The Criterion Collection

[GRD43L]

Originally Posted by NeMo_ET

I haven't kept up with Criterion because they're typically really expensive in Canada but there's currently a sale on them on amazon.ca if there are any other Canadians around here! Couldn't pass on the Great Dictator for $23.99 I'll do some digging through the other deals later.

I saw the Criterion price drop on many titles late last night. Getting Tree of Life for C$39 (it has been around C$45 since the release). Looking forward to the extended movie.

And there are many titles under C$30.

[zw94]

With Chungking Express on the Criterion Channel, can we expect a reprint announcement this month?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by zw94

With Chungking Express on the Criterion Channel, can we expect a reprint announcement this month?

This month? One could only hope.

Eventually? Yes.

[dancerslegs]

Originally Posted by Scottie

War and Peace press booklet also available for download on Janus Films website.

[Scottie]

Janus posted a poll on Twitter a few hours ago, asking what the best "food" film is.

Their options include three Criterion titles -- Tampopo, Jeanne Dielman, and Babette's Feast -- and one not available on Blu-ray -- Trouble Every Day.

Maybe I'm reading too into it, but I get the feeling that is a tease at something to come.

[senseabove]

I wish we'd get L'intrus, Chocolat, or Beau Travail first, but I'll buy any Denis on BD, and timing a release or announcement of her other twisted genre film around her new twisted genre film isn't a bad idea...

[Egbert Souse]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Yeah, I don't see the point of CC releasing Citizen Kane with Warner's release being loaded with extras, and an excellent 4K-restored transfer. Criterion could perhaps do a UHD release of it to justify it, but otherwise it'd be pointless.

Here's what I'd add:

- Third commentary with Jonathan Rosenbaum and James Naremore
- Option to view the film with storyboards
- More Cavett/Synder episodes with Welles
- Another Simon Cowell interview on Welles
- Another Craig Barron/Ben Burtt piece on the special effects and sound design
- Piece on Gregg Toland and his work on the film (perhaps with John Bailey)
- Piece on Bernard Hermann's work with Mercury Theatre and Kane
- Piece on the Mercury actors
- Piece on Robert Wise and the editing
- Piece on Herman J. Mankiewicz and the evolution of the screenplay.
- Interview/doc with film critics on the film and its legacy
- Featurette on the physical history of the film, re-releases, restorations, and home video editions.
- Include Welles' early films The Heart of Ages and Too Much Johnson
- Restored version of the trailer in HD
- Include a printed copy of the screenplay
- Carry over The Battle Over Citizen Kane and the interviews from the Warner edition.

Also, I'd design the packaging so that it resembled the very first laserdisc, which would be a slipcase you'd remove to reveal new artwork. Digipak with three discs - UHD and two Blu-rays (one for the film, other for supplements)

[MifuneFan]

Let's have each copy hand delivered by Welles' daughter while we're at it.

[Page14]

Originally Posted by Egbert Souse

Here's what I'd add:

[Show spoiler]- Third commentary with Jonathan Rosenbaum and James Naremore
- Option to view the film with storyboards
- More Cavett/Synder episodes with Welles
- Another Simon Cowell interview on Welles
- Another Craig Barron/Ben Burtt piece on the special effects and sound design
- Piece on Gregg Toland and his work on the film (perhaps with John Bailey)
- Piece on Bernard Hermann's work with Mercury Theatre and Kane
- Piece on the Mercury actors
- Piece on Robert Wise and the editing
- Piece on Herman J. Mankiewicz and the evolution of the screenplay.
- Interview/doc with film critics on the film and its legacy
- Featurette on the physical history of the film, re-releases, restorations, and home video editions.
- Include Welles' early films The Heart of Ages and Too Much Johnson
- Restored version of the trailer in HD
- Include a printed copy of the screenplay
- Carry over The Battle Over Citizen Kane and the interviews from the Warner edition.

Also, I'd design the packaging so that it resembled the very first laserdisc, which would be a slipcase you'd remove to reveal new artwork. Digipak with three discs - UHD and two Blu-rays (one for the film, other for supplements)

... and why not throw in 1 or 2 episodes when Orson Welles was a guest on Hollywood Squares.

Does anybody else remember celebrities like Welles or Truman Capote showing up on game shows back in the 70s. (Then again, you'd have to be an old fart, like me to remember). It seems to me that it was pretty common.

[Dailyan]

Rest In Peace Albert Finney

https://www.theguardian.com/film/201...llers-crossing

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

Rest In Peace Albert Finney

https://www.theguardian.com/film/201...llers-crossing

Sad to hear, such a great and versatile actor. The first thing I ever saw him in as a kid was Annie as Daddy Warbucks. The last thing I watched him in was Under the Volcano, which is a Criterion title that is long overdue for a blu-ray upgrade.

[Matt89]

For any Canucks out there, there's a ton of Criterion blu-rays currently on sale on Amazon.ca. I had a $10 voucher so I just got The Awful Truth for $22.99 and decided to get The Philadelphia Story for $31.99. Love me some Cary Grant.

Most of the titles are $28.99-$32.99 (down from $40-45)

~Matt

[Purplenoon]

Originally Posted by Page14

... and why not throw in 1 or 2 episodes when Orson Welles was a guest on Hollywood Squares.

Does anybody else remember celebrities like Welles or Truman Capote showing up on game shows back in the 70s. (Then again, you'd have to be an old fart, like me to remember). It seems to me that it was pretty common.

Unfortunately, I do.

[Purplenoon]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

Sad to hear, such a great and versatile actor. The first thing I ever saw him in as a kid was Annie as Daddy Warbucks. The last thing I watched him in was Under the Volcano, which is a Criterion title that is long overdue for a blu-ray upgrade.

Very sad. Shoulda got the Oscar for Tom Jones. Great actor all right.

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

Rest In Peace Albert Finney

https://www.theguardian.com/film/201...llers-crossing

He's still my family's favorite Scrooge. RIP.

[Gacivory]

Albert Finney in Big Fish is my favorite of his roles! He’s done so many great ones, but that one holds a special place in my heart!

[jshaide]

Arrow just announced THE BIG CLOCK. I guess we can finally take that off the rumor mils.

[Page14]

Originally Posted by Page14

... and why not throw in 1 or 2 episodes when Orson Welles was a guest on Hollywood Squares.

Does anybody else remember celebrities like Welles or Truman Capote showing up on game shows back in the 70s. (Then again, you'd have to be an old fart, like me to remember). It seems to me that it was pretty common.

I think I have to take back what I said about Orson Welles being on Hollywood Squares. After posting, I did a search to verify it, but couldn't find any proof. But man, there sure were a lot of famous people that *were* on the show (... many who have films in the Criterion Collection. See how I tied that into this thread?). Check it out ... amazing!:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059995...=tt_cl_sm#cast


While searching, I came across this article talking about when Welles guest-hosted the Merv Griffin Show in 1982, and interviewed Andy Kaufman. Now that's something you don't see every day. I thought it might be interesting enough to post here. (There's a link in the article to watch the interview, which is a little over 6 minutes long. FWIW, Ron Glass of "Barney Miller" fame is the other person sitting on the couch.)

http://www.openculture.com/2017/12/t...fman-1982.html


Okay, I'm done with that.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by Page14

I think I have to take back what I said about Orson Welles being on Hollywood Squares. After posting, I did a search to verify it, but couldn't find any proof. But man, there sure were a lot of famous people that *were* on the show (... many who have films in the Criterion Collection. See how I tied that into this thread?). Check it out ... amazing!:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059995...=tt_cl_sm#cast

Orson Welles did quite a few of those Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts, maybe that's what you were thinking off?

[edmoney]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

Why? WB's stacked release going OOP or something?

I'm not saying Citizen Kane needs a Criterion release. I was originally replying to MifuneFan who seemed to not want one to appear. I would welcome it and buy it, but I won't lose sleep if we don't get one.

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

I'd warmly welcome it on UHD.

Sure, given the choice of a Criterion Blu-ray release or a WB UHD release, I would take the UHD.

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Yeah, I don't see the point of CC releasing Citizen Kane with Warner's release being loaded with extras, and an excellent 4K-restored transfer. Criterion could perhaps do a UHD release of it to justify it, but otherwise it'd be pointless.

Yes, we received a very fine 4K-restored transfer from 2011. Could it be improved upon with the advances in restoration or scanning capabilities since then? I wouldn't turn down an opportunity to find out. And while the WB release was "loaded with extras," I would welcome the kind of extras that Criterion would produce. Other than the commentaries (particularly Ebert's), the rest seemed like the type of extras you would typically find on a studio Blu-ray catalog release (IIRC), as opposed to the more interesting and deeper analysis and insight you'd find in Criterion extras.

I'm not looking at this as a zero-sum game where if we get a Criterion release of Kane, we won't get a Criterion release of X. And it's frickin' Citizen Kane we're talking about. Why not?