trilogy of Life. Those who are interested in having the most complete collection of extras available for the films in this trilogy may also want to look into obtaining BFI's editions of the films, which appear to sport a largely different assortment of supplements: The Decameron; The Canterbury Tales; and The Arabian Nights. (Last year, BFI reissued those packages as dual-format editions, but the content should be the same.) My Pasolini collection will grow by leaps and bounds this year. And to think I just today—the day of the Criterion announcement—received my order of Accattone from the Masters of Cinema series / Eureka. What pleasant synergy.

Heaven's Gate. Ever since I saw what was apparently director Michael Cimino's cut of this film on cable a few years ago, I felt it was underrated. I quite enjoyed it for what it was and I'm glad it is making it's way to blu, on Criterion no less. I predict it will find many new audiences who appreciate the it. This is another nice result from the worthwhile partnership of Criterion and MGM. I do agree with others who say it would have been nice to have also included the extended cut of the film, just for the edification of audiences, but I'm not really complaining.

In my book, August, September, October and November 2012 will be strong months for Criterion. I can only imagine what December will be like.

Did you have a Criterion orgasm while typing this?

[SlickDamian]

I think that it's pretty trippy that Heaven's Gate got a Criterion release.

[ianungstad]

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

Following my previous post, the Ivan Reitman page could be explained away by something he produced, such as two of Cronenberg's early films, Rabid and Shivers.

I think Criterion created the Reitman page as part of their April Fool's joke for Kindergarten Cop.

[ianungstad]

Originally Posted by Akijama

Mike Hodge's page is also up.Get Carter is a logical choice,but since it's Warner,i'll go with Croupier.
M.Nichols page and thoughts of Carnal Knowledge gives me goosebumps

Again,my predictions

Paul Thomas Anderson - Hard Eight
Charles Vidor - Gilda
Emir Kusturica - Underground (already out in Japan)
Peter Greenway - The Draughtsman's Contract (already out in Japan)
Terence Davies - Distant Voices, Still Lives
Frank Capra - Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Thomas Vinterberg - Festen
Sergei Parajanov - The Color of Pomegranates
Jacques Rivette - Paris Belongs to Us
Ken Russell - Mahler
Godfrey Reggio - Koyaanisqatsi/Powaqqatsi
Mike Nichols - Carnal Knowledge

Mostly agree...but I'd make the following changes:

Paul Thomas Anderson - Hard Eight, Punch Drunk Love
Charles Vidor - Gilda
Emir Kusturica - Black Cat, White Cat
Peter Greenway - Drowning by Numbers
Terence Davies - Distant Voices, Still Lives, Long Day Closes
Frank Capra - Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, It Happened One Night
Thomas Vinterberg - Festen
Sergei Parajanov - The Color of Pomegranates
Jacques Rivette - Paris Belongs to Us
Ken Russell - Mahler
Godfrey Reggio - Koyaanisqatsi/Powaqqatsi
Mike Nichols - Nichols+ May: Take 2 (feature length supplement on a mainline release of Mikey & Nicky)

[Blu Titan]

Getting the Trilogy of Life, Weekend, and most important Rashomon!!! Now beings us upgrades for Throne of Blood and The Hidden Forest.