The Criterion Channel -- Film and Content Discussion

[unclehulot]

This YouTube rant (https://youtu.be/L1SBIPUquMk) tries to place a large part of the blame on Criterion for this censorship of The French Connection . I think he’s way off base. Especially seeing that other outlets are also showing this Disney version. If Criterion had issued it on disk in this form, that would be another matter of course. I wish they would issue a more forceful statement on the issue, and put to bed this kind of speculation that they were in cahoots with Disney in doing this. It would certainly help if one of those “edited for content“ disclaimer cards have been run, but then this is Disney we’re talking about.


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[yoloswegmaster]

Godland will be premiering June 20th on the Channel.

[DeprongMori]

This article by Glenn Kenny is the most complete piece I’ve seen on the brouhaha over The French Connection censorship.

[dwk]

July 2023 lineup

[yoloswegmaster]

Another great lineup of titles. Excited to finally have a chance to watch all the Once Upon a Time in China films, as well as finally getting a chance to watch the restored version of Eight Deadly Shots. Equally as exciting to see Jackie Chan's Miracles being added, as I find it to be underappreciated.

[ryannichols7]

while it's cool Eight Deadly Shots is gonna be on there, they still haven't put up the last WCF box on there. I'd love to be able to sample it before buying

[criterionsnob]

Will-o’-the-Wisp. Can’t wait for that one.

[SeizureMilk]

Glad we’re getting a Melies revival but the biggest surprise here is that Showgirls is going to be featured, I know it’s become a cult hit but I just think that’s funny.

[therewillbeblus]

They’ve been promoting Verhoeven a lot lately, it’s not surprising

I’m hoping The Flowers of St. Francis uses the new restoration - I know Criterion aren’t really focusing on BD upgrades anymore, but I’m still hoping against hope someone puts it out

[beamish14]

Nice to have Dangerous Game up. I’d love to see a whole spotlight on Abel Ferrara. They’re probably simply not available, but films like Go-Go Tales and Mary, both of which are fantastic and never received commercial releases in North America, really deserve new appraisals in the streaming era.

[Matt]

Nice to have Dangerous Game up.

I was a big booster of this film when it came out, then on a rewatch years later thought it was absolutely terrible. I’ll have to watch it while it’s on here to see if I swing back around.

[yoloswegmaster]

The Criterion Channel Announces 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop Film Program

August 1

Style Wars, Tony Silver, 1983
Wild Style, Charlie Ahearn, 1983
Beat Street, Stan Lathan, 1984
Krush Groove, Michael Schultz, 1985
Deep Cover, Bill Duke, 1992
Fear of a Black Hat, Rusty Cundieff, 1993
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, Jim Jarmusch, 1999
Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme, Kevin Fitzgerald, 2000
Scratch, Doug Pray, 2001
Paid in Full, Charles Stone III, 2002
Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest, Michael Rapaport, 2011
Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap, Ice-T and Andy Baybutt, 2012
Jamel Shabazz Street Photographer, Charlie Ahearn, 2013

September 1

Do the Right Thing, Spike Lee, 1989
Boyz n the Hood, John Singleton, 1991
Poetic Justice, John Singleton, 1993

November 1

Belly, Hype Williams, 1998
Belly 2: Millionaire Boyz Club, Ivan Frank, 2008

[Matt]

Yes! They should throw on some episodes of WNYC’s “Video Music Box” (or BET’s “Rap City” or “Yo! MTV Raps”) too.

[brundlefly]

Was reminded by his mention in the "Why Don't People Speak How I Want in Historical Films?" thread that Youssef Chahine's films recently lapsed off Netflix and it would be very nice if they found a new home here. A physical release would be even better, but I'll take what I can get.

[beamish14]

Tougher Than Leather (Rick Rubin, 1989) would have been a nice addition to the hip-hop films series

[Buttery Jeb]

Tougher Than Leather (Rick Rubin, 1989) would have been a nice addition to the hip-hop films series

I'm surprised House Party didn't make the cut.

[fiendishthingy]

August 2023 lineup

[beamish14]

Colossus: The Forbin Project is a nice surprise. I’d love to see the channel highlight the work of James Bridges

[ando]

Yes! They should throw on some episodes of WNYC’s “Video Music Box” (or BET’s “Rap City” or “Yo! MTV Raps”) too.

absolutely.

[criterionsnob]

The Delta (Ira Sachs) was added on the channel today, and opens with Criterion and Janus logos.

[yoloswegmaster]

MARK YOUR CALENDARS Starting in September, HIGH SCHOOL HORROR is coming to
@criterionchannl
—featuring VHS-era exploitation shockers, '90s teen-movie touchstones, & cult favorites.

DONNIE DARKO
SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE
THE CRAFT
SUSPIRIA
I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER
& more!

[fiendishthingy]

The Eight Mountains will be available on the Channel beginning on August 22.

[dwk]

September's lineup
Curious to see if these open with the Criterion/Janus logos

Hopping Vampires of Hong Kong

They’re undead, unstoppable, and hopping mad! Meet the bouncing, bloodsucking stars of Hong Kong’s most outrageous martial-arts horror comedies. Far removed from the suave vampires of Western mythology, these zombie fiends, derived from Taoist folklore, are distinguished by their deathly pallor and pogo-stick method of chasing down their victims—with typically only a majestically unibrowed priest capable of kung-fu kicking them back into the afterlife. Guided by the goofball vision of the great Sammo Hung—who directed the OG hopping vampire flick Encounters of the Spooky Kind and produced the genre’s delirious apotheosis, the popular Mr. Vampire franchise—these blissfully bonkers films exemplify the gleeful creativity and go-for-broke insanity that elevated Hong Kong genre cinema in its golden age.

FEATURING: Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1980), Mr. Vampire (1985), Mr. Vampire II (1986), Mr. Vampire III (1987), Mr. Vampire IV (1988)

[beamish14]

Really excited about Stones Have Laws. Never thought I would see a film from Suriname streaming here

[yoloswegmaster]

September's lineup
Curious to see if these open with the Criterion/Janus logos

Hopping Vampires of Hong Kong

They’re undead, unstoppable, and hopping mad! Meet the bouncing, bloodsucking stars of Hong Kong’s most outrageous martial-arts horror comedies. Far removed from the suave vampires of Western mythology, these zombie fiends, derived from Taoist folklore, are distinguished by their deathly pallor and pogo-stick method of chasing down their victims—with typically only a majestically unibrowed priest capable of kung-fu kicking them back into the afterlife. Guided by the goofball vision of the great Sammo Hung—who directed the OG hopping vampire flick Encounters of the Spooky Kind and produced the genre’s delirious apotheosis, the popular Mr. Vampire franchise—these blissfully bonkers films exemplify the gleeful creativity and go-for-broke insanity that elevated Hong Kong genre cinema in its golden age.

FEATURING: Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1980), Mr. Vampire (1985), Mr. Vampire II (1986), Mr. Vampire III (1987), Mr. Vampire IV (1988)

Wouldn't be surprised since Shout/Arrow, considering the way they've been shitting out the Fortune Star titles this year, would have already released them by now. Interesting that Vampire vs Vampire, Mr. Vampire 1992, and Encounters of the Spooky Kind 2 aren't included in the series.