Let’s have a walk through this New York Times piece film by film, shall we? https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/28/movies/black-criterion.html

A Woman’s Error is a lost film. Criterion can work wonders in restoration, and saving deteriorated films e.g. the Apu Trilogy on the verge of complete obliteration, but even Criterion cannot resurrect lost films - especially if there isn’t a screenplay or stills surviving

I hadn’t heard of Burning Cane but it sounds neat, it’s distributed by Ava DuVernay’s company ARRAY Releasing in the US and is on Netflix. I suppose Criterion could license it from Netflix if they wanted or maybe if they released some of DuVernay’s work?

Criterion does sometimes go for up and coming directors off the festival circuit - but I feel like films like Tiny Furniture aren’t held in the same regard as other films in the collection. Especially when it’s a film by a 19 year old director with mixed reviews.

Daughters of the Dust is already associated with Criterion through the Channel and Cohen has taken a few ex-Criterion titles. Really no reason to suggest it, the Blu-ray is great already!

I don’t think A24 and Criterion is impossible considering there were rumours about In Fabric (only on a BD-R in the US, pressed disc in the UK). But A24 has gone for self-distribution (Midsommar 4K, Krisha, even their merch and screenplay books) over licensing

Their distribution agreement with Lionsgate doesn’t guarantee every film a Blu-ray, disc at all, or even extras. A24 is also involved in digital distribution with DirecTV and Apple.

But, Criterion is willing to pursue current ‘indie’ distributors - Netflix, Amazon, NEON

Moonlight is worthy of a deluxe release considering the existing disc only really has a featurette and commentary, when Jenkins has worked with Criterion several times and there’s so many stories from production. Criterion has released several Oscar winners and nominees before

Wouldn’t it be nice to put Moonlight and Parasite together on a Criterion shelf?

But Jenkins will be busy with The Lion King II and The Underground Railroad. Maybe in a few more years? I just can’t see it happening in the immediate future

I’ve never seen Medicine for Melancholy (not released over here) so a Criterion release would be ideal, especially if paired with Jenkins’ early shorts that have played on the Channel - being an IFC title makes it very realistic as well.

I just can’t see If Beale Street Could Talk happening. Annapurna isn’t in a good position for releasing films right now (Annapurna Interactive seems okay). Hustlers, Wounds, Kajillionaire have ended up released by other distributors/co-productions - not United Artists Releasing

I would absolutely dismiss Get Out, except UPHE and Criterion have competing editions of Parasite released in the same year, and Criterion has managed to claim some very major titles from Universal, like Do the Right Thing.

The existing disc only has a commentary, deleted scenes and some brief featurettes, so there’s room for improvement. I just don’t see Criterion actively pursuing it. Criterion does release some horror, but how much recent horror?

There’s even less chance of Us happening IMO - it didn’t have as much impact as Get Out

Eve's Bayou deserves a Blu-ray release from Lionsgate (Hell, even Vestron). But Criterion has licensed very few titles from them - Kicking and Screaming and Amores perros only so far as I’m aware.

I just can’t see Sony relinquishing Boyz N the Hood when they just released the 4K UHD - with even more extras than the old stacked release! But, obviously Sony handles Criterion’s distribution, and Criterion extras on Dr Strangelove 4K

There’s precedent for Criterion releasing New Line titles that have appeared on Blu-ray before (The New World), but that had Malick’s support and different cuts. They mostly seem to have focused on New Line titles without Blu-rays - Hedwig, Bamboozled, Multiple Maniacs

But Menace II Society would fit with their seeming mission to resurrect old laserdisc titles. Friday would be very welcome too!

Dead Presidents could maybe be possible from Kino if they had another Disney deal (their 200 odd titles just finished), but Criterion more doubtful

Fruitvale Station is a part of the dead husk that is The Weinstein Company, now assets owned by Lantern Entertainment - and besides a few new films like The Current War and the UK Blu of Snowpiercer - they won’t really be releasing anything

Killer of Sheep desperately need a Milestone Blu-ray (BFI’s rights have lapsed), but they don’t release much on disc and their releases are expensive - some of their DVD titles are in HD online. But it’s a Criterion Channel staple

Pariah was definitely neglected - it made under $800k in the US, only has a US Blu-ray light on extras (no UK disc release) - but I can’t think of Focus Features ever ending up in Criterion (Kino definitely), especially when there’s an existing Blu

Malcolm X - Warner Bros already has a Blu, and I’d expect them to release a 4K UHD at some point. However Criterion has reissued a few WB titles with existing Blus, like Barry Lyndon, Pan’s Labyrinth, Being There

But I think they might be better off with other Lee films neglected on Blu (maybe not She Hate Me), rather than a return. I’m sure there’s some Malcolm X documentaries/other films that could be ideal?

BlacKkKlansman only has a 5 minute featurette - love the film but I don’t own the film for that reason. Adam Driver is already represented in the Collection with Marriage Story But it’s Focus/Legendary/Blumhouse, soooooo

25th Hour would be much more likely from Kino

She’s Gotta Have It has been rumoured for a long time and has only been available in HD on streaming; there’s the Criterion laserdisc commentary that hasn’t really been available anywhere since. If it’s still with MGM they could license it.

Maybe we can get some Mars Blackmon Nike ads in the extras? Or even those student shorts that have never been released

The Watermelon Woman is on DVD from First Run and has been on the Channel (sure a Blu would be great!), alongside other Dunye films. I’d say The Owls (has a feature length making of) has more of a chance; Stranger Inside is less likely as HBO

Sorry to Bother You is Annapurna. Don’t see it happening at least in the immediate future

Love & Basketball (New Line) just received a Blu-ray from WB in 2015

One False Move would absolutely be perfect from Criterion, although I wonder of Indicator might get it if Devil in a Blue Dress ends up successful

Selma is a contemporary release from Paramount. The only contemporary license from them is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - which is an exception as David Fincher