Top Ten Criterion Film DVD Picks

Recently, on the website to the Criterion Collection, they had some film critics, writers, and filmmakers name their top ten Criterion DVDs. Among those included are Steve Buscemi. Allison Anders, Jane Campion. Neil LaBute, Dennis LeHane (writer of Mystic River), and Richard Linklater among others. This was an interesting list to view, as each of their choices kind of described their influences as well as the movies they veer towards in terms of what they watch. It was great to see what their choices were, whether you agreed with them or not.

Criterion has been around since the time of laserdiscs, and they may have very well have pioneered the audio commentary which has since become the standard on most special edition DVDs. We all want to know what the director, writers, and actors were thinking when they made their particular movie, and we are more than willing to follow along with them as they talk over the movie. It's one of the few opportunities where we do not mind people talking during the movie.

Part of me cannot help but say that I wanted to be added to that list, so at this time, I feel compelled to add myself to that list. Whether or not Criterion will allow me to list my favorites alongside people like Neil LaBute and Richard Linklater is irrelevant at this point. I am going to list them anyway.

Truth is, I am a big DVD fan, and buying DVDs has long since my biggest addiction. Criterion Collection editions have been among my favorites because they can get so in depth about the making of movies. They have set the path which many other companies follow on their own, so the world of movies and DVDs owes a lot to Criterion.

On the list, I put my favorite Criterion discs here, as opposed to my favorite movies in the Criterion Collection. These are the ones that I would leap to first above all the others. So here are my top ten picks for the best Criterion DVDs:

1) Brazil