Criterion Crazy: February 2025 Releases
Written by Andreas Babiolakis
We’ve arrived at the second Criterion Collection announcement for 2025, and we’ve got some interesting choices to say the least. Some of the below titles have that Criterion thumbprint all over them, given their place in cinema and importance either as experimental projects or independent releases (let’s not forget the big names attached to them, either). We have a film here that maybe would have made far less sense ten years ago, but, seeing as Criterion has been expanding its ouvre for years, a simple rom-com may not be the biggest surprise anymore. We also have two upgrades to 4K, and these works are fan favourites for sure. Overall, I’m quite pleased with this batch of announced titles, but I’m also not falling out of my seat with this group either (although my selection for the best film of the group is one I am glad is finally in the Criterion Collection, so consider me chuffed in this respect). Let’s take a look.
The Favourite: Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
Unquestionably my favourite film by Gus Van Sant, Drugstore Cowboy is a phenomenal entry in the New Queer Movement, a then-modern take on counterculture cinema, and an onslaught of the senses. Featuring a career-best performance by Matt Dillon (you can see why this role was his breakthrough), Drugstore Cowboy is an unforgettable ride that has been begging to be in the Criterion Collection. Now that it’s finally here on Blu-ray and in 4K (the latter I’ve got to see), you’ve got some features to look forward to. There’s audio commentary with both Van Sant and Dillon, interviews with cinematographer Robert Yeoman and actor Kelly Lynch, and an extensive making-of. Toss in a signature Criterion essay (this time by author Jon Raymond) and some deleted scenes (which may be more of your taste than it was ever mine), and you’ve got a nice little treat of a release to look forward to.
What the Fuck?: King Lear (1987)
I say this as a massive fan of the late Jean-Luc Godard: his version of King Lear is batshit insane. If you ever wanted to see what one of his more anarchistic films looks like — as well as what may be the largest antithesis for what an adaptation can be — then King Lear may be right up your alley. It is staunchly avant-garde and challenging, so if you were curious about trying a Godard film for the first time, you will certainly be better off trying his best works like Breathless or Contempt. If you are a Godard nut like myself, then his King Lear has to be seen to be believed; it’s as cryptic as cinema gets. This film is available on Blu-ray and DVD (I can only imagine how badly scrambled your brain would get if this was watched as a 4K copy). Unsurprisingly, King Lear may have the fewest features of any Criterion release in recent memory, likely because there just isn’t much you can make with this film. What you do get, however, is an audio recording of the 1987 Cannes Film Festival press conference surrounding this film (which, to be fair, may make the film make even less sense to you), and interviews with star Molly Ringwald (yes, she’s actually in this), coscreenwriter Peter Sellars (no, not Peter Sellers), and The New Yorker critic Richard Brody (who is famously a fan of this film); the latter also penned an essay for this release, which seems like it’d be a delight to read. Just a reminder, if you’re a fan of William Shakespeare and you’re expecting King Lear in any sort of traditional sense, you couldn’t be more wrong.
D’awwww: Crossing Delancey (1988)
Sure, why not. Joan Micklin Silver’s romantic comedy, Crossing Delancey, is finally in the Criterion Collection, which may be the thought only a handful of fans of the Collection are thinking right now. Still, for those select few who feel like this easy-to-find film needed the treatment (or for Criterion fans who don’t always want challenging, artsy, difficult watches), we’ve got this sweet, tender film to pick up on Blu-ray or 4K (I suppose the latter would make the most sense as to why one would want to pick up Crossing Delancey via Criterion). While not quite as slim as the features for King Lear, Crossing Delancey also has a couple of things to look forward to for fans of the film, including a making-of featurette, a retro interview with Silver from 1988, and an essay by critic Rachel Syme; there’s also the film’s trailer, for those who want that. Before I sound too cynical, I do want to point out — with sincerity — the wonderful box art for this film that sells the idea that this is a release that will foster a personal connection with those who like it. It’s exquisite.
Come Get Your Cult Classic: Performance (1970)
Here’s Performance: a wild film by Donald Cammell and Nicolas Roeg (the latter is already a massive presence in the Criterion Collection, with films like Walkabout, Don’t Look Now, and The Man Who Fell to Earth being staples; in fact, this is Roeg’s directorial debut of a feature film). If you want to see a counterculture film featuring crime, chaos, and Mick Jagger acting, Performance will make for one hell of an unpredictable blind buy (especially if you feel seasoned with the more popular, aforementioned Roeg films already). Available on Blu-ray and 4K, Performance has more features than the previously two mentioned Criterion releases on this list. You’ve got a documentary about director Cammell, a making-of featurette, a “visual essay” on dialect coach David Litvinoff (that’s different), a documentary featuring the stars of Performance, a look at the dialogue overdubbing conducted for the film when Performance was being released to American audiences, two essays (now, we’re getting greedy), and additional behind-the-scenes goodness. Phew! This released is stuffed with hours of content.
It’s Time to Upgrade: Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
As the years come and go, the reputation that Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love has only continues to rise. Even though I’m sure fans would want even more PTA films in the Collection, I don’t think anyone will be complaining about a 4K upgrade of this particular title (in fact, I guarantee it’ll be a hot item for years to come, as the film already was insanely popular amongst Criterion collectors). With all the same features presented before on Blu-ray and DVD (and there are many), you cannot go wrong with Punch-Drunk Love: a different look at how romance and self-reflection can appear on the big screen.
Let’s Keep Upgrading: Cronos (1993)
As Guillermo del Toro’s works continue to enter the collection (he’s been a mainstay for many years at this point), it only makes sense that he would also be getting the 4K treatment. It makes sense that his feature-length debut, Cronos, would be preserved and re-released, given that it’s the film that likely needed the most tending to. It’s here in all of its 4K glory now. If you are new to the films of del Toro, I’d point you towards Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water, but Cronos has a strong reputation amongst Criterion and horror fans for a reason, should you dare.
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.