Criterion streaming Godzilla films + Criterion Showa Box Set

[omgitsgodzilla]

Universal, if memory serves, doesn’t seem to mind sub-licensing less prestigious titles to other people if they can’t be bothered doing anything with them themselves. I think Shout! Factory has released a fair amount of older Universal-owned genre titles, and Criterion’s released Universal films ranging from cult stuff like Repo Man to higher-profile films like Moonrise Kingdom and The Breakfast Club. I wouldn’t hold my breath for them to acquire KKvG, but it’s not entirely outside the realm of possibility

[Goji]

Universal couldn't even be bothered to release it on VHS themselves, and sub-licensed it to Goodtimes; who then released it on an EP mode VHS in 1987, and called it a day. It never even made it to LaserDisc, since Goodtimes didn't dabble in the format.

There's two (obvious) things to take away from this.

1) Universal has never really cared about this movie. Goodtimes released the movie *twice* (the first DVD release from '98 is from them), and it wasn't until 2005 that Universal actually created a new transfer for that barbones DVD release. They did the same thing again in 2014, and rather surprisingly, made another new transfer for the Blu-Ray release. In short, they care enough to cash-in on new Kong or Godzilla movies, but otherwise, the higher ups hardly consider it one of their 'classic' monster movies.

2) Like omgitsgodzilla pointed out, Universal seem to be pretty cool with sub-licensing their titles, so if a company like Criterion inquired about it, I can't imagine that they'd refuse. They could easily re-release their 2014 BD release in 2020 in new packaging with a potential Criterion release also on the market, and it wouldn't impact sales. Your casual Walmart buyer that pulls KKvG out of the bargain bin probably couldn't care less about a version that costs like $30, no matter what's on it. They just wanna ride a nostalgia wave, and see a "cheesy monster movie with bad dubbing".

There are also plenty of instances of there being a 'deluxe' release for a film (usually from Shout/Scream Factory), and a barebones release from a major studio, on the market at the same time.

[Joseph Goodman]

The new master for the BD is because the one used on the DVD was destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire, which destroyed a lot of Universal video masters.

[Space Hunter M]

The new master for the BD is because the one used on the DVD was destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire, which destroyed a lot of Universal video masters.

Was that actually 1080 line or just 576 line on account of the PAL DVD? (I know the UK DVD isn't an upscale cause it's got a sliver of picture info you can't see in the NTSC disc).

[Joseph Goodman]

Wouldn't know about it being HD or PAL/NTSC; the source of the "old master got burned in 2008" story was Jameson281 (I think that's Gary Teetzel, who works for MGM) over on the Classic Horror FIlmboard.

[mikelcho]

My guess is that G vs. Megalon will be the same as the Media Blasters/Tokyo Shock release: the unedited Japanese version with both English subtitles and the unedited English dubbing. Am I right, I hope?

It could be, but it might not be the exact same masters. Criterion tends to remaster their releases themselves.

That'll make them even better than the first releases! I mean it, can it possibly get any better than this?

[omgitsgodzilla]

Are you trying to place your reply on a specific post, like on Facebook/Reddit comments? Because I don't think there's a way to do that.

[mikelcho]

Actually, I'm trying to remove the one that's now above "Added in 3 minutes 26 seconds" and everything below that one. Can anyone help me out here?

[2009MECHAGODZILLA]

Actually, I'm trying to remove the one that's now above "Added in 3 minutes 26 seconds" and everything below that one. Can anyone help me out here?

Just edit the post and delete everything you don't want in it

[mikelcho]

Thank you! That was a big help.

[Mr_Goji_and_Watch]

They're gonna be on Filmstruck on the 8th.

[LegendZilla]

They're gonna be on Filmstruck on the 8th.

What’s Filmstruck?

[omgitsgodzilla]

It’s the main streaming platform Criterion uses for their films.

[LegendZilla]

It’s the main streaming platform Criterion uses for their films.

Is it available to watch in Canada?

[Goji]

Who knows. Do some research and check their website.

[LegendZilla]

Who knows. Do some research and check their website.

I read a source from a year ago stating that they desired to do so.

[Rody]

https://twitter.com/criterionchannl/sta ... 9946459137
What's interesting is they mention fourteen films for streaming. Are they simply including Rodan & Gargantuas in there as Godzilla films, and maybe King of the Monsters separately?

[Joseph Goodman]

Yes, counting Rodan, WoTG, and KoTM as a separate film from Gojira, you get 14 titles.

[LegendZilla]

Universal couldn't even be bothered to release it on VHS themselves, and sub-licensed it to Goodtimes; who then released it on an EP mode VHS in 1987, and called it a day. It never even made it to LaserDisc, since Goodtimes didn't dabble in the format.

There's two (obvious) things to take away from this.

1) Universal has never really cared about this movie. Goodtimes released the movie *twice* (the first DVD release from '98 is from them), and it wasn't until 2005 that Universal actually created a new transfer for that barbones DVD release. They did the same thing again in 2014, and rather surprisingly, made another new transfer for the Blu-Ray release. In short, they care enough to cash-in on new Kong or Godzilla movies, but otherwise, the higher ups hardly consider it one of their 'classic' monster movies.

2) Like omgitsgodzilla pointed out, Universal seem to be pretty cool with sub-licensing their titles, so if a company like Criterion inquired about it, I can't imagine that they'd refuse. They could easily re-release their 2014 BD release in 2020 in new packaging with a potential Criterion release also on the market, and it wouldn't impact sales. Your casual Walmart buyer that pulls KKvG out of the bargain bin probably couldn't care less about a version that costs like $30, no matter what's on it. They just wanna ride a nostalgia wave, and see a "cheesy monster movie with bad dubbing".

There are also plenty of instances of there being a 'deluxe' release for a film (usually from Shout/Scream Factory), and a barebones release from a major studio, on the market at the same time.

Another possibility is maybe Universal buying out Criterion outright.

[omgitsgodzilla]

I don't know what Criterion's exact current situation is - I know they have some ongoing deals with major studios - but if they're currently not owned by anyone, I think it's probably better that they stay that way. The fact that they don't seem to be directly beholden to a larger company with a vested interest in pushing its own product is pretty vital to their credibility as sort of a highbrow label.