The Criterion Collection announced its December DVD and
Blu-ray release calendar this past week.
And there are some really cool things that will be at retail in time for
Christmas.
Topping the list — although that is always a subjective
thing — is director John Huston’s 1950 film
noir masterpiece, The Asphalt Jungle. A new 2K restoration for DVD and Blu-ray
product offerings is in the works for a Dec. 13 delivery date.
Adapted for the screen by Huston (with Ben Maddow) and based
on W. R. Burnett’s 1949 crime novel of the same name, The Asphalt Jungle would
receive four Oscar nominations — Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best
Supporting Actor (Sam Jaffe as Doc) and a Best Cinematography nod for Harold
Rosson’s stunning work (he was nominated five times, but never won … his
nominations included The Wizard of Oz and 30
Seconds Over Tokyo).
The Asphalt Jungle also
marked the arrival of Marilyn Monroe as a force of nature!
Bonus goodies include a vintage 2004 commentary option
featuring James Whitmore (Gus), who is joined by author Drew Casper, a newly
prepared video session with author Eddie Muller (“Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir,” “The Art Of Noir: The Posters
& Graphics From The Classical Era Of Film Noir,” etc.) and cinematographer
John Bailey and the 1983 documentary titled Pharos of Chaos.
Also on the release
calendar for release on Dec. 13 are restored Blu-ray and DVD editions of
director Federico Fellini’s Roma. Bonuses here include commentary from author
Frank Burke (“Federico Fellini: Variety Lights To La Dolce Vita,” “Twayne’s
Filmmakers Series: Fellini’s Films”), newly-prepared video sessions with
filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino and poet Valerio Magrelli giving their insights into
the influence that Fellini had on the arts and deleted scenes.
Dec. 6 brings us
DVD and Blu-ray editions of filmmaker Laurie Anderson’s Heart of a Dog and a Blu-ray presentation of writer/director
Luis Buñuel’s 1962 film release of The
Exterminating Angel.
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