Criterion Watch (November 2010 Releases)

This was a feature that I used to run over at my blog, Silly Hats Only. But since I've got the run of this place for now, I'd like to put some of my own stamp on it (sorry, Steve), so I've decided to resurrect it here. Besides, this month's announcements are definitely worth repeating.

The biggest news is the mammoth box set America Lost and Found: The BBS Story, which chronicles the seven-film output of the influential BBS Productions between 1968 and 1972. The marquee titles in the set are naturally The Last Picture Show, Easy Rider, and Five Easy Pieces, and it'll be great to finally have those on Blu-Ray, even Easy Rider, a movie I don't much care for but which has some gorgeous cinematography. But just as cool as the lesser-known films in the set, including Henry Jaglom's early work A Safe Place, Jack Nicholson's directorial debut Drive, He Said, and two other Rafaelson films, The King of Marvin Gardens and the let's-kill-the-Monkees romp Head. Of course, it's going to be pricey, but if you've got an extra Benjamin lining your pockets come November, I can't think of a better use for it…

Unless, that is, you want to invest in this month's other announced titles, a trifecta as fascinating as it is eclectic. Believe it or not, Modern Times marks Criterion's first Chaplin release on DVD and Blu-Ray, and if this is any indication then any future Chaplins in the pipeline (pleasepleaseplease do Monsieur Verdoux) then we're in for some great stuff. Aside from a transfer that promises to be beautiful to anyone not named Jeff Wells, this disc also contains a treasure trove of extras, including a TV special on Chaplin featuring (pant pant) the Dardenne brothers.

Yet another classic on tap is Charles Laughton’s sole directing job, Night of the Hunter. And if anything, the features are even cooler on this one than on Modern Times. Most intriguing is the two-and-a-half hour outtakes reel Charles Laughton Directs Night of the Hunter, but there’s also plenty of other goodness in store, including footage of the cast on The Ed Sullivan Show and plenty of interviews both old and new. Plus it ought to be gorgeous on Blu-Ray, don’t you think?

Finally, this month’s “new release” announcement is a snazzed-up edition of Lars von Trier’s Muriel-winning Antichrist. And while I’m sort of loath to watch this movie again- it’s pretty disturbing, after all- I’m glad to see Criterion embracing it all the same. For all the controversy that’s sprung up around it, Antichrist remains a key film by a master filmmaker, one that’s filled with provocative ideas that linger long after the attention-grabbing aspects of the film have receded. True to form, Criterion has gone all out for this DVD, most notably a documentary about the film’s explosive premiere at Cannes ’09. Part of me wants to buy this just to show my support of the film, while another part is a little afraid to watch it again.

Remember, all four of these titles are being released on both standard DVD and Blu-Ray in November, so you can start making your Christmas lists early. You're welcome.