The Criterion Collection

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by captveg

Yes. None of those I listed are StudioCanal licensed.

If Breathless is StudioCanal licensed I expect it will eventually go OOP, which means it unlikely for a BD release from Criterion, IMO. However, if it is Rialto licensed it probably has a really good chance at a Blu release.

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As for Autumn Sonata, this seems to me to be considered "lesser" Bergman. I would expect them to release one of his more popular films (Fanny and Alexander, Breathless, or even Wild Strawberries) on Blu before this one. But they could surprise me.

Breathless is Godard.

[kndy]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

I think Criterion's deal for "Breathless" comes from Rialto.

CC

Actually, the reason for the push for "Breathless" is that it is going to be on the big screen. I know that it will be shown in Hollywood at the TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood (anyone going?)

From Criterion:

Breathless returns to the big screen this spring. Fifty years after the film’s release in France, Rialto Pictures has acquired the U.S. rights to a new 35 mm print of Jean-Luc Godard’s New Wave groundbreaker, which showed at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival. Rialto will premiere the theatrical rerelease of Breathless at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Los Angeles in late April; in May, the film will open at New York’s Film Forum, followed by a national rollout. Rialto founder Bruce Goldstein said in a statement, “It’s not only one of the most important films of the last half century, still inspiring new generations of moviemakers, but it’s just as fun and audacious as it was fifty years ago.” Newly revised English subtitles will be supplied by Lenny Borger.

I'm considering going to this film festival primarily for "Breathless" and the restored "Metropolis". If anyone is interested, here is the press release I received from TCM:

WHAT: Turner Classic Movies (TCM), the authority in classic film, will stage the network’s first film festival in the heart of Hollywood.

Kicking off the four-day event will be the world premiere of a stunning new restoration of George Cukor’s A Star is Born (1954). Other important presentations include Metropolis (1927), featuring previously lost footage; a 50th anniversary screening of a restored version of Jean Luc Godard’s Breathless (1959); a special screening of the 70mm road show version of 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968); and The Producers (1968), including a discussion with writer/director Mel Brooks, who will also be receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during the festival.

WHO: Robert Osborne, TCM’s primetime host, will be the official host of the festival. All screenings – more than 50 in all – will include special introductions to provide context about each film. Among the numerous talents slated to attend and talk about their work are Mel Brooks, Luise Rainer, Jerry Lewis, Tony Curtis, Jon Voight, Martin Landau, Buck Henry, Peter Bogdanovich, Norman Lloyd, Susan Kohner Weitz, Juanita Moore, director Richard Rush and special effects artist Douglas Trumbull, with more to be announced over the next several weeks. In addition, TCM weekend-daytime host Ben Mankiewicz will take part in introducing films during the festival.

WHERE: Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Egyptian Theatre – Hollywood, California

WHEN: April 22-25, 2010

WHY: The network is inviting fans from around the country to join this new festival and share their passion for great movies at the TCM Classic Film Festival. This landmark celebration of the history of Hollywood and its movies will be presented in a way that only TCM can, with major events, celebrity appearances, panel discussions and more. The four-day festival will also provide movie fans a rare opportunity to experience some of cinema’s greatest works as they were meant to be seen – on the big screen.


**** JUST ANNOUNCED****

French superstar Jean-Paul Belmondo will be in attendance for the premiere of the 50th anniversary screening of newly restored BREATHLESS (1960)

[stobbart]

Ill definatly have to see 2001. Last time I saw it was at the Arclight about a year ago in the Cinerama dome, it was stunning.

Nevermind, passes are $500 or $600 depending on which one you want.

[captveg]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Breathless is Godard.

LOL. Yeah, don't know what I was thinking there.

Fixed

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by captveg

LOL. Yeah, don't know what I was thinking there.

Fixed

It's all gooooddddd.

[Braktastic]

Regarding the Criterion Collection Blu-ray Disc replacement cases, how long does it normally take to receive them? I sent payment for all nine almost two months ago, and I haven't received a single one.

[aggienader08]

Originally Posted by captveg

Last one for the night - "Potentially on Blu by the end of 2012" perspective - Spine #'s 51-100. Again, disregarding OOP titles and Blu already officially released/announced (w/ street date).

on and on and on......

I can't believe I looked through all of that. Please no more. Pointless.

I am glad that the folks in the thread figured out the cryptic pic in the newsletter though. "The Thin Red Lion (or rather Line)"! Lol that's a good one. Can't wait for it.

[Arkadin]

yes many people have had epic waits, but I would absolutely call them at this point.
the phone number is posted earlier in this thread.
Karen will be glad to help you.

btw: someone posted thoughts regarding possible Criterion releases on bd, and I thought I would comment on "The 39 Steps" being out on bd in the UK.
imo that release shouldn't really be counted because it is basically identical to the upscaled current Criterion dvd.
I have both releases, and watched the UK ITV bd yesterday.
It is blurry as hell, and certainly does not appear to be an hd source.
sure, it is 1080p--1080p upscaled of the digital, non hd, master that ITV used for their old dvd.
in other words, do not buy this blu-ray.
In fact, I have no idea why ITV released it at all.
It is clearly NOT a new hd mastered release.
now, I have many ITV UK bds, and I have been very happy with all of them UNTIL this release of "The 39 Steps"
It is not good as far as being a blu-ray release.
if it was only a dvd, it would be passable for a film from the mid-thirties.
but as a bd, it is terrible.
so just a heads-up regarding that release.
I really hope that Criterion at some point does do a new hd mastered dvd and bd release of this great film because the current release was done before they even began doing hd scans.
anyway, the UK bd is a real disappointment.

[Braktastic]

Thanks, Arkadin. I called and left a message. Hopefully, I will hear back from them shortly.

[captveg]

Originally Posted by aggienader08

I can't believe I looked through all of that. Please no more. Pointless.

Just skip it next time then. I'll post my speculations all I want if I so desire. I skip posts I have no interest in all the time.

Besides, it has sparked some discussion on a few titles.

And I'll probably only list those I consider definite/probable and unlikely/never going forward, which should allow for shorter posts since the possible/less likely titles are the most numerous (and the least interesting to speculate about).

[captveg]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

btw: someone posted thoughts regarding possible Criterion releases on bd, and I thought I would comment on "The 39 Steps" being out on bd in the UK.
imo that release shouldn't really be counted because it is basically identical to the upscaled current Criterion dvd.
I have both releases, and watched the UK ITV bd yesterday.
It is blurry ad hell, and certainly does not appear to be an hd source.
sure, it is 1080p--1080p upscaled of the digital, non hd, master that ITV used for their old dvd.
in other words, do not buy this blu-ray.
In fact, I have no idea why ITV released it at all.
It is clearly NOT a new hd mastered release.
now, I have many ITV UK bds, and I have been very happy with all of them UNTIL this release of "The 39 Steps"
It is not good as far as being a blu-ray release.
if it was only a dvd, it would be passable for a film from the mid-thirties.
but as a bd, it is terrible.
so just a heads-up regarding that release.
I really hope that Criterion at some point does do a new hd mastered dvd and bd release of this great film because the current release was done before they even began doing hd scans.
anyway, the UK bd is a real disappointment.

Well, the incentive for the titles already released in the UK by ITV would be to counter the import market. I agree that the ITV release of The 39 Steps was fairly disappointing, but it seems reasonable that Criterion would try to release titles already tackled by other companies in other territories. Especially one of the few Hitchcock titles they can still release.

[captveg]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

It's all gooooddddd.

In other news, http://criterionforum.org/DVD-info/b...collection/436 lists Genius Entertainment is the licensor of Breathless.

[Braktastic]

I got a call back from Karen at Criterion Collection, and they are shipping all my cases out UPS 3-Day Select shortly!

[GGX]

Originally Posted by JediFonger

i assume the BDs of those titles will ahve lossless =).

I sure hope so.

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Not Criterion related, but...

... for CassavetesGodard... about those BFI Ozu blu-ray discs coming in April...

Early Summer

Extra Features:

- Dual Format Edition: includes both Blu-ray and the DVD versions of the main feature
- Contains full length feature "What Did the Lady Forget?," Ozu's comic pre-war classic, as an extra (DVD only)
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Extensive illustrated booklet featuring essays and film notes
- Dolby Digital mono audio (320 kbps)

Tokyo Story

Extra Features:

- Dual Format Edition: includes both Blu-ray and the DVD versions of the main feature
- Also contains full length Ozu feature, "Brothers and Sisters of the Toda Family" (DVD only)
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Extensive illustrated booklet featuring essays and film notes
- Dolby Digital mono audio (320 kbps)

Late Spring

Extra Features:

- Dual Format Edition: includes both Blu-ray and the DVD versions of the main feature
- Contains full length feature "The Only Son," Ozu s first sound film, as an extra (DVD only)
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Extensive illustrated booklet featuring essays and film notes
- Dolby Digital mono audio (320 kbps)

CC

Are these releases on separate discs in the same case? One disc Blu-ray the other disc DVD?

I hope its not the double sided disc crap Universal seems to try and push on people.

[charnier]

Yep - it's two separate discs - one DVD, the other Blu. Each one contains the main feature.

The DVD will contain the bonus feature film, but I don't think the Blu will

[GGX]

Originally Posted by charnier

Yep - it's two separate discs - one DVD, the other Blu. Each one contains the main feature.

The DVD will contain the bonus feature film, but I don't think the Blu will

OK I can live with that.

Would assume the DVD's will be encoded in PAL?

[g.schweet]

Originally Posted by stobbart

Ill definatly have to see 2001. Last time I saw it was at the Arclight about a year ago in the Cinerama dome, it was stunning.
Nevermind, passes are $500 or $600 depending on which one you want.

Those prices are way to much for me. I'm used to the $5 double features at the NewBev. Hopfully the Metropolis and Breathless prints can make there way back to area and have a run in one of the cheaper theatres around here.

[Indyjones]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Until last year I'd never seen a Kurosawa film period. Now his films are some of my all-time favorites. I've never seen Sanjuro and Yojimbo either so I'm really looking forward to them.

I saw my first Kurosawa film the other day - The Hidden Fortress. I have to say that I liked it alot. I also saw parts of The Throne of Blood and Ikiru the same day, and liked what I saw from those as well. TCM was showing Kurosawa films the whole night on monday.

So... I ordered Kagemusha yesterday and will also be ordering Sanjuro and Yojimbo later this month - all 3 are blind buys.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by Indyjones

I saw my first Kurosawa film the other day - The Hidden Fortress. I have to say that I liked it alot. I also saw parts of The Throne of Blood and Ikiru the same day, and liked what I saw from those as well. TCM was showing Kurosawa films the whole night on monday.

Yes, I hope that you're aware that March 23rd marks what would've been Akira Kurosawa's 100th birthday. And TCM will be having a 24-hour marathon of Kurosawa films that day, as well. Good stuff!

CC

[Arkadin]

you do realize that that film was the basis for Star Wars right?