Somewhere, Roger Ebert is smiling.
The Criterion Collection, which treats film more seriously than any other label, has announced their line-up for September, and it's even more impressive than usual, including Japanese legends, stylish mysteries and a pair of psychedelic comedies.
But the most important release is definitely Dekalog. This is Krzysztof Kieślowski's 10-hour series of films based on the Ten Commandments. It's never been on DVD or Blu-ray in America and it's often considered one of the most important pieces of art of the 20th Century.
September also sees the Blu-ray upgrades of two of my all-time favorites: Jacques Turner's Cat People and the Coen Brothers' debut Blood Simple. Both films are tight, stylish thrillers that made the most of their limited budgets and created iconic masterpieces. Carol Reed's Night Train to Munich also makes its Blu-ray debut.
Fans of Japanese cinema will be over the moon at the releases of The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum, which takes place backstage at a kabuki theater, and the upgraded box set of Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman, which contains 25(!) films featuring Shintaro Katsu as the samurai.
Finally, two of the craziest movies to ever get made will debut in the Criterion Collection. Valley of the Dolls was one of 1967's surprise hits, as audiences couldn't get enough of the over-the-top acting, drugs and sex as the story followed the rise and fall of three actresses. Things got even more out-of-control when they brought in Russ Meyer – then best known for his soft-core adult films – and Roger Ebert to write the script for a follow-up. Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, like its predecessor, would be a contender for one of the worst films ever made, were it not so aware of its own ridiculousness. The booklets of both films feature essays by Glenn Kenny, whose work as the chief film critic at the late movie magazine Premiere was a major inspiration for me.
