Have you ever been recommend a classic film that you went on to find out is out of print or whose most recent release was in a sub HD format? Criterion has you covered, since 1984 they've been restoring and re-releasing classics, underappreciated art-house gems, and critically acclaimed films from world cinema that never found an audience. They also include tons of extras to give new watchers context about the films and returning fans new things to chew on.
Outside of just simply re-releasing films, they've also contributed quite a bit to home video as a whole, they introduced correct aspect ratio letterboxing, directors commentary, multi-disc sets, special editions, and definitive versions. All of these are now standards in the industry thanks to Criterion pioneering them.
Thanks to this company, whether you're a newbie film buff or a seasoned vet looking to expand your collection, the very existence of Criterion has made it easier to find what you're looking for and giving it the respect it deserves.
For those who are interested, Criterion currently releases their films in Regions A and B. For Region A you can get them from your local Barnes and Nobel, Amazon, or the Criterion Website. For Region B, Criterion sells on Amazon UK. (as a disclaimer, they only recently started selling outside the U.S. so not all of their releases are available yet, but will be over time.)
(This isn't meant to be a list topic, so please don't just make a list without any explanation, it adds nothing to the discussion and is against the rules anyway.)
Now, to get the discussion started, i'll include some of my favorite films to have gotten the Criterion treatment
Stalker
A classic piece of Russian cinema and one of my all time favorites that stands out even among director Andrei Tarkovsky's indelible filmography, Stalker transcends its initially sci-fi trappings and becomes something far more psychological and philosophical. It is further elevated by its wonderful use of color and incredible cinematography. The movie is very slow, but totally engrossing. The remaster only increases the beauty of this film and the included interviews are a great listen.
The Seventh Seal
There isn't much to say about this movie that hasn't already been said, it's one of the first movies that made people understand that filmmaking is an art and is one of the best examples of world cinema. It's rightly influenced many filmmakers and is still discussed today. The Criterion release is easily the best way to watch it.
Brazil
Being There
So, which of Criterion's releases are your favorites? What would you like to see them restore?
Outside of just simply re-releasing films, they've also contributed quite a bit to home video as a whole, they introduced correct aspect ratio letterboxing, directors commentary, multi-disc sets, special editions, and definitive versions. All of these are now standards in the industry thanks to Criterion pioneering them.
Thanks to this company, whether you're a newbie film buff or a seasoned vet looking to expand your collection, the very existence of Criterion has made it easier to find what you're looking for and giving it the respect it deserves.
For those who are interested, Criterion currently releases their films in Regions A and B. For Region A you can get them from your local Barnes and Nobel, Amazon, or the Criterion Website. For Region B, Criterion sells on Amazon UK. (as a disclaimer, they only recently started selling outside the U.S. so not all of their releases are available yet, but will be over time.)
(This isn't meant to be a list topic, so please don't just make a list without any explanation, it adds nothing to the discussion and is against the rules anyway.)
Now, to get the discussion started, i'll include some of my favorite films to have gotten the Criterion treatment
Stalker
A classic piece of Russian cinema and one of my all time favorites that stands out even among director Andrei Tarkovsky's indelible filmography, Stalker transcends its initially sci-fi trappings and becomes something far more psychological and philosophical. It is further elevated by its wonderful use of color and incredible cinematography. The movie is very slow, but totally engrossing. The remaster only increases the beauty of this film and the included interviews are a great listen.
The Seventh Seal
There isn't much to say about this movie that hasn't already been said, it's one of the first movies that made people understand that filmmaking is an art and is one of the best examples of world cinema. It's rightly influenced many filmmakers and is still discussed today. The Criterion release is easily the best way to watch it.
Brazil
This was the first of Terry Gilliams movies i'd seen outside of Monty Python and it remains my favorite. It's effortlessly funny, strange, and inventive and, like most of his work, the movie feels downright claustrophobic at times, with many scenes taking place in small overstuffed offices or apartments. It stands today as a brilliant piece of satire that rings a lot truer today than it did when it came out.
Being There
Another piece of classic satire that rings a lot truer today, directed by the late, great Hal Ashby before his downfall, Being There is a very funny look at the ultra rich. The way Peter Sellers Chance basically regurgitates things he's heard on TV and how the politicians and ceos just eat it up and over interpret it is still very funny today.
So, which of Criterion's releases are your favorites? What would you like to see them restore?
Last edited:
