Godzilla in the Criterion Collection?!

[omgitsgodzilla]

That would be cool, but ironically, even Grindhouse can't get a release like that.

[Tyler]

That would be cool, but ironically, even Grindhouse can't get a release like that.

Planet Terror and Death Proof were released together on Blu-ray with all the fake trailers.

[omgitsgodzilla]

...DAMN it, TV Tropes article! -shakes fist- Damn, I'm messing a lot of facts up lately.

[Goji]

In fact, the theatrical version of GRINDHOUSE got a DVD release in Japan years ago. For whatever reason, it never made it's way over here.

/derailment.

[Tyler]

Grindhouse on Blu
http://www.amazon.com/Grindhouse-Two-Di ... 876&sr=1-1

[Proofpoochie]

In fact, the theatrical version of GRINDHOUSE got a DVD release in Japan years ago. For whatever reason, it never made it's way over here.

/derailment.

???

It came out on Blu-ray 2 years ago. I have it.

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Grindhouse-Blu-ray/13607/

[Goji]

I was talking about a DVD release. I'm well aware of the Blu-ray.

[Proofpoochie]

I was talking about a DVD release. I'm well aware of the Blu-ray.

I don't see the point in a DVD release. The film is over 3 hours long. It would be heavily compressed.

[Goji]

*shrugs* Well there was a DVD release, it just wasn't here. It's entirely possible the feature itself was spread out between several disks, but I personally know nothing about it except for the fact that it exists.

The topic is horribly off topic right now..

[g2kmaster]

For the record, Canada did get a DVD release of the double feature version of GRINDHOUSE at the same time we got that blu-ray linked above.

Though back on topic, the only other title I can think of which CM owns which needs a real restoration is Rodan. Heck, I would think the film is "important" enough to be released. Heck, highest grossing science fiction film at the time and all that jazz.

Other than the two I have mentioned, I'd rather have Criterion release some other, non-kaiju titles...

[Daikaiju]

War of the Gargantuas would be a good Blu ray release, I wonder how long we have to wait for that?

[g2kmaster]

War of the Gargantuas would be a good Blu ray release, I wonder how long we have to wait for that?

Write Criterion. If they get enough of a response to think that it would be a proffitable venture, they could make it happen. After all, wasn't GODZILLA one of the highest selling Criterion titles of all time? No doubt if they thought they would be similar numbers, they'd at least consider it. Like I said, It would be great if Criterion released a version of WOTG and MZ which restored the US double feature experience.

[Tamura]

^ It would be great if Criterion could, at the very least, properly restore the US version of MONSTER ZERO.

[Goji]

I'm curious, where did the news first break about GODZILLA being one of Critereon's best sellers? (I originally heard it had the most pre-orders ever for the compay, though Imagined it was some kind of exaggeration). I've never seen a source for any of this stuff.

I agree, Tamura. The changes CM made to MONSTER ZERO are actually pretty obnoxious, on top of the sub par picture.

[Tamura]

There's absolutely no doubt it sold like hotcakes, but there doesn't seem to be any evidence that it was Criterion's best seller or most highly pre-ordered movie.

It seems that CM has put "updated" versions of their imperfect US version presentations on Netflix. MONSTER ZERO has the opening titles properly stretched to Tohoscope (unfortunately, everything else wrong with the reconstruction is retained), GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS! has the Trans World logo added back (matted, though), and the prologue to TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA, already matted to 1.78:1 from a pan-n-scan fullscreen print, has been stretched to the main feature's monstrously wide aspect ratio of 2.57:1.

What I would like more than anything is for all the Toho Classic Medias to revert back to Toho, to be sold/leased to another company like Criterion or Synapse, etc.

[Ethan]

That's awful. I thought with Criterion's restoration we would never see the Godzilla, Kind of the Monsters! video master again.

[Goji]

There's absolutely no doubt it sold like hotcakes, but there doesn't seem to be any evidence that it was Criterion's best seller or most highly pre-ordered movie.

It seems that CM has put "updated" versions of their imperfect US version presentations on Netflix. MONSTER ZERO has the opening titles properly stretched to Tohoscope (unfortunately, everything else wrong with the reconstruction is retained), GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS! has the Trans World logo added back (matted, though), and the prologue to TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA, already matted to 1.78:1 from a pan-n-scan fullscreen print, has been stretched to the main feature's monstrously wide aspect ratio of 2.57:1.

I'm surprised they fixed MONSTER ZERO's titles, but like you said, it still has all the same problems that plague the CM disk. Watching it via streaming will just make it look even worse too.

TERROR's prologue sounds gross looking. I'm already not a fan of it (because it's overlong), but that would just make it unwatchable for me.

What I would like more than anything is for all the Toho Classic Medias to revert back to Toho, to be sold/leased to another company like Criterion or Synapse, etc.

Seriously. I wonder when CM's contract expires...

[kpa]

What I would like more than anything is for all the Toho Classic Medias to revert back to Toho, to be sold/leased to another company like Criterion or Synapse, etc.

Seriously. I wonder when CM's contract expires...

Don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen. Toho considers Classic Media to be continuation of UPA's licensing of these titles which dates back to (at least) the 1980s. CM renewed license back in 2005-06 so the rights likely won't be up for renewal for another 8-10 years (and probably longer). And, as long as CM is willing to pay the periodic renewal fees, Toho will almost definitely let them keep the films. Toho prefers the guaranteed check over the hassle of reaquiring the films and having to sell them again, even though the CM titles would probably be an easier sell than a lot of other Toho movies.

One possible plus to this is that Classic Media, Toho and Criterion have already collaborated on the GODZILLA DVD/Blu-ray so they could do so again if Criterion wanted to release any of the other CM Toho titles. The negative is that Criterion so far isn't interested in any other Godzilla/Toho FX films. Some of the Criterion guys are fans of the Toho "Golden Age" movies like RODAN and THE MYSTERIANS, but the upper management was only interested in GODZILLA.

I'm curious, where did the news first break about GODZILLA being one of Critereon's best sellers? (I originally heard it had the most pre-orders ever for the compay, though Imagined it was some kind of exaggeration). I've never seen a source for any of this stuff.

I suspect that rumor was just a mistake. When it first surfaced I asked Criterion about it and they said they didn't know anything about it.

[Goji]

Rats..thanks for the info kpa. Very much appreciated!

[omgitsgodzilla]

Out of curiosity, beyond a softer picture and digitally reconstructed newspaper headlines, what are the problems with CM's Monster Zero reconstruction?