The Criterion Collection

[SpiderBaby]

I would just like to again say, not bashing any film or poster. Just Criterion isn't the only company that releases films. If I can get Inglourious Basterds by Warners (which I have), then that's how I got it. The only place I could of got Wages of Fear, was by Criterion. That's how it works. If you can get There Will Be Blood from any company, you take it. Don't have it released by a company that will stop a hard to get release from coming.

Just like a title I see in the future people will force Criterion to release (Fantastic Mr. Fox). Do you all really NEED Criterion to release it? It's the only Wes Anderson on blu not by Criterion, so I would like to see how this plays out. It already has a nice release, so this will show Criterion's true colors of what they intend to do moving forward. Will they re-release a perfectly fine release just to have it in the collection and make money on Anderson fans, or will they see that other films need "attention". I can see if it was just on dvd, but this is already on blu-ray.

But I know what you all are saying. Hey CG, isn't Easy Rider already on blu? Yes, and while I perfer another Dennis Hopper film(my sig), Easy Rider will be included (rumor) in a set of films that a studio set up and most likely just let Criterion take it, so can't change.

[ianungstad]

There are instances where I think Criterion should try and license modern films.Since we are talking about Hollywood, here are a few examples.

1) Paramount for whatever reason decided to discontinue : Margot at the Wedding (Noah Baumbach), Bringing Out the Dead (Martin Scorsese) and Election (Alexander Payne). All three titles were also practically barebones. The studio isn't interested in keeping these titles on disc.

2) You still have a number of contemporary films that are released in barebone editions with terrible transfers. For example, Todd Solondz's Happiness is just an awful disc. Even a huge title like Good Will Hunting has never been released on disc in an ANAMORPHIC transfer in the United States.

Also, I think it should be noted that some films are independently owned and can switch or lose distribution for a variety of reasons. If it's a good opportunity, Criterion should seize it. An example would be Tobe Hooper's Texas Chainsaw Massacre (not a contemporary film) but MPI put out a loaded BLU. Since then they've lost the rights to the title. Should that prevent Criterion from picking it up? I don't believe it should. To tie this with the discussion of contemporary films, part of the reason why they've been having trouble selling the Miramax catalog is because the rights to aprox. 200 of the films are set to expire in the next 5 years.

Food for thought!

[SpiderBaby]

So you're saying Criterion should get titles that will be OOP in 5 years? How would that be good business putting all this money to films that they KNOW won't own the rights to in a few years? Maybe 5 years is enough to make your money back, but I don't know if any company would jump on that, knowing going into it.

[ianungstad]

No. I'm saying that when the rights to those films expire and they hypothetically are no longer with Miramax or whomever, it is fine in my opinion for Criterion to pick up as many as they like. In that situation, using the excuse "Oh it's a contemporary film already released in a two disc special edition with commentary tracks and featurettes, why is Criterion releasing this instead of focusing on unavailable classic films" doesn't wash.

Let's not even look at 5 years from now...how about this coming Wednesday? Rumors have it that Disney will offiically announce the sale of Miramax films to billionaire construction magnate Ron Tutor. Insiders say that Disney has agreed to continue distribution on home video for up to a year, until they've set up their own distribution network away from Disney. One of the individuals involved, David Bergstein has said in press interviews that if they win Miramax, they want to focus on digital and plan to license out the dvd and blu rights to the Miramax catalog. It's all spec. at this point but in just a few days time, you could be looking at a situation in which Pulp Fiction does not have a distributor on home video and needs to find a new company to handle dvd and blu. Should Criterion NOT try and pick it up because Disney had released a special edition prior?

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by ianungstad

No. I'm saying that when the rights to those films expire and they hypothetically are no longer with Miramax or whomever, it is fine in my opinion for Criterion to pick up as many as they like. In that situation, using the excuse "Oh it's a contemporary film already released in a two disc special edition with commentary tracks and featurettes, why is Criterion releasing this instead of focusing on unavailable classic films" doesn't wash.

Let's not even look at 5 years from now...how about this coming Wednesday? Rumors have it that Disney will offiically announce the sale of Miramax films to billionaire construction magnate Ron Tutor. Insiders say that Disney has agreed to continue distribution on home video for up to a year, until they've set up their own distribution network away from Disney. One of the individuals involved, David Bergstein has said in press interviews that if they win Miramax, they want to focus on digital and plan to license out the dvd and blu rights to the Miramax catalog. It's all spec. at this point but in just a few days time, you could be looking at a situation in which Pulp Fiction does not have a distributor on home video and needs to find a new company to handle dvd and blu. Should Criterion NOT try and pick it up because Disney had released a special edition prior?

I just want SOMEONE to put out Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown on BD!

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

I would just like to give a big thanks to...the person who writes the awesome Criterion reviews here for this site!

Thank you for the kind words BillyJack, but I don't believe they are actually deserved. The only party that deserves credit is Criterion and their team of professionals. So support them as much as you can by purchasing the films you like to have in your library so that they could continue releasing and effectively preserving classic and important contemporary films for those enthusiasts that will come after us.

Pro-B

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by neo78956

Had a thought today. What modern-ish films would fit well in the criterion collection? I'll list a few to get us started.

Good evening Neo,

I saw your post and decided to echo CassavetesGodard's thoughts. He is correct - there are plenty of distributors that could handle mainstream modern films, and practically all of the ones you have listed, including Mr. Haneke's film, are indeed very big films for which there will always be a distributor.

What you and those who care about preservation should hope that Criterion tackle in the future - as much as possible, of course, given rights limitations - are the catalogs of distributors such as Rene Chateau Video in France:
http://www.renechateauvideo.com/a_z.aspx

Or Franco Cristaldi's library in Italy:
http://www.cristaldifilm.com/films.htm

Or even Carlotta's library in France (see the recent Mauro Bolognini releases):
http://www.carlottavod.com/index.php...ognini&submit=

Or even MosFilm in Russia:
http://eng.mosfilm.ru/films/

There are timeless classics in these catalogs that have never before been released in the United States.

I hope this does not offend some of the people who post here, but Criterion's resources and excellent professionals should be used for serious projects that few, if any, other distributors could handle.

Pro-B

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Good evening Neo,

I saw your post and decided to echo CassavetesGodard's thoughts. He is correct - there are plenty of distributors that could handle mainstream modern films, and practically all of the ones you have listed, including Mr. Haneke's film, are indeed very big films for which there will always be a distributor.

What you and those who care about preservation should hope that Criterion tackle i the future - as much as possible, of course, given rights limitations - the catalogs of distributors such as Rene Chateau Video in France:
http://www.renechateauvideo.com/a_z.aspx

Or Franco Cristaldi's library in Italy:
http://www.cristaldifilm.com/films.htm

Or even Carlotta's library in France (see the recent Mauro Bolognini releases):
http://www.carlottavod.com/index.php...ognini&submit=

Or even MosFilm in Russia:
http://eng.mosfilm.ru/films/

There are timeless classics in these catalogs that have never before been released in the United States.

I hope this does not offend some of the people who post here, but Criterion's resources and excellent professionals should be used for serious projects that few, if any, other distributors could handle.

Pro-B

Guess we'll all have to agree to disagree. I understand what you're all saying, and clearly I'm in the minority on this. To clear the air a bit, my post was mostly generated out of boredom and a desire for something to talk about other than the B&N sale. Maybe I was just thinking out loud and perhaps that was a mistake. I guess I stepped on some toes doing so.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by neo78956

Guess we'll all have to agree to disagree. I understand what you're all saying, and clearly I'm in the minority on this. To clear the air a bit, my post was mostly generated out of boredom and a desire for something to talk about other than the B&N sale. Maybe I was just thinking out loud and perhaps that was a mistake. I guess I stepped on some toes doing so.

I don't believe you stepped on anyone's toes All I wanted to point out is that the films you listed are extremely likely to get a BD release - all of them. And through their partnership with IFC, Criterion already have access to plenty of important contemporary films. Many of the classic films that are in the libraries I linked above, however, unfortunately will never get a release from a mainstream distributor in North America. I think, and this is only my opinion, that Criterion is the only distributor that could make them available in the U.S./North America.

Pro-B

[VanDammage]

I'm split between both sides. For one I would like to see some modern films be released by Criterion in lets say 10-20 years down the road (assuming Criterion stays in business) with more extras and a better transfer (if possible). At the same time I'm perplexed when films like Benjamin Button, which was an amazing movie, gets released by Criterion day 1. Most films released in the past 5 years have good transfers and usually have a bunch of extras so there is no need for Criterion to waste precious time putting together a release for a modern film when they can bring us new films that are currently discontinued etc.

PS. Is anyone else really excited about Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence? I can't wait!

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by VanDammage

I'm split between both sides. For one I would like to see some modern films be released by Criterion in lets say 10-20 years down the road (assuming Criterion stays in business) with more extras and a better transfer (if possible). At the same time I'm perplexed when films like Benjamin Button, which was an amazing movie, gets released by Criterion day 1. Most films released in the past 5 years have good transfers and usually have a bunch of extras so there is no need for Criterion to waste precious time putting together a release for a modern film when they can bring us new films that are currently discontinued etc.

PS. Is anyone else really excited about Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence? I can't wait!

The Benjamin Button release was a bit confusing for people. Last time I spoke with Criterion on the phone, I mentioned it and asked out of curiosity how the film ended up in the CC so fast. Their response was that it was a joint thing with Paramount. Basically, Paramount split the cost of the DVD and BD with Criterion so that Paramount would handle initial distribution and marketing, while Criterion would do all the transfer and supplemental work in exchange for rights to the film itself, simply because the people in charge loved it and felt it would be a significant addition to the collection.

In other words, it was a win-win for everyone. Paramount gets to sell the deluxe DVD and BD and make more money off of it initially while saving the money for the transfer, while Criterion gets to make a bunch of money on a popular film while also adding a film they like to the collection.

[VanDammage]

Originally Posted by neo78956

The Benjamin Button release was a bit confusing for people. Last time I spoke with Criterion on the phone, I mentioned it and asked out of curiosity how the film ended up in the CC so fast. Their response was that it was a joint thing with Paramount. Basically, Paramount split the cost of the DVD and BD with Criterion so that Paramount would handle initial distribution and marketing, while Criterion would do all the transfer and supplemental work in exchange for rights to the film itself, simply because the people in charge loved it and felt it would be a significant addition to the collection.

In other words, it was a win-win for everyone. Paramount gets to sell the deluxe DVD and BD and make more money off of it initially while saving the money for the transfer, while Criterion gets to make a bunch of money on a popular film while also adding a film they like to the collection.

That makes sense, at least they made a butt load of money off it. Personally I'm hoping they get the rights to Bernardo Bertoluccis' 1900, I think that movie deserves a Criterion release.

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by VanDammage

That makes sense, at least they made a butt load of money off it. Personally I'm hoping they get the rights to Bernardo Bertoluccis' 1900, I think that movie deserves a Criterion release.

There are just so many films out there I think deserve a criterion release, classics, foreigns, silents, modern films, etc.

To further clarify where I was coming from earlier, I was mostly just thinking about what modern films would fit with the Criterion mold, not necessarily that they should or will be released by Criterion, but rather just things I could see Criterion maybe picking up years from now. There Will Be Blood, Memento, and The Fountain were the ones that stuck out the most to me. All three could have had much better releases. The BD of Memento is so sub-par. Granted, it's one of the earliest BDs to be released, but the transfer is just barely better than the dvd and the supplemental package is lacking to say the least. The Following is going to get a Criterion release (which makes sense as the dvd is notoriously hard to find) so why not add in Nolan's groundbreaking breakthrough film while they're at it? Same goes for The Fountain. There Will Be Blood got a really good, but not reference quality transfer from Paramount, but the lack of anything resembling much of a supplemental package is troubling. In any case, of course it's very important that Criterion is devoting their time and money to getting these films that otherwise would never see the light of day again out on home video, but ultimately, I think it should be an all-encompassing philosophy. Like I said, the films I rattled off were more just thoughts on films that could one day fit the CC mold, not necessarily that they need a CC release any time soon.

[ShellOilJunior]

I agree with CG.

Criterion is at its best when it gives us films other distributors normally wouldn't release and/or don't have adequate resources to handle.

An excellent example is Wilders's Ace in the Hole. For years it didn't even have a DVD release until Criterion scooped it up (Five Graves to Cairo would be great, too--- Criterion )

Others are clamoring for Rivette to hit the collection. Heck, I've never even seen a Rivette film because none are on region 1 video nor do they screen at the Cleveland Cinematheque (which gets just about everything). I'd love for Criterion to do Julie and Celine go boating because then I'd actually get to see it

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by neo78956

Guess we'll all have to agree to disagree. I understand what you're all saying, and clearly I'm in the minority on this. To clear the air a bit, my post was mostly generated out of boredom and a desire for something to talk about other than the B&N sale. Maybe I was just thinking out loud and perhaps that was a mistake. I guess I stepped on some toes doing so.

I read the other post and did not want to quote all of them. I can see what you are trying to say and in a way it does make some sense. That said I would agree with the others on the way what should be release from Criterion. Before I got into college outside of French cinema and the odd kung fu and Godzilla movies, I knew nothing of international cinema. It was mostly all the typical Hollywood releases. In the mid 80's I started discovering other directors and their movies, from Germany, Russia, Japan....Criterion quickly became my only way to be able to find these movies (either as a rental or a buy). I don't see the need for them to release movies like The Dark Knigh or There Will Be Blood. The studios already release these quite well as it is and are available for everyone. I am more happy that Criterion concentrate on Blu-ray releases like Chaplin, Fellini, Truffaut, Godard, Eisenstein, Bergman, Ozu, Kurosawa and many others. The type of movies that are not as easy to find simply because they would not attract as much customers as The Dark Knight or There Will Be Blood or any of the current new movies. They do a wonderful job on their restoration of these movies and it's a joy to be able to watch them looking better then ever.

[ccfixx]

"Black Orpheus" packaging.

And a review for "Crumb" is now up over at DVDBeaver for those interested.

CC

[rkish]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

I don't believe you stepped on anyone's toes All I wanted to point out is that the films you listed are extremely likely to get a BD release - all of them. And through their partnership with IFC, Criterion already have access to plenty of important contemporary films. Many of the classic films that are in the libraries I linked above, however, unfortunately will never get a release from a mainstream distributor in North America. I think, and this is only my opinion, that Criterion is the only distributor that could make them available in the U.S./North America.

Pro-B

I couldn't agree more...Sony did a FINE job with "The White Ribbon", as they have done with most/all of their BD releases.

Companies just have to follow the leads of companies like Criterion, Eureka, Kino, Sony, WB, etc. and go the extra mile to release and sell a good product.

[PowellPressburger]

I will admit there are some recent films I would like to see released on BLU, even if not thru Crtierion. Two that come to mind are THE HOURS, and FAR FROM HEAVEN.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

You need to wear that to the cinematheque. That'd be cool--- plus I'd then know who the Criterion guy is

Might be a little "Bright" for me......... but I do plan on wearing it to my next Phish show....... a bunch of hippies seein' things might get scared when they see me wearing that

[CheapChildren]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I will admit there are some recent films I would like to see released on BLU, even if not thru Crtierion. Two that come to mind are THE HOURS, and FAR FROM HEAVEN.

Two Julianne Moore gems. The Hours seems like perfect fare for Criterion.

A great movie that was sort of unfairly categorized as a woman's film..