Going on spring break this year? Well, you might want to shorten the trip or dip into the budget, because Criterion is coming for you in March full throttle with an auteur heavy line up, led by the one and only Terrence Malick.
While the director remains in the shadows, refusing to discuss his films, The Criterion Collection is probably the next best thing. Following "Days Of Heaven," and rumored for a while, the boutique label is finally bringing Malick's debut feature "Badlands" to the collection. Sorry, no director's commentary, but you will get a documentary on the making of the film with stars Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek, along with production designer Jack Fisk. Editor Billy Weber will talk about cutting the picture, Edward Pressman will discuss producing, and you'll be able to gaze at the newly restored movie and toss out your battered bare bones WB disc.
Meanwhile, Playlist fave Robert Bresson's "A Man Escaped" gets the wacky C. The thrilling jailbreak film (which, as always, is about so much more) will come packed with a documentary, vintage TV special, visual essays and much more. And speaking of thrillers, Fritz Lang's "Ministry Of Fear" gets the bare bones treatment, but that shouldn't dissaude you from checking out the WWII set picture. In short these two would make a great pair in your shopping bag.
Charlie Chaplin's late career, starkly black comedy "Monsieur Verdoux" is getting spruced up and it's a must see for anyone who wants to see a different side of the silent era comedian. Chaplin plays a man who murders rich women for their money to support his family, and as you might imagine, the picture plays heavily on his own image. And it will come with lots of extras including a 2003 program about the film, a documentary, video essay and much more.
Finally, getting Blu-Ray upgrades are Powell & Pressburgers's "The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp" and the stone cold classic "The Blob."