The Criterion Collection

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by hainesdogg

I think the argument can be made that Criterion was doing the "martial arts craze" before Arrow and 88 Films with the releases of King Hu's "Dragon Inn" and "Touch of Zen". Not to mention they did release John Woo's "Last Hurray of Chivalry" earlier this year.

Eh, what? In the UK, 88Films has been doing martial arts (and Hong Kong horror) at least around the same time as Criterion, if not before.

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

See, that's the issue and I wouldn't be having this conversation with you if it wasn't for this very fact. What they have the rights to is very much relevant.

If Criterion completely stopped releasing Japanese films, but didn't have the rights to any titles more Japanese titles, I would hope for them to release more films, but it wouldn't be as much of an issue.

Look, here’s the thing, and I know you dismiss this, but here’s the thing - if the licensees were upset with the situation, they would push. (And Criterion has shown that it’s responsive to a shove now and again.) But these distributors are fine with the situation, or at least, they’re not showing any signs that they’re unhappy with their partnership. I mean, Japanese distributors aren’t famous for long-term, open-ended agreements. They like control, even the ones that aren’t even a smidge as draconian as Toho.

So assuming this is true - and I’m not going to claim to be a sage on this, though I had a few years where I had some small dealings with Japanese studios which lent me at least a bit of insight - this means that they’re happy having them sit, which is the cynical view. Or they’re privy to Criterion’s roadmap to getting at least some of them released. I mean, say what you will about Criterion, but they’ve developed a habit the last few years of dropping unexpected box sets.

But honestly, a drought means nothing. They haven’t released a Chaplin in ages. I can assure you from the bottom of my heart that they still care about Chaplin. Why they haven’t, in the end, is speculation and that doesn’t do anyone any good. All I know is films have sat with them for like a decade and then, whaddaya know, one day it drops. How long did they have After Hours? Dreams? Five, six, eight years? It is what it is.

[amputd]

It does appear that Hong Kong cinema has supplanted Japanese titles in the last few years- not just in regards to Criterion, but at Arrow and some other boutique labels as well. Radiance appears to be filling the void somewhat, but more Japanese Criterion’s would be most welcome- especially in 4k.

[speedracer5]

Originally Posted by LaMarAzul

Beyond excited to see Jimmy Cagney enter the Criterion Collection with my personal favorite performance of his!

I'm surprised that this is the first Cagney film in the collection. His breakthrough film, "The Public Enemy," also seems like a natural choice for Criterion as well.

[jw007]

Great to see Criterion bringing back the quality for their February slate of releases. The Roaring 20's is an essential addition to any serious film collector's library and definitely one I'll be adding sometime in 2024!

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

If I was a Bollywood film fan, I would want them to release some of those films, but if I knew they actually had the rights to my favorite Bollywood movies and were not releasing them, then the frustration would sink it. That's exactly what's going on here for myself.

Pretty much no label is releasing Bollywood, so I would be fine for them taking their time, as the alternative is them never being released at all (or only on streaming).

It’s frustrating that Criterion has a relatively narrow view of arthouse Indian cinema (Satyajit Ray, WCP, The Cloud Capped Star) and has never released a Bollywood film when there are so many gems. I admit this might be down to licensors or elements.

At least Eclipse allowed for more barebones releases.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by speedracer5

I'm surprised that this is the first Cagney film in the collection. His breakthrough film, "The Public Enemy," also seems like a natural choice for Criterion as well.

It may not be laden with extras (there is a commentary and very decent featurette), but there's a strong blu-ray of Public Enemy from Warner themselves.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

It’s frustrating that Criterion has a relatively narrow view of arthouse Indian cinema (Satyajit Ray, WCP, The Cloud Capped Star)

I seem to recall seeing somewhere that they might do US releases of Thamp and Kummatty by Aravindan, maybe as part of their WCP boxes?

[hainesdogg]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Eh, what? In the UK, 88Films has been doing martial arts (and Hong Kong horror) around the same time as Criterion, if not before.

My reference was for the NA market if we look at both markets 88 Films and Criterion entered in about the same time frame, 2016.

Since this sub-forum was located in the Blu-ray NA section, I assumed we discussed the NA market. I would not have made the comments if I was in the UK forum since I am aware that the UK has been releasing martial arts films earlier and with more frequency than the NA market.

[logboy]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Eh, what? In the UK, 88Films has been doing martial arts (and Hong Kong horror) at least around the same time as Criterion, if not before.

the blu-ray boom in older classic HK films began a year or two after there was a round of requests for recommendations from fans for labels to look at. the HK fans spoke the loudest, i think. i can remember thinking i was disappointed that the HK films the labels managed (or were willing) to pick out were more the shaw brothers stuff (not the contemporary set ones?) rather than the nineties and later things from john woo, johnnie to. mind you, at least i didn't have all these titles to pick up. i like jackie chan's 80's stuff, just never connected with the decent prices on them when they went on offer anywhere.

... and for those not keen on criterion releasing so much japanese stuff : remember, japan produces films at such a high rate, has done for most (all?) of it's history. it's also had lengthy periods of having the highest quality non-english language cinema anywhere in the world, i think. at least, i can recall no other industry so highly regarded. it's a shame if you don't like it, especially if you've not tried it. frustrating for those of us who do, as unreleased stuff is always going to be in the minority, however much makes it to the west.

[MifuneFan]

It's been over 6 years, but we're finally getting closer to seeing this list completed

Originally Posted by Akijama

In case it wasn't posted yet: Bunch of titles were recently listed as discontinued on WB's press site. Some of them already released by Criterion (Being There, Mildred Pierce, Pan's Labyrinth etc.), and the rest of the list is definitely something that Criterion would love to bring into their fold.


Round Midnight
The Roaring Twenties
The Philadelphia Story
Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid
O Lucky Man
Lone Star
Hedwig & The Angry Inch
Captain Blood
Bringing Up Baby
Arsenic and Old Lace

also...

Mean Streets
Barry Lyndon

The fact that these were listed as OOP in the same time as some of the titles licensed to CC, led me to believe that, perhaps, I'm on something here, and that this is not merely a coincidence. We shall see...

[The Sovereign]

^ I forgot that The Roaring Twenties was on that list. Would have never imagined that it would take this long, but glad to finally get it. And maintaining hope that they'll complete the list.

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

Pretty much no label is releasing Bollywood, so I would be fine for them taking their time, as the alternative is them never being released at all (or only on streaming).

It’s frustrating that Criterion has a relatively narrow view of arthouse Indian cinema (Satyajit Ray, WCP, The Cloud Capped Star) and has never released a Bollywood film when there are so many gems. I admit this might be down to licensors or elements.

At least Eclipse allowed for more barebones releases.

There have been rumors for many years that Criterion has been working on a huge Bollywood set, and I’d be all there for that. But I’d be happy just to see a selection open up on the channel at this point.

[bergman864]

I know someone mentioned it earlier that Criterion tends to use B&W artwork for B&W films. I found one film where that's not the case, The Cranes Are Flying.

[mclellandj]

I wonder why they stopped releasing Janus Contemporaries. Maybe it's going to be a random release schedule instead of monthly.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by logboy

... and for those not keen on criterion releasing so much japanese stuff : remember, japan produces films at such a high rate, has done for most (all?) of it's history. it's also had lengthy periods of having the highest quality non-english language cinema anywhere in the world, i think. at least, i can recall no other industry so highly regarded. it's a shame if you don't like it, especially if you've not tried it. frustrating for those of us who do, as unreleased stuff is always going to be in the minority, however much makes it to the west.

I personally think that Japanese cinema from the 40's to 00's were only second to the US in terms of overall quality films being made. Sure, plenty from other countries, but Japan had a spark that most other countries didn't. Criterion used to see this which was great during the DVD era, but now it's neglected it's acquired library of titles.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I personally think that Japanese cinema from the 40's to 00's were only second to the US in terms of overall quality films being made. Sure, plenty from other countries, but Japan had a spark that most other countries didn't. Criterion used to see this which was great during the DVD era, but now it's neglected it's acquired library of titles.

Either Japanese cinema post WW2-00s or French cinema from the early film era-present with stars such as Jean Gabin, Jean-Paul Belomondo, Lino Ventura, and Alain Delon not to mention many more.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

Either Japanese cinema post WW2-00s or French cinema from the early film era-present with stars such as Jean Gabin, Jean-Paul Belomondo, Lino Ventura, and Alain Delon not to mention many more.

Yeah, I'd put French third. All those guys you mentioned are personal favorites and hardly ever turned in a non classic performance. Thankfully Kino has been releasing a lot of their films, but still plenty lefty as well.

[Smegma]

As we approach 2024, I'm really hoping for a good year with Criterion.
Wonder how many of these we might see:

4k upgrades:
Brazil 4k
M 4k
Paris Texas 4k
Solaris 4k

New to Criterion 4k:
Sunset Boulevard 4k

Blu-rays upgrades:
Long Good Friday
O Lucky Man
Peeping Tom
Simon of the Desert

New to Criterion Blu-ray:
Catch 22
Desperate Living
World's Greatest Sinner

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by mclellandj

I wonder why they stopped releasing Janus Contemporaries. Maybe it's going to be a random release schedule instead of monthly.

Depends on their theatrical and Criterion Channel release schedules. On the horizon from them are Anselm, Afire, Lynch/Oz, Orlando My Political Biography, Totem, The Beast, Evil Does Not Exist, Last Summer. Afire has a German BD with English subtitles, while Lynch/Oz has a UK BD with commentary track.

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

It's been over 6 years, but we're finally getting closer to seeing this list completed

Alex Cox already hinted towards Pat Garrett (makes sense with Peckinpah and Dylan), but doesn’t Captain Blood have elements issues?

Originally Posted by DimitriL

There have been rumors for many years that Criterion has been working on a huge Bollywood set, and I’d be all there for that. But I’d be happy just to see a selection open up on the channel at this point.

Said it before but more westerners need to explore Bollywood, it’s one of the biggest industries but I think some people dismiss it for being musicals (even though not every film is and they’re often masala films, switching between different genre codes or only having a couple of, usually very catchy, songs) or their length (even though they tend to have intermissions and fly by). It’s absurd that many films aren’t represented on BD like Sholay or Lagaan, or are stuck with ancient masters like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge or Devdas.