That is very intriguing. Probably not, but you never know. It would be very exciting to see it done.
It already has a great edition, it’s no use. Criterion should release films that aren’t seen or films in need of a better treatment.
Well, it might have a great standard def edition, but it’s not out yet in hi-def. This would be swell indeed.
Criterion Pictures is also the name of a completely separate company, that provides 35mm prints of films to be shown in “all educational institutions; correctional facilities; libraries; museums; government institutions; community centres; recreational facilities” and so on.
Here’s their website www.criterionpic.com
The Criterion Collection doesn’t release films theatrically itself, that side of business is taken care of by it’s sister-company Janus Films.
So no, I’m going to say that The Criterion Collection has absolutely zero connection with the film Alien.
I thought the addition that was included with the Alien Quadrilogy box set was amazing too. In the past, Fox titles that have screened at Film Forum with that “Criterion Pictures” text have later been released as Criterion DVDs such as 3 Women and Night and the City. Panic in Needle Park recently screened there and I heard that it will be given a Criterion DVD release in the future. The only way I could see Criterion putting out Alien would be as a 3-disc set like their editions of Brazil and Seven Samurai. It would have to be a more film academic edition than the previous editions from Fox. I did here that Fox was planning on putting out Blu-Ray editions of the Alien film series this year. So, who knows…
Per Brandon: when I worked with a film series, we had to rent and old 16mm from Criterion Pictures (the rights distribution company). Must be the same thing with no connection to the DVD release.
Alien is definitely one that warrants a Criterion release. You shouldn’t have to buy a box set that has all the crappy sequels in it (the exception being “Aliens”) just to get the decent edition of the original 1979 Scott film. It’s Ridley Scott’s best film, hands down, and the special effects were groundbreaking.
The Alien Quadrilogy boxset was one of the greatest investments I ever made. I don’t need another edition.
—PolarisDiB
I agree with Lester. Alien could use a Criterion edition in order to warrant a more academic approach to its themes. A lot of academic writings have been devoted to Alien. The Fox editions have been excellent in providing all that behind-the-scenes stuff with the special effects, casting and design of the creature. But, if Criterion were to offer an edition, it would definitely have a commentary and documentaries which could provide better analysis to the film’s literary references and feminist themes.
PolarisDiB seconded. Although I only paid 30 bucks for mine, its a great set and I dont need another one.
I hope by crappy sequels Lester means the ones ending in “vs. Predator.” I’d love to see the rest of the series get snooty academic treatment as well, but I am also happy with my quadrilogy box. Though a Harry Dean Stanton & Yaphet Kotto commentary track might be fun…
Im going to be blasphemous and say I liked the “vs. predator” films for their complete absurdity…..
A now formerly married young Mormon couple I knew loved the PG13 first one. They went to the shame Christmas night show of AvP2 that I did. They caught me coming out; they’d been horrified & offended by the violence toward the pregnant. I was very amused by this.
Never been much for sequels, so when I say “crappy sequels,” I’m pretty much referring to everything after “Aliens.” I guess calling them “crappy” was a little harsh. I just didn’t find any of them very memorable after the first two. James Cameron offered up some pretty good scares and effects in Aliens, which stood apart from the first film, so that one is an exception to the rule. I find that most sequels hardly ever live up to the first, with the exception of the Godfather.
@Crap Monster: Liking movies for complete absurdity is great. Else Boll and PWSAnderson wouldn’t have careers. Me, when people say “Do you have that fifth Alien movie?” I say, “Ce n’existe pas!” I just like to pretend they don’t exist because, whatever, you can’t convince me they follow.
@Lester Burnam: Fincher’s Alien 3 was indeed a terribly over-indulgent, off-mark movie. Even Alien: Resurrection, which is the only movie in the series that feels more like the director’s movie than the overall series, still makes sense in terms of Ripley’s development much more than Alien 3. Quite frankly, there’s no way the Ripley who is developed in the first and second movies would be half the whiny bitch she is in the third, and it was a great return to form in the fourth. I think that Alien: Resurrection is actually under-rated considering how it topped off the series (what with that final shot and all—magnificent!) whereas Alien 3 is severely over-rated.
—PolarisDiB
PolarisDiB indeed. and I have to agree, Resurrection was quite under-rated especially in comparison to Alien 3.
Sigh. I guess for Alien3 to be overrated, you all have to know other dorks who love it. That’s comforting somewhat. I’ll admit I like it a bit myself & prepare for the onslaught….
Resurrection ages less well with me. Still looks neat at times. Do I only think it’s Poseidon Adventure in space due to the extended swimming sequence?
“Alien” needs to be done (well) in Blu-Ray. I am waiting and waiting….this year is the 30th anneversary, after all.
I saw it originally in ’79 in 70mm, so nothing less than Blu-Ray for me for that one; it is one of the greatest horror films ever made, and one of the best-looking.
While I just want that film, they can give me a 2-disc set for $60 if it can’t be avoided, as long as the second disc has great extras and no sequels on it. (Interview with Giger. Interview with Badejo, Ridley Scott and Dan O’Bannon, plus cast members.)
Eric Morris Eskenazi
I just visited the website for NYC’s Film Forum, www.filmforum.org and took a look at their repertory schedule for the summer. They’ve listed that they will be showing Ridley Scott’s Alien in July for the 30th anniversary. In addition, at the bottom of the ad for the film, there is a listing of “A Criterion Pictures Release of a Twentieth Century Fox Film.” Is this an indication that Criterion will be releasing this on DVD and/or Blu-Ray in the future?