Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

News on Criterion and Janus Films.
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jwd5275
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3726 Post by jwd5275 » Sat Jun 20, 2020 11:58 pm

Lowry_Sam wrote:
Fri Jun 19, 2020 1:58 pm
High Hopes,Secrets And Lies, & Happy Go Lucky all open with the wacky C animation, I'd welcome any of them as the next Mike Leigh to disc.
Happy-Go-Lucky actually starts with a Miramax logo, however Career Girls does start with Criterion and Janus logos. Chantal Akerman's La Captive, Histoires d'Amerique and Golden Eighties do as well.

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Adam X
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3727 Post by Adam X » Sun Jun 21, 2020 1:53 pm

hearthesilence wrote:
Sat Jun 20, 2020 7:27 pm
The High Hopes BD was re-done, wasn't it? I haven't seen it, but the original one was reportedly an SD master that was upscaled to HD.
Yes, and it looks fine. Wouldn't be surprised if Criterion used the same master, if they released it.

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Lowry_Sam
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3728 Post by Lowry_Sam » Sun Jun 21, 2020 5:40 pm

jwd5275 wrote:
Sat Jun 20, 2020 11:58 pm
Happy-Go-Lucky actually starts with a Miramax logo, however Career Girls does start with Criterion and Janus logos. Chantal Akerman's La Captive, Histoires d'Amerique and Golden Eighties do as well.
I think it was wishful thinking that led me to mix up those 2. I also noticed the Akerman & Celine And Julie Go Boating and for what it's worth, Diary Of A Chambermaid, That Obscure Object Of Desire, The Milky Way, Robinson Crusoe, The Phantom Of Libertyand The Discreet Charm Of The Bourgeoisie all still start with the wacky C (while Tristana starts with Coen & L'age d'or w/ Kino). Someone may have mentioned it, but I couldn't resist checking, all the currently unreleased by Criterion Fassbinders that are being streamed seem to be new transfers & start with a wacky C.


Also, Another Country looks like a new transfer & (like 1984) is from Virgin Films and would be a much better addition than any of the Arakis or But I'm A Cheerleader (I really hope it's pushing these because it was all they could muster at the last second under lockdown for Pride month).

Noiradelic
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3729 Post by Noiradelic » Tue Jun 23, 2020 4:54 am

Lowry_Sam wrote:
Sun Jun 21, 2020 5:40 pm
for what it's worth, Diary Of A Chambermaid, That Obscure Object Of Desire, The Milky Way, Robinson Crusoe, The Phantom Of Libertyand The Discreet Charm Of The Bourgeoisie all still start with the wacky C (while Tristana starts with Coen & L'age d'or w/ Kino).
FWIW, Diary Of A Chambermaid, That Obscure Object Of Desire, The Milky Way and The Discreet Charm Of The Bourgeoisie are expiring at the end of the month (as well as Tristana and L'age d'or).

Brianruns10
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3730 Post by Brianruns10 » Tue Jun 23, 2020 11:25 am

I apologize if this belongs elsewhere but I couldn't find a more suitable thread to post. I'm just curious, as I'm sure many are, if there is any word if Barnes and Noble will still be having its half off sale? Normally it would be commencing the first week of July, wouldn't it?

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swo17
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3731 Post by swo17 » Tue Jun 23, 2020 11:39 am


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jwd5275
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3732 Post by jwd5275 » Tue Jun 23, 2020 12:37 pm

Further confirmation of Jia Zhang-ke films forthcoming, Pickpocket (Xiao wu) is now listed on the Film Foundation site as a WCP restoration

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The Fanciful Norwegian
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3733 Post by The Fanciful Norwegian » Tue Jun 23, 2020 12:47 pm

Scorsese actually published a nice little open letter when the restoration premiered at Berlin.

To recap what we know about Criterion and Jia, Janus has Xiao Wu, Platform, Unknown Pleasures, and The World. Xiao Wu is a WCP restoration and was done in 4K at L'Immagine Ritrovata; Platform is (per a social media post from Jia) being restored by Criterion themselves or at least with their direct involvement. No word as far as I've seen on what's being done with Unknown Pleasures or The World, though The World arguably doesn't need any new work. Criterion's recent cleanup job on Bamboozled might be a preview of what we could expect from Unknown Pleasures.

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soundchaser
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3734 Post by soundchaser » Thu Jun 25, 2020 2:08 pm

Per a newsletter today, Criterion is working on Jim Jarmusch’s Ghost Dog.

Glowingwabbit
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3735 Post by Glowingwabbit » Thu Jun 25, 2020 2:14 pm

soundchaser wrote:
Thu Jun 25, 2020 2:08 pm
Per a newsletter today, Criterion is working on Jim Jarmusch’s Ghost Dog.
Folks on here are so excited they created 3 different threads on it. Haha. Looking forward to this release.

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FrauBlucher
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3736 Post by FrauBlucher » Thu Jun 25, 2020 2:35 pm

Swo wins. He was the first

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yoloswegmaster
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3737 Post by yoloswegmaster » Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:22 am

Criterion Channel July Additions that open up with both the Criterion and Janus logo:
  • The Sweet Hereafter
  • The White Balloon
  • Gohatto
  • Calender
  • Exotica
  • The Adjuster

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Big Ben
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3738 Post by Big Ben » Wed Jul 01, 2020 10:22 am

Oshima's Gohatto/Taboo is a welcome addition. The last release I saw maybe ten years ago had numerous typos in the subtitles. And that was when I could read them at all as they had a tendency to zip by in a comically sped-up fashion. It's a great film about the kind of shitty people the code of Bushido produced though.

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barbarella satyricon
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3739 Post by barbarella satyricon » Wed Jul 01, 2020 10:26 am

yoloswegmaster wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:22 am
Criterion Channel July Additions that open up with both the Criterion and Janus logo:
  • The Sweet Hereafter
  • The White Balloon
  • Gohatto
  • Calender
  • Exotica
  • The Adjuster
Just rewatched Egoyan’s Calendar a few days earlier, can’t even recall now what led me to seek it out one random evening. I was thinking about it these past days, thinking of posting about it here – so a nice little instance of film-universe synchronicity, as visits all of us once in a while.

The last time I had seen it was at a screening on DCP a few years ago, with Egoyan and Khanjian in attendance to take questions afterwards. It was already, by then, a lifetime film of sorts, with a first-time viewing on used VHS, and then a lecture screening on 16mm (or could have been 35mm) a few seasons later. Subsequent re-viewings on DVD, etc.

It’s, to my mind, one of Egoyan’s more accessible works, if not necessarily in a formal sense, then in emotional directness, an articulation of themes and concerns that is less convoluted and opaque than his usual. I remember once thinking that Egoyan’s character’s voiceover narrations were maybe a little too direct, tending toward patness, kind of on-the-nose in an academic way - but, on balance, they really do help in lending dramatic coherence and emotional meaning to the film’s dense collage of narrative elements and formal experiments.

It’s also a film that I remember as funnier each time I revisit it. Sadder, too.

After the intervening years, one obvious (maybe lazy) arthouse comparison stands out more clearly than before: Kiarostami, with the landscape photography, the direct address to a diegetic camera, even the use of VHS footage, which was Egoyan’s thing from the start anyways.

The eclectic soundtrack, the mix of film and video formats, the aforementioned narrations that read like journal entries, the answering machine messages – it really is a film-viewing experience akin to revisiting the recorded memories of a certain window of time in life.

Haven’t thought to pick up the region B blu, but here’s hoping the film’s debut on the channel might lead to some good news on the physical media front. Rewatching it (on my phone!) this past weekend, I found it, again, to be an emotionally generous and formally gorgeous work. It’s great new that it’s become available for first-time or repeat viewing on at least one more platform.

Rupert Pupkin
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3740 Post by Rupert Pupkin » Sat Jul 04, 2020 1:17 am

"Exotica" really needs a proper transfer. I bought day one the Canadian/US Blu-Ray (and the HD details is a bit disappointing.... no no no I'm not talking only about the "Everybody Knows" Leonard Cohen and club schoolgirl sequence with the unforgettable Mia Kirshner :oops: ). With all this smoky club that request a really good restoration work. (the Artificial Eye release is not better)- I won't say that it's as bad as "The Last Seduction" (which really would deserve to be included in the Criterion collection)
I really enjoy this David Lynch atmosphere in "Exotica" (or vice versa) a-la Blue Velvet since Atom Egoyan was ahead of his time here-

I really enjoy the first Atom Egoyan's movies (I bought the DVD box set- don't remember the label of this US box set). It reminds me Hanecke's best works (Benny's videos), etc... all this concept about being "watched", the used of video, etc... ("Speaking Parts" and "Family Viewing") I think Atom did as good as Cronenberg reflexion since "Videodrome" and the "roots", related, family concept which is particular to Atom Egoyan (I can also think about an influence of Kiarostami too). Soderberg did it a bit later with "Sex, Lies and Videotape" in a way.
Even with the remake of a French movie (Nathalie), Atom succeeded to put it again with the "roots"-relative concept with "Chloe".
The last amazing movie by Atom Egoyan (still needed on blu-ray) is IMHO "Where the Truth Lies". I really enjoyed the "white rabbit" sequence and this kind of "Chinatown" "revival".
"Remember" was great IMHO but was bashed in France by the French critics (Télérama, Positif) because of the plot and twist which was considered as "unacceptable".

I emailed many years ago J.Mulvaney about requesting Atom Egoyan in the Criterion collection. Like Hal Hartley (ok, some of the US BR release are great; A.Eye too) this is a big lack in the Criterion collection

Rupert Pupkin
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3741 Post by Rupert Pupkin » Sat Jul 04, 2020 1:26 am

oh and by the way, can we hope one day a Blu-Ray Criterion of "She's Gotta Have It" by Spike Lee ? [-o< I've rewatched the laserdisc yesterday. It's intriguing that Mathieu Kassovitz and Spike Lee did their 2 first movies with the same kind of plots (Do The Right Thing has its funny quotes like on "La Haine" (which are came out later), and the "turning point" is not expectable in Spike Lee's movies. In "Métisse", Kassovitz seems to makes his own "Nola" - and he acts too like Spike Lee (which is absolutely funny in "She's Gotta Have It"- "La Haine" seems to be highly influenced by Ragging Bull and Taxi Driver of course for this famous quote)
I really enjoy the black & white photography and acting in "She's Gotta Have It". Really, after the new restoration of "Do The Right Thing", this really deserve to be upgraded on blu-ray.
Does Criterion still have the right to this movie?

I did forget that there was this stunning and gorgeous color sequence. Kind of Jacques Demy's influence decades before "La La Land" ?

And Bill Lee jazz music is absolutely stunning (at one short moment it sounds like a sample of Prince is used (sounds like the beginning of "Lust U Always")- the piano intro is superb.
This deserve a soundtrack isolated like Twilight Time used to do.

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therewillbeblus
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3742 Post by therewillbeblus » Sat Jul 04, 2020 1:34 am

With Criterion confirmed to release 4 Little Girls, I don't see them slowing down on Lee anytime soon. She's Gotta Have It is one of his best films, so I'd be down- and I'm sure he'd love to participate and rally others for supplements on his first feature film.

black&huge
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3743 Post by black&huge » Sat Jul 04, 2020 1:50 am

I would love to see He Got Game get a Criterion release

Rupert Pupkin
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3744 Post by Rupert Pupkin » Sat Jul 04, 2020 2:42 am

stupid and neophyte question regarding "Exotica" by Atom Egoyan on the Criterion channel. If it opens with the Janus and Criterion logo and it's already streaming (I can have access to Criterion Channel, I have just seen the Criterion page with indeed "Exotica") it's easy to check if this is a new transfer/restoration or the Canadian transfer which is the same than the Artificial Eye UK release ?
I know we can't tell when it's a trailer; since a trailer is not necessary restored; but if "Exotica" can already be seen on the Criterion channel...

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ianthemovie
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3745 Post by ianthemovie » Sat Jul 04, 2020 12:43 pm

Spike Lee made passing reference to Criterion doing She's Gotta Have It during a Q&A some time last year, so it could happen.

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captveg
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3746 Post by captveg » Mon Jul 06, 2020 7:40 pm

yoloswegmaster wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:22 am
Criterion Channel July Additions that open up with both the Criterion and Janus logo:
  • The White Balloon
Oh man, really hope this gets a disc release eventually. A wonderful film that I only saw once ~20 years ago in film class from the laserdisc, IIRC.

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captveg
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3747 Post by captveg » Mon Jul 06, 2020 7:42 pm

therewillbeblus wrote:
Sat Jul 04, 2020 1:34 am
I don't see them slowing down on Lee anytime soon.
25th Hour was also suspiciously absent re: Kino's releases of Lee's Disney owned catalog.

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Ribs
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3748 Post by Ribs » Mon Jul 06, 2020 8:06 pm

Kino only released Summer of Sam from Disney, didn’t they? If they had done Miracle at St Anna or He Got Game as well I’d think the lack of 25th Hour would be more suspicious.

Also, I distinctly remember Lee proudly saying on Instagram that 25th Hour would soon recieve a Criterion release in 2013 and basically can’t believe him at all as he similarly keeps making promises for his catalog to further be released considering that history.

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Amazing Goose
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3749 Post by Amazing Goose » Tue Jul 07, 2020 8:50 pm

Has there been anything said about A Prairie Home Companion ever getting a Criterion release? Altman's final film (and a quasi-PTA film) and there's never been a blu-ray release that I can tell.

black&huge
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Re: Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

#3750 Post by black&huge » Tue Jul 07, 2020 8:54 pm

Oh man.... that would absolutely be a delight.

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