My Most Anticipated Criterion Releases for January 2012

Let me introduce you to a habit, I mean… a hobby of mine. I am an admirer (addict) of the Criterion Collection of unique and important films. What they do for these movies is wonderful, in most cases, presenting them in the most pristine and enjoyable presentation available for home viewing. So, anytime new titles are released, I get all excited like a schoolboy daydreaming about his very own Official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock.With it being mid-January, I figured I would get you up to speed on the film fixes I am most eager to get high off of for 2012, so far…

Release Date: 2012, January 17th (Blu-Ray, Spine #593)

BELLE DE JOUR (1967) directed by Luis Buñuel and starring the ravishingly beautiful and talented Catherine Deneuve. In the spirit of full disclosure, it has been so long since I saw this film in college, a time in which I often struggled to stay conscious through relatively early morning screenings, that I am ecstatic about finally revisiting the film, especially on blu-ray.

Release Date: 2012, January 24th (Blu-Ray, Spine #594)

GODZILLA (1954) is the monster that started it all, the original king of giant Japanese creature films and the very best… except for KING KONG, but that doesn’t count. It’s not Japanese, but I love them both! From what I’ve gathered, this will feature a gloriously pristine, unprecedented transfer. I can’t wait!

Release Date: 2012, January 14th (Blu-Ray, Spine # 597)

TINY FURNITURE (2010) is one of my favorite films from SXSW that year and for the year in general. Unique, off beat and sarcastic, the film is a modern sort of coming of age story for a young woman seeking her own direction and purpose in life while dealing with her mother and sister, whom she now lives with after graduating college. This smart, slightly rigid comedy is a masterful breakout feature film debut and definitely deserving of the Criterion monicker.