December Criterions
 

Symbiopsychotaxiplasm Take One / Symbiopsychotaxiplasm Take 2 1/2
http://www.criterionco.com/asp/release.asp?id=360
http://www.criterionco.com/content/i...ox_348x490.jpg

The Beales of Grey Gardens
http://www.criterionco.com/asp/release.asp?id=361

Grey Gardens (re-release)
http://www.criterionco.com/asp/release.asp?id=123
http://www.criterionco.com/content/i...ox_348x490.jpg

I don't know that "Symbiopsychotaxiplasm" would be my cup of tea, but I'll be sure to give it a rental.

"Grey Gardens", on the other hand, I have yet to see but has been on my "most wanted" list for quite some time, so I'll most likely give it a blind buy.

I was rather hoping for the re-releases of "Yojimbo" and "Sanjuro" in December, though I guess they still have time to announce them.

I wonder exactly how they're handling the re-release/additional disc of "Grey Gardens"? Clearly, the new "Grey Gardens" release is a double-disc set with "The Beales of Grey Gardens" on Disc 2. However, there's apparently also a stand-alone release of "The Beales of Grey Gardens", presumably for those who already have the first.

Or is the transfer of "Grey Gardens" also an upgrade? It does note a new digital transfer in the reissue link above, but I wonder if that's actually the same transfer as before?

Criterion had a hell of a great year for dvd realeases, probably their best, too bad they're closing it out with a whimper.

never heard of either of these films, but they both sound interesting. looks like a slow month for criterion compared to the last couple though.

Yeah, I don't understand why they are releasing The Beales of Grey Gardens separately. Just include it in the re-release.

They're probably trying to accommodate those who have the original release of GREY GARDENS and don't want to shell out MSRP $50 for the reissue.

I was hoping for a Kurosawa boxset before the end of 2006, but it doesn't look like it will happen. -pray-

Symbiopsychotaxiplasm sounds fascinating, although I'd have to see it first before commiting to a possible buy, especially with the higher-end price point. Still, the really odd stuff Criterion releases often tend to wind up being among my favorites (Schizopolis, inparticular, is unquestionably one of best DVDs I've bought). :)

Noticed this in the About the Transfer section for Symbiopsychotaxiplasm:

"At the behest of director William Greaves, thousands of instances of dirt, debris, and scratches were not removed using the MTI Digital restoration System."

Do you think that "not" is a typo or would a director really prefer Criterion keep the dirt and scratches?

Anyway, the film sounds really interesting, one I'll definitely rent first though.

I believe the inclusion of "not" was intentional.

I also wonder if it's improved. I have the original version.

Hmmmm, Mono 1.0, NOT anamorphic, NOT cleaned up, no plot....

What's NOT to love? ;)

Yeah, although to be fair, the AR is 1.33:1...

This stuff is fine, but I really wish they would concentrate on releasing more Godard, Bergman, Tarkovsky, Renoir, etc. because oftentimes Criterion is the only company that will release that stuff and those are the films I want to see.

in most past years Criterion released nothing in December. They just started releasing a couple of titles in December in past year or two (and it seems to be mostly re-releases they save for December).

Good point. I'd be very surprised, however, if they are not scheduling at least one more rerelease for December -- most likely THE THIRD MAN, since it's also appearing before year's end in Britain.

I'm down for Grey Gardens, I've been putting off buying it since I've heard about the rerelease. I'll pass on Symbiopsychotaxiplasm, maybe rent it some day. Was hoping for the Kurosawa rereleases in December as well...

How many of you actually attempted to pronounce "Symbiospsychotaxiplasm" in your head when you read this thread, and how many merely grazed over it?