by August » Thu Nov 15, 2007 7:30 pm
THE BLOB was released in the early days of DVD, so that would explain the single-layer-bare-bones approach. Although Criterion is now remastering their back catalogue as we have seen with SEVEN SAMURAI, etc. So, it's possible that some titles like THE BLOB could be in the pipeline for redux editions.
I'm not sure that these Japanese titles would be issued under Criterion's Eclipse label (which was launched back in January), as they are handling "prestige" director box sets, which doesn't indicate that they would suddenly release THE X FROM OUTER SPACE. Meanwhile, Criterion, itself, is currently releasing more oddball genre titles, as I outlined above, and deluxe editions of forgotten genre titles like ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS.
But, anything is certainly possible. We'll have to wait and see...
(BTW, Eclipse has already released a wonderful box set of Yasujiro Ozu, "Late Ozu," which contains EARLY SPRING, THE END OF SUMMER, EQUINOX FLOWER and LATE AUTUMN -- highly recommended for those truly interested in Japanese Cinema. I can't wait for the "Postwar Kurosawa" box set, which will contain I LIVE IN FEAR, THE IDIOT, NO REGRETS FOR OUR YOUTH, ONE WONDERFUL SUNDAY and SCANDAL.)
August Ragone
Showa GAMERA Special Features Producer
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