I'm surprised this exchange between you two is taking place. The U.S. Cut of Godzilla might be many things it shouldn't have been, but Matthew is right that it holds a place in history, regardless of its merit, and I feel Criterion's package would be incomplete without its inclusion. Especially given the recent fine-grain print that has been uncovered.

Doctorossi, you strike me less as someone who's a Godzilla fan and more as someone who desperately wants to see every film presented in its original state. I don't see a problem with that, but many films have different edits that have become familiar, even preferred, to fans around the world, and dismissing one as notable as Godzilla, King of the Monsters seems foolish.

The argument of not including the US cut of Godzilla is ridiculous. It's relevant to cinema history. That's why it's in there. It's not the main course of the release. It's a great add-on to the release.

I'm not dismissing it; I'm just noting that, to me, its inclusion doesn't seem very "Criterion".

Making it into an argument would indeed be ridiculous. I, on the other hand, am just musing, "Hmm... seems a questionable inclusion for a Criterion release, to me."

Lots of things are "relevant" to cinema history. That doesn't necessarily make them appropriate to a Criterion edition of a film.

You know what's not very Criterion?



Get over it.

Of course there have been movies they've released over the years that not everyone agrees are of the right quality, but that's entirely subjective and those movies are presented with the respect to their creators' intentions that all movies deserve.

There's nothing to "get over". Cool the rhetoric and drop the personal inference, please.

Sorry, Matthew has a valid point. An alternate version of a cinema classic (and not some piece of cut-for-TV hackery, but something with a solid cinema experience like the US version of Godzilla) is a far better choice for Criterion than a Michael Bay explosion fest (that wasn't even 16x9!!).

I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree. As you're aware, there is precedence for them to release multiple versions of a film in the collection, and I would see the U.S. cut of Godzilla as almost essential to any such edition. You can't argue that it doesn't hold any historical value to the Godzilla series, and certainly to the fans. I agree Gojira should be the "hero" of the release, but as a Godzilla fan I would fully expect the U.S. cut to be a headlining supplement. Especially since little material exists to cull for bonus materials. We won't be seeing an extensive making-of with behind-the-scenes footage or a commentary from Honda, Tsuburaya and Tanaka anytime soon.

Considering Criterion included that unbelievably butchered version of Brazil in its boxset, I think the inclusion of a culturally important cut of a film like the U.S. version of Godzilla is perfectly "Criterion." It's right there in their little motto: "A continuing series of important classic and contemporary films." I think the U.S. version of Godzilla qualifies as an important classic to many people.

DVD Beaver on Les Cousins

Indeed. They included the "Love Conquers All" version of Brazil in that set so it's not like there's no history of Criterion including a studio bastardized version. It's a bonus feature and an important part of film history; even if the film itself is trash.

The Criterion Blu-ray release of "M" also includes a recently-discovered print of an English-language version of the movie that uses alternate takes of some of the performances (and a couple of reshoots with entirely different actors). It's even slightly condensed and edited differently. The best available information suggests that Fritz Lang had no involvement with this version of the movie.

The inclusion of the American version of Godzilla alongside the Japanese version is a perfectly "Criterion" thing to do. Both versions are significant to cinema history.

DVD Beaver on 3 Women

Blu-ray.com review of Carlos

DVD Beaver on Le Beau Serge

Edgar Wright just posted on Twitter that he just completed a top 10 list for the Criterion site, I can't wait to see that.

Blu-ray.com review of The Complete Jean Vigo

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Anyone want to wager what the final (likely two) titles of 2011 will be? I'm thinking a Wild Strawberries upgrade and either Following or Y Tu Mama Tambien. There's also The Game, but I'd think that would get a higher profile release month than December.

Although, this December seems like a good month to release a David Fincher title.

Fanny and Alexander is coming out in November, so Wild Strawberries seems unlikely. I think that would be the third Bergman film of the year...seems somewhat unlikely.

Good point, I had forgotten about Fanny and Alexander. Perhaps Design for Living in it's place?

...although, to be fair, we have gotten three Louis Malle films in the space of, what, three months? Since Bergman is more of a marquee draw, I can definitely see them wanting to space those out, but Criterion doesn't seem completely averse to putting out a lot of work by one director in quick succession.

Yeah, w/ The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo coming out in December...The Game would be good timing. Also...I'd love to finally see wtf CC did w/ YTMT

For me, it's the fact that Fanny and Alexander comes out the month before and December is a notoriously slow Criterion month. The three in a year thing is maybe less important.

Of course, anything is possible, and I hope my assumptions are wrong because Bergman is my favorite director. Can't wait to watch Fanny and Alexander on Blu, when it's cold outside. Seems perfect.