Yes, Christopher Nolan has now been minted with the wacky C. Everyone's favorite boutique label has unveiled their December slate, and as usual, they play it quiet at the end of the year, but there are more than enough highlights to make the cinephile on your Christmas list happy.
So let's get to Nolan's debut film, "Following," which will get a fresh reissue. While it has been widely available on DVD, devotees of the director will want to pick this up as it will boast a fresh new transfer as supervised by Nolan, as well as the commentary with the director that we're guessing has been ported over. But there will also be a new interview with Nolan along with the chronological version of the film, a comparison of three scenes to script, the director's short "Doodlebug" and more. It will make a great two-fer with the likely "The Dark Knight Rises" release also in December.
Next up, if you're looking for something a bit trippier, Godfrey Reggio's "Qatsi" trilogy will do the trick. Presented in a box set, Criterion brings together "Koyaanisqatsi," "Powaqqatsi" and "Naquoyqatsi," the trio of films that explored life on this planet from a variety of angles. And this thing is extra packed. Among the highlights is the 40-minute demo version of "Koyaanisqatsi," complete with a score by Allen Ginsberg. There is also the short "Anima Mundi" scored by frequent collaborator Philip Glass, interviews, making-of vidoes and many more. If you want to give that home entertainment unit a workout, this is the way to go.
Meanwhile, for those looking to reach a bit further back, Rene Clement's sunny sizzler "Purple Noon" is also getting the treatment. As folks already know, this is the first book by Patricia Highsmith to be adapated into a movie, and essentially, it's the first version of "The Talented Mr. Ripley." Alain Delon plays the American with designs on a other man and a different life and he turns in a performance worth remembering. As for extras, there's just a few interviews, but this is one you'll want to have on your shelf.
Last, Terry Gilliam's "Brazil" gets an update from Criterion's already stellar 3 disc-set DVD set to a 2 disc BluRay. Both versions of the movie — Gilliam's final cut and the 94 minute studio version — will appear, along with in depth documentaries and more. If you don't have it already, it's definitely worth picking up.