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The Criterion Collection in 2017: All Fancy Movie GAF Releases Welcome!
- Thread starter omgkitty
- Start date
Wonder how much better they can make Ugetsu look, the negatives are gone for that one if I remember correctly. And then there is the question of whether Criterion is interested in upgrading it, the Mizoguchis weren't selling that well for Eureka. But then the boxset became quite the sought after thing. Oh well.
Personally I'm hoping for The Decalogue to get a good release, and the part that says "Most of the films which will be presented will be released in theaters and on DVD/Blu-ray." makes me happy.
Personally I'm hoping for The Decalogue to get a good release, and the part that says "Most of the films which will be presented will be released in theaters and on DVD/Blu-ray." makes me happy.
Turner's press release includes this quote from the president of the Criterion Collection. It's not an exact answer but suggests a deep selection.
"The addition of the premium Criterion Channel will offer subscribers the most comprehensive Criterion experience ever available anywhere, including a steady stream of exclusive original content and archival discoveries, plus continual access to more than 1,000 films from the Janus Films library, many unavailable on disc or anywhere else."
Full release here: https://www.turner.com/pressroom/turner-launch-new-streaming-movie-service-filmstruck
Criterion's blog post also included this detail, which supports the idea of a robust selection: "Once we’re up and running, the Criterion Channel will not only offer continual access to our library of more than 1,100 films, along with their special features, it will also give us the chance to approach the Criterion mission in a whole new way."
https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/4032-introducing-filmstruck
My wife and I are both cautiously optimistic about this. We don't have cable but desperately miss TCM. We hope this includes much of the material on Watch TCM in addition to the Criterion selection but that seems too good to be true.
What are your guesses on price? I'm thining $8-$10 for the standard service and an extra $5 for Criterion. At that price, I'm still on board. I wouldn't be willing to go a whole lot more, though.
killertofu
Member
Wait Criterion is stacked on top of the service?
Pfft nah. Back to Netflix Blurays
Pfft nah. Back to Netflix Blurays
It's probably just me being superstitious, but if they do get to Ugetsu, I'm going to be holding onto my DVD until they announce the full specs for it. It comes with such a nice booklet, complete with the short stories that inspired the film, and I'd hate to lose that.
You could always buy a Late Mizoguchi boxset and get both bluray and a book! It's only 500$ on ebay.
But wait and see sounds like a healthier response tbh.
People looking for space saving alternatives usually use either CD binders, or a file catalog type system with sleeves in a drawer (with or without the cover art). Personally, I proudly display my collection on shelves in my office.
This quote on Criterion's blog seems to suggest otherwise. "FilmStruck subscribers will also be eligible to sign up for the Criterion Channel, a premium service that will be all Criterions own."
This month's newsletter clue is cute and funny:
It's Cat People.
I'm a big fan of cats
I'm a big fan of cats
Considering the leopard prints, I wonder if they might be alluding to at The Leopard Man as another forthcoming title, and if that's the case, if they might just wind up going after most (all?) of the Val Lewton box set.
HOLY SHIT best news ever
Unless they plan on being total assholes and releasing the remake instead...
Anyway, Lewton and Tourneur coming to Blu is amazing news. Lewton produced some excellent horror films even after his little trilogy with Tourneur so I wouldn't mind seeing those get a release as well, but I really doubt that'll happen. Honestly a Cat People / I Walked With a Zombie / Leopard Man box set would be a dream come true.
Unless they plan on being total assholes and releasing the remake instead...
Anyway, Lewton and Tourneur coming to Blu is amazing news. Lewton produced some excellent horror films even after his little trilogy with Tourneur so I wouldn't mind seeing those get a release as well, but I really doubt that'll happen. Honestly a Cat People / I Walked With a Zombie / Leopard Man box set would be a dream come true.
I don't think you have to worry about it being Schraeder's remake, since Shout! Factory currently has a pretty stacked Blu-ray readily available at online retailers.
The Lewton films were easily in the "well, duh" pile for the WB deal, especially now that the DVD box set is no longer in print. I'd looooooooooooooooooooove to see them get the other ones if only because of The Body Snatcher.
The Lewton films were easily in the "well, duh" pile for the WB deal, especially now that the DVD box set is no longer in print. I'd looooooooooooooooooooove to see them get the other ones if only because of The Body Snatcher.
I'd be disappointed if it's JUST Cat People honestly. If they're putting out that and The Curse of the Cat People or I Walked With a Zombie, awesome. If they go all out and throw in some combo of Seventh Victim, Bedlam, The Body Snatcher, Ghost ShipI will pay any price.
looks like I'm the only person who thinks The Leopard Man is far and away the worst Lewton prod. (Haven't seen fifi or youth runs wild)
The Leopard Man isn't bad, but it's definitely the simplest and isn't as impressive as most other Lewton films. It still has some legendary moments though.
I'd say Isle of the Dead is probably the weakest Lewton film (I also haven't seen Mademoiselle Fifi or Youth Runs Wild, or his non-RKO films).
The girl begging her mother to let her in, then the blood seeping under the door is an all-time classic horror scene. Maybe not on par with Cat People's pool scene or the Lewton Bus, but still.
It never ceases to amaze me that Curse of the Cat People works at all. It's such a massive 180 from its predecessor, and it still works very effectively.
afternoon delight
Member
Val Lewton made some of the best horror films ever, oh man.
Isle's my favorite Steamlord, you should be ashamed of your words and deeds!
Isle's my favorite Steamlord, you should be ashamed of your words and deeds!
Well, I didn't say Isle was bad...
Better Christmas movie than It's a Wonderful Life, if you ask me.
Better Christmas movie than It's a Wonderful Life, if you ask me.
cj_iwakura
Member
Does Ghost Dog have any chance of getting a Criterion? Feels like the only Jarmusch they don't have... still my favorite.
I think that's with Lionsgate these days, who have been one of the more difficult studios to license from.
Why release titles when you can just horde them??? They took all those Studio Canal titles from Criterion, released a couple and sat on the rest. What a fucking awful company.
cj_iwakura
Member
That sucks. I love my Artisan release, but it feels kind of thin.
Companies that do that are scum man.
Remember when Studio Canal thought they could be the next Criterion, and then partnered with a company struggling to be the next Cannon Films to make that happen in the US? Good times.
Let's all take a minute to appreciate that I did not have to make this image:
It was more of a "remember when Studiocanal wanted to simplify their distribution situation in the US and Lionsgate were looking to expand?". It's also worth noting that the two studios distribute a lot of each others new films in their respective territories.
Like, the situation sucks. No doubt about it, but the distribution deal covered more than just titles relevant to this thread.
The question really is why the fuck Lionsgate aren't releasing the films or if not that sublicensing them.
It was more of a "remember when Studiocanal wanted to simplify their distribution situation in the US and Lionsgate were looking to expand?". It's also worth noting that the two studios distribute a lot of each others new films in their respective territories.
Like, the situation sucks. No doubt about it, but the distribution deal covered more than just titles relevant to this thread.
The question really is why the fuck Lionsgate aren't releasing the films or if not that sublicensing them.
Well, if they'd release them barebones, it really shouldn't cost them much* (other than re-authorising the discs).
Otherwise there is some licensing money to pay for interviews, archival footage, and such. But it shouldn't amount to unimaginable numbers. I'm genuinely baffled as to why they just sit on it.
Even Paramount, fucking Paramount, is doing more with their library.
*I know distribution isn't cheap. I'm speaking in relative terms.
Awesome news
Good news. This reminds me that I really should be picking up the Black Girl + Borom Sarret release from BFI.
Speaking of BFI, they announced (or it got leaked) new titles for late-summer/fall:
I hope that the release of Glass Shield means that there is more Charles Burnett coming in the future.
Because they don't have enough sub-labels as it is, Shout! Factory announced a brand new line called Shout! Selects, which will cover a broader range of films that wouldn't fit in with Scream Factory while getting the same level of care. To this point, these will actually have spine numbers, so those with OCD can begin screaming now.
The line begins this August with The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension, Midnight Run and Elvis.
Personally, I'm more jazzed that they're doing the remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers the same month on the Scream Factory line, but it's nice to see them broaden out further with their studio deals.
The line begins this August with The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension, Midnight Run and Elvis.
Personally, I'm more jazzed that they're doing the remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers the same month on the Scream Factory line, but it's nice to see them broaden out further with their studio deals.
Net_Wrecker
Member
Their Midnight Run collector's edition has been in limbo forever. Glad to see it's finally coming. Highly underrated movie.
mariachi507
Member
I'm pumped for this, the MGM release is very bare bones, so I'll gladly double dip for Scream Factory's. Hopefully the release will be up to par with the recent Texas Chainsaw Part 2 collectors edition. As long as Shout! can keep on delivering the goods like that, I'll replace any title they redo.
On another note, it looks like Lionsgate is going to release Chopping Mall this summer, maybe they're finally going to start digging into their vault.
afternoon delight
Member
Invasion '78 oddly enough totally works for me- it's certainly not the prettiest looking film but instead features a totally dour and grey atmosphere that seems to aid the cool tone of the film. The fact that it's almost entirely talking for the first half really helps too, genuinely creepy and unsettling rather than disgusting.
But once it goes crazy they really do allow it to go off the rails. Beautiful practical effects. Amusing and warm hearted 70s idiosyncrasies (mud baths run by hippies lol).
But once it goes crazy they really do allow it to go off the rails. Beautiful practical effects. Amusing and warm hearted 70s idiosyncrasies (mud baths run by hippies lol).
afternoon delight
Member
I just meant that I can see more modern audiences being lukewarm on it. "There's lots of talking and a warbling droneish soundtrack, monsters looked fake, look at the mustaches, hey there's Spock" etc. It rides that weird and wonderful time of darker PG material that wasn't meant for adults so it's kind of pulling its own punches.
Still, that story and the actors involved can't be beat. The plot doesn't stop and I love how sinister it all feels.
As an aside, Brooke Adams is so foxy innit too.
On the subject of Scream Factory, am I the only one who's generally not a fan of their artwork? It always seems like they try to capture that cheesy 80s charm and it just ends up looking kind of lame instead. Fortunately their covers seem to usually be reversible with the original artwork on the other side, although that doesn't help with the slipcovers. In most cases they could just stick with the original artwork and be fine, like with Sleepaway Camp for example. With other movies like Ginger Snaps and Night of the Comet though, the original artwork isn't very good either so it hurts even more that SF's artwork is also mediocre.
