Criterion 24/7 helped me uncover one of the best films I would by no means seen

For many years, the Criterion Assortment has been a guiding star for film buffs. Launching within the LaserDisc period, after which shifting into DVDs, then Blu-rays, and now 4K Blu-rays, the corporate has been on the forefront of releasing traditional and artwork home movies from all around the world. In 2019, they launched the Criterion Channel, a streaming service housing an enormous portion of their library, together with licensed titles from many different studios and distributors.

Then, in April 2024, 5 years after introducing the streaming service, the corporate launched a brand new live-stream channel throughout the app known as Criterion 24/7, for subscribers. The idea is straightforward: a 24-hour-a-day stream of movies, one after the opposite, from Criterion’s streaming library. Seems, it is also the streaming function I did not know I desperately wanted in my life.

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Film buffs might be completely satisfied to know they’ll now stream movies from the Criterion Assortment utilizing a devoted app.

What does Criterion 24/7 supply?

Solely one of the best films of all time

Criterion Channel

As a result of Criterion 24/7 pulls from Criterion Channel’s huge library, that additionally means it is filled with most of the finest movies ever made. There are over 2,000 movies on Criterion Channel, which can not sound like a lot in comparison with giants like Netflix. However in contrast to Netflix, which barely options any films made earlier than 1980, Criterion Channel is stuffed with films from throughout the entire historical past of cinema, from the silent period to at the moment.

A lot of the library is pulled from Janus Movies, the dad or mum firm of Criterion, which has been distributing international, artwork home cinema in america for the reason that Fifties. That features films by vital filmmakers like Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini, Agnes Varda and lots of extra. There are additionally many modern movies, together with this 12 months’s glorious Evil Does Not Exist, by director Ryusuke Hamaguchi, who was Oscar-nominated for Drive My Automobile in 2022.

Why Criterion 24/7?

Randomness is the spice of life

Criterion Channel

The important thing factor to find out about Criterion 24/7 is that you simply by no means know what you are going to get, and that is the fantastic thing about it. The truth is, while you tune in to Criterion 24/7, which exists as a channel throughout the Criterion Channel app, it will not even say what’s at present enjoying. The thought is to imitate the best way issues could be within the previous days, on an precise TV channel — the viewer was merely caught watching no matter was on.

That will sound like a foul factor within the period of video on demand, the place consumer selection is king, however there was one thing less complicated about simply turning on a film channel and testing no matter occurred to be enjoying. What’s extra, it is an effective way to find films. It may be so tough to decide on one thing new to observe, and it is typically simple to choose one thing acquainted.

Whereas acquainted titles would possibly pop up on Criterion 24/7, the randomness means being uncovered to loads of new movies as nicely. Need to know what’s enjoying, or when the following thriller film will begin? Simply head over to the positioning’s What’s On Now page.

How I take advantage of Criterion 24/7

It is the brand new TCM

Criterion Channel

I’ve all the time beloved Turner Basic Motion pictures, however with out cable, I wanted a alternative, and Criterion 24/7 presents simply that. It isn’t precisely the identical or as thoughtfully curated, the schedule is not introduced prematurely, and it would not function interstitial content material like previous newsreels, movie intros, or documentaries. That mentioned, the films are an important factor, and on that entrance, Criterion 24/7 greater than delivers.

Because it launched, I’ve used Criterion 24/7 loads, principally as one thing to have on within the background whereas I work. That is not the perfect approach to watch films, however each time I come throughout one that really captures my consideration, I will simply add it to my Criterion Channel watch checklist and stream it later. I additionally use the 24/7 channel loads at night time, once I’m too drained to go looking by my numerous streaming companies for one thing to observe. I can placed on Criterion 24/7 and let it select for me.

It is even enjoyable to activate in the course of some film that is already enjoying, getting a style of one thing I’d wish to rewind and watch in full, or settling in with an previous favourite.

My Criterion 24/7 discoveries

The very best issues I’ve seen on the channel

Criterion Channel

There actually is a wealth of nice content material for film lovers on Criterion Channel and Criterion 24/7, and for the reason that live-stream channel launched, I’ve found many nice titles. Listed below are a few of the finest.

• Le Samouraï (Jean-Pierre Melville, 1967)
• Paris, Texas (Wim Wenders, 1984)
• Yojimbo (Akira Kurosawa, 1961)
• Within the Temper for Love (Wong Kar-wai, 2000)
• The Pink Footwear (Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, 1948)
• Improbable Planet (René Laloux, 1973)

And that is only a small style of the varieties of flicks you may see should you tune in.

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