The Criterion Collection expanded my cinematic knowledge immensely when I discovered it many years ago in college. In the time since, it has only continued to encourage my exploring of all that cinema has to offer. It also kickstarted my love for collecting a wide range of movies, to ensure that I always had something excellent to watch. If I saw that spine number, and a surely impressive cover that called out to me, I knew I was in good hands whether or not I had even heard of the movie. So moving forward, I’m very excited to be detailing the upcoming monthly releases from the Criterion Collection. Let’s dive into the releases arriving in June 2024.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas – 6/4/2024
This is a 4K upgrade of Terry Gilliam’s wildly psychedelic 1998 film. For those who have seen it, the incredibly memorable visual effects are wjhat arguably stand out more than anything. This upgrade is bound to wow long-time fans and first-time viewers alike. It’s been quite some time since I’ve seen this film, but I remember being really blown away by just how far Gilliam takes his viewer down the drug-induced rabbit hole while adapting the story based on an infamous Hunter S. Thompson book.
Querelle – 6/11/2024
Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s final film is finally available on Blu-Ray for the first time in North America. I admittedly am not super familiar when it comes to Fassbinder’s work, but as I wrote earlier, that “C” logo is the stamp of approval any cinephile should look for. To expand your knowledge on the artform, the Criterion Collection can be turned to as a guiding light. The announcement included a handful of screenshots from the film, and it simply looks marvelous. Bursting with color and expressionistic style, this is a release I certainly look forward to picking up.
Bound – 6/18/2024
The debut film from the Wachowski sisters is making its 4K Blu-Ray debut this June, and who wouldn’t be excited? Before The Matrix, there was Bound. Starring Gina Gershon, Jennifer Tilly, and the always great Joe Pantoliano, this stylish crime thriller signaled the arrival of world-class filmmakers. Enjoy all the twists and turns in beautiful Dolby Vision HDR, and then sit back for a multitude of supplemental extras to feast upon. I am wildly excited to own this film.
Victims of Sin – 6/18/2024
It’s always exciting to see any film get a Blu-Ray debut. And that’s exactly what should be celebrated with Victims of Sin. A film made in Mexico’s cinematic golden age, this feels like the type of release that the Criterion Collection thrives upon. The chiaroscuro cinematography looks stunning, and quite frankly, this release feels perfectly designed to open the gates for somebody discovering a new favorite filmmaker. And the cover art is absolutely gorgeous, so it’ll look great on any physical media shelf.
The Underground Railroad – 6/25/2024
The great Barry Jenkins is making his second go-around into the Criterion Collection with a very special release. This limited series was released on Prime Video in 2021 and, unfortunately, seems to have found itself lost in the all-too powerful void of a streaming library. Physical media serves as a tactile testament to the existence of art, and as a surefire way to guarantee that your favorite works, be it a series or film, cannot be taken away at a moment’s notice. This 10-episode series based off Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 2016 novel is making its debut on disc, and should fit right at home in the Criterion Collection. And the supplements included are particularly exciting, ranging from a companion film by Jenkins to a new graphic novel adaptation of an unfilmed chapter of The Underground Railroad, plus a whole lot more.
Blue Velvet – 6/25/2024
Serving as his third 4K film in the Criterion Collection, the incomparable David Lynch is back with this upgrade to remind us how gorgeous and horrifying our dreams and nightmares can be. This is certainly one of my favorite releases, and I can only imagine how gorgeous the Lynch-supervised and approved 4K restoration will look in Dolby Vision HDR. The dazzling colors from the very first frame are going to be singing right alongside the titular song that plays over the opening sequence. It’s an exceptional film, and is one that deserves a beautiful release such as this.
For complete information on the Criterion Collection releases for June 2024, you can head to the individual release pages linked via each title above. Be sure to let us know what title you’re most excited to pick up this month!