Top 10 Criterion Collection Releases of 2021 

Hi all, thanks for watching this one! If you want to get ready for a Criterion sale, check out my Criterion Collection for Beginners video here -> ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-g9gf6B81BVI.html

Hi Elliot, I hardly ever comment on RU-vid but I feel compelled to tell you that you have been a complete joy to watch over the last year. Film is a tricky subject, oftentimes most discussing it are either too pretentious with their taste/act above most, or are a little too ground level taste-wise to appeal to someone who wants to expand their cinematic palette. You do an absolute wonderful job of not only being a well spoken critic, but presenting movies in a warm and inviting way that makes me want to check out every film you discuss. I also appreciate the way you dive into the technical details of discs and whether or not they are problematic instead of rushing out a review to be first. I know it takes time to review some of these sets, but know you are so appreciated. Keep up the great work! A subscriber for life.

Great list; thank you. I watched ‘Come And See’ following your recommendation of that title a while back - was blown away. Now I’ve just ordered ‘The Ascent’.

Deep Cover was a belter, plus Secrets & Lies had an amazing and emotional payoff 👍👍

"Ashes and Diamonds" is an amazing film. I only have the DVD from the "Essential Art House: 50 Years of Janus Films" box set. I really want to upgrade, but am holding out hope for a 4k to avoid another "Red Shoes situation" (where Criterion got me to buy the same three times :-).

Secrets and Lies was a big surprise. I had no idea it would be so powerful.

DEEP COVER is a ridiculously great transfer. Better than some true 4K releases. I was blown away of how fresh it looks. Fantastic movie of course as well!!!!

As a polish viewer I have to say: Good job on pronouncing Andrzej Wajda's name.

Secrets & Lies is one I also highly appreciate being on Criterion. Brenda Blethyn was in the 1996 company of Emily Watson (Breaking The Waves), Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient), Diane Keaton ( Marvin's Room), & Frances McDormand Leading Actress oscar winner (Fargo). Not sure I would have passed on Brenda's memorable performance here for the honour. One of my all time keepers!

Excellent video Elliot; looking forward to the Criterion sale as always. ‘Mirror’ was definitely a grower for me; but I given it a few viewings and really have warmed to it; such a beautiful melodic piece. I recently watched ‘Secrets & Lies’ and it blew me away; such an impeccable drama piece; the acting was absolutely top draw 👌 I hope we get ‘Nostalgia’ & ‘The Sacrifice’ on Criterion too; Tarkovsky has become one of my fav directors 😊👍

At the end it sounds like Elliot is straight-up pleading with me to keep watching great films. Don't worry, my dude, I am trying.

Hi Elliot ''High Sierra' is a classic film noir, I seem to remember it was re-made in the fifties with the title 'I Died A Thousand Times' starring Jack Palance. But nothing beats the original.

What an extraordinary list, Elliot. You’ve sold me on at least 3 more Criterion’s. Thank you so much.

As always a pleasure pal! Mirror was my favourite release of last year from any label, that wasn't a 4K disc. I've picked up some of these titles but have yet to watch, like Deep Cover, but will get to them soon. Thanks for sharing 👍

Good list. Ashes & Diamonds is so good. Kanal & A Generation from Wajda's War Trilogy are on par with Ashes & Diamonds. The Ascent is such a glorious film. I agree that Come & See and The Ascent are both gut punches, but The Human Condition trilogy is just as harrowing as those two. You have piqued my interest in Nightmare Alley. Thanks for giving Bogie some love. High Sierra has such beautiful cinematography of the mountain range. I always enjoy your videos.

A note on “Minding the Gap”, it was produced by the legendary Chicago documentary house, Kartemquin (they produced Hoop Dreams). And Hulu just bought it later.

Ah ‘Mirror’ is awesome - probably my favourite A.T. movie 🎥 ✨

Great list Elliot. I really liked Mirror and Deep Cover. 👍

Great vid. It was Mike Leigh's 79th birthday yesterday, btw

Great video Elliot, and some awesome selections, including my two favourite Criterion's of the year - Ratcatcher and Mirror, so loving your work! 😁 But as you pointed out, no box sets or 4k mentions, is it too much to hope for a follow up video with your top 5 of each? Haha I think my fave 4k so far would be Menace II Society, and I never thought I would find myself placing that ahead of Citizen Kane, but there it is 😀 Cheers! Thanks for the great work.

Grear eclectic mix, Elliot! I've only seen 3 of your 10 recommendations, so it looks like I have some work to do. Haha! Cheers, my friend!

What a great list. You’ll know that it includes many of my own favourites in there as well but in truth there were so many to choose from it’s impossible to make a bad list this year. Minding the Gap and Ashes and Diamonds are the two I haven’t seen so I’m keen to catch up on in the next month or so. Terrific vid and discussion. Thanks 👍

Great video! My favorite of the bunch that I’ve seen is definitely Minding the Gap. It’s a documentary that breaks me every time. I can’t wait to hear about your thoughts on the new 4K releases too. Thank you for the work you put in!

Minding the Gap has made my Top Ten Criterions which isn’t really easy to do when you consider all the great movies in the collection.

Great list , but given the constraints you put on yourself maybe it would have been better titled as "Some favourite Criterion Releases of 2021". Love the channel 👍

Great selections Elliot. Nightmare Alley was a recent watch and I found it to be great as well. Love the cards that were included. Will check out Secrets and Lies given your strong words for the title. Cheers. FV

Secrets and Lies was my first Mike Leigh film back in the day. It’s goddamn amazing. Edit: forgot to mention Ratcatcher is also a seminal film. As a dirty American, I definitely had to turn on the subtitles to understand those Glaswegian accents, holy cow! 😂

I really enjoyed the new Nightmare Alley, looking forward to seeing the original.

I love the pictures that Guillermo del Toro paints. His films are beautiful. However, I found NIGHTMARE ALLEY slow paced and lacking the tension and surprise of the original. My other criticism was that del Toro's film is 40 minutes longer then the Tyrone Power production and I found myself stopping to surfing the internet more than once.

I wish they would release I Married A Witch in the UK. 👍

I was so glad when they released Mirror. I pre ordered it, & it was my first time seeing it. I loved it.

As usual, everytime you do one of these videos I end up spending money. High Sierra is now on the way :D

All great films to talk about. Enjoyed this video alot. Thank you so much.

Some great choices. I was a big fan of getting High Sierra and Nightmare Alley into the collection. Huge Bogart fan and huge noir fan so was a great double. Deep Cover is another great release that I also picked up. I still recall going to watch that in the cinema when it first released. Lol. I'm getting old. The other release I didn't pick up yet but plan to pick up in the next sale is Beasts of No Nation. I saw that on Netflix and was totally drawn into it and although it's a horrible story about some difficult subject matter I thought it was done beautifully and was an incredibly well made and well acted film given the nature of most the cast. A more modern film but definitely a worthy edition to the collection and I look forward to picking it up and delving further into the film via the special features and essay booklet.

The Mirror, MASTERPIECE

Great recommendations!

hey i watched mirror a few years back and didn’t get why some was in black and white. is it because that those parts are memories or no? thanks love the channel

Many match my choices from last year you mentioned emotional docs so certainly check out Streetwise about Erin Blackwell. I also loved Company the DA Pennebaker film. Ratcatcher brilliant film with great central performance by William Eadie. Lynne Ramsay has made so few films.

Great recommendations! Do the special festures of The Ascent have subtitles in english? I think that will be a great choice

Another great documentary last year was Streetwise:Tiny The life of Erin Blackwell very emotional.

Memories of Murder was easily my favorite

Hi! Could I ask how you purchase and watch US (Region A) Criterions since you're based in the UK? Do you own a regionless DVD player? There are so many criterions I'd wish to buy but it would be pointless if my DVD player/ PS3 can't read them. Thanks!

I bought the US version of Come and See, and the blu ray works in UK players. How are you supposed to find out which movies will/won't play in a UK player? ...would like to watch Mind the Gap

While I've loved the Criterion releases I've picked up (the films are typically fantastic), I have an issue with the way they use colour. Particularly with the text, I find it sometimes near illegible to read the synopsis and features on the back.

Love information but you should refrain from giving too much away of the story. I have all of them except for the 2 documentaries