Sometimes it takes more than a decade for a feature to be added to the Criterion Collection. Other times, it could be 60-plus years. And on the rare occasion, only about two years. This October, Criterion runs the gamut of release dates, with new additions like “Uncut Gems,” “Ratcatcher,” and “Onibaba,” just to name a few.
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That’s right, less than two years after its debut, The Safdie Brothers’ breakout feature, “Uncut Gems,” is heading to the Criterion Collection. Obviously, when you have an indie film that captures the zeitgeist in a way like ‘Gems’ did a short time ago, getting the distinction of being added to the Collection isn’t far behind. But still, it’s surprising that the Safdies’ latest is getting the honor bestowed upon it in such a quick amount of time. That said, who isn’t excited about a Criterion release of the Adam Sandler-starring film about a hapless jewelry salesman that finds himself in way over his head with gambling debts? It should be an instant purchase.
Also joining the Criterion Collection in October is “Ratcatcher,” the debut feature from acclaimed filmmaker Lynne Ramsay. Released in 1999, the film follows the story of a young Irish boy in the ‘70s navigating the dirty streets of Glasgow. It’s a film that serves as a great introduction to the filmmaker that would later give us gems such as “We Need to Talk About Kevin” and “You Were Never Really Here.” (Side note: who do we need to talk to about getting Lynne Ramsay to make more than one film every six years or so? The fact she has only made four features since 1999 is a crime against cinema.)
October also sees new Criterion releases such as Raoul Walsh’s “High Sierra,” starring Humphrey Bogart, Satyajit Ray’s “Devi,” Jack Arnold’s sci-fi classic, “The Incredible Shrinking Man,” and Kaneto Shindo’s chilling folktale “Onibaba.” You can find all the information about these releases at Criterion’s site.