Beginning next Friday, New York’s Metrograph will present a Terry Zwigoff retrospective that includes screenings of all five of his feature films. The weekend-long series begins with “Ghost World” and continues with “Louie Bluie,” “Art School Confidential” and “Bad Santa” before closing with his acclaimed documentary; Zwigoff will appear in person at each screening. Watch an exclusive trailer for the tribute below.
Read More: Nicolas Cage To Play A ‘Lost Melody’ For Terry Zwigoff Plus Watch A New Clip From ‘The Frozen Ground’
Here are some notes on the festivities in Metrograph’s own words: “Terry Zwigoff never seemed to belong to the careerist, wheeler-dealer world of the Sundance indie, and that’s part of his charm. Catapulted to prominence with ‘Crumb,’ his instant classic documentary on underground legend R. Crumb, Zwigoff went on to reel out a trio of blackly-comic fiction films which all together offer a jaundiced,...
Read More: Nicolas Cage To Play A ‘Lost Melody’ For Terry Zwigoff Plus Watch A New Clip From ‘The Frozen Ground’
Here are some notes on the festivities in Metrograph’s own words: “Terry Zwigoff never seemed to belong to the careerist, wheeler-dealer world of the Sundance indie, and that’s part of his charm. Catapulted to prominence with ‘Crumb,’ his instant classic documentary on underground legend R. Crumb, Zwigoff went on to reel out a trio of blackly-comic fiction films which all together offer a jaundiced,...
- 5/12/2017
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
Odd List Ryan Lambie Simon Brew 5 Dec 2013 - 06:54
Our voyage through history's underappreciated films arrives at the year 2001, and a vintage year for lesser-seen gems...
Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C Clarke may have seen 2001 as the year we'd head off to meet alien intelligences in the depths of space, but in reality, its cinematic landscape was dominated by fantasy rather than extra-terrestrials. Rowling and Tolkien dominated the box office, with Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone and The Fellowship Of The Ring earning almost $1bn each, while Monsters, Inc and Shrek thrilled old and young audiences alike.
At the other end of the spectrum of success, 2001 was such a vintage year for movies that we had to whittle our usual selection of 25 films down from an initial selection of more than 40. This is why the decision was made - with heavy heart - to exclude some of our favourite films,...
Our voyage through history's underappreciated films arrives at the year 2001, and a vintage year for lesser-seen gems...
Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C Clarke may have seen 2001 as the year we'd head off to meet alien intelligences in the depths of space, but in reality, its cinematic landscape was dominated by fantasy rather than extra-terrestrials. Rowling and Tolkien dominated the box office, with Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone and The Fellowship Of The Ring earning almost $1bn each, while Monsters, Inc and Shrek thrilled old and young audiences alike.
At the other end of the spectrum of success, 2001 was such a vintage year for movies that we had to whittle our usual selection of 25 films down from an initial selection of more than 40. This is why the decision was made - with heavy heart - to exclude some of our favourite films,...
- 12/4/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Director Terry Zwigoff is not what anyone would call a prolific filmmaker, having started his career with 1985.s Howard Armstrong documentary Louie Bluie, only to follow it nine years later with 1994.s stellar biographical documentary Crumb. Since then? Just three narrative features - Bad Santa, Ghost World, and Art School Confidential - all of which retain differing amounts of cult value. And now here we are in July 2013, reporting the second potential Terry Zwigoff project to pop up just this summer. What, is he going all Terrence Malick now? Because we.d be perfectly fine with that. Not only is Zwigoff going back to the dark comedy genre he performs so wellin, he.s bringing in Nicolas Cage as his leading man, according to The Wrap. The film is titled Lost Melody, and will be produced by Edward R. Pressman and his Pressman Films imprint. In the film Cage will...
- 7/2/2013
- cinemablend.com
Nicolas Cage has his sights set on Terry Zwigoff's latest, Lost Melody , The Wrap reports. The site says that the star is in talks to play the lead in the offbeat indie drama. Lost Melody will feature Cage as a man who falls in love with a prostitute and must find a way to escape his unpleasant wife. Zwigoff, whose previous credits include the documentaries Crumb and Louie Bluie , is also well known for narrative films like Ghost World and Bad Santa . He also co-wrote Lost Melody with Melissa Axelrod. Cage recently provided a voice in the DreamWorks Animation film The Croods and can soon be seen in the Scott Walker thriller The Frozen Ground . Lost Melody will be produced by Edward R. Pressman with Anthony Scaramucci serving as executive producer....
- 7/1/2013
- Comingsoon.net
Pre-internet records are sketchy, but I was told that the nearest this film came to the Raleigh area was when it played briefly in Charlotte, N.C. in 1986. If anybody knows different - please drop me a line. "Louie Bluie" (Dir. Terry Zwigoff, 1985) "She sauntered over to me and she says 'You're Armstrong. I know you're Armstrong. But you're not Louie Armstrong, that Louie. You're just plain ol' Louie Bluie, that's what you are.' And so I used the name to record under later." - Howard Armstrong Last month the Criterion added to their...
- 9/25/2010
- by Daniel Johnson, Raleigh Indie Movie Examiner
- Examiner Movies Channel
Criterion's December release announcement is brief, but sweet. David Cronenberg's Videodrome is coming to Blu-Ray while Guillermo Del Toro's Cronos will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray.
The Videodrome Blu-Ray seems to be sourced from same master as the 2004 Criterion DVD. Extras are largely same. Cronos is newly restored and packed with extras, including a previously unreleased short film called Geometria. Check the links in the calendar for full specifications.
Finally, as mentioned in the last Criterion Column, the DVD release of the America Lost and Found: The Bbs Story comes out on December 14th. The Blu-Ray will be released on November 23rd.
The Criterion Collection 2010 Release Calendar (January through December 2010, up-to-date as of September 16, 2010)
December 2010
David Cronenberg, Videodrome, Bd, 12/7/2010, Us & Canada
Guillermo del Toro, Cronos, 2-disc DVD & Bd, 12/7/2010, Us & Canada
November 2010
Charlie Chaplin, Modern Times, 2-dsc DVD & Bd, 11/16/10, Us & Canada
Charles Laughton, Night Of The Hunter, 2-disc DVD & 2-disc Bd,...
The Videodrome Blu-Ray seems to be sourced from same master as the 2004 Criterion DVD. Extras are largely same. Cronos is newly restored and packed with extras, including a previously unreleased short film called Geometria. Check the links in the calendar for full specifications.
Finally, as mentioned in the last Criterion Column, the DVD release of the America Lost and Found: The Bbs Story comes out on December 14th. The Blu-Ray will be released on November 23rd.
The Criterion Collection 2010 Release Calendar (January through December 2010, up-to-date as of September 16, 2010)
December 2010
David Cronenberg, Videodrome, Bd, 12/7/2010, Us & Canada
Guillermo del Toro, Cronos, 2-disc DVD & Bd, 12/7/2010, Us & Canada
November 2010
Charlie Chaplin, Modern Times, 2-dsc DVD & Bd, 11/16/10, Us & Canada
Charles Laughton, Night Of The Hunter, 2-disc DVD & 2-disc Bd,...
- 9/16/2010
- Screen Anarchy
Last Thursday, we brought you the epic line-up for this years All Tomorrow’s Parties film screening series, which is once again being curated by the Criterion Collection. In the post I shared some lo-res images that Criterion produced as make shift posters for each of the films. Over the weekend, a couple artists began tweeting about the fact that they had been selected to design some posters for this years event.
Over at his blog, Matt Kindt published the artwork that he designed for The Night Of The Hunter (available this November on DVD and Blu-ray), and it looks pretty fantastic. Head on over to his website, to see more of his art, and find his books.
Just as Matt was posting his artwork, Scott Morse and upped the game by posting 2 images that he had worked up for the festival. His art for Brute Force and Touchez Pas Au Grisbi are absolutely gorgeous,...
Over at his blog, Matt Kindt published the artwork that he designed for The Night Of The Hunter (available this November on DVD and Blu-ray), and it looks pretty fantastic. Head on over to his website, to see more of his art, and find his books.
Just as Matt was posting his artwork, Scott Morse and upped the game by posting 2 images that he had worked up for the festival. His art for Brute Force and Touchez Pas Au Grisbi are absolutely gorgeous,...
- 8/26/2010
- by Ryan Gallagher
- CriterionCast
Reviewer: Steve Dollar
Louie Bluie; Crumb Rating (out of 5): ****½ (both)
Consumed and driven by the bawdy vigor of good old American vernacular culture, the artists who lend their names to this pair of documentaries are such dynamos of idiosyncrasy that no one could have made them up. Newly reissued in a simultaneous one-two punch by the Criterion Collection, Louie Bluie (1985) and Crumb (1995), concern but can barely contain the outsized, wildly original personalities of charismatic African-American string band legend Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong, and the cranky underground cartoonist Robert Crumb. These were the first two films made by Terry Zwigoff, a San Francisco government office-worker and obsessive enthusiast for 78 rpm recordings of pre-war American music, who also happened to play saw, mandolin and fiddle in Crumb's own string combo, R. Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders.
Zwigoff is now more widely known for his later features, Bad Santa and Ghost World,...
Louie Bluie; Crumb Rating (out of 5): ****½ (both)
Consumed and driven by the bawdy vigor of good old American vernacular culture, the artists who lend their names to this pair of documentaries are such dynamos of idiosyncrasy that no one could have made them up. Newly reissued in a simultaneous one-two punch by the Criterion Collection, Louie Bluie (1985) and Crumb (1995), concern but can barely contain the outsized, wildly original personalities of charismatic African-American string band legend Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong, and the cranky underground cartoonist Robert Crumb. These were the first two films made by Terry Zwigoff, a San Francisco government office-worker and obsessive enthusiast for 78 rpm recordings of pre-war American music, who also happened to play saw, mandolin and fiddle in Crumb's own string combo, R. Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders.
Zwigoff is now more widely known for his later features, Bad Santa and Ghost World,...
- 8/23/2010
- by GreenCineStaff
- GreenCine
In November, The Criterion Collection is set to release an eclectic mix of American classics with a bit of European transgression thrown in. A newly restored version of Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times is planned for DVD and Blu-Ray. Charles Laughton's stunning black-and-white noir/horror tale Night of the Hunter (1955) is also on the schedule for DVD and Blu-Ray. Lars Von Trier's Antichrist will invade home video players everywhere.
Those are great releases, but highlight of the November list is the America Lost and Found: The Bbs Story box set, which features 6 films from Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider's production company Bbs during the 60s-70s. Titles include: Head, Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, Drive He Said, The Last Picture Show, and The King Of Marvin Gardens. Think about the scope of this release for a second. This is six films by Dennis Hopper, Henry Jaglom, Jack Nicholson Bob Rafelson,...
Those are great releases, but highlight of the November list is the America Lost and Found: The Bbs Story box set, which features 6 films from Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider's production company Bbs during the 60s-70s. Titles include: Head, Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, Drive He Said, The Last Picture Show, and The King Of Marvin Gardens. Think about the scope of this release for a second. This is six films by Dennis Hopper, Henry Jaglom, Jack Nicholson Bob Rafelson,...
- 8/21/2010
- Screen Anarchy
I've always found it amazing that Terry Zwigoff's esoteric brand of filmmaking managed to crack the mainstream. While films like Bad Santa and Ghost World might not be blockbusters, they're definitely a bit more palatable to general audiences than his quirky documentary roots. In my opinion, Crumb remains to be his best work but Louie Bluie is surely a close second, marking a strong feature film debut. The film is an hour long portrait of country blues and string band musician Howard "Louis Bluie" Armstrong. Not unlike Zwigoff's follow up feature Crumb, this film divides its screen time by giving the viewer a bit of a history lesson on country blues music while still maintaing a solid in-the-moment character profile of Armstrong's modern lifestyle. Much of the film is spent reminiscing about the good ol' days as Armstrong reconnects with old friends for some on-camera jam sessions. At times...
- 8/20/2010
- by Jay C.
- FilmJunk
Chicago – Terry Zwigoff’s “Crumb” is one of the best documentaries ever made. It’s that cut-and-dry. I can still remember first seeing Terry Zwigoff’s brilliant dissection of art, sexuality, and eccentricity and when the Criterion Blu-ray release made its way to my desk I was stunned to realize that the film was already fifteen years old. It’s still amazing.
Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0
Zwigoff clearly started out with the intention of documenting the unusual life of a unique artist but, like a lot of great documentarians, he not only captured lightning in a bottle with “Crumb” but turned his subject’s singular story into a relatably universal one. Criterion has released Zwigoff’s breakthrough film on Blu-ray while also simultaneously releasing his earlier doc “Louie Bluie” on standard DVD.
Crumb was released on Blu-ray and DVD on August 10th, 2010
Photo credit: Courtesy of the Criterion Collection
The breakthrough “Crumb...
Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0
Zwigoff clearly started out with the intention of documenting the unusual life of a unique artist but, like a lot of great documentarians, he not only captured lightning in a bottle with “Crumb” but turned his subject’s singular story into a relatably universal one. Criterion has released Zwigoff’s breakthrough film on Blu-ray while also simultaneously releasing his earlier doc “Louie Bluie” on standard DVD.
Crumb was released on Blu-ray and DVD on August 10th, 2010
Photo credit: Courtesy of the Criterion Collection
The breakthrough “Crumb...
- 8/20/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Terry Zwigoff’s 1986 documentary Louie Bluie offers a portrait of a restless, tirelessly agreeable, creative spirit who quickly learned he had to be adaptable if he wanted remain an artist and also eat dinner every night. Born in Tennessee in 1909, Howard Armstrong played with string bands and medicine shows and learned to play whatever music audiences wanted to hear on virtually every instrument with strings. In one anecdote, Armstrong—nicknamed “Louie Bluie” by an early admirer—talks about getting by in Chicago by speaking “Tennessee Italian” and playing songs he learned from immigrants back home. Seldom seen without ...
- 8/18/2010
- avclub.com
Dateline Hollywood, California: The Fabulous Sunset Strip –
Your humble correspondent lined up in front of the Amoeba Records stage shortly before 3Pm on August 14, when filmmaker Terry Zwigoff, new to the Criterion Collection with the past week’s release of his documentaries Crumb and Louie Bluie (the former available on DVD and Blu-Ray, the latter DVD only), was scheduled to appear to sign copies of these works.
His signing table was off to the side of the stage, but said stage was soon occupied by a quartet of red-hot musicians, led by Blind Boy Paxton and Frank Fairfield, young practitioners (both appear to be in their early twenties) of old-school music: the hot jazz, rollicking Dixieland rhythms and vintage blues of the 1920′s.
Paxton (on guitar) and Fairfield (on a mandolin-banjo… look it up — I did) were joined by two more musicians, introduced by Zwigoff himself as his sister on...
Your humble correspondent lined up in front of the Amoeba Records stage shortly before 3Pm on August 14, when filmmaker Terry Zwigoff, new to the Criterion Collection with the past week’s release of his documentaries Crumb and Louie Bluie (the former available on DVD and Blu-Ray, the latter DVD only), was scheduled to appear to sign copies of these works.
His signing table was off to the side of the stage, but said stage was soon occupied by a quartet of red-hot musicians, led by Blind Boy Paxton and Frank Fairfield, young practitioners (both appear to be in their early twenties) of old-school music: the hot jazz, rollicking Dixieland rhythms and vintage blues of the 1920′s.
Paxton (on guitar) and Fairfield (on a mandolin-banjo… look it up — I did) were joined by two more musicians, introduced by Zwigoff himself as his sister on...
- 8/16/2010
- by West Anthony
- CriterionCast
To help celebrate the Criterion Collection releasing Louie Bluie and Crumb, director Terry Zwigoff made two appearances this weekend in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Zwigoff spent Friday, August 13th at Amoeba Records on Haight St. in Sf, with Blind Boy Paxton and Frank Fairfield performing, as well as signing copies of the Criterion DVDs and Blu-rays. Saturday, August 14th, Zwigoff flew down to the Hollywood Amoeba, to sign more discs, bringing Blind Boy Paxton and Frank Fairfield again to perform for the fans in attendance.
One of our readers wrote in with a little nugget of rumor gold, and we wanted to share that with you all. We all know that MGM isn’t in the greatest shape these days, and that Criterion is slowly releasing some of their titles. Last week, during our discussion of Che with Moises Chiullan, we got to musing about the inevitable inclusion of Zwigoff’s 2001 film,...
One of our readers wrote in with a little nugget of rumor gold, and we wanted to share that with you all. We all know that MGM isn’t in the greatest shape these days, and that Criterion is slowly releasing some of their titles. Last week, during our discussion of Che with Moises Chiullan, we got to musing about the inevitable inclusion of Zwigoff’s 2001 film,...
- 8/15/2010
- by Ryan Gallagher
- CriterionCast
This week the first two films of cult director Terry Zwigoff get the Criterion treatment. Zwigoff's debut film, the documentary Louie Bluie (1985) tells the story of Howard Armstrong, a fiddle and mandolin virtuoso who ages ago recorded one of Zwigoff's favorite records, "State Street Rag." The documentary finds him still spry in his mid-70s, and he lived another 18 years after the film was released. The movie contains some terrific quasi-blues music, though Zwigoff insists that "it's only 10 percent of what he can really do."
Filed under: New on DVD, Lists
Continue reading Terry Zwigoff: New DVDs and a Top Ten List
Permalink | Email this | Comments...
Filed under: New on DVD, Lists
Continue reading Terry Zwigoff: New DVDs and a Top Ten List
Permalink | Email this | Comments...
- 8/12/2010
- by Jeffrey M. Anderson
- Cinematical
Just because filmmaker Terry Zwigoff has collaborated with graphic novelist Daniel Clowes twice (Ghost World, Art School Confidential) and is best known for his eccentric and tragicomic doc portrait of an underground artist (Crumb), he doesn't want you to think his entire career is ink and panels. This week, the Criterion Collection has released a special edition DVD and Blu-ray of Crumb, and even more excitingly, they've given their canonizing treatment to Zwigoff's amazing 1985 feature debut, Louie Bluie: Crumb director Terry Zwigoff’s first film is a true treat: a documentary about the obscure country-blues musician and idiosyncratic visual artist Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong, member of the last known black string band in America. As beguiling a raconteur as he is a performer, Louie makes for a wildly entertaining movie subject, and Zwigoff honors him with an unsentimental but endlessly affectionate tribute. Full of infectious music and comedy, Louie Bluie...
- 8/12/2010
- GreenCine Daily
I guess this week is payback for the awesome week that was last. So let’s sift through what’s there this week:
Grab ‘Em Right Away:
Nothing. Save your money for that rainy day coming soon.
Check it out:
The Good Heart
Directed by: Dagur Kári
Written by: Dagur Kári
Starring: Brian Cox & Paul Dano
Why should you rent this movie? Because no matter how you look at it there are still two phenomenal performances in this movie. Brian Cox and Paul Dano are pitch perfect. Cox plays the asshole bartender who hates everyone and everything – except his bar – so much that, well, eventually you end up loving him; and you love him even more when you see him begin to like Lucas (Paul Dano) and show his more vulnerable side. It’s the perfect 90 minute heart-to-heart (yes I just did that) film that you’ll like to sit...
Grab ‘Em Right Away:
Nothing. Save your money for that rainy day coming soon.
Check it out:
The Good Heart
Directed by: Dagur Kári
Written by: Dagur Kári
Starring: Brian Cox & Paul Dano
Why should you rent this movie? Because no matter how you look at it there are still two phenomenal performances in this movie. Brian Cox and Paul Dano are pitch perfect. Cox plays the asshole bartender who hates everyone and everything – except his bar – so much that, well, eventually you end up loving him; and you love him even more when you see him begin to like Lucas (Paul Dano) and show his more vulnerable side. It’s the perfect 90 minute heart-to-heart (yes I just did that) film that you’ll like to sit...
- 8/11/2010
- by Andrew Robinson
- The Film Stage
Hey everyone. Sorry I am so late today with my article but I was a busy bee! There's some good movies that came out this week! Here's the highlighted movies!
Death at a Funeral
Put-upon Aaron (Chris Rock) is always plagued by drama and dysfunction, but he encounters more than he can handle while attempting to plan his father's funeral. What's a family gathering without jealousy, tension and blackmail? Martin Lawrence, Tracy Morgan, Danny Glover, James Marsden, Luke Wilson, Zoe Saldana, Regina Hall and Columbus Short round out a stellar ensemble cast.
Starring: Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence
Director: Neil Labute
I found parts of this movie funny but overall I was disappointed. Not sure why they had to remake the British comedy to begin with.
Date Night
Who knew simple dinner reservations under a different name could turn one New Jersey couple's date night so terribly upside-down? Claire (Tina Fey...
Death at a Funeral
Put-upon Aaron (Chris Rock) is always plagued by drama and dysfunction, but he encounters more than he can handle while attempting to plan his father's funeral. What's a family gathering without jealousy, tension and blackmail? Martin Lawrence, Tracy Morgan, Danny Glover, James Marsden, Luke Wilson, Zoe Saldana, Regina Hall and Columbus Short round out a stellar ensemble cast.
Starring: Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence
Director: Neil Labute
I found parts of this movie funny but overall I was disappointed. Not sure why they had to remake the British comedy to begin with.
Date Night
Who knew simple dinner reservations under a different name could turn one New Jersey couple's date night so terribly upside-down? Claire (Tina Fey...
- 8/11/2010
- by Mars
- GeekTyrant
Heading to DVD and Blu-ray this week we have a movie that squandered some great comedic potential, a couple of documentaries about fascinating and eccentric people, and a long lost show featuring a computer generated TV personality. Shawn Levy's Date Night didn't take full advantage of a Steve Carell and Tina Fey team-up, but it's still probably worth at least a rental; other comedies out this week include the Death at a Funeral remake, The Joneses starring Demi Moore and David Duchovny, and the first two National Lampoon's Vacation movies on Blu-ray. Criterion also re-issues Terry Zwigoff's fantastic documentary Crumb along with his debut feature Louie Bluie, and Shout! Factory continues their streak of repackaging nostalgia with Max Headroom: The Complete Series. Will you be buying or renting anything this week? Date Night [1] (+ Blu-ray [2]) Death at a Funeral [3] (+ Blu-ray [4]) The Joneses [5] (+ Blu-ray [6]) Letters to God [7] Multiple Sarcasms [8] (+ Blu-ray...
- 8/10/2010
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
A look at what's new on DVD today:
"Triage" (2009)
Directed by Danis Tanovic
Released by National Entertainment Media
Although a largely tepid reception at last year's Toronto Film Festival and a downer of a subject matter prevented "No Man's Land" director Danis Tanovic's English-language debut from getting American theatrical distribution, Colin Farrell delivers an award-worthy performance as a photojournalist recovering from the ravages of war and the loss of his friend and colleague in this direct-to-dvd drama. Even with Paz Vega to come home to, Farrell's photographer tries to make sense of the horrors he witnessed as his wife (Vega) and the wife of his dead friend (Kelly Reilly) try to get him to open up.
"Children of Invention" (2009)
Directed by Tze Chun
Released by Indieblitz Releasing
An alum of Sundance 2009, Chun's feature debut centers around a Chinese immgrant single mother's determination to give her children a better life...
"Triage" (2009)
Directed by Danis Tanovic
Released by National Entertainment Media
Although a largely tepid reception at last year's Toronto Film Festival and a downer of a subject matter prevented "No Man's Land" director Danis Tanovic's English-language debut from getting American theatrical distribution, Colin Farrell delivers an award-worthy performance as a photojournalist recovering from the ravages of war and the loss of his friend and colleague in this direct-to-dvd drama. Even with Paz Vega to come home to, Farrell's photographer tries to make sense of the horrors he witnessed as his wife (Vega) and the wife of his dead friend (Kelly Reilly) try to get him to open up.
"Children of Invention" (2009)
Directed by Tze Chun
Released by Indieblitz Releasing
An alum of Sundance 2009, Chun's feature debut centers around a Chinese immgrant single mother's determination to give her children a better life...
- 8/10/2010
- by Stephen Saito
- ifc.com
DVD Links: DVD News | Release Dates | New Dvds | Reviews | RSS Feed
Crumb (Criterion Collection) I didn't look to see how many of you read my review of Criterion's Blu-ray of Crumb last week, but if you didn't read it here's the gist... This film is great. Now, I can't say for sure it's one you should buy as I think most Criterion titles are always a tough call, but if you have a Netflix account I can't recommend strongly enough you add it to the top of your queue. You just might find yourself buying it.
The only problem with the Blu-ray release is that Criterion didn't include Zwigoff's Louie Bluie, a 60-minute documentary centering on country-blues musician Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong. I don't say this because I've seen it, but because it would only sweeten the deal as they are only releasing Louie Bluie on DVD today. Oh well.
Crumb (Criterion Collection) I didn't look to see how many of you read my review of Criterion's Blu-ray of Crumb last week, but if you didn't read it here's the gist... This film is great. Now, I can't say for sure it's one you should buy as I think most Criterion titles are always a tough call, but if you have a Netflix account I can't recommend strongly enough you add it to the top of your queue. You just might find yourself buying it.
The only problem with the Blu-ray release is that Criterion didn't include Zwigoff's Louie Bluie, a 60-minute documentary centering on country-blues musician Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong. I don't say this because I've seen it, but because it would only sweeten the deal as they are only releasing Louie Bluie on DVD today. Oh well.
- 8/10/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Leading the list of new specialty releases this week are Terry Zwigoff's profiles of cartoonist R. Crumb and musician/artist Louie Bluie on Criterion, Michel Gondry's personal doc, and a Hindi film megahit. "Crumb," Zwigoff's widely acclaimed doc of Robert Crumb and his idiosyncratic brothers, gets the Criterion treatment this week. Noting the set includes unused footage, Zwigoff commentary, and a booklet with Crumb family art, Film.com's Sacha Howells notes, "whether you ...
- 8/10/2010
- Indiewire
0:00 - Intro 5:04 - Headlines: Toy Story Fan Legally Changes Name to Buzz Lightyear, A Film Unfinished Gets an R-rating, Len Wiseman to Direct Total Recall Remake, Steve Carell is Leaving The Office 27:30 - Review: Dinner for Schmucks 39:55 - Review: Salt 53:50 - Trailer Trash: Sucker Punch, Thor, Catfish 1:09:00 - Other Stuff We Watched: Twilight, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Battlestar Galactica, Louie Bluie, Sisters, The Unforeseen, Cruising, Straight Outta L.A., Batman: Under the Red Hood, HeavyMTL 2010 2:05:00 - Junk Mail: Drive-In and Disco Fries, Grave of the Fireflies, Gasper Noe, Favourite Product Placements in Film 2:15:55 - This Week's DVD Releases 2:17:35 - Outro » Download the MP3 (65 Mb) [1] » View the show notes [2] » Vote for us on Podcast Alley! [3] » Rate us on iTunes! [4] Subscribe to the podcast feed: [5] [6] [7] Donate via Paypal: Recurring Donation $2/Month: Sponsors: This week's episode is sponsored...
- 8/3/2010
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
The October 2010 batch of Criterion titles brings a few surprises. Stanley Kubrick's Paths of Glory is hitting DVD and Blu-Ray as is Ingmar Bergman's film The Magician. Criterion continues its relationship with Wes Anderson by releasing The Darjeeling Limited on Blu-Ray and DVD. Ok.
Akira Kurosawa's The Seven Samurai is headed for Blu-Ray with a new restored high-def transfer. If the quality of Criterion's other Kurosawa Blu-Ray discs (e.g. Kagemusha, Sanjuro and Yojimbo) are any indication, it is time to ditch the DVDs. This one should look spectacular.
Finally, Nobuhiko Obayashi's House is making its way to Blu-Ray and DVD just in time for Halloween. There are a few things to note here. First, the fact that Criterion is releasing this on Blu-Ray with a restored transfer and uncompressed mono sound is kind of a surprise. This is a very good thing. The other curious thing is the extras.
Akira Kurosawa's The Seven Samurai is headed for Blu-Ray with a new restored high-def transfer. If the quality of Criterion's other Kurosawa Blu-Ray discs (e.g. Kagemusha, Sanjuro and Yojimbo) are any indication, it is time to ditch the DVDs. This one should look spectacular.
Finally, Nobuhiko Obayashi's House is making its way to Blu-Ray and DVD just in time for Halloween. There are a few things to note here. First, the fact that Criterion is releasing this on Blu-Ray with a restored transfer and uncompressed mono sound is kind of a surprise. This is a very good thing. The other curious thing is the extras.
- 7/17/2010
- Screen Anarchy
The September releases of Breathless on Blu-Ray and The Thin Red Line on Blu-Ray and DVD aren't so much of a surprise. A high-def Breathless release was inevitable and the Malick title leaked out a while ago. Also, Charade is the sort of classic Hollywood auterist fare that Criterion often deals in. No, the big surprise here is Oshima's Happy Birthday Mr. Lawrence. Both this release and the recent Oshima DVD box indicate that Criterion is seriously intent to digging deeper into the director's filmography. Finally, it would be a mistake not to mention the Eclipse box set of Allan King films. The Canadian director's documentaries have never been readily available in the U.S. so this box should expose his work to an entirely new audience (including this writer).
The Criterion Collection 2010 Release Calendar (Covers January through September 2010, up-to-date as of July 7, 2010)
September 2010
Jean-Luc Godard, Breathless, DVD & Bd, 9/14/10, Us...
The Criterion Collection 2010 Release Calendar (Covers January through September 2010, up-to-date as of July 7, 2010)
September 2010
Jean-Luc Godard, Breathless, DVD & Bd, 9/14/10, Us...
- 7/8/2010
- Screen Anarchy
With this recent batch of new Criterion announcements, one of the more interesting films to get added to the ever growing catalogue is Terry Zwigoff’s first film, the documentary Louie Bluie.
The film follows the obscure country blues performer, and visual artist, Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong, who also happens to be a member of the last known American black string band. The film is not currently available on DVD, and therefore has not been seen by many people.
So, to enlighten people on just what to expect from the film, Criterion has added a clip from the film to their Youtube page, and I must say, I’m really intrigued from what I’ve seen.
Personally, one of my all-time favorite documentaries is Zwigoff’s Bluie follow up, Crumb, and while I was interested just based off the fact that this is Zwigoff’s first film, the clip looks really great.
The film follows the obscure country blues performer, and visual artist, Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong, who also happens to be a member of the last known American black string band. The film is not currently available on DVD, and therefore has not been seen by many people.
So, to enlighten people on just what to expect from the film, Criterion has added a clip from the film to their Youtube page, and I must say, I’m really intrigued from what I’ve seen.
Personally, one of my all-time favorite documentaries is Zwigoff’s Bluie follow up, Crumb, and while I was interested just based off the fact that this is Zwigoff’s first film, the clip looks really great.
- 5/25/2010
- by Joshua Brunsting
- CriterionCast
Fall 2010 brings very interesting news and rumors about releases from The Criterion Collection. First, the label has issued the official list of films for August release. These include two essential documentaries by Terry Zwigoff, Black Orpheus, a box of Josef von Sternberg silent films, and 4 early Akira Kurosawa films that originally appeared in the Ak 100 25 disc box set.
Lots of unofficial information has also begun to surface about future releases. In late April, The New York Times confirmed rumors that Criterion will release Nobuhiko Obayashi's Hausu will in September. Additionally, pre-order pages for Criterion Blu-Rays of Antichrist, The Darjeeling Limited, The Seven Samurai, The Thin Red Line, and Videodrome have popped up on Amazon. Look for official updates in the next Criterion Column.
The Criterion Collection 2010 Release Calendar (Covers January through August 2010, up-to-date as of May 23, 2010)
August 2010
Akira Kurosawa, Eclipse Series 23: The First Films Of Akira Kurosawa
(Sanshiro Sugata...
Lots of unofficial information has also begun to surface about future releases. In late April, The New York Times confirmed rumors that Criterion will release Nobuhiko Obayashi's Hausu will in September. Additionally, pre-order pages for Criterion Blu-Rays of Antichrist, The Darjeeling Limited, The Seven Samurai, The Thin Red Line, and Videodrome have popped up on Amazon. Look for official updates in the next Criterion Column.
The Criterion Collection 2010 Release Calendar (Covers January through August 2010, up-to-date as of May 23, 2010)
August 2010
Akira Kurosawa, Eclipse Series 23: The First Films Of Akira Kurosawa
(Sanshiro Sugata...
- 5/22/2010
- Screen Anarchy
Well here we are, another mid-month Criterion Collection New Release announcement extravaganza. A few titles that we suspected, due to rumors and various clues, and new addition to Maurice Pilat’s section of the Criterion Collection.
First off, we’re getting a re-release of a Criterion classic, Marcel Camus’ Black Orpheus. This is Criterion #48, so they are keeping in line with their re-releasing older titles, with new features, transfers, and absolutely gorgeous cover art. This Black Orpheus painting is one that I would certainly buy a print of, to hang on my wall. Black Orpheus will be released on August 17th on DVD and Blu-ray
A few weeks back, we told you about how the New York Times, in their Summer DVD column, let loose the idea that Criterion was working on a collection of Josef Von Sternberg titles, and we now have a complete list of the films, along with supplemental materials and artwork.
First off, we’re getting a re-release of a Criterion classic, Marcel Camus’ Black Orpheus. This is Criterion #48, so they are keeping in line with their re-releasing older titles, with new features, transfers, and absolutely gorgeous cover art. This Black Orpheus painting is one that I would certainly buy a print of, to hang on my wall. Black Orpheus will be released on August 17th on DVD and Blu-ray
A few weeks back, we told you about how the New York Times, in their Summer DVD column, let loose the idea that Criterion was working on a collection of Josef Von Sternberg titles, and we now have a complete list of the films, along with supplemental materials and artwork.
- 5/14/2010
- by Ryan Gallagher
- CriterionCast
Musical adventurers reclaim important chapter of black Americana There’s a long tradition of African-Americans playing old-time music, from blues legends Blind Blake, the Reverend Gary Davis and Josh White to artists such as the Mississippi Mud Steppers and Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong, whose early ragtime outfit, the Tennessee Chocolate Drops, has provided a lasting influence—and this modern-day act with its name. The Carolina Chocolate Drops formed in 2005 at the Black Banjo Gathering in Boone, N.C., and since then the young trio has been determined to prove that “black folk were a huge part of the stringband tradition.”...
- 2/24/2010
- Pastemagazine.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.