We are already half-way through the month of October, and the end of the year is coming. That’s why Criterion is already looking ahead to 2025 with its new January releases announcement.
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Leading off the announcements for January is the film “The Mother and the Whore” from legendary French filmmaker Jean Eustache. Making this an exciting release is the fact that “The Mother and the Whore” has long been out of print. Now, not only do we get a chance to purchase the film, but it comes from Criterion with a new 4K digital restoration.
Next up we have a duo of influential samurai films, “Yojimbo” and “Sanjuro.” Both films are directed by the incredible Akira Kurosawa and serve as companion films. Both films come with new 4K digital restorations, as well as behind-the-scenes goodies such as making-of documentaries.
If you’re a fan of Richard Pryor then you’re going to be excited to know that January also brings “Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling,” the autobiographical film written and directed by none other than Pryor himself. The film came about after an accident when Pryor was lit on fire while high on cocaine. Shortly after, he decided to work on ‘Jo Jo’ and exorcize some of his demons.
Rounding out the January releases are “The Grifters,” Stephen Frears’s pulpy, dark-hearted neo noir, and “Winchester ’73,” Anthony Mann’s landmark, genre-redefining western.
You can preorder these films at the Criterion website.