Raising Arizona should have a Criterion release!

This is an indie movie course unto itself. It should have a proper Criterion release, with all the bells and whistles said release encompasses.

There are a lot of movies that have been groundbreaking over the past 30 years that have not had a release on the most prestigious label DVD release can offer, that have a cultural and artistic impact that is echoed in its wake, and this film is one of them.

This should be a prime candidate for release on Criterion. Released in 1987, it was filmed on a shoestring indie budget, with innovative cinematography, quirky storyline and characters, and packed a punch in pacing and performance. This must have influenced a generation of filmmakers (at least in reference to the heavily stylized influx of indie films the early 90's would suggest). There were few films before this that had the narrative tone so tightly orchestrated, especially given the subject matter and geographical/character specificity this film demanded.

I say this film should have its own Criterion edition. It is a prime example of all the right things an indie film could do to make it stand out and be unique, without being formal or technical. It's a fly by the seat of your pants type of film making, which dueled as inspiration for aspiring directors while also providing a unique vision to audiences as to how a film could be framed and viewed outside of convention.

Plus, it's a stunning early work from one of the most unique and prolific writer/director teams of contemporary times, which examples themes, motifs and cinematographic effects they would use and exploit later in their careers.

What more could you ask for in a Criterion candidate?