criterion predictions

What’s off-putting you to “A Christmas Tale”? I mean, besides the title.

Pretty sure “Monsoon Wedding” is your monolith-sized obstacle at this point

But seriously, Desplechin has been kicking it for some time.

Well, the trailer made it look like one of the dumbest movies ever. I’m probably exaggerating a little. Some critics that I respect have taken to it, so I’ll probably try it one day in the distant future.

Harmony Korine films.
Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall…and Spring
The Wind Will Carry Us (Is this on Criterion?)
The Lives of Others

Ugh I absolutely adore A Christmas Tale!

Why are there two 2008 releases and neither of them is Che?

Is this all of the releases? Do you think maybe they are going to start releasing more DVDs each month in order to release popular recent films, along with the classics we all want?

I want Rossellini’s War Trilogy!!!!! :(

EDIT: Now this.

Good to see Michael Ritchie in the collection.

I wish it was “The Candidate”, but maybe another time.

Downhill Racer
A Christmas Tale
Gomorrah

This is a very disappointing update. At least they announced Costa-Gavras’s Z a while back.

ugh horrible choices this month.
So what does: mean?
Also what happened to Che?

Not my detective work, but it was done by bjeggert82 at Criterionforum.org

“Yes, and that’s the horse from the Kagemusha cover, so it’s definitely something Kurosawa. Ran Blu-ray (if that’s even still a possibility)? Something they haven’t yet released?”

The 100 must refer to Kurosawa’s upcoming 100th birthday.

Further clue by Jeff at same forum:

“Apropos of nothing, Kurosawa’s horse, Yumego, died this year. The horse appeared in Kagemusha and Ran, and was presented to the town where Dreams was filmed upon Kurosawa’s death. Perhaps Yumego is the red-faced critter representing Kurosawa in the clue”

It does seem that the newsletter staff has a penchant for horses lately.

I wish A Christmas Tale and Downhill Racer were coming to Blu ray also. Nice to see Gamorrah is coming. Criterion is doing nice with Blu ray.

Could this be it?

“Gendai no No” http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1198401

Unfinished Kurosawa film to be completed

An unfinished 1983 documentary by famed Japanese director Akira Kurosawa will be completed and released in time for the 100th anniversary of the filmmaker’s birth in 2010, it was announced at a press conference held in Tokyo on Friday.

Kurosawa began work on documentary Gendai No Noh (Modern Noh) during a suspension of filming of prize-winning period epic Ran (1985) due to financing and other problems. The footage, shot in Iwate Prefecture, captures approximately 50 minutes of performance of the play "Yashima,” by Zeami Motokiyo, 14th century originator of the modern form of mask-wearing, musical drama Noh. Kurosawa was influenced by Noh’s bold style, most noticeably in Throne Of Blood and Ran.

The production was halted once Ran resumed shooting. After Kurosawa’s death the footage was gifted to the National Archive. Approximately one hour of new footage will be shot following the original screenplay and production plan to complete the feature for release in 2010.

Additionally, archivists have discovered approximately 8-12 minutes of footage of Kurosawa’s work before he left the filming of 1970 US-Japan co-production Tora! Tora! Tora! due to conflicts with Twentieth Century Fox. The unseen footage will also be released as part of memorial events.

Under the banner of “AK100 Project,” the films will be part of various memorial activities beginning later this year, including exhibitions of Kurosawa’s work, newly published books and stamps, merchandise and tie-ups with TV broadcasters and video game companies.

Kurosawa’s son and president of Kurosawa Productions Hisao Kurosawa spoke at the press conference. “My hope is that people, especially younger audiences, see the work of Akira Kurosawa. This memorial will be my final act of devotion.”