Max Ophuls Le Plaisir Criterion Collection DVD

Max Ophuls The Earrings of Madame de... Criterion Collection DVD

Yasujiro Ozu An Autumn Afternoon Criterion Collection DVD

Jean-Pierre Melville Le Doulos Criterion Collection DVD

Jean-Pierre Melville Le Deuxieme Souffle Criterion Collection DVD

Robert Altman Short Cuts Criterion Collection DVD

Robert Altman’s 1993 film Short Cuts is based on a screenplay which Robert Altman co-wrote with Frank Barhydt. It was Raymond Carver’s poem and nine short stories that inspired this film albeit the change of Carver’s novel Pacific Northwest backdrop to contemporary Los Angeles setting in this film. The film tells the story of twenty two main characters who seek the meaning of life and solace. How fate and luck intervene in their search. In this vivid adaptation of Raymond Carver short stories not only it was meticulously directed by Robert Altman but also the ensemble cast (won Golden Globe award for best ensemble) deliver fearless performances. Aside from winning the Golden Globe Best Ensemble, Robert Altman Short Cuts other accolades include winning the prestigious Golden Lion and Volpi Cup for Best Ensemble Cast at Venice Film Festival, Academy Award nomination for Best Director and Golden Globe nomination for Best Screenplay.

Editor Geraldine Peroni supervised and Director Robert Altman approved this new high definition digital transfer from a 35mm interpositive struck from the original super 35mm camera negative. MTI Digital Restoration System was utilized to remove scratches, dirt and debris. The soundtrack of this Robert Altman Short Cuts Criterion Collection DVD was mastered at 24-bit from a 35 mm optical track print, and to reduce hiss, clicks, pops and crackle audio restoration tools were used. The transfer is presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and with total running time of 183 minutes.

Special features on this Robert Altman Short Cuts Criterion Collection DVD are:

• High definition digital transfer restoration supervised by Editor Geraldine Peroni and approved by Director Robert Altman


• Special Edition Double Disc features approved by Director Robert Altman


• Isolated music track


• Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound soundtrack


• English subtitle for the deaf and hearing impaired


• Video conversation between Actor Tim Robbins and Director Robert Altman


• Feature-length documentary on the making of Short Cuts; Luck, Trust and Ketchup: Robert Altman in Carver Country


• PBS documentary on the life of Raymond Carver; To Write and Keep Kind


• The development of the screenplay; Segment from BBC Television’s Moving Pictures


• Audio interview with Carver, conducted for the American Audio Prose Library (Length one hour and recorded in 1983)


• Original demo recordings of the Doc Pomus–Mac Rebennack songs (performed by Dr. John)


• Film critic Michael Wilmington’s essay


• Inside look on the marketing of Short Cuts


• Deleted Scenes

Robert Altman Short Cuts feature film credits:

Director - Robert Altman
Producer - Cary Brokaw
Screenplay - Robert Altman and Frank Barhydt
Executive Producer - Scott Bushnell
Director of Photography - Walt Lloyd
Editor - Geraldine Peroni
Production Designer - Stephen Altman
Costumes - John Hay
Original Score - Mark Isham
Music Producer - Hal Willner
Associate Producers - Mike Kaplan and David Levy
Based on Raymond Carver writings

Robert Altman Short Cuts feature film cast:

Ann Finnigan - Andie MacDowell
Howard Finnigan - Bruce Davison
Paul Finnigan - Jack Lemmon
Casey Finnigan - Zane Cassidy
Marian Wyman - Julianne Moore
Dr. Ralph Wyman - Matthew Modine
Claire Kane - Anne Archer
Stuart Kane - Fred Ward
Lois Kaiser - Jennifer Jason Leigh
Jerry Kaiser - Chris Penn
Honey Bush - Lili Taylor
Bill Bush - Robert Downey Jr
Sherri Shepard - Madeleine Stowe
Gene Shepard - Tim Robbins
Doreen Piggot - Lily Tomlin
Earl Piggot - Tom Waits
Betty Weathers - Frances McDormand
Stormy Weathers - Peter Gallagher
Chad Weathers - Jarrett Lennon
Tess Trainer - Annie Ross
Zoe Trainer - Lori Singer
Andy Bitkower - Lyle Lovett
Gordon Johnson - Buck Henry
Vern Miller - Huey Lewis
Aubrey Bell - Danny Darst

Costa-Gavras Missing Criterion Collection DVD

This feature film, Missing, directed by political film maker Costa-Gavras was first released in 1982. Recently (October 2008), Criterion released the 2 Disc set Criterion Edition DVD (feature film total running time 122 minutes) of Costa-Gavras Missing. In this compelling and controversial drama (the feature film ends with a disclaimer from the State Department and also banned in Chile during Augusto Pinochet's regime) based on a book first published as The Execution of Charles Horman: An American Sacrifice (republished in 1982 as Missing). This feature film won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor (jack Lemmon), Best Actress (Sissy Spacek). Other accolades include winner of 1982 Cannes Film Festival Palme D'Or and Best Actor for Jack Lemmon.

The story centres on the mysterious disappearance of American journalist Charles Horman during the 1973 coup in Chile. Both Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek gave powerhouse performances in this emotionally-charged film as the leading roles of Charles Horman parents. As the story unfolds, the parents of Charles Horman are constantly frustrated by bureaucratic dead-ends led by U.S embassy officials. Eventually, uncovering the terrifying truth of Charles Horman's fate. This Criterion Edition DVD of Costa-Gavras Missing is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 therefore the black bars appearance at the top and bottom of the screen is normal.

Director Costa-Gavras supervised and approved this new high-definition digital transfer that was created on a Spirit Datacine from a 35 mm original fine-grain master positive, and color correction with Specter Virtual Datacine. MTI Digital Restoration System was utilized to remove scratches, dirt and debris. The soundtrack of this Criterion Edition of Costa-Gavras Missing was mastered at 24-bit from a 35 mm optical track print, and to reduce hiss, clicks, pops and crackle audio restoration tools were used. Wish the Dolby Digital Mono 1.0 audio signal directed to the centre channel on surround sound system, hence, for a wider sound stage you will need to switch it to two-channel on your surround sound system.


Special features on this Costa-Gavras Missing Criterion Edition DVD are:

• High definition digital transfer restoration


• Video interviews with director Costa-Gavras, Joyce Horman (Charles Horman's wife), producers Edward and Mildred Lewis and Sean Daniel, and Thomas Hauser (author of the book, The Execution of Charles Horman: An American Sacrifice)


• Video interviews from 1982 Cannes Film Festival with director Costa-Gavras, lead actor Jack Lemmon, Ed Horman (Charles Horman's father), and Joyce Horman (Charles Horman's wife)


• Video interviews with Peter Kornbluh (author of the book, The Pinochet File) examining declassified documents pertaining the 1973 military coup in Chile and Charles Horman's case


• Highlights from 2002 Charles Horman Truth Project event paying tribute to the movie Missing, with actors such as Sissy Spacek, John Shea, and Melanie Mayron and others


• A booklet featuring a new essay by critic Michael Wood, an open letter from Terry Simon (Horman family friend), an interview with director Costa-Gavras and the U.S. State Department’s official response to the movie, Missing


• Theatrical trailer

Costa-Gavras Missing feature film credits are:

• Director - Costa-Gavras


• Producers - Sean Daniels, Edward and Mildred Lewis


• Screenplay - Costa-Gavras, Donald Stewart, John Nichols


• Executive Producers - Peter Guber and Jon Peters


• Cinematographer - Ricardo Aronovich


• Production Designer - Peter Jamison


• Editor- Francoise Bonnot


• Costume Designer - Joe I Tompkins


• Casting - Wally Nicita


• Music Composition and Arrangement - Vangelis


• Special Visual Effects - Albert Whitlock

Costa-Gavras Missing feature film cast are:

• Ed Horman - Jack Lemmon


• Beth Horman - Sissy Spacek


• Terry Simon - Melanie Mayron


• Charles Horman - John Shea


• Ray Tower - Charles Cioffi


• Phil Putnam - David Clennon


• U.S Ambassador - Richard Venture


• Colonel Sean Patrick - Jerry Hardin


• Andrew Babcock - Richard Bradford


• Frank Teruggi - Joe Regalbuto


• David Holloway - Keith Szarabajka


• Dave McGeary - John Doolittle


• Kate Newman - Janice Rule