If you were in the Criterion Closet - what 8 films would you pick?

This question was sent to me by C1, and I must admit, it was certainly more difficult for me to answer than I initially anticipated. For starters, I already own 93 Criterion releases, so those were all immediately out of the running. Which is both fair and a shame, since I already own personal favorites like L'Avventura (1960), Cat People (1942), Odd Man Out (1947), A Room with a View (1985), sex, lies, and videotape (1989), A Matter of Life and Death (1946), Kuroneko (1968), Il Sorpasso (1962), Desert Hearts (1985), and Crash (1996). That right there is 10 films, and I'm not sure which two I'd've scrapped for this exercise.

Then there are Criterion releases of films I already own, just not the Criterion edition. While it would be nice to have the most remastered version complete with the scholarly essay booklet and supplementary video content that are a staple of the Criterion experience - and unique perks that I thoroughly read and watch after enjoying a Criterion film - I just don't feel that I need another copy of favorite films like Rebecca (1940), Dazed and Confused (1993), Spartacus (1960), Lost Highway (1997), The Breakfast Club (1985), Only Angels Have Wings (1939), Scarface: The Shame of a Nation (1932), and The Three Colours Trilogy (1993-94). Those likely would be my 8, if I'm permitted to count Krzysztof Kieślowski's final three films as one just once, for this exercise.

So what I decided upon was that I would select 4 films that I love but do not own and 4 additional films via my preferred Criterion Collection shopping method: the blind buy. After all, I have the blind buy to thank for Odd Man Out, A Room with a View, sex, lies, and videotape, and A Matter of Life and Death just to name four previously mentioned favorites. Now, without further ado...

Charade (1963)

Spine Number 57

First off, I need this to complete one of my thematic shelves in my Criterion Collection barrister case. Shelf one has my first Criterion purchases and ancient artifacts, shelf two has the largest assortment of films and random red figurines to join the shockingly high proportion of red Criterion spines, and shelf three has all my German features and German brewery steins. The incomplete fourth shelf has candle jars with Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor on them. I have Some Like it Hot (1959) for Marilyn and need Charade for Audrey. I just have to wait for one of Elizabeth's starring vehicles to receive a Criterion release.

Concerning the film itself, I love Charade's twists and turns, director Stanley Donen's masterful adeptness at ping-ponging between comedy and thriller, all the acting performances, and I even wrote a paper on it for my Classic American Film: Americans in Europe (CMM 345) course in college.

Naked Lunch (1991)

Spine Number 220

I have never seen Naked Lunch but for a brief 30-second clip (and yes, I realize this means it wouldn't qualify as a blind buy). However, I am a huge fan of director David Cronenberg and his devotion to not shying away from controversial material. The other Cronenbergs that I own the Criterion versions of are Videodrome (1983), Dead Ringers (1988), and Crash. In addition to these, I also own traditional home releases of The Fly (1986), A History of Violence (2005), Eastern Promises (2007), and Cosmopolis (2012).

The Naked Prey (1965)

Spine Number 415

My reasoning for The Naked Prey is similar to Naked Lunch in that I have seen a small portion of it and always wanted to see the rest (so it's also not technically a blind buy). In this case, I saw the first 15 minutes on Turner Classic Movies and was hooked, but I had to leave for work and haven't gotten around to finishing it yet. Having it in my personal Criterion Collection will guarantee that I achieve this sooner rather than later. Plus, I've always likened the film's human hunt focus to Richard Connell's thrilling short story adventure "The Most Dangerous Game," which is one of my all-time favorite literary pieces.

The Exterminating Angel (1962)

Spine Number 459

Seeing The Exterminating Angel was one of the most incredible filmwatching experiences of my life and is a film that I regularly recollect. I love surrealist art and film, so an affinity for Luis Buñuel's filmography can naturally be expected. This would be joined on my Mount Rushmore of his works by Él (1953), The Milky Way (1969), and That Obscure Object of Desire (1977). Sometime soon, I intend to put my review of The Exterminating Angel on Cinemania Unleashed for a deeper understanding of my fascination with it.

Hausu (1977)

Spine Number 539

I own the Hausu shirt from the Criterion Collection shop and it's my fifth favorite Japanese film of all time. Need I say more?

The Innocents (1961)

Spine Number 727

The Innocents is one of the most haunting horror films I have ever seen, aided by indelible cinematography courtesy of Freddie Francis and strong acting across the board. In particular, the performances by Deborah Kerr as the governess and Martin Stephens and Pamela Franklin as her charges are astonishing. When I saw The Innocents, the print was in need of some restoration and I so desperately wish to see the fruit of Criterion's restorative efforts.

The Breaking Point (1950)

Spine Number 889

The Breaking Point brings together Michael Curtiz, director of the greatest film ever (1942's Casablanca), John Garfield, one of my favorite leading men of Classic Hollywood (in his penultimate role before falling victim to the evils of the House Un-American Activities Committee), and Ernest Hemingway, one of my favorite authors (whose To Have and Have Not is the film's source material). I've always wanted to see it and this would be the perfect opportunity to acquire a copy.

Petite Maman (2021)

Spine Number 1181

For the record, I was quite unimpressed by the film Céline Sciamma directed immediately prior to Petite Maman. However, I have had so many friends and family members urge me that this film is must-see since its release. I'll snag this as my eighth and final Criterion Closet pick and hope that all those fellow Cinemaniacs have not led me astray. Besides, I really like the cover art for this one.

So these are my 8 Criterion Closet picks. I'd love to hear what yours are. Feel free to send an e-mail to will@cinemaniaunleashed.com detailing your picks and why you've chosen them 😊