The final days: StudioCanal on Criterion

The bad news, in case you missed it, is that StudioCanal video titles are no longer part of the Criterion Collection.

The good news comes in the form of a firesale of those classic Euro titles on the Criterion site.

Lionsgate announced its "StudioCanal Collection" in late November, with "Ran," "Lady Killers" and set for Blu-ray release Feb. 16.

The loss of "Ran" and "Contempt" put particularly nasty holes in the Criterion Collection. Let's hope the new "Ran" can keep company with Criterion's outstanding "Kagemusha" Blu-ray of last August.

Lionsgate puts out some interesting titles, but it's not even close to being in Criterion's league when it comes to presentation, supplements and, well, imagination. Lionsgate recently started up "the Meridian Collection" of upscale films. They also brought us the "Saw" franchise.

Criterion said its SC rights expired at the end of March, "despite our efforts to renew." The Tiffany label vowed to continue its pursuit of a relicensing deal, but don't wait for that out in the cold.

Titles going out of print at Criterion are going for $5 off while they last. They include:

• Alphaville
• Pierrot le fou
• Forbidden Games
• Grand Illusion
• The Orphic Trilogy
• Port of Shadows
• Trafic

"Grand Illusion" is Criterion spine No. 1, by the way. Sigh.