Since it seems like hints for future Criterion releases come out every day, I have created this series, Criterion Clues, to organize the hints and keep them in one place. Only hints for titles that have not yet been released are included here.
Newsletter Hints
It would seem like Criterion finally getting off their asses and releasing a Jacques Rivette title would indicate the forthcoming freezing-over of Hell. And yet, here we are with this hint, clearly angling at Paris Belongs to Us, Rivette’s debut and a title Criterion has been sitting on for an awfully long time.
Here, we have a drawing of angels enjoying chicken wings. Only angels have those wings, if you will. Despite it already getting a Blu-Ray release from the TCM Vault Collection, this clearly suggests Criterion will be releasing Howard Hawks’ Only Angels Have Wings.
Okay, this one isn’t even trying. It’s Christian Petzold’s Phoenix. It’s an absolutely wonderful movie that you should watch (it’s on Netflix, get on that shit), but still, c’mon guys.
Wexner Center Confirmation
In the description of Criterion’s latest visit to the Wexner Center, it was revealed that Criterion’s new 4K restoration of The Manchurian Candidate (which was basically confirmed prior to this) would screen there, and Criterion would talk about their restoration of Edward Yang’s A Brighter Summer Day.
Instagram Photos
The following people were shown to be in the Criterion offices by Criterion’s Instagram account.
Angela Lansbury and John Waters
- Lansbury is almost certainly there for Criterion’s release of The Manchurian Candidate. As for Waters (who stuck around to recommend the Christmas slasher movie Christmas Evil), I think he’s there for one of his films, but which one in particular is anyone’s guess. Perhaps Pink Flamingos and/or Polyester would make the most sense given they were previously Criterion LaserDiscs and given Criterion’s new relationship with Warner Bros.
- On CriterionForum, someone said that a source close to Mike Leigh confirmed that Criterion would releasing Leigh’s Meantime sometime during the next year-and-a-half. This seems to confirm that, given that Roger Pratt was the DoP on Meantime, although they could be there for High Hopes in addition.
- This one is head-slappingly obvious, given that Clouds of Sils Maria is an IFC title, IFC confirmed on Twitter that Criterion would be releasing it, and Olivier Assayas was also recently in the Criterion offices. The fact that the photo is labeled “In the clouds with Kristen Stewart” is the cherry on top.
Paul Morrissey
- This has to be for one or multiple of Morrissey’s Andy Warhol films which are owned by Westchester Films (which has been dealing a lot with Criterion lately). Those films are the previous Criterion titles Blood for Dracula and Flesh for Frankenstein, as well as Trash and Flesh.
Twitter Confirmations
Samantha Fuller confirmed on Twitter that Criterion would be releasing the documentary A Fuller Life in 2016.
Whit Stillman pretty much confirmed on Twitter that Criterion would be releasing his Barcelona, the last of his 90s films to receive a Criterion release.
According to some guy on Twitter, Criterion will be releasing “most if not all” of Pedro Almodovar’s catalog.
Ryan Gallagher (pretty much the main man for outside Criterion confirmations) sez that Criterion will be releasing Tampopo.
Other Methods of Confirmation
In a podcast interview, Jonathan Turell confirmed that Criterion would release Here Comes Mr. Jordan and The In-Laws, possibly confirmed Shampoo, and said that they want to release The Princess Bride but are struggling to come up with ways to better the existing Blu-Ray.
Peter Becker talked to Wellesnet about Criterion’s forthcoming restoration of Chimes at Midnight.
In the background of an Apu Trilogy supplement, what was found but a cover for Cristian Mungiu’s 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days.
