Criterion To Finally Release John Sayes' Matewan This October

So every four or five weeks the Criterion Collection unveils a handful of new titles we film fans can look forward to arriving on DVD and Blu-ray in the coming months.

And every month for at least 10 years I've looked and hoped for one title, and every month I've been disappointed. Until yesterday.

Yes, after years of pleading with specialty labels, both on this site and across social media, Criterion announced Thursday it would finally release indie maverick John Sayles' oft-requested 1987 historical coal-mining drama Matewan October 29th.

I've been a fan of Sayles' work since high school and Matewan remains one of his best films, featuring Oscar-nominated cinematography by the great Haskell Wexler and stellar performances by Chris Cooper (in his screen debut), David Strathairn, Mary McDonnell and James Earl Jones.

Criterion's forthcoming Blu-ray will feature a new 4K digital restoration, audio commentary with Sayles and Wexler and a new making-of documentary.

Since the only digital release was a 1999 pan-and-scan DVD, it's really going be like seeing the film for the first time since its Reagan-era theatrical release. Can't wait.