Criterion Crazy: August 2024 Releases
Written by Andreas Babiolakis
It’s time for another one of those monthly Criterion Collection announcements, and — while none of these titles are outright bad or even close to mediocre (they’re all good to great) — I was hoping for a bit more of a “wow” from these August titles, considering that they wrap up the summer season, are being announced during the May thirty percent off sale that’s currently happening, and are to be released shortly before the highly popular half-off flash sales that happen every fall. Each of these releases will have their audience, but I don’t know how much of a splash this announcement will make overall; when the 4K upgrade is arguably the best part of an announcement, you know it’s a lukewarm one. Again, all of these films are worth watching for different reasons, but I think this announcement also needed at least one behemoth of a title to tie everything together. Nonetheless, if you’re willing to step outside of your comfort zone — or become instantly obsessed with one particular director-actor (you’ll know what I mean shortly) — then this month may have something for you if you’re willing to branch out a little bit. Let’s check out these fife titles in depth.
The Favourite: Brief Encounters / The Long Farewell: Two Films by Kira Muratova
Of the newer titles, what stood out to me the most is this mini box set of the earliest feature films by Ukrainian icon Kira Muratova. These include Brief Encounters (1967) and The Long Farewell (1971), which are available on both Blu-ray and DVD (and at a reasonable price point considering what you’re getting). The one thing that sets this release back a bit (otherwise, I think this is a must-have for those who want to try something different) are the fairly slim features: three interviews (one archival one with filmmaker Muratova, and two with film scholars about these works) and a signature Criterion essay (this time from critic Jessica Kiang). I’m hoping this release introduces more cinephiles to this underrated director nonetheless.
Buy Brief Encounters / The Long Farewell: Two Films by Kira Muratova Here
Can We Have More Albert Brooks?: Real Life (1979)
Of Albert Brooks’ most interesting projects as a director, you’d have to rank his debut, Real Life, fairly highly due to the meta-satirical nature of this mockumentary comedy. It’s now yours to own in the Criterion Collection, and on both 4K and Blu-ray to boot. The features are quite standard, with a few interviews, and a 3D trailer (I wonder if that’s exactly what it sounds like, and, if so, that sounds like a first for Criterion). I can’t help but wonder if Brooks has some sort of connection with Criterion, given that his films Defending Your Life and Lost in America are already in the Collection, and now we have his debut here as well. Only four more Brooks-directed films to go!
Ask And You Shall Receive: Mother (1996)
Actually, make that three Brooks-directed films to go. Oddly enough, Criterion saw fit to release two Albert Brooks titles in one month and not in a box set; wouldn’t it make more sense to spread them out a bit (besides, Brooks’ birthday is in July, if we’re going to celebrate the man at this level let’s do so at the right time). Mother is a more touching film by Brooks starring the late, beloved icon Debbie Reynolds, and you can get this title on 4K and Blu-ray. If this sounds like deja vu, the features are quite similar to those of Real Life, including interviews and an essay (no 3D trailer here, mind you). Mother is one of Brooks’ stronger films, so it may be a good place to start if you’re considering a blind buy.
Under-Seen Choice: Not a Pretty Picture (1875)
I’m always happy to celebrate a titan of film like Martha Coolidge, and her docudrama, feature film debut, Not a Pretty Picture, may serve as a good starting point for those who are curious. Available on Blu-ray and DVD, Not a Pretty Picture is a harrowing, important film about the repercussions of abuse in a way that transcends film in a conventional sense. Decades later, and this thought-provoking, effective film is still necessary to understand because its talking points are still falling on deaf ears. This release includes another Coolidge work (the documentary Old-Fashioned Woman [1974]), an interview with Coolidge, and an essay from critic Molly Haskell. This is a challenging film but a must for those who know the stakes.
It’s Time to Upgrade: The Last Emperor (1987)
My favourite film here is already a Criterion mainstay, so chances are you already own The Last Emperor with its iconic box art. It may have been one of the earliest Criterion titles you ever bought. Nonetheless, you can now get Bernardo Bertolucci’s masterpiece in 4K, which is fantastic to hear. This title is stuffed with features like always, including both the theatrical and television versions (which differ in length), documentaries about the production process, interviews, essays (yes, more than one), the film The Italian Traveler, Bernardo Bertolucci, and more. This is a giant of a release, and will be even more of one in that sweet 4K format (for those who are unaware, The Last Emperor is one of the most stunning films ever shot, thanks to the legendary cinematographer Vittorio Storaro). As someone who has already owned The Last Emperor for years, I’m running to pick this up in 4K (the Blu-ray and DVD formats are currently still available).
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.