About time for another Criterion Channel lineup. I’ll admit it, it’s been kind of a middling few months on the Channel, usually with at least one really exciting collection. I’m not sure May even has that one standout. Obviously the long-awaited Boston Crime collection is the answer here; until that day comes, it’s hard to complain too much. Still a cinephile’s delight.
OK, let’s run it down. The first collection is ‘80s Remakes (and Their Originals) which is at the least a clever idea. Everything from The Thing and The Thing from Another World to Breathless and Breathless. I can’t say I’d go out of my way for most of these remakes, though — Carpenter being the clear exception. This feels more interesting as an exploration of how remakes can go wrong than anything else.
Next up, Office Romances. You could think of this as the Screwball Comedy collection if you don’t mind tagging The Apartment as a screwball comedy. It’s full of gems — never a bad time to rewatch His Girl Friday — and I like this one as an exploration of attitudes towards office work across a few decades of classic Hollywood. (Nothing outside the US here, alas. It’s a pity not to get at least a UK perspective or two.)
David Chase’s Adventures in Moviegoing is, let’s face it, bland. Great movies, which don’t feel like they have much of a throughline. Watch Il sorpasso; it’s one of the most bittersweet comedies I’ve ever seen.
And now my interest is finally sparked by You Don’t Get Freedom, You Take Freedom. I’m quite interested in this; lots of activist Caribbean cinema from the 70s and 80s. I’m gonna make a point of watching West Indies, if only so that I can be prepared for the inevitable slew of Letterboxd reviews comparing it to Hamilton.
Finally, I’m not totally sure why Conbody vs Everybody is listed as a collection — it’s more of a premiere. Debra Granik does interesting work and the topic, the harm caused by American prisons, is up my alley. This doesn’t seem to be otherwise available, given the total of 32 people who’ve seen it on Letterboxd, so I’m glad it’s getting this release.
While we’re talking about premieres: Lav Diaz’s Magellan is a great get for the Channel. I was sad to miss this in theaters; thanks for the second chance. Lumière, le cinéma looks delightful — playful and an interesting window into the history of cinema.
On to rediscoveries. The Spirit of ‘45 will make a nice companion piece to the Prairie Fire trilogy (leaving the Channel at the end of April, and you should watch them before they go). From 1930s North Dakota socialism to 1940s British socialism? That’s an interesting juxtaposition. And Ken Loach is one of the greats.
Next, Criterion has very kindly indulged my newfound interest in the golden age of Mexican cinema with Buñuel’s Él, starring the great Arturo de Córdova. It seems like a great role for him. Very amped for this.
A few of the classic originals from the 80s Remakes collection also get feature placement as Criterion Collection Edition presentations. Lots to dig into there; who doesn’t love a good Val Lewton documentary, for example?
On to director spotlights. Kimi Takesue gets the first one. Lots of shorts and three features, which if I’m being honest increases the odds that I’ll dig into her work. The idea of an experimental filmmaker focused on travel and how we relate to the places we visit is intriguing. The Ross Brothers also look pretty cool — oh! They made Gasoline Rainbow! Which is sadly not part of this collection; nevertheless I wanna see most of these. Probably chronologically, it’s always fun seeing filmmakers develop and Western seems like it’ll mesh well with the Westerns kick I’ve been on. Bill Douglas also seems interesting; growing up poor in Scotland is a good topic. Man, there’s a sneaky little theme in this month, what with the Ken Loach movie and this and the Ross Brothers.
OK, we’re well into the individual releases now and as has become my habit, I’m not listing all of them. Here are the ones that really caught my eye:
Clockwatchers. Watch it for Parker Posey. The Shepherd and the Bear, which appeals to me for the Pyrenees setting; even the selected still promises amazing vistas. Riotsville, U.S.A., because all you have to say is “a poetic and furious reflection on the rebellions of the 1960s” to get my attention. I’m easy. Tokyo Trial will tell me more about Japanese war crime prosecution, possibly just in time to prevent me from ranting about fascistic undertones in Godzilla Minus One.
Finally, way down almost all the way at the bottom, Point Break. It’s always a good time to watch Point Break. Gary Busey got a shoutout for being weird in the latest episode of The Boys, which is probably not why this was programmed next month but coincidence is fuel for joy.
Maybe some of the bottom half movies make up for the relatively unexciting top line collections. And it’s not like there isn’t Herzog still to watch. Love you, Criterion Channel.