Criterion Crazy: January 2025 Releases
Written by Andreas Babiolakis
While we are still wrapping up 2024 all over the world, the Criterion Collection has already moved on to its first 2025 releases. While everyone’s favourite preservationists and distributors of cinematic, physical media usually make big statements to kick off events or new calendars, this first announcement for 2025 is a little bit lopsided, with one of the most demanded films finally making its way into the Collection alongside a bit of a head-scratcher. There may be something for everybody here and still a bit to love, and perhaps the one new film makes enough of a splash for the whole announcement (also, the sole 4K upgrade is great as well). Let’s get started.
The Favourite: The Mother and the Whore (1973)
After the prime years of the French New Wave movement, Jean Eustache released what is frequently thought to be his magnum opus: the three-hour-forty-minute masterpiece The Mother and the Whore. Originally a nearly impossible film to watch legally due to its scarceness, The Mother and the Whore made some theatrical rounds in remastered form last year; that should have been the obvious hint we all needed. Here it is now available in the Criterion Collection after many years of being one of the most requested titles to be given the Criterion treatment. Just to ensure that this film is actually reachable to all cinephiles, The Mother and the Whore is actually getting released on 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD (Criterion has been a bit selective about what new releases will appear on DVD nowadays). There isn’t much features wise, outside of an interview with actor Françoise Lebrun, a recording of a segment from Pour le cinéma about the film, and a conversation with Jean-Pierre Gorin and Rachel Kushner about the film, but I think just having The Mother and the Whore finally be in the Collection is enough of a reason to celebrate.
Giddy Up: Winchester ‘73 (1950)
Before the Western genre of old broke out into the revisionist works of either the American or Spaghetti variety a decade later, there were some Golden Age Westerns that showed signs of what were to come. Enter Anthony Mann’s Winchester ‘73, starring Jimmy Stewart in a terrific performance. This is not just your typical lone ranger kind of film: it evokes enough noir elements to showcase an interest in inherent violence and moral dilemmas. Available on 4K and Blu-ray, Winchester ‘73 is a must for any fans of either genre (or even Jimmy Stewart aficionados who may have overlooked this great film). There are very few bonus features, but each of them sound fascinating. There’s a 1951 Lux Radio Theatre adaptation of the film next to an interview with programmer Adam Piron on the shifting treatment of indigenous characters and actors in the Western genre. The biggest treat appears to be audio commentary with — get this — Jimmy Stewart and film historian Paul Lindenschmidt that can be played throughout the film. Now that sounds like a must; I’m not sure when the recording was made, but I’m sure it’s delightful either way.
Sure, Why Not: Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling (1986)
Some films make more sense as artifacts and time capsules than actual sources of entertainment or art. Such is the case with the lone film comedian titan Richard Pryor directed, Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling. While not the strongest film ever made, there’s something interesting about seeing a feature length creation by the legend — especially considering the turmoil (including nearly dying) he was experiencing in his life around the time of this film (you can feel his frustration come out here). At least for that reason alone (if not to have something for the biggest Richard Pryor fans, of which there are many), this film makes sense to preserve and nurture (besides, that cover art is quite special, isn’t it). Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling is available on 4K and Blu-ray and features Richard Pryor’s appearance on The Dick Cavett Show, an interview with director Robert Townsend about the film, and some written thoughts by critic Hilton Als that I’m sure will bring even more context and purpose to this release.
Just in Time for Noir November: The Grifters (1990)
While Stephen Frears may be more synonymous with the safer, crowd-pleasing works of late, there was a time where his films had some bite. Enter The Grifters: a major film within the neo-noir movement of the nineties. Oddly enough, this film — available on 4K and Blu-ray — is the one this month that has the most bonus features that will really make picking this title up worthwhile. Just the audio commentary with Frears, actors John Cusack and Anjelica Huston, and screenwriter Donald E. Westlake feel worthwhile on their own; for any Annette Bening fans wondering where her moment is, she has her own interview that is included. There are a couple of making-of documentaries, plus the inclusion of The Jim Thompson Story which covers the author of the source material novel. If you’re wanting to make a blind buy this month, The Grifters is a safe bet for most cinephiles.
It’s Time to Upgrade: Yojimbo / Sanjuro: Two Samurai Films by Akira Kurosawa
With the recent upgrade of Seven Samurai to 4K, it appears that maybe there are more Akira Kurosawa films getting such treatment down the pipeline. Next up are two samurai classics: the monumental Yojimbo and its wonderful sequel Sanjuro. Possessing the same features as before (commentary, making-of featurettes, essays, et cetera), this already highly popular box set will now be flying off the shelves again for a whole new reason: these two classics will be available on jaw-dropping 4K. I don’t think I need to sell you on this any more.
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Toronto Metropolitan University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.