The holidays can be tough on the bank account, but nothing can put as big a dent – and give you as much pleasure – as Criterion releases. Just in time for all the yuletide celebrations, the famed boutique label revealed its slate for next March, and it should satisfy documentary fans.
First up, let’s start with a pair of renowned European filmmakers with long-standing ties with Criterion: Francois Truffaut and Ingmar Bergman. Truffaut’s Alfred Hitchcock-inspired “The Soft Skin” will get the big C treatment for the first time as it hits shelves on March 10th, 2015. It will arrive with an audio commentary, visual essay and more among the extras. Later that month, on the 31st, Bergman’s “Cries and Whispers” gets an upgrade to Blu-ray, along with some new artwork too.
With the release of “Inherent Vice,” you may be itching for more noir films to watch – after completing our list, of course – so why not pre-order Robert Montgomery’s little-seen 1947 gem “Ride The Pink Horse”? Montgomery not only directs the adaptation but also stars as an ex-GI on the search for revenge in a rural New Mexican town. Out on March 17th, 2015 and coming with an audio commentary, interviews, radio adaptation and more.
And finally, a trio of releases that will bring joy to the hearts of many non-fiction filmmaking fans. There’s a pair of Errol Morris releases out on March 24th, 2015: a two-pack of “Gates Of Heaven” and “Vernon, Florida” along with the long-awaited Blu-ray release of Morris’ landmark 1988 film, “The Thin Blue Line.”
Another documentary classic getting the high def upgrade is Steve James’ – and “Siskel & Ebert” favorite – “Hoop Dreams.” Interestingly, the Criterion release of James’ film will include a new documentary, “Life After ‘Hoop Dreams’”, that catches up with the main characters in the film twenty years later. “Hoop Dreams” hits shelves March 31st. Holiday gifts be damned, start saving up folks!
