Criterion

As the proud few who read this blog know, I am kind of into movies. I say that in the most understated way imaginable. The reality of the situation is that while I find it easy to refrain from using crack and heroin, if there was a way to place Star Wars, Indiana Jones, The Seventh Seal, Akira, Blazing Saddles, Ichi the Killer, Yojimbo, and The Sword of Doom onto a heated spoon I would be a five-syringe-a-day junkie. I'd be broke and my 29-year old face would look like the hallowed out wax visage of a melting Norwegian troll candle.

DVDs are almost as prolific and scattered in their releases as VHS tapes were in their 80's heyday. We're getting shows that aren't even off the air yet, as well as classic movies and TV programs from years gone by. And yet, as much as the studios try, I am still dissappointed to find that such shows as Thriller and Parker Lewis Can't Lose are still not available on DVD. (Although I did find out recently that Parker Lewis will be out sometime this summer.)

The buoy on the sea of movie history is The Criterion Collection. If you have ever watched a DVD commentary, or know what one is, then you are familiar with the major contribution that Criterion has made outside the bounds of their own catalogue. Criterion invented the DVD commentary. Criterion created the idea of "special features", and to this day, Criterion makes the best commentaries and includes the best special features of any DVD company around. (There are standouts in other companies, for example, the Fight Club DVD commentary has David Fincher, Helena Bonham Carter, Brad Pitt and Edward Norton.) But the best comenatary I've ever heard is from the Criterion edition of The Rock: Michael Bay, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, actors Nicolas Cage and Ed Harris, and technical [Navy Seal] advisor Harry Humphries. It is an amazing way to watch a movie.

The Criterion Collection puts out classic movies and conemporary films - anything they feel is important and needs preservation. Why is there no Criterion Citizen Kane? Because Citizen Kane doesn't need saving and there's nothing left for Criterion producers to find that hasn't already been found about the film. Sanjuro needs to be preserved. Branded to Kill needs a documentary. No one in the world will go the lengths to make a great release of Le Samaurai or Jigoku. Criterion to the rescue!

If you think you're a film critic, fan, buff or casual viewer, check out the Criterion collection. Then go create a Netflix account and immediately fill it with The Milky Way, Wild Strawberries, Tales of Hoffmann, The Blob and The Ruling Class.