Criterion Crazy: September 2024 Releases
Written by Andreas Babiolakis
I awaited this Criterion Collection announcement with baited breath considering it is the first since Steven Rales bought both Criterion and Janus Films. I thought this would be a good indication of where the company would be heading should it change, or if it would remain the same as it always was in our eyes. Now, perhaps it may be a bit too early to tell, since it takes a long process to obtain the rights to release films, to properly remaster them, and et cetera. Maybe these films were set in stone from months ago. We can keep a close eye on future announcements just to be safe, but for now this is the first batch of films being released since we were all on edge following the news of Criterion’s predicament. How do these films fare? Quite well, I should say. Quite well indeed. We have a few ways that Criterion is making the most of Pride Month this year — particularly with the eventual release of a certain director’s works — and a few other fan favourites have found their way into the collection. Before I forget, I believe this is the first time that every single film from a Criterion announcement is available in 4K, which is even stronger assurance. If anything, every single film here is an indication of how Criterion listens to its demographic: maybe a way to ease our fears of the organization from this point on. In short, this month’s announcement is terrific, and we should probably get started as to how it is.
The Favourite: Gregg Araki’s Teen Apocalypse Trilogy
While I’m not as huge of a fan of Gregg Araki as others are (including Films Fatale contributor James Bunn, who will get a shout out here because I know the weight of this news for him), I cannot shake off the importance and size of the announcement that three of his most beloved films are now in the Criterion Collection as a part of a blistering new box set. Titled Gregg Araki’s Teen Apocalypse Trilogy, the iconic New Queer Cinema auteur’s box set includes Totally Fucked Up (1993), The Doom Generation (1995), and Nowhere (1997): three films with cult followings in desparate need of preservation and remastering. This box set is gorgeous, with a sensational layout infused with nineties-rich colours, and Araki’s films will similarly be just as stunning as they are now available in 4K (!); Blu-ray is an option as well. That’s not all, folks. The features are quite stacked. We kick off with a conversation between Araki and another director who stuck by his grassroots approach in the nineties (Richard Linklater), a slew of audio commentary tracks, and a documentary on the conception of the entire trilogy. Furthermore, we have a Q&A with Araki moderated by Gus Van Sant and Andrew Ahn, an essay by critic Nathan Lee, and a conversation between Araki and actor James Duval. If that’s not enough for you, how about a copy of The Doom Generation comic book? I thought so. Even if you’re not a huge Gregg Araki buff, you cannot deny how great this release is.
Best Newer Release: All of Us Strangers (2023)
One of the best films of last year, Andrew Haigh’s All of Us Strangers, is the director’s latest entry into the Criterion Collection (after Weekend and 45 Years, so this film’s inclusion isn’t all that surprising yet it is more than appreciated). Available in 4K and Blu-ray, this sensational science fiction, spiritual drama is one that should be seen in as high of a quality as possible. If you’re like me and find yourself crying for at least twenty or thirty minutes after this film wraps up, you’ll have some strong features to look forward to through your foggy, tear-filled gaze. There’s some behind the scenes footage, an essay by critic Guy Lodge, and a conversation with cinematographer Jamie D. Ramsay (who is responsible for you needing to get that high quality copy of this film, mind you). There’s also the centrepoint with an interview including Haigh and critic Michael Koresky. All of Us Strangers doesn’t seem too stacked with its features, but believe me when I say that the power and mastery of the film are reason enough to pick this one up. It’s a gorgeously aching film that I cannot recommend enough.
Oy: The Long Good Friday (1980)
If you’re looking for that gangster and crime classic that you’ve somehow overlooked, The Long Good Friday may be the title you’ve been seeking (if you somehow haven’t gotten around to it yet, by some miracle). Criterion’s got you covered now with this release: one that would pair up really nicely with another Bob Hoskins title in the Collection (Neil Jordan’s Mona Lisa). Fans of this film can look forward to seeing it in either 4K or Blu-ray, and to the numerous features that come with this release. You’ve got audio commentary by the film’s director John Mackenzie, a documentary about the making of the feature, and an introduction to the film by Criterion Collection curatorial director Ashley Clark (which makes me curious as to why these sorts of introductions don’t happen often if the option is there; wouldn’t you be interested in more statements by Criterion personnel?). The most interesting feature is the documentary An Accidental Studio which goes into the creation of HandMade Films (the British production and distribution company responsible for this film amongst many others, including Withnail and I, Monty Python’s Life of Brian, and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels).
NOT Your Next Date Film: Happiness (1998)
I know people have been asking for Todd Solondz’s black comedy, Happiness, for quite some time. It’s finally here in all of its cringey, awkward, nauseating glory. Once again, this film is available in 4K and Blu-ray (although this film being in the highest resolution may be gloriously disturbing to watch; if you know, you know). The features here are a bit on the slimmer side. They include a conversation with Solondz and director Charlotte Wells (can we hope for an Aftersun release in the near future?), an interview with actor Dylan Baker (perhaps to help us separate the performer from his iconically twisted, perverse performance here), and an essay on the film by screenwriter Bruce Wagner. I don’t think Happiness fans will care too much about the scope of these features more than they are thrilled that the film is finally available via Criterion (or, essentially, at all). For those who are unfamiliar with this film, you can make the biggest film-based gamble of the year and blind buy this disturbingly hilarious film (don’t say I didn’t warn you, should you not reach the levels of uncomfortable hysteria that the film’s biggest supporters do).
It’s Time to Upgrade: Repo Man (1984)
One of Criterion’s most popular pickups is Alex Cox’s Repo Man, which is now available in 4K to watch (it’s still purchasable in Blu-ray, and, oddly enough, this makes Repo Man the only film of this announcement to be available on DVD as well, which you can buy right away should you desire). The myriad of features from before still apply here, including commentary and various interviews, conversations, and the disastrously “cleaned up” version of the film (which makes perfect sense given the cult status of this film).
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson 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.