Criterion News and Discussion

[Convael]

I don't know if anyone has talked about this but well... I got the criterion of The Earrings of Madame De with PTA's commentary on it.  It's kind of neat.  It's basically just about 15 minutes of him talking about certain scenes in the movie and why he likes them and how they've sorta, somewhat influenced him in a vague way.  I just remember people talking about this a few months ago...

Oh and the film is good too.

[Stefen]

^ you should rip the audio track if you can. I'd love to hear that.

[picolas]

use handbrake to rip both audio and video and megaupload to up!

..if you want to.

[cine]

i am so ready to buy those criterions.

[Gamblour.]

Marienbad!!!

[Jefferson]

while i'm not opposed to a new seventh seal, especially with the much improved cover, i wish they had done one of his that hasn't been released yet. there are several not on region 1 that i'd love to see properly transfered.

[Xx]

...

[SeanMalloy]

This wil be the very definition of a gorgeous transfer.  Thank god Fincher finally gets the Criterion treatment, even though each of his DVD releases has been up to that quality anyways.  The Game is of course the exception.

Special Features:
    *  The Curious Birth of Benjamin Button four-part documentary. Academy Award-nominated director David  Fincher introduces the surprising beginnings of what would become an epic masterpiece including the casting of Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, the decision to change the location of the story to New Orleans and more.
    * Follow the production from day one including the challenges of aging Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, designing over five thousand costumes and creating the animatronic baby.
    * Explore the incredible visual effects techniques created specifically for the film that allowed Brad Pitt to play the title character at virtually every age. Also includes a visit to the scoring stage with composer Alexandre Desplat.
    * Walk the red carpet at the film's premiere in New Orleans, with final thoughts from cast and crew.
    * Audio Commentary by director David Fincher

[MacGuffin]

Here's some bad news unfortunately: Criterion has had to indefinitely postpone their planned Blu-ray release of Akira Kurosawa's Ran due to rights issues. The disc had been set for release on 5/12. Hopefully, the situation will get straightened out soon.

[cine]

hahah please tell me this is a joke.

[Stefen]

We've been dogging it for weeks in the Ben Button thread. CC gotta eat, I guess.

[cine]

CC gotta eat, I guess.

yeah but who's gonna buy it?

[SiliasRuby]

CC gotta eat, I guess.

yeah but who's gonna buy it?

Posers, me, and Mac.

[cine]

right.

[MacGuffin]

We've learned a little more about Criterion's cancellation of Ran on Blu-ray, but just so you know this is NOT official, so it should be considered Rumor Mill-worthy. It seems that the U.S. home video release rights to the film are owned by Wellspring (who have released it on DVD in the past), the parent company of which is Genius Products, now 70% owned by The Weinstein Company. There have been industry rumors over the last year that Weinstein Co. is in some financial difficulty, so it's possible the Brothers want a better deal with Criterion (i.e. more or too much money) from Criterion to licence the title for Blu-ray. Hopefully, a deal of some kind will be struck soon, because (I'll say again) nobody would do better by this title in high-definition than Criterion. We are SO dying to see Kurosawa films in 1080p...