Oh, Criterion. For those who may be here but unfamiliar, The Criterion Collection began life in 1984, dedicated to the restoration and release of must see classics of cinema from around the world. I have my fair share, but Criterion is a company that consistently releases amazing works that spark excitement or beg to be seen, so you always feel as though you never have enough.
     So to celebrate one of our favourite home media companies, here are five releases we would love to see them tackle, in a perfect world, knowing that they would give proper care and attention to them.

5) The Haunting

     The classic adaptation of Shirley Jackson's classic novel Haunting of Hill House by Robert Wise only comes in the final spot here for the reason that it is the film we most likely see being announced at some point. With films such as The Innocents, The Uninvited, Cat People, and Carnival of Souls, Criterion has done their fair share of dabbling in classic horror, and The Haunting is as classic as you may be able to get.
     Coming in the top spot of Martin Scorsese's personal list of greatest horror films, The Haunting is worthy of its reputation and the foundation that it seemingly laid for all haunted house films to follow, just as the novel did before it. It is somewhat surprising that we had not been treated to a Criterion version yet, but it may also be for the fact that they decided to go with choices that weren't as obvious first. Whatever the reason may be, I hope there's a chance of a release by them to go along with the other ghost, and horror, story classic that they have given us.

4) The Plague Dogs

     The Criterion Collection has, unfortunately, yet to dive into animation the way many of their fans hope. Recently they'veadded Watership Down and Fantastic Planet to their library, which are two great choices that make you yearn for more. As a fan of animation, there is a whole separate lists of musts I would love to see them tackle, but I decided to go with The Plague Dogs here.
     Martin Rosen had adapted Richard Adams' novel Watership Down previously, so it made sense, in my mind, to add the other, lesser known, adaptation Rosen did of Adams' work a few years afterwards. The Plague Dogs follows two canines that escape a government facility where they are being tested on, and attempt to make it to freedom whilst being pursued.
     The Plague Dogs falls in line similarly with Watership Down, of course, in terms of its adult demographic and themes it touches on, but Plague Dogs never quite achieved the same widespread mention as the adaptation prior to it. While a release from Criterion may not do much to widen the public knowledge of the piece, it would be great to see the film finally receive the care and revisit it deserves.

3) Satoshi Kon Boxset

     It's been seven years this summer since we lost the great Satoshi Kon. With just a handful of films in Perfect Blue, Millenium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers, and Paprika, he had great influence on quite a handful of filmmakers. He often tackled such subjects as the human psyche in ways that still stand as striking and, many times, haunting. His films, as well as his series Paranoia Agent, are an absolute must see, whether you are a fan of Japanese cinema, anime, or film in general.
     Whether the film he was working on prior to his death, Dreaming Machine, is ever finished in some way is a curiosity, but a collection of his works, whether they'd include Paranoia Agent or not, by Criterion would be a phenomenal tribute to an amazingly creative mind whose work reached many in their influence. It would also work well in the addition to Criterion's animation side. Criterion has always worked out incredible extras for their releases, and I would love to see what they could produce for this set just covering Satoshi Kon's life and working style, taking a look at themes and how his work is similar yet different from each other. A full-length documentary like that would be worth the price of the release alone, and getting individuals into Kon's work would be fantastic with such an in-depth set that I know Criterion would produce, as I am sure anyone would like to know more about the process and Satoshi Kon after viewing the films for the first time.

2) The Devils

     To say that Ken Russell's historical horror-drama was controversial would be slightly understating it. Based in part on Aldous Huxley's The Devils of Loudon, as well as the play that was also somewhat based on the Huxley novel, The Devils tells the dramatized story of the rise and fall of 17th century Roman-Catholic priest Urbain Grandier, who was executed for witchcraft after supposed possessions in Loudon, France.
     A lot of people have seemingly been banging the tables of hope while chanting 'The Devils' over and over. As many are probably aware, it's easy to attract controversy whenever religion happens to be involved, but that wasn't the only thing The Devils had going for it that had, um… upset and/or angered quite a few people amongst its release; be it Vanessa Redgrave as a sexually repressed, hunchbacked nun, the criticism of Catholicism (and organized religion in general), the violence, the nudity, a scene of a frenzied orgy involving nuns in a church that leads to a crucifix being sexually violated, etc. So, yeah, controversy aplenty.
     With the obvious cuts having been made to the film during its release (or the film being banned outright in some countries), the original uncut version has not seen a release in quite a few countries, nor has it ever been available in home media form. Whether one considers the film a classic is up to one's own personal taste, and with the film being on the receiving end of a wider, modern critical appraisal, mixed with the focus Criterion puts on releasing important cinematic works, the two would be a perfect marriage of properties. Whether this can be achieved is a hope for many.

1) Alice (1988)

     Quite possibly, and easily argued, the best live (though loose) adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, Jan Svankmajer's film is a fantasy piece to cherish. Alice, played by Kristyna Kojoutova, is the only live actor in a world filled with miniatures, puppets, and visuals that are a sight to behold. It is one best experienced going in with as little knowledge as possible, especially if you are able to avoid any still-shots of the film itself. The imagination used is wondrous, and very much harkens the spirit of Lewis Carroll's original story.
     Alice has, quite surprisingly, only received a DVD/Blu-Ray release with English subtitles in 2011. It would be a fantastic addition to the Criterion library, especially since it's one that would appeal to a lot of people taht may not have seen it beforehand that end up falling in love with its slightly nerve-wracking imagery.