I would imagine the argument being that not all of his movies warrant the criterion treatment, I'm sure some people consider criterion a label that releases essential films, pretty much every director has some duds among their work and so having every single release be a part of the line could conceivably be seen as cheapening the line. Just my two cents, obviously there will always be people that dont think certain titles belong.
Nah, see above; I'd rather see Criterion devote their resources to important films that have been unjustly neglected on home video as opposed to wasting them on filmmakers who have gotten more than just do.
It's the same reason you see Citizen Kane pop up in this thread every few pages despite having an excellent release from WB...some people need to see that giant "C" on the spine or it's simply not worth buying, evidently.
I'm a big Anderson film and own just about all his stuff...but I don't need Criterion to assure me that his movies are worth owning.
I'm happy you like them. Me, I don't think The Rock is as bad as its reputation would have it, but the other three are ghastly. But that's what makes horse races.
I'm happy you like them. Me, I don't think The Rock is as bad as its reputation would have it, but the other three are ghastly. But that's what makes horse races.
That’s the issue when talking about Criterion releases. One person’s masterpiece is the next person’s garbage.
Nah, see above; I'd rather see Criterion devote their resources to important films that have been unjustly neglected on home video as opposed to wasting them on filmmakers who have gotten more than just do.
It's the same reason you see Citizen Kane pop up in this thread every few pages despite having an excellent release from WB...some people need to see that giant "C" on the spine or it's simply not worth buying, evidently.
I'm a big Anderson film and own just about all his stuff...but I don't need Criterion to assure me that his movies are worth owning.
I think the rationale for Criterion releasing them -- and any number of others -- is that they sell well, and generate revenue for Criterion to use to find good elements and do restoration on films that are "unjustly neglected". Wes Anderson is likely helping Criterion pay the bills more than other releases of theirs are.
And while you may criticize the obsession with the giant "C", those Anderson fans are helping to support Criterion by buying these editions instead of the regular studio editions (those studios being supported anyway, by virtue of receiving licensing payments from Criterion).
is it against site rules to discuss the Art House American Campaign or to post info about it here? I'm guessing yes, as I expected everyone here to be talking about it.
I personally don't see anything wrong with discussing it, it's something that Criterion are involved in. I just don't think anyone has thought to bring it up yet.
I mean, he's directed 10 feature films to date, and they only come out theatrically every couple years, and then even longer spans between Criterion releases, so I'm not entirely sure why that should bother anyone.
I wouldn't say I'm bothered but the fact that most (all?) already have perfectly fine studio releases does make all the 'when oh when will we finally get blah, blah, blah' seem even sillier than most of the other 'when oh when' handwringing over favorite titles.
I personally don't see anything wrong with discussing it, it's something that Criterion are involved in. I just don't think anyone has thought to bring it up yet.
Ok. Well, here goes...
Many of you probably received this e-mail. Definitely worth amplifying here on this forum. I like clicking and refreshing and watching numbers go up, so here's hoping this leads to the mother lode.
Dear Criterion Community,
There are more than 150 independent local art-house cinemas all across the country that are on the brink. Closed to slow the spread of COVID-19, cut off from ticket revenue and relying on gift certificate sales and online rentals, these nonprofits and small businesses have already had to cut their budgets to the bone. Without immediate assistance, many are just going to run out of money before substantial government aid kicks in. We can't let the few theaters that still play foreign, classic, art-house, and independent films die off as a result of this crisis.
On Monday evening, Janus Films and the Criterion Collection contributed $25,000 each to establish the Art-House America Campaign, a fund to offer immediate assistance paying essential bills and key non-executive staff salaries. Most theaters will benefit from grants of $2,500 or more.
We’re off to a good start, with more than 500 small donors having already contributed an additional $35,000—but there are hundreds of theaters in need, so the campaign can use all the help you can offer. Even a small gift could enable a theater to extend employment for a projectionist or a programmer, or pay critical bills. Please give what you can, and please leave a comment to inspire others to understand how essential these theaters are to our culture. No one knows better than the Criterion community why movies matter.
Please help independent cinemas survive!
Peter Becker, Jonathan Turell
& the Criterion and Janus teams
McCrutchy created a thread about this gofundme program yesterday. I didn't contribute there but it prompted me to purchase a membership at The Music Box Theater in Chicago. I don't live in the city anymore and I never go theaters anyway but it's a great little spot that has great matinees, midnight movies, film festivals and the like and I thought what the hell, I can throw them a few bucks.
And the first I ever saw there (in like 89, I want to say) was The Tenant and lo and behold, not twenty-four hours after I make my little contribution Scream announces they're releasing The Tenant.
Thankfully they're some of the best selling titles in the collection and that will never happen. Dont like them? Too bad, dont buy them
Coming into a thread with no other purpose other to just dump on a film or director or whatever is something that should be resisted, or at least curbed as much as possible. Erudite critical thought is fine, we cannot agree on everything, but just appearing with a snarky blanket condemnation is worthless and troll like. No one forces you to buy anything or support it in any way so why attack it without context?
Quote:
Originally Posted by regeyer
Just finished watching Seven Samurai. Every time I watch it I'm always amazed that almost 3.5 hours goes by so fast. I don't think there's one wasted frame in the whole film.
I feel the same way about THE GODFATHER PART II, THE IRISHMAN and LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, to name three long films that just fly by for me and I wouldn’t mind or notice if they were even longer.
I wouldn't say I'm bothered but the fact that most (all?) already have perfectly fine studio releases does make all the 'when oh when will we finally get blah, blah, blah' seem even sillier than most of the other 'when oh when' handwringing over favorite titles.
The studio releases are usually fine as far as the transfer goes, but they are sorely lacking when it comes to extras, which is where the Criterion editions really shine.
For example, Moonrise Kingdom's studio release had this for extras:
Quote:
The Blu-ray edition of Moonrise Kingdom only offers a trio of three-minute featurettes: "A Look Inside Moonrise Kingdom," "Welcome to the Island of New Penzance," and a "Set Tour with Bill Murray." Very disappointing.
Criterion's edition has this:
Quote:
Trailer - original trailer for Moonrise Kingdom. In English, not subtitled. (2 min, 1080p).
The Making of "Moonrise Kingdom" - this featurette is broken into four segments that chronicle different phases of the production history of Moonrise Kingdom.
1. Exploring the Set - Martin Scali, who was Wes Anderson's assistant on Fantastic Mr. Fox, shot this segment in Newport, Rhode Island, during the filming of Moonrise Kingdom. In French and English, with optional English subtitles where necessary. (18 min, 1080p).
2. Storyboard Animatics and Narrator Tests - in English, not subtitled. (9 min, 1080p).
a) Opening Sequence
B) Church Flashback
c) The Island of New Penzance
d) The Island of St. Jack Wood
3. Auditions - screen tests with some of the child actors. In English, not subtitled. (5 min, 1080p).
4. Miniatures - a look at the special effects that are used during the flooding sequence. (2 min, 1080p).
Welcome to New Penzance - raw footage from various locations on the fictional island where key sequences from the film were shot. In English, not subtitled. (4 min, 1080p).
Set Tour with Bill Murray - Bill Murray introduces Wes Anderson's film and cast members on the sets in Newport, Rhode Island. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p).
Benjamin Britten's "Noye's Fludde" - music extracts with archival photographs. 1958 photographs by Mark Kauffman courtesy of the LIFE Picture Collection/Getty. (2 min, 1080p).
Eleven iPhone Videos by Edward Norton - presented here is a gallery of home movies which Edward Norton made during the filming of Moonrise Kingdom. Also included with the movies is a brand new introduction by the American actor, which was filmed exclusively for Criterion's Blu-ray release. In English, not subtitled. (21 min, 1080i).
Animated Books - the narrator in Moonrise Kingdom, played by Bob Balaban, introduces shorts segments in which Suzy reads paragraphs from her six favorite books. In English, not subtitled. (5 min, 1080p).
Cousin Ben - additional footage with Jason Schwartzman's character, Cousin Ben. In English, not subtitled. (2 min, 1080p).
Commentary - in this brand new audio commentary, director Wes Anderson, co-writer Roman Coppola, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Jake Ryan, and Peter Becker (Criterion) discuss how Moonrise Kingdom was shot in Rhode Island, the unique qualities of the different characters in the film, the intimate nature of the shooting process (as well as the decision to shoot on 16mm), the framing choices, how the title of the film was chosen, the evolution of the relationships between the adults (Bill Murray and Frances McDormand), etc. The commentary was recorded exclusively for Criterion in 2015.
Booklet - 20-page illustrated booklet featuring an essay by critic Geoffrey O'Brien, plus a map of New Penzance Island and other ephemera.
I think it’s a mutually beneficial relationship. Wes clearly likes his work being presented by Criterion and being represented in their collection. There’s plenty of other working directors likely feel the same way.
For those who loved Three Fantastic Journeys by Karel Zeman set, Karel Zeman Museum released the director's The Stolen Airship / Ukradená vzducholoď (1967) for free on Vimeo with English subtitles until April 7th.
The studio releases are usually fine as far as the transfer goes, but they are sorely lacking when it comes to extras, which is where the Criterion editions really shine.
Not that it makes a difference at this point with all that's been released already, but it would make more sense to simply have his films go straight to Criterion instead of having the studio release first.
I think it’s a mutually beneficial relationship. Wes clearly likes his work being presented by Criterion and being represented in their collection. There’s plenty of other working directors likely feel the same way.
Believe me, if Criterion had the rights to every single film by Hitchcock, Wilder and Huston, and accorded them Bergman like box sets, you wouldn't hear me complaining, no matter how many other releases may be out there. I'm not an unconditional Criterion devotee by any means, but if I had my choice, there is no other label I would rather have my three favorite director's films on. So I don't begrudge anyone who appreciates Criterion releases for a favorite filmmaker, regardless of who the filmmaker is.
Believe me, if Criterion had the rights to every single film by Hitchcock, Wilder and Huston, and accorded them Bergman like box sets, you wouldn't hear me complaining, no matter how many other releases may be out there. I'm not an unconditional Criterion devotee by any means, but if I had my choice, there is no other label I would rather have my three favorite director's films on. So I don't begrudge anyone who appreciates Criterion releases for a favorite filmmaker, regardless of who the filmmaker is.
Yeah, I really wish they could get all the Russ Meyer films...
Not that it makes a difference at this point with all that's been released already, but it would make more sense to simply have his films go straight to Criterion instead of having the studio release first.
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