Criterion Does It Again

[Matt]

It seems like they've been in a bit of a slump lately, artwork-wise. THE GOLDEN AGE OF TELEVISION and MONSOON WEDDING look terrible. That GOMORRAH cover, however, may be the absolute worst. It's unforgivably stupid, and I hope they change it before it's released.

The movie itself is pretty good, though.

[masterofsparks]

I'm not sure where to put this but I figured this thread is as good a place as any:

I just got the Criterion Cassavetes box and, as such, no longer need my Criterion copy of The Killing of a Chinese Bookie. It's in great shape and everything, I just don't need it twice. Does anybody on here want it? It's free to the first person who sends me a PM.

EDIT: This has been claimed. Thanks for playing!

[Chris L]

Criterion/IFC deal confirmed.  Looks like 2010 will be heavy on contemporary stuff (no mention of IN THE LOOP yet).  

Meanwhile, I agree that the quality of their artwork has become pretty erratic lately.  If you've never heard of this title, could the cover possibly pique your interest?

[Matt]

I sent an e-mail a couple weeks ago (before the news of the IFC deal broke) asking about a possible Criterion release of IN THE LOOP. No word yet.

I can't imagine they wouldn't release it. From what I understand, it was pretty successful theatrically.

[Gilly]

I wonder if that IFC deal means that IFC will start showing Criterion releases on their cable channel.

[Chris L]

I sent an e-mail a couple weeks ago (before the news of the IFC deal broke) asking about a possible Criterion release of IN THE LOOP. No word yet.

I can't imagine they wouldn't release it. From what I understand, it was pretty successful theatrically.

Yeah, it still seems to be doing well here in DC after several weeks.  Well enough that it hopefully won't end up languishing on Blockbuster shelves as a rental-only "exclusive," at least.  

I wonder if that IFC deal means that IFC will start showing Criterion releases on their cable channel.

I've noticed them showing things like the Kurosawas and other samurai films at odd hours for some time.  For as long as I had IFC, actually. 

[jbissell]

The AK100 Box.  Glad I own a lot of these already so I won't be too tempted to spend the $300-400.

[jbissell]

For Jan:

Che
Rossellini's War Trilogy
Eclipse Series 19: Chantel Akerman in the 70s
Paris, Texas

Very excited for Paris, Texas.

[Martin]

OMG, yes. Paris Texas is one of my all-time favs.

[jbissell]

OMG, yes. Paris Texas is one of my all-time favs.

I saw it for the first time this summer and couldn't believe how great Harry Dean Stanton is.  I'd love to see the blu-ray.

[Christina]

OMG, yes. Paris Texas is one of my all-time favs.

You know, somehow I have missed seeing this all this time?

[Pat K]

What I can't believe is, how has it taken them this long to get to Paris, Texas? That's like the quintessential Criterion film. I got to see it in a theatre last year and it was just mindblowing. I'd seen it before, but seeing those Robby Muller landscapes projected large was just incredible.

To be honest, due to the pricetag, it's rare that I actually shell out to own a Criterion film. However, Che and Paris, Texas will almost certainly be making their way onto my DVD shelf this January.

[jbissell]

What I can't believe is, how has it taken them this long to get to Paris, Texas? That's like the quintessential Criterion film. I got to see it in a theatre last year and it was just mindblowing. I'd seen it before, but seeing those Robby Muller landscapes projected large was just incredible.

They're just getting to Wings of Desire also, so maybe it was a rights issue?

[Christina]

They're just getting to Wings of Desire also, so maybe it was a rights issue?

I think that's why some of the DVDs go out of print, as well. Same thing with books - other pubs will snap up rights if something good expires.

[dave from knoxville]

I am in the middle of the Killing of a Chinese Bookie, which I heard wonderful things about for years, but my too early exposure to Faces kept me from trying it.