The Criterion Collection

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

I wouldn't call it underrated, it's probably considered among the top 3 of Fellini isn't it?

the others being La Dolce Vita and 8 1/2

No, La Strada is the 3rd

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Don't get me wrong, I'd love for it to get a BD release too (from anyone), as it is my favorite Fellini film, but I'd be shocked to see Criterion get it back. It's a very underrated Fellini in my opinion

Why would it be shocking for Criterion to get it back? Is there some specific reason for that?

Considering Studiocanal or Lionsgate or whoever controls those films "lost" to Criterion in the U.S. is doing NOTHING with them, it seems more inevitable that Criterion is the only place for them (if they are ever to be released again at all). Perhaps Arrow or Cohen would get them, but those are about the only alternatives that seem practical.

I know that Playtime was one of the films that went OOP, but it came back in the Tati box set with the new restoration and everything. So perhaps these cases will be tested when we see new restorations for some of the other films - we can see who ends up licensing them for release in the U.S. As far as I know, I've never seen any reference to a new HD/4K restoration of Nights of Cabiria, so for right now there might not be anything for Criterion to negotiate for.

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

It's a term that gets thrown around a bunch probably because it is a very fitting term on here. OCD can be applied to many things applicable on this site. Hoarding (collecting). People that have to line up everything perfectly on a shelf. People that worry about tiny bits of damage or dings on their boxes/cases. Oh, and those that nitpick posts on message-boards. There's that too.

I get what you're trying to say but Polaroid is right in that obsessive compulsive disorder isn't just about being persnickety. I have clinically-diagnosed OCD and if the behavior you listed was my only problem, I'd be overjoyed.

Not trying to derail the thread, simply wanted to verify that part of Polaroid's statement.

[Polaroid]

I know the positives of having the box set and seperate releases - but even if thy have the resources it's still time and money being used that can go into another project... All I'm trying to say lol

I don't know there financial stuff but just going off the recent cut backs lol, they didn't really NEED a to make that new box set in the new announcement as they are releasing seperatly, even if it's a small amount of time it's still time that could be used on another project >.<

I'm not trying to make it a big deal and I get the positives of it lol, I just focus on negatives more just putting that thought out there

Abyway moving on, people always take what I say wrong as I can't explain better - sorry

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Its probably because the sadness it causes knowing it is OOP

It is one my most wanted releases, i don't care if it is released by other studio.

I really didn't saw what was all the fuss with Fellini after my first of his La Strada, but was floored with the second Nights of Cabiria, that ending for me is the only one that can compare with the final scene of City Lights.

Now that i have seen a lot more by him i can appreciate more his other films and probably would get La Strada if it was upgraded (that is not OOP, seems crazy they haven't got it upgraded so it is probably a matter of not having a good enough source)

Nights of Cabiria is one of my favorite films of all time, and unfortunately I didn't buy the DVD when it was in print. Now I have to wait for a blu, and I'm anticipating it could be a hell of a wait. Hopefully with several Fellini's getting 4K restorations, this one can't be far behind. With a restoration a blu-ray becomes closer to inevitable.

I see alot of people mention 8 1/2 in his top 3, and honestly that film has always bored me to death (that was the first Fellini I saw many years ago, and if I went purely by director I might have never seen another film of his).

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

I get what you're trying to say but Polaroid is right in that obsessive compulsive disorder isn't just about being persnickety. I have clinically-diagnosed OCD and if the behavior you listed was my only problem, I'd be overjoyed.

Not trying to derail the thread, simply wanted to verify that part of Polaroid's statement.

I think most post people realize this though, nobody on here is making clinical assessments about more severe OCD's. Just as it pertains to applicable behaviors on blu-ray.com. I mean it is an accurate description. Most "collectors" basically display behaviour of OCD - and that's why the term gets thrown around, because it's 100% accurate.

I realize it can be more serious (socially or health wise) than just minor "collecting" issues, and there are different forms of OCD. I saw a documentary or news segment years ago about people that couldn't stop messing with their hair, and ended up basically ripping their own hair out. That one kind of freaked me out.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

Why would it be shocking for Criterion to get it back? Is there some specific reason for that?

Considering Studiocanal or Lionsgate or whoever controls those films "lost" to Criterion in the U.S. is doing NOTHING with them, it seems more inevitable that Criterion is the only place for them (if they are ever to be released again at all). Perhaps Arrow or Cohen would get them, but those are about the only alternatives that seem practical.

I know that Playtime was one of the films that went OOP, but it came back in the Tati box set with the new restoration and everything. So perhaps these cases will be tested when we see new restorations for some of the other films - we can see who ends up licensing them for release in the U.S. As far as I know, I've never seen any reference to a new HD/4K restoration of Nights of Cabiria, so for right now there might not be anything for Criterion to negotiate for.

It wouldn't be shocking if they got the rights back (They did get Salo back after a long time) but what I think people are getting at is don't hold your breath for it.

I'd buy it day 1 but am not expecting it to come back in print.

[Yami]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Criterion should release a surrealism set with such works as Maya Deren shorts and Un Chien Andalou.

The upcoming Flicker Alley set 'Masterworks of American Avant-Garde Experimental Film 1920-1970' will include Deren's Meshes of the Afternoon. And Cohen's release of What is Cinema? has 11 shorts as extras

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

I think most post people realize this though, nobody on here is making clinical assessments about more severe OCD's. Just as it pertains to applicable behaviors on blu-ray.com. I mean it is an accurate description. Most "collectors" basically display behaviour of OCD - and that's why the term gets thrown around, because it's 100% accurate.

I realize it can be more serious (socially or health wise) than just minor "collecting" issues, and there are different forms of OCD. I saw a documentary or news segment years ago about people that couldn't stop messing with their hair, and ended up basically ripping their own hair out. That one kind of freaked me out.

It's kind of like when people say they're "depressed", when that's not really the most accurate word (in the past, I've been clinically-diagnosed with depression as well) for their state of mind but you know what they mean anyway.

I still have all my hair, thank christ.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

It's ok I'm provs not explaining very well. My issue is they have cut back on costs such as dual format and booklets to save money yet they are reprinting stuff that isn't desperately needed.

I'm not making this about digipak v amaray... I don't care how they do it, just seems weird doing a amaray box set and amaray seperate releases.

And it's a bit different when other companies do box sets with seperate releases as they are aiming at a larger/more varied target audience where croterion is more narrowed in that area.

As I said I'm not explaining myself very well... Also it bugs me when other companies do pointless re releases like Artifical Eyes "lars Von tried show and awe" or whatever it was lol or whatwverrrrr lol

I get what you're saying, I just think it's unfair when a desired title is lumped into an expensive box set of films that aren't too desired (LPS and Easy Rider aside, even though someone who wants FEP may not want those). This rerelease has no effect on anyone who owns the BBS set or has no interest in any of those films, and anyone who just wants FEP now has that opportunity to save a lot of money. I mean we're talking Jack Nicholson here! It should have a release of its own.

And that is true in general that Criterion's releases appeal to a more limited demographic, but not every film in the collection is niche, if that were the case they probably wouldn't survive.

[Helikaon]

Has anyone voiced an opinion on the cover of The Fisher King yet? What's up with them letting kids design their artwork now?

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by Yami

The upcoming Flicker Alley set 'Masterworks of American Avant-Garde Experimental Film 1920-1970' will include Deren's Meshes of the Afternoon. And Cohen's release of What is Cinema? has 11 shorts as extras

I didn't know that! Cool. Meshes is such a bizarre, hypnotic, visually captivating, thought-provoking short film. When is that set getting released? I couldn't really find any details on it.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by Helikaon

Has anyone voiced an opinion on the cover of The Fisher King yet? What's up with them letting kids design their artwork now?

Was about to say the same. It's terrible. My gut reaction when I saw it was disbelief. If their idea of a cover is something I can draw in 10 minutes then that's very disappointing.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

I know there was a particular wave of Studio Canal titles they lost the rights too (including some that were already on blu ray). But haven't they since licensed other titles from Studio Canal?

The only StudioCanal titles they've issued since losing the rights are the Tati films, and that was a special case: the Tati estate twisted SC's arm into letting Criterion do it (probably because they realized that Lionsgate never would).

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Was about to say the same. It's terrible. My gut reaction when I saw it was disbelief. If their idea of a cover is something I can draw in 10 minutes then that's very disappointing.

That's not the point though.

From a design point of view it's not just the illustration it's also the type considered and how that has been used to work with the image, it may be easy to pick a cool type and stick it on but it needs a connection with the imagery and content.

I think they have done a great job on the design and type is vey interesting and well used. The illustration may look childish but it's the artists reelection of the film, it's expressive and free. Just look at artists such as Picasso or whoever, they may look like childish images but they have depth and meaning to them and so much to explore.

It's also choosing the right colours and reflecting the mood and themes in those colors, there is a lot to consider and it has marry together.

I'm sure the designer had submitted a vast array of images for Criterion to consider, it's not just the image you see on the cover, A LOT of work goes on behind the scenes.

Also if you look at alternate poster designs they use a "childish" type for the title, the designer may have taken that as a starting point and to borrow that element. Which is a nice connection without just copying.

[jlk5844]

The descriptions for The Bridge and Valerie and Her Week of Wonders intrigued me out of this month's announcements. I'm becoming more interested in black and white war movies, particularly those dealing with WWI and WWII, after watching All Quiet on the Western Front not too long ago. This film similarly focuses on German soldiers and the fact that it's German-made only a decade and a half after the end of WWII makes it especially interesting. On a side note, I wish Universal gave AQotWF to Criterion, they would've done a better job on the transfer and included the silent version in HD (which is the version I saw, haven't seen it in its intended talkie form yet, IDK why TCM played the silent version and without making any mention of it).

I did a small amount of reading on Valerie and I'm interested in its phantasmagorical, surrealist touch and its themes and wacky visuals. I also noticed Criterion used the theatrical poster for its cover, which I'm happy for considering the image has significance in the context of the film. While they could've done something more amazing and eye-catching, their designs have been very hit-and-miss as of late and often underwhelming. This month's covers were weak and uninspired aside from Valerie (as I said already, The Fisher King looks just bad).

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I know the positives of having the box set and seperate releases - but even if thy have the resources it's still time and money being used that can go into another project... All I'm trying to say lol

Well, sure, but that same argument can be made if they happen to release a title that you dislike. It's certainly something that a lot of people say every time that Criterion releases a Wes Anderson film...

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Well, sure, but that same argument can be made if they happen to release a title that you dislike. It's certainly something that a lot of people say every time that Criterion releases a Wes Anderson film...

Not true, there are many films I dislike that need an upgrade, I see the importance of it even if I dislike the film. It will be nice seeing those films upgraded for others and just to present the film the best it can be.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by jayembee

It's certainly something that a lot of people say every time that Criterion releases a Wes Anderson film...

Even the blinking 12:00 on my coffeemaker is right once a day

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

That's not the point though.

From a design point of view it's not just the illustration it's also the type considered and how that has been used to work with the image, it may be easy to pick a cool type and stick it on but it needs a connection with the imagery and content.

I think they have done a great job on the design and type is vey interesting and well used. The illustration may look childish but it's the artists reelection of the film, it's expressive and free. Just look at artists such as Picasso or whoever, they may look like childish images but they have depth and meaning to them and so much to explore.

It's also choosing the right colours and reflecting the mood and themes in those colors, there is a lot to consider and it has marry together.

I'm sure the designer had submitted a vast array of images for Criterion to consider, it's not just the image you see on the cover, A LOT of work goes on behind the scenes.

Also if you look at alternate poster designs they use a "childish" type for the title, the designer may have taken that as a starting point and to borrow that element. Which is a nice connection without just copying.

This seems like an apologist post. I'm sure they come up with multiple designs, and I'd actually bet they don't have a lot of time to design the covers, doesn't mean the end result is great. This looks cheap and uninspired and rushed, and not on the level of Picasso. It doesn't have much color at all.