I die to see some of the great theater plays “live” from the begining of the TV era!
Several Bergman entries in the CC were originally broadcast on TV: Fanny & Alexander, Scenes from a Marriage, Magic Flute. So the precedent is clearly already established. The next step is to establish whether or not the TV show in question is an “important classic (or) contemporary film.”
Yes, they should (and have, as you pointed out). If they can find a place for Beastie Boys videos, surely they can make room for some classy TV productions. Dario Argento’s Door Into Darkness miniseries would be nice, as it’s impossible to find. One great made-for-TV movie that springs to mind is Herbert Wise’s The Woman in Black, a terrific little old-fashioned horror film that deserves much more attention than it gets.
I think the Shield would be a excellent candidate. I’d like dual aspect ratios (the director preferred 1.33) and 1.78 (which is the latest dvd reissues). There’s a wide range of bonus content out there, and it’s had as much influence on film as any movie of the past decade on camera work alone.
I think the Shield would be a excellent candidate. I’d like dual aspect ratios (the director preferred 1.33) and 1.78 (which is the latest dvd reissues). There’s a wide range of bonus content out there, and it’s had as much influence on film as any movie of the past decade on camera work alone.
I’d rather see them stick with films. Although, I suppose if they dug up some really good TV shows, I wouldn’t mind.
I think they could release more old serials, but I really don’t like the idea of tv shows here. Made for tv movies can be okay, but tv shows seem wrong.
Max Headroom. I want this show on Criterion DVD so badIy could pee blood…maybe Crime Story?
Yes. Freaks & Geeks, The Wire, The Sopranos, BSG, Twin Peaks.
Yes. Freaks & Geeks, The Wire, The Sopranos, BSG.
Twin Peaks has already got a “ultimate super awesome” release so I’m assuming that’s why you took it out. They should make it a separate line like Eclipse. There is definitely a market.
Twin Peaks has already got a “ultimate super awesome” release so I’m assuming that’s why you took it out. They should make it a separate line like Eclipse. There is definitely a market.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned their release of Fassbinder’s Berlin Alexanderplatz yet. As for modern, American television series, there’s no way they’d ever be able to afford the rights to release things like The Wire, The Sopranos or The Shield, nor do I think they have any interest in doing so, or any reason to.
Plus, it would be a huge commitment; Either they release one 30+ disc set of the entire series (smaller if it’s blu-ray), or set out for the long haul and say they’re going to take up their time and energy releasing the seasons separately over a period of years. Think of all the great films that would put on the back burner.
Interesting question and one that does not fit their “mission statement” but I do believe that there are still some quality shows that Criterion might be able to grab. I am sure it would be a liscening nightmare and with the various actors, directors, writers, not to mention recent problems with sound and music rights it would be quite an undertaking. I say stick with your mission statement but if uber-boss Big C did want to branch out into “boxed babysitter land”….
Max Headroom (as mentioned above….needs done)
The Mary Tyler Moore Show (barely being released and bonus features could still be done)
STUDIO 90 era plays (as mentioned above…many deserve to be seen again and were filmed theater style)
No they shouldn’t include TV shows, because TV is inferior and it would soil Criterion’s remarkable reputation.
I do not believe that tv is always inferior, but I do not think that CC should (or would) start dabbling in tv—especially not contemporary American tv. Most tv that is of high enough quality to even be considered for CC release already has excellent showcasing with HBO (not to mention ownership/copyright issues), it would be redundant. I think little seen non-American mini-series a la Bergman may be the only acceptable exceptions.
I don’t think that Criterion should get into…television shows. I mean shows with multiple seasons and hundreds of episodes and all that. They have already done some Bergman television stuff and Berlin Alexanderplatz was a tv special. The tv special is about as far as they should go.
Plus, if they released tv shows they would have to change the text on the back of every movie. They say the distribute important classic and contemporary films. A television special could be considered a film but not a tv show I think. Imagine: “important classic and contemporary films and television shows.” It just doesn’t sound right.
I think it’s absolutely bizarre that people would want things like The Sopranos, or The Wire, or The Shield released on CC. These shows already have great box sets with plenty of extra features, as well as being good looking. Why on Earth would you want them on CC? As for me, I’d love to see On the Air as well as Hotel Room, both Lynch tv shows, and maybe Decalogue.
TV shows? No. But made for TV mini-series/movies shouldn’t be out of the question, since we’ve seen Criterion already do this (Bergman examples, Tanner ‘88, Berlin Alexanderplatz. Matter of fact, they should continue this trend. A title I’m dying to see added to the collection is the 12-part Soviet mini-series “Seventeen Moments of Spring.”
Decalogue would be great
I would do anything for Criterion to release Decalogue because the FACETS version just doesn’t cut it.
i think certain television shows could still fit into the CC mission statement…
while shows like THE SHIELD, THE SOPRANOS, and THE WIRE will never…and should never be included if such a section were to be created…(mostly because they’re probably considered too high-profile and have already had their high-profile DVD collections)…
some shows…particularly ones that break the traditional mold of conventional television or were deemed “too cerebral” or “daring” for television and got the axe early could fit in, while still maintaining Criterion’s excellence…
or shows that were created, directed or written by a Criterion auteur (such as the case with Robert Altman’s TANNER ’88) should be included…
MAX HEADROOM would be a great addition, as it came out almost 20 years ago and people still mention it, showing its popularity despite only airing half of their initial (and only) season. it has never been put out on DVD, and if it has, it was probably a subpar release at the most…
as well as the mini-series WILD PALMS…
I agree with BOTTOMBOY, why would they include The Shield, and HBO shows when those are extremely available.
yes maybe some foriegn made for tv ..like Riget
That would be cool – both seasons of Riget, plus Stephen King’s remake as a box set. I would buy that.
“Normal” TV – definitely not. There needs to be something special about who’s making the series or something -Altman did Tanner ’88, Fassbinder did Berlin Alexanderplatz, etc.
Something that you can’t get that was fantastic: Homefront
For TV movies/miniseries, Harrison Bergeron (1995), Marco Polo (1982), Indictment: The McMartin Trial (1995)
For cancelled/failed series, The New Adventures of Beans Baxter (1987) and Out of Practice (2005)
To my knowledge, none of these have official Region 1 releases, or at least barebones and weak transfers.
I would love for Criterion to release the complete series of Bosom Buddies.
on criterion laser disc they released I believe three episodes of I Love Lucy. So more tv releases wouldn’t suprise me. I personally would like to see some episodes of the twilight zone, or the honeymooners, hey even married with children (love that show, funny stuff).
bottomboy
they already did this with the mini-series “FISHING WITH JOHN” and “TANNER ’88”…
but, should they include more?
and, what would you like to see?
me? i’d like to see them dig up David Lynch’s 1992 follow-up to TWIN PEAKS, the short-lived “ON THE AIR”…