The Criterion Collection is one of the most important and dedicated distributors in the business. They take the time to curate and release the best of the best when it comes to film, selecting titles from all over the world and all throughout film history and restoring and rereleasing them in the highest quality possible. They really take the time to create products for both film lovers and those who are just starting to get into the medium. Dating all the way back when Laserdiscs were a thing, The Criterion Collection will have released nearly one thousand titles by the time the end of 2018 rolls around. In that time, they have put out some of the best films in the highest quality. There are plenty worth owning, but there are some that desperately need your attention.
David Lynch’s three best works (and a great documentary about him)
As with many of The Criterion Collection’s releases, their restoration and release of Eraserhead on Blu-Ray is the only way you can score David Lynch’s first film in the highest possible quality. There are no other Blu-Ray editions of this film, and there are no other versions you should want — their release is filled with supplements, great bonus features, many of Lynch’s early short films, and a feature-length documentary called Eraserhead Stories that is simply Lynch in front of a microphone telling, well, stories about the making of the movie. They also offer Mulholland Drive, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, and a documentary called David Lynch: The Art Life, all of which are also worth owning.
Purchase now on Amazon for $58.88.
Stanley Kubrick’s three best works
Stanley Kubrick is undoubtedly one of the most impressive and dedicated filmmakers of all time. His determination and his strive for perfection in all of his films led to some of the most iconic and well-known films in history. One of his earliest films, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, has a beautiful Criterion Collection restoration. It joins many of his other films like Barry Lyndon and Paths of Glory, which are also available through Criterion.
Purchase now on Amazon for $27.99.
The Kid
Charlie Chaplin’s impact on the future of comedy is invaluable. His on-screen slapstick and his creativity behind the camera come together in such a unique way that comedian-directors like Seth Rogen and Jason Segel have Chaplin to thank. Criterion has released many of his films over the years, including his classic film The Kid. Their restoration is beautiful and highlights the everlasting appeal of his unique sense of humor.
Purchase now on Amazon for $18.01.
Seven Samurai
The Western genre (and even the science fiction genre) owe so much to Akira Kurosawa’s films. Seven Samurai, which was actually one of the first films to come from the Criterion Collection, is one of the most influential of all time and can be seen in such projects like The Magnificent Seven, A Fistful of Dollars, and even George Lucas’s Star Wars. Their release of the film comes with a dense and informative booklet and all kinds of special features about the making of this cornerstone of film history.
Purchase now on Amazon for $47.94.
Rebecca
It’s unclear whether any one person has had more of an impact on the drama and thriller genres than Alfred Hitchcock. His film Rebecca, the main inspiration for Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread (who, speaking of which, also has a few films on Criterion), is no exception. He has a plethora of films released by Criterion such as The Man Who Knew Too Much and Notorious and The 39 Steps, but Rebecca is absolutely a must-watch (and a must-own).
Purchase now on Amazon for $24.02.
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