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Criterion picks up the pace
Its latest array of DVDs don't compromise quality
By Joshua Klein
Special to the Tribune
Published November 30, 2004
No one could accuse Criterion of resting on its laurels. Even as 2004 winds to a close, the company continues to release an amazing array of eclectic and immaculately produced DVDs.
Recently, Criterion released Robert Altman's "Short Cuts" (Criterion, 1993, 183 minutes, R, $39.95), considered by many the last major work of the director still unreleased on DVD. The same day, Criterion released a boxed set of Ingmar Bergman's late period masterpiece "Fanny & Alexander" (Criterion, 1984, 610 minutes, NR, $59.95) that included the 2 1/2-hour U.S. theatrical version, the original 5-hour Swedish television version and a 2-hour documentary about the making of the autobiographical film. Next week gets a new edition of Fritz Lang's iconic "M," and coming in January is Akira Kurosawa's "Kagemusha," among other winter titles.
Criterion is releasing more DVDs than ever, but if anyone thinks the company is in danger of depleting its vast catalog of classic cinema, think again.
"Our release schedule has increased," notes Criterion producer Kim Hendrickson. "It's somewhere above 40 titles per year. But that's just 40 titles, not 400 titles, and when you're selecting only 40 titles, you can't release 12 Kurosawa films a year. So how do you deal with the library? It's a question we ask ourselves all the time, but it's a good problem to have."
Still independent, Criterion sometimes (albeit rarely) teams with one of the major Hollywood studios, and the occasional commentary track from the laserdisc days -- back when Criterion pioneered the inclusion of such special features -- gets licensed for use on someone else's set. The upcoming MGM special edition of Martin Scorsese's "Raging Bull," for example, reportedly includes the commentary track from the old Criterion laserdisc. But by and large, Criterion is on its own, scouring the globe for good source material, restoring prints and continuing its slow and steady release pace.
"The philosophy has always been, at the end of the day, that you have one chance to do this," Hendrickson says. "At least, you think you have one chance, and for most films there will be one chance, at least until there's another format. You should do what is right for the film. It may not sound like good business, by the numbers, but I think people really appreciate the fact that we'll hold a release if we haven't done it right, or reprint something if it hasn't come back properly. We don't care if we miss a street date."
Criterion keeps its upcoming slate under pretty tight wraps, and release dates are indeed prone to delay for numerous reasons. But Hendrickson is willing to confirm a few new titles for the Criterion faithful and hint about several more in store for 2005 and beyond. These include Powell/Pressburger's "The 49th Parallel" and "A Canterbury Tale," Antonioni's "L'Eclisse," Les Blank's riveting Werner Herzog documentary "Burden of Dreams," and a new edition of "Seven Samurai" (plus possibly other re-released Kurosawa titles as well).
"We're always addressing the issues of the library and getting out new filmmakers that we haven't been able to put out before," Hendrickson says. "I feel like 2005 is the introduction of a lot of people to the Criterion library that you haven't seen before. John Ford is possibly on the horizon. There will be Mizoguchi and a few more women inserted into the collection. But we're driven as much by what the collection is missing and how we're going to address those gaps."
New and notable
"Spider-Man 2" (Sony, 2004, 127 minutes, PG-13, $29.96): This sequel belies the bigger/better rule, namely that the former rarely means the latter. Great picture and sound quality are givens, but the DVD's special features are slightly better than your usual fare as well. In particular, director Sam Raimi's enthusiasm enhances everything he participates in, from the first of two commentary tracks to the two-hour "Making the Amazing" production documentary.
"Hero" (Miramax, 2002, 99 minutes, PG-13, $29.99): Zhang Yimou's breathtaking "Hero" is an example of how the DVD has changed movie-viewing habits. Released theatrically overseas three years ago, the film finally received its American debut this last summer. But in the interim, the curious and fanatical alike snagged import copies of the "Hero" DVD, also released months before the film showed up on U.S. shores. Those that held off get this belated domestic edition, which looks and sounds fine, even if it lacks some of the supplements afforded its overseas antecedents.
"L'Age D'Or" (Kino, 1930, 63 minutes, NR, $24.95): Luis Bunuel's surrealist masterpiece remains as provocative today as it did 75 years ago, and Robert Short's DVD commentary track provides a particularly valuable take on the controversial film. Alas, unlike its European DVD equivalent, this version of the film is not packaged with Bunuel's other Salvador Dali collaboration, "Un Chien Andalou," still not available on disc in the United States.
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Topic - Chicago tribune DVD article - rico 08:53:52 11/30/04 (0)

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