Will Woody Allen's movies ever make HD? - Page 2

Re: Will Woody Allen's movies ever make HD?

You took that rant seriously???
(they don't let me use "smiles" here)
Only the first two points, which you did not quote, were "serious".

It truly is a joke too me that Woody takes to modern movie making, yet not too modern movie sound (like Walt was doing in 1940; hey doesn't Woody like music from the '40's?!?!) . That's the only thing I was aiming for.
Sorry it missed the mark!

EDitEDbyED:
Talk about...
JJ
Hope you get the joke!

Re: Will Woody Allen's movies ever make HD?

If it makes you feel better, Ed, I don't take anything you say very seriously. And why can't you use smilies?

Filmmakers have their quirks. Spielberg insists that his films be edited on a Moviola instead of an Avid or other digital system. Yet no one would call him "anti-modern". And Allen had no problem adopting Dolby's noise reduction techniques and digital delivery systems as soon as they came along. He just isn't interested in multi-channel sound, because it doesn't fit with his personal vision of movie-making.

So what? Just because a tool exists doesn't require a filmmaker to use it. I love the fact that there are still directors who want people staring straight at the screen, with nothing to distract them left, right or behind.

M.

Re: Will Woody Allen's movies ever make HD?

I sure hope so. I always felt Allen's work was a good fit for Criterion. And since the studios seem to not care enough, I can't see why they wouldn't license the films out to Criterion. There may be an issue securing the rights to his more recent films, but something like "Annie Hall", arguably Allen's most beloved movie, is still only represented on disc by that miserable release from the dark ages of DVD. If they won't even remaster an Oscar winner and one of the greatest comedies ever, maybe they'd do well to let another company have a stab at it.

Re: Will Woody Allen's movies ever make HD?

I believe U!
I can't use smily cause they thought I was being too sarcastic.
W/o smiles, now every one thinks I'm too bombastic!
Well said.
I know Woody's feelings on the subject.
Just there's no way "Manhattan" 'feels' like Manhattan when your looking a fantastically shot street scene & the sound is coming only from directly in front of you. It "looks" like Manhattan; it sure don't "sound" like Manhattan.
And Woody above all, should know that.

Nuff said!
(literally!!!)

Re: Will Woody Allen's movies ever make HD?

But Woody Allen's Manhattan has never been the real thing. It's a poetic vision of the place, one that changes from film to film, but that always has a large component of imagination and longing.

In fact, nothing better illustrates the artistry of the camera work in Woody Allen's films than visiting the New York locations he's used (those that still are here). When you see them in real life, you start to realize how artfully they've been transformed into an idealized cityscape that only fully exists in the cinema of Woody Allen.

M.

Re: Will Woody Allen's movies ever make HD?

I thought that the buildings Woody chose for Sleeper were very effective for creating a future mood. The cars, well they looked "B' movie-ish. The Orgasmatron, now that was convincing. I'm sure Woody had to rehease relentlessly for that scene too! The trillions of zillions sold McDonald's sign was the crowning touch. Bravo!

He seems to have an eye for finding the right locales for his films, sometimes, even, even, if there not in New York City.

Re: Will Woody Allen's movies ever make HD?

Just saw Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Lovely movie. Should make a fine Blu-ray release (assuming TWC has its act together and puts it out), but I can't imagine wanting to sit through it in standard-def after seeing a nice theatrical presentation.

(And for what it's worth I didn't once even think about the sound being mono — or essentially mono, as the press kit says it's in Dolby Digital — until I came home and opened this thread!)

Re: Will Woody Allen's movies ever make HD?

Ed, I thought your crack was genius.

Michael, I thought your response about director's intent was also genius.

On a side note to audio, Stanley Kubrick released all his films with the exception of Eyes Wide Shut in mono because he knew how deficient most theater audio systems were at the time.  Releasing in mono meant the best way for everyone to hear everything Kubrick deemed necessary to enjoy his films.  This isn't to say he didn't record multi-channle sound.  It's there, and thankfully, that's why most of his films from 2001 on have been remastered in multi-channle audio.  It could be that Woody Allen feels the same way, but I doubt it. Most likely it's just his way of working.

IIRC, lots of his stuff was UA, and now lives with MGM. Good luck getting them to find the cash for HD transfers these days. . .

I understand that he will not allow any of his films to be released on Blu ray unless they are remastered.

Good, because most of them pre-2000s need to be.

 

True. US distribution of his (directed) films are, as far as I can tell, as follows:

 

Disney

 

Don't Drink the Water

New York Stories

 

DreamWorks

 

Anything Else

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion

Hollywood Ending

Match Point

Small Time Crooks

 

Fox

 

Melinda and Melinda

 

Image

 

What's Up, Tiger Lily?

 

MGM

 

Alice

Annie Hall

Another Woman

Bananas

Broadway Danny Rose

Crimes and Misdemeanors

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex *But Were Afraid to Ask

Hannah and Her Sisters

Interiors

Love and Death

Manhattan

A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy

The Purple Rose of Cairo

Radio Days

September

Shadows and Fog

Sleeper

Stardust Memories

Take the Money and Run

Zelig

 

Miramax

 

Bullets Over Broadway

Celebrity

Everyone Says I Love You

Mighty Aphrodite

 

Sony

 

Husbands and Wives

Manhattan Murder Mystery

Sweet and Lowdown

Whatever Works (already on Blu-ray)

 

Universal

 

Scoop (via Focus Features)

 

Warner

 

Deconstructing Harry (via New Line)

 

Weinstein Co.

 

Cassandra's Dream

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (already on Blu-ray)

 

 

IMO, the MGM ones are a long way off, due to the previously mentioned remastering needed.  I can see DreamWorks releasing Match Point as they've been picking up their catalog releases, and perhaps Sony releasing one or two of theirs (maybe with a cross promotion with his next film which is Sony distributed?). Maybe Warner will get around to releasing their one title since they release a lot of catalog. But all in all.... not much happening. And who knows what the priorities will be (outside of Tarantino films) for the new rights holders of the Miramax catalog.

Edited by Brandon Conway - 8/4/10 at 2:22pm

I believe New York Stories is Touchstone (Disney). 

 

 The Australian release of SCOOP (Icon) is region free.  I own it.

Whoops. Just put it in the wrong spot. Thanks, and corrected.

Sorry. Dupe post 

I'd love a Criterion Blu-ray of Manhattan.

 

I think the problem is that Allen just isn't interested in contributing any extra features which are required to justify the cost of a Criteiron disc.

Oh, I dunno; because we all understand his reticence Criterion could easily make a virtue of it and get by without him, vid Terrence Malik.

Yes, I think a "bare bones" Criterion packaging of the great classic Woody Allen films would be more than acceptable.