Brandon Burke Posted January 30, 2004 Author Report Posted January 30, 2004 Back to the original post, as I understand Playtime has not been reissued yet, just the other two. I just saw Playtime like two days ago. It was definately reissued. Believe me. I pay attention to these things. Hi Brandon, It's very odd. I just looked at the Criterion New Release page, and Playtime is not listed, but Hulot's Holiday & Mon Oncle are listed. Playtime is also not listed under Coming Soon. I also just looked at Amazon, and the only copies of Playtime available are used copies of the original Criterion DVD - cheapest price is $75. My guess is that various copies of the previous DVD edition are being sold as used, because everyone is expecting that Criterion will soon be releasing the new version. Some could be in mint condition, as I think people bought up copies when Criterion announced that it would be going OOP, to sell later. Also, it is possible that that was an original release that has simply never sold. Hmmmm..... You're right. All I can say it that my local shop had "just sold one the other day" according to the guy at the counter. They had several copies of Mon Oncle sitting out and when I asked him if they had any Hulots he said it wasn't showing up in thier system but that indeed that had just sold a copy of Playtime. What does all of this mean? I have no idea. Quote
Jazzmoose Posted January 30, 2004 Report Posted January 30, 2004 Brandon- I just got an email from Critic's Choice concerning my order. The other two movies are listed as "in stock", but M. Hulot's Holiday is "backordered", so perhaps it hasn't been released quite yet? Quote
Adam Posted January 30, 2004 Report Posted January 30, 2004 (edited) Brandon- I just got an email from Critic's Choice concerning my order. The other two movies are listed as "in stock", but M. Hulot's Holiday is "backordered", so perhaps it hasn't been released quite yet? Is this Critic's Choice? http://www.ccvideo.com/ I just searched. They list Mr. Hulot's Holiday and Mon Oncle, but no Playtime. Do a search on either of the first two, then click on Tati to see all his films that are available. If they have used DVDs, then I can't speak to it. They do mention a film coming out on 10 Feb called "Playtime Maisy" but it has no information, and must be a kids film (or porn). Here is Criterion's Home Page: http://www.criterionco.com/asp/ I simply assert that in the United States of America, there is currently no "in print" Criterion DVD of "Playtime." I might go further, and assert that in the USA there is no non-Criterion "Playtime" DVD in print. Used copies can be had for $75 and up. But I would wait to see if Criterion comes out with a new edition using the extended version of the film. That said, I ditto what Brandon said about enjoying a Tati film earlier. I took a woman to see "Hulot's Holiday" once at LACMA 2 or 3 years ago. A date. She had "Never seen a black & white film" before. She loved it. That was a full house in a theatre. I've never seen a Tati film on DVD, so I can't speak as to whether it doesn't play as well at home. However, I definitely believe that some films (many films) play better in theatres. I'm also a purist, and try to see every film for the first time at least in a theatre (But I live in Los Angeles and can see most things). But I certainly think it might be possible that the Tati films work best with a crowd. Playtime is a scope film, composed for scope, and if you see it shrunk, or pan & scanned, you will actually lose some jokes. I think Sturges films play better with a crowd as well, and I love his films, and have them on tape. Edited January 30, 2004 by Adam Quote
Jazzmoose Posted January 30, 2004 Report Posted January 30, 2004 Sorry, Adam; my post was confusing due to it's placement in the middle of y'alls discussion. I meant the other two movies that I ordered were in stock, not the other two Tati movies mentioned in the thread. Quote
Jazzmoose Posted February 5, 2004 Report Posted February 5, 2004 Speaking of which, I just got an email today that informed me that the other two movies I ordered have shipped, but NOT M. Hulot's Holiday. It must not be out yet... Quote
Brandon Burke Posted February 5, 2004 Author Report Posted February 5, 2004 Speaking of which, I just got an email today that informed me that the other two movies I ordered have shipped, but NOT M. Hulot's Holiday. It must not be out yet... I've been checking at Tower everyday (since it's on my route back to the bus stop) and they got it in sometime in the last three or four days. They hadn't had it prior to that. It didn't occur to me to check for the other two. Anyways, it's definately out. I done seed it m'self.... Quote
Jazzmoose Posted February 5, 2004 Report Posted February 5, 2004 Great news! Now I just have to sit here and wait and wish I'd tried Amazon instead! Quote
BruceH Posted February 5, 2004 Report Posted February 5, 2004 But I would wait to see if Criterion comes out with a new edition using the extended version of the film. I sure hope they do. Quote
Brandon Burke Posted February 5, 2004 Author Report Posted February 5, 2004 (edited) But I would wait to see if Criterion comes out with a new edition using the extended version of the film. I sure hope they do. Two things: 1. The (US) DVD was a Criterion in the first place. 2. They already said on their website that the Tati reissues would be straight reissues of the earlier copies. This is not a problem as Hulot includes the celebrated short Jour de Fete as well as other stuff. And the transfers are great. Edited February 5, 2004 by Brandon Burke Quote
Adam Posted February 5, 2004 Report Posted February 5, 2004 But I would wait to see if Criterion comes out with a new edition using the extended version of the film. I sure hope they do. Two things: 1. The (US) DVD was a Criterion in the first place. 2. They already said on their website that the Tati reissues would be straight reissues of the earlier copies. This is not a problem as Hulot includes the celebrated short Jour de Fete as well as other stuff. And the transfers are great. Good points. They were all Criterions before. Jour de Fete is great. Counterpoints: 1. On the website, they only announced that Mr. Hulot's Holiday & Mon Oncle would be straight reissues. They haven't made any announcement as regards to Playtime. For all we know, they may never reissue Playtime. 2. Criterion is willing do redo their DVDs - witness the reissue of The Seven Samurai. 3. It's not a secret that there is a new extended cut, and Criterion is usually conscientious enough to go for the latest version. Quote
Adam Posted February 6, 2004 Report Posted February 6, 2004 Look what's popped up on the Criterion site: Charade Back in Print for 2004 After being unavailable for nearly three years, Criterion's DVD of Stanley Donen's classic spy thriller Charade is coming back in print this spring. The Charade re-release will feature an all-new 16x9-enhanced high-definition digital transfer, in addition to all the supplements featured on the original release. Look for Charade in April of this year. But still nothing about PLAYTIME. But they are bringing out 3 Women by Altman in April. That's one of my favorite films. Quote
Brandon Burke Posted February 10, 2004 Author Report Posted February 10, 2004 My copy of Hulot finally came in today. I'm throwing it on in T minus 5.....4.....3.....2..... Quote
Brandon Burke Posted February 10, 2004 Author Report Posted February 10, 2004 (edited) BTW: I agree about Charade. Among other things, the opening credits are a graphic designer's dream. The first time a watched it I called my brother (a graphic designer) immediately..... And no. I'm not going to gush over Audrey Hepburn. I'm an Ingrid Bergman man. Edited February 10, 2004 by Brandon Burke Quote
Jazzmoose Posted February 17, 2004 Report Posted February 17, 2004 My copy of Hulot finally came in today. I'm throwing it on in T minus 5.....4.....3.....2..... Great for you, Brandon... My package arrived today, I ripped it open, and inside was the George Clooney version of Solaris. I'm not a happy camper right now... Quote
BruceH Posted February 18, 2004 Report Posted February 18, 2004 What a bummer! My sympathies, Moose. Quote
Brandon Burke Posted May 26, 2004 Author Report Posted May 26, 2004 [Repost from the Film Corner] I just got back from seeing a gorgeous 70mm print of Jacques Tati's Playtime. I had already seen it several times--I'm something of a Tati fanatic--but never on the big screen. And it's a significant difference, especially with so much going on at once. His films never fail to put me in a fantasctic mood. I think I might see it again before the screening is over on Thrusday night... Quote
Brandon Burke Posted May 26, 2004 Author Report Posted May 26, 2004 I dunno, it just seems lighter-than-light to me, and I think I need some kind of counterweight to hold my interest, some dark side, or something. Ineresting you say this because Playtime takes his anti-technology thing to an almost depressing level....that is, until the restaurant scene wherin humanity gloriously and hap-hazzardly triumphs! Quote
Adam Posted May 26, 2004 Report Posted May 26, 2004 [Repost from the Film Corner] I just got back from seeing a gorgeous 70mm print of Jacques Tati's Playtime. I had already seen it several times--I'm something of a Tati fanatic--but never on the big screen. And it's a significant difference, especially with so much going on at once. His films never fail to put me in a fantasctic mood. I think I might see it again before the screening is over on Thrusday night... Probably the same one I saw in L.A a few months ago - it is amazing? The subtletoes (and not so subtleties) are just so grand - sound cues, window reflections. The humor is in the details. Given how most comedy is too heavy-handed, I could see how people might not get into it - it's a different way to watch a film. Still no Playtime on the Criterion site. Quote
Brandon Burke Posted May 26, 2004 Author Report Posted May 26, 2004 (edited) Indeed. I still intrigued by the way that Tati came to increasingly enjoy faking out the audiuence as his career continued. This really came to a head in Playtime wherin there are a number of false Hulots, actions that appear like they are going to be the "primary" action sequences on the screen (but, in the end, are not), and especially the (frankly quite avant-garde) nightime window sequence. I love the way that Tati sets up the viewer and leads him to believe that there is going to be a quasi-striptease (through the two apartments) but ultimately doesn't deliver. Instead, he allows the guy with the dog (and the broken nose) to become the primary action; leaving behind the the striptease that he so carefully set up, as if to say "Yea, I could have gone there but.....y'know". The more I think about it, the more I want to go back on Thrusday. Edited May 26, 2004 by Brandon Burke Quote
sal Posted October 14, 2006 Report Posted October 14, 2006 For all you Tati fans, Criterion has finally re-issued "Playtime". Quote
tjobbe Posted October 14, 2006 Report Posted October 14, 2006 and for those who love the music as well a nice french trio Bass/Drums/vibes and this is available at emusic for download... as regular CD, I've never seen it before. Cheers, Tjobbe Quote
brownie Posted February 23, 2010 Report Posted February 23, 2010 Tati has his official website now: Tativille Quote
_forumlogo.png.a607ef20a6e0c299ab2aa6443aa1f32e.png)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.