It’s that time of the month, film fans. The time when you have to look ahead a few months and realize that your paycheck is going to be hit hard by the new releases from the Criterion Collection. And in November, that’s not going to be any different. Because just as with every single Criterion announcement, November is filled with classics getting much-deserved restorations and special edition discs that will no doubt leave cinephiles in front of their TV for hours upon hours.
Leading the way in November is the first-ever Blu-ray release of Orson Welle’s second feature, “The Magnificent Ambersons.” The film, which is a period drama telling the story of the declining fortunes of a wealthy Midwestern family, is getting a Criterion special edition release packed with amazing features, such as a new 4K restoration, two commentary tracks, new video essays, new interviews, as well as a ton of other bells and whistles.
Next on the list is the classic “Some Like It Hot.” The gender-bending comedy starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, and Tony Curtis, from filmmaker Billy Wilder, gets the Criterion treatment with a brand new 4K restoration, as well as a new featurette about Orry-Kelly’s costumes and three behind-the-scenes documentaries.
Joining those two classics are “True Stories,” from filmmaker David Byrne, which comes with a never-before-released CD of the complete soundtrack and “A Story from Chikamatsu” from filmmaker Kenji Mizoguchi. ‘Chikamatsu’ is getting the requisite 4K restoration, a new interview with actor Kyoko Kagawa, as well as an illustrated audio essay and new English-language subtitle translation.
Sure, November is the time of the year when you start to think of the Holidays and family, hoping to cut costs before the big spending season. But you know what? Mom, Dad, and your siblings will all be okay with fewer gifts if it means you get to enjoy some of the great work done by those at Criterion.
