By MICHAEL GINGOLD
Two of the most disturbing and provocative films in history are coming to Criterion Collection Blu-ray; read on for the complete specs and cover art.
Criterion releases Michael Haneke’s original FUNNY GAMES May 14 and David Lynch’s BLUE VELVET (pictured) May 28; both titles will be issued on new DVDs as well. FUNNY GAMES, Haneke’s study of violence involving a family terrorized by a couple of cleancut young men, will be presented in a new 2K digital restoration supervised by the director, presented in 1.85:1 widescreen with 5.1 Surround DTS-HD Master Audio on the Blu-ray. Special features are:
- New interviews with Haneke and actor Arno Frisch
- New interview with film historian Alexander Horwath
- Press conference from the 1997 Cannes Film Festival featuring Haneke and actors Susanne Lothar and Ulrich Mühe
- Trailer
- New English subtitle translation
- PLUS: An essay by critic Bilge Ebiri
Retail prices are $39.95 for the Blu-ray, $29.95 for the DVD. BLUE VELVET, Lynch’s classic plunge into darkness pitting Kyle McLachlan’s naive young hero against Dennis Hopper’s memorably maniacal antagonist, has been given a new 4K digital restoration in 2.35:1 widescreen, with 5.1 Surround DTS-HD Master Audio on the Blu-ray, both supervised by Lynch. The bonus features are:
- “BLUE VELVET” REVISITED, a feature-length meditation on the making of the film by Peter Braatz, filmed on set during the production
- “The Lost Footage,” 51 minutes of deleted scenes and alternate takes assembled by Lynch
- MYSTERIES OF LOVE, a 70-minute documentary from 2002 on the making of the film
- Alternate original stereo soundtrack
- Trailer
And more. Retail prices are $39.95 for the Blu-ray, $29.95 for the two-DVD edition. Both titles can be pre-ordered at discounts at the Criterion website.
