This month saw the release of Pedro Almodóvar’s latest film, “Pain and Glory,” and according to damn-near every critic out there, the filmmaker has another masterpiece on his hands. And just in time for Almodóvar to receive all sorts of Oscars buzz, the Criterion Collection is set to honor the director by giving one of his best films, “All About My Mother,” the special edition treatment in January.
Criterion recently announced the January 2020 additions to its coveted Collection, and the headlining entry is none other than Almodóvar’s film, “All About My Mother.” The 20-year-old film is getting a brand-new 2K restoration, approved by the filmmaker, as well as a slew of other special features, including a making-of documentary and a brand-new 48-minute Q&A that happened earlier this year after a screening of the film in Spain.
In addition to Almodóvar’s film, the January Criterion class includes Jean-Luc Godard’s long-unavailable film, “Le petit soldat.” The French film covers the controversial topic of the use of torture in the Algerian War and stars Anna Karina. The film sports a brand-new digital restoration approved by the film’s cinematographer as well as new English subtitles.
Two Sidney Lumet films, “Fail Safe” and “The Fugitive Kind,” also arrive in January, courtesy of the Criterion Collection. Both films feature new restorations, with “The Fugitive Kind” approved by Lumet and “Fail Safe” getting the 4K treatment.
In addition to these films, Criterion is also releasing George Cukor’s effervescent romantic comedy “Holiday.” The 1938 film stars Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant and the Criterion release actually comes with the 1930 adaptation of Philip Barry’s play, directed by Edward H. Griffith.