In what has become an annual tradition, The Criterion Collection has rung in the New Year with a mega-clue posted on Facebook to tease fans of what it has on deck for the coming year. Some of them are titles that have been heavily rumored or already announced, while others are some pleasant surprises. And while Criterion is leaving the guessing to fans until they officially announce the films sometime in the next twelve months, their followers (particularly those at the Criterion Forum) have had a pretty good track record of deciphering the clues.
So, what can we expect? Among the obvious is the already announced re-issue of "A Night To Remember" evidenced by the giant iceberg (though some say it's a wet rock pointing to Wim Wenders' "Pina"). The trio of lovers in an embrace hints at Alfonso Cuaron's "Y Tu Mama Tambien," long rumored to be added to the collection. The old woman on a motorcycle points to Hal Ashby's classic "Harold & Maude" (awesome) while the standalone bike suggests The Who's grand rock opera "Quadrophenia." And let's not forget the honking for Jean-Luc Godard's "Week End" (which was inevitable after sister company Janus re-released the movie to arthouses this year).
The female marionette ties into "Being John Malkovich," while the gravedigger hints at "Shallow Grave" (a great genre movie, but Criterion material?). Meanwhile, the smiling billboard points to the bonkers "Eating Raoul."
Other movies coming down the pike include "My Summer With Monika" (girl lying on top of the car) and the silent "Lonesome" (the Coney Island sign) while the big question mark still to be filled is what is up with the three oysters and the samurai dudes.
Either way, looks like another smashing year from Criterion, so start saving your allowance.