...you haven't seen enough movies.: The Best of the Criterion Collection 2011

I plan on putting together my regular review of the Academy Award wins and the best films of 2011. But I thought I would highlight one of my favorite outlets for viewing films: the Criterion Collection. They have had some incredible releases this year. While there have been several blu-ray upgrades of existing titles, it's also been heartening to see some new titles in the collection. With nearly 600 films, Criterion has touched upon all corners of the medium.

I want to focus on my ten favorite new releases from the Criterion Collection for 2011. One great promotional tool that Criterion began this year was their "Three Reasons" videos. A good way to explain why the film is important and worth including in the collection.

Before going through my top ten, I just want to mention a few of the blu-ray upgrades I was particularly pleased with:
The Double Life of Veronique (Krzysztof Kieslowski, 1991, Spine #359)
Smiles of a Summer Night (Ingmar Bergman, 1955, #237)
Solaris (Andrei Tarkovsky, 1972, #164)
High and Low (Akira Kurosawa, 1963, #24)
The Battle of Algiers (Gillo Pontecorvo, 1966, #249)
3 Women (Robert Altman, 1977, #230)
Fanny and Alexander (Ingmar Begman, 1982, #261)
The Rules of the Game (Jean Renoir, 1939, #216)
Rushmore (Wes Anderson, 1998, #65).

10. Something Wild (Jonathan Demme, 1986, #563)

The soundtrack is wonderful. Jeff Daniels, Melanie Griffith, and Ray Liotta all do quality work here. I love the sharp shift from humor to terror. This is a hard movie to classify. A rare blind buy for me, but I'm glad I got it. I just wish there were more extras. A short interview with director Jonathan Demme doesn't cut it.

9. The Complete Jean Vigo (1930-1934, #578)

Early French director who died far too young and robbed us of potential masterworks. This would be included solely on the strength of L'Atalante, but having all his work here makes it essential.

8. Island of Lost Souls (Erle C. Kenton, 1932, #586)

This film fits in right along with all the classic Universal horror films of the 1930s like Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Invisible Man (like this, an adaptation of an H.G. Wells novel). Charles Laughton is very creepy as Doctor Moreau, as is Bela Lugosi.

7. Broadcast News (James L. Brooks, 1987, #552)

This is a wonderful film. It's got the media commentary that still rings true, but I love the wit and dialogue that doesn't talk down to its audience. It's a love triangle that is more mature and still more entertaining. William Hurt, Holly Hunter, Albert Brooks, all three might be at their best here.
There is no Three Reasons video for Broadcast News, so here's a key, if spoilerly, scene.

6. 12 Angry Men (Sidney Lumet, 1957, #591)

Henry Fonda as the lone dissenting vote has you on his side as he fights the prejudices of his fellow jurors all too eager to convict. Very strong ensemble cast and an effective debut from master director Sidney Lumet.

5. Blow Out (Brian De Palma, 1981, #562)

I'm not a big Brian De Palma or John Travolta fan. I'm not even a huge fan of this film. But I do admire that their collaboration here works and the film, while I don't strongly connect with, is a tragic love story and political thriller all rolled into one. And it's done very well.

4. The Great Dictator (Charles Chaplin, 1940, #565)

I love Chaplin so much. When you see that final speech in this film, you will too.

3. Carlos (Olivier Assayas, 2010, #582)

A double feature of this and The Battle of Algiers would be nice way to spend a day. The fearless performance by Edgar Ramirez as the world-famous terrorist holds your attention throughout.

2. Sweet Smell of Success (Alexander Mackendrick, 1957, #555)

Burt Lancaster as that magnificent bastard, gossip columnist J.J. Hunsecker. Manhattan is a character, inviting and threatening. Mad Men will never be this cool, because this nailed it in the time it was actually capturing.