re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

They announced a laserdisc for Gojira in 1993 or 1994 that would have been released in time for the 40th anniversary of the film that never materialized and then again in 1998 as a special edition with commentary from I believe Bruce Eder along with Godzilla King of the Monsters, Godzilla vs. Mothra, Godzilla vs. Monster Zero, Godzilla's Revenge and Terror of Mechagodzilla. Sadly, Toho pulled the plug on these at the last minute. Which, given the cost of laserdiscs, saved my bank account but ticked me off to no end.

Looking forward to this on BluRay and hope that they'll do the other titles that they had announced back in 1998.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

I think you answered why Criterion would want to release the US version.

Ignoring the US version undermines the history of Godzilla. Western audiences would know nothing of Godzilla if the US version was never put out. It might've been a franchise nonetheless in Japan, but US audiences probably would've never had the chance to see it or care for it. In addition, the release of the US version helped create a full fledged market for Japanese film and television to be imported in the states. Again, this would've never happened if that US version didn't exist. So yes, it has historical significance that demands it to be on a Criterion set.

And all of your examples are fucking apple and orange comparisons.

I can't see Criterion releasing just the US version. I'm expecting their release to have both Japanese and US cuts of the film presented in the same set.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

The US version didn't give them the opportunity to see it and care for it; it gave them the opportunity to see and care for an adulteration of it.

As long as the unmolested original is there, the US version makes a fun extra, I suppose. It just seems to me rather contrary to Criterion's general philosophy.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

... but to compare it to a pan and scan version of Lawrence of Arabia? An edited-for-television version of Jingle All The Way? Uh, I don't think so.

If the US version didn't exist, this conversation about Godzilla would never exist. It might not be as great as the original unedited Japanese version (which I agree is the far superior edit), but sorry to break it to you, it introduced the entire world to Godzilla outside of Asia.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

How do these examples fail you? In all cases, we're talking about an outside layer of editorial interference, with a necessarily contrary agenda.

Your point being? Last time I checked, Criterion didn't operate on the sole *ahem* criterion, "What can we release that will make the most possible money, regardless of anything else?" I'm well aware of the reach of the US cut. So what? Lots of things gain wider exposure by being exploited in ways their creators never intended. Criterion is supposed to be about presenting art the way its creators did intend.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

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.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

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.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

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

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

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.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

You know what's not very Criterion?

http://i2.listal.com/image/productsu...collection.jpg

Get over it.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

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.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

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!!).

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

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.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

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.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

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.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

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.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

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.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

<iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZHBVH6ut2k8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

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.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

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

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

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.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

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

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

...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.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

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

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

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.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

I totally want City Lights on blu ray.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

Is Design for Living a confirmed title? Although there's better Lubitsch out there, woudlnt mind seeing that on blu.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

It was confirmed way back in June 2010, but nothing since then.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

quite a few Hitchcock references via Twitter so I'd be willing to bet we get a Blu-ray upgrade to one of his titles

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

I'm thinking Hitchcock is too big a name for December, but I'd love to be wrong.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

:drool:

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

Here's a Criterion Clue they posted on Facebook regarding tomorrow's announcements:



Any guesses?

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

Looks like you're right - The Lady Vanishes on Blu-ray.

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

Saweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

GIMME! :)

re: The Criterion Collection 4K/Blu-ray Discussion and Release Thread
 

I was hoping for a box with upgrades of 39 Steps and Lady Vanishes plus Foreign Correspondent, but them's the breaks.