The Criterion Collection
Sneak Peeks
Jan 24, 2014 — Here’s a treat for all you It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World superfans. In this new video, photographed and edited by Mad World aficionados George Ann Muller and Paul Scrabo, you can see all the major California locations from...
Short Takes
Jan 24, 2014 — Aki Kaurismäki first read Henri Murger’s Scènes de la vie de bohème in 1976. The highly influential 1851 book—an episodic novel about a group of starving artists that also inspired Puccini’s 1896 opera La bohème—captured the Finnish filmmaker’s imagination and,...
Sneak Peeks
Jan 21, 2014 — For his leading role in Michael Mann’s Thief, James Caan had a lot more to do than just embody perfect cool. His character, Frank, is an ex-con with a particular aptitude for breaking into hard-to-crack safes. Unbeknownst to the actor...
Jan 21, 2014 — Bigger is better in Stanley Kramer’s crazily crammed slapstick epic, a timeless showcase for comedy genius.
Essays
Jan 14, 2014 — Jules Dassin’s atmospheric, genre-defining heist thriller combines American virtuosity with French cool.
Jan 13, 2014 — With economy and panache, Michael Mann established his existential crime drama style with this breakthrough first feature.
Jan 10, 2014 — Did You See This?• Reminiscing about Spalding Gray • The Little Tramp is turning 100. • For Dennis Cooper’s birthday, the beauty of Robert Bresson • Still Anger after all these years • Molly Haskell on a new Barbara Stanwyck...
Film Guides
Jan 6, 2014 — Critics commonly describe Throne of Blood (1957) as Akira Kurosawa’s adaptation of Macbeth. While this description is certainly not untrue, the film is much more than a direct cinematic translation of a literary text. Kurosawa’s movie is a brilliant synthesis...
Jan 3, 2014 — Did You See This?• Being Judith Anderson • A directors’ roundtable with Steve McQueen, Spike Jonze, and others • Godard’s coming attractions • The perils of adapting books to the screen • Remembering composer Wojciech Kilar • The fight over...
Features
Dec 30, 2013 — Charlie Chaplin’s comedy has a secret ingredient that has bound us to him forever.