Criterion Collection?Why this one?

Why Not.

They have released other cult horror flicks on DVD. This flick needs a good release.

The only thing I'd have against this being Criterion is that Criterion films are usually expensive....so if they release this as a 60 dollar Criterion edition, then I also would have to question the money grubbing ways of the people who made it....surely it's not good enough to have to shell out 60 dollars to see a low budget horror film from the 70's. I live in Canada (and I own two expensive Criterion versions of Time Bandits & Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas) and sometimes the only way we get editions of rare or obscure films is through Criterion releases which here in Canada they LOVE to jack up the prices if they know you can't get it anywhere else (hence the 60 dollar price tag mention). I don't see this being worth it if that is the case.

"When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth"-DOTD

They've been picking up some weird movies of late. The Life Aquatic got its dvd debut in Criterion form. But whatever, at least it's out. And in the most comprehensive for we could all hope for.

Regards,
Everyday Joe
http://suicidegirls.com/?Dr_Phibes

Criterion's credo as of late is: "Acontinuing series of important classic and contemporary flims."

With that said, I think we can all agree that Criterion sets some fairly high standards for which films they plan to release. And for every film the people have an issue with or don't understand why a certain title fits in it's library, Criterion not only has a great reason for it, but also backs it up.

For instance, everyone was pissing and moaning about Armageddon ... but if people actually listened to the commentary to hear how this is a prime example of rogue film-making, and how this is ont of the biggest blockbuster movies to date with some of the most revolutionary (well, at the time) special-effects, it's clear that this film is certainly an "important comtemporary film" regardless of whether it was popcorn fodder. The same goes for every other Criterion film ever released: for every case you may have against, Criterion will give you 2 reasons why they chose it.

And Equinox is no different. This is straight from the Criterion website:

"Before he took you to a galaxy far, far away, before he brought you face-to-face with living, breathing prehistoric beasts, Dennis Muren, the future nine-time Oscar-winning visual-effects artist (Star Wars, Jurassic Park), joined forces with a group of talented young filmmakers to create an homage to the creature features of yore in the eerie monster mash Equinox. Deep within the woods and canyons of California, four teenagers happen upon an ancient book containing the secrets of a strange, malevolent world that coexists with that of mankind. This $6,500-budget wonder (originally called The Equinox ... A Journey into the Supernatural) was picked up for distribution by producer Jack H. Harris (The Blob), who shot new footage for the film with writer-director Jack Woods and released it in 1970 as Equinox. Since then, the film has gained a passionate cult following and inspired succeeding generations of horror/fantasy filmmakers."

Sounds pretty important to me. And even if it doesn't, Criterion certainly makes a beautiful case for it.

That was my first thought, too. I guess they know their market, and we really want high quality non-boots of EVERYTHING, don't we? King Kong vs. Godzilla, Tarzan the Ape Man, Bas Moi, whatever. I was seriously happy when Caligula came out on DVD in all it's X-rated, letterboxed glory. The critics usually make a point of hating Caligula.

[deleted]

Very cool thought and will give you a perspective based on my viewing this film. Saw it tonight as part of a B-grade double feature at a local cinema. The gent who provided the 16mm film for showing stated that: "Believe it or not, Criterion have relased a fantastic remastered version of this film on DVD. I guess that they ran out of Bergman and Melville films to release". Hope this sums it up from a Sydney, Australia perspective ;-)

I purchased the Criterion DVD for only twenty bucks at a 50% off sale at a local Barnes & Noble in Central New Jersey.

I've been chasing grace/ But grace ain't easy to find