The Criterion Collection’s motto makes explicit its devotion to “important classic and contemporary films,” but it’s also clear that the Collection has dedicated itself to the careers of a select group of important classic and contemporary directors. Several prestigious directors have a prominent portion of their careers represented by the collection. Between the Criterion spine numbers and Eclipse box sets, 21 Ingmar Bergman films are represented (and multiple versions of two of these films), ranging from his 1940s work to Fanny and Alexander (and 3 documentaries about him). 26 Akira Kurosawa films have been given the Criterion/Eclipse treatment, and Yashujiro Ozu has 17 films in the collection. Though many factors go into forming the collection, including the ever-shifting issue of rights and ownership over certain titles, it’s hard to argue against the criticism (or, perhaps more accurately, obvious observation) that the films in the Collection represent certain preferences of taste which makes its omissions suspect and its occasionally-puzzling choices fodder for investigation or too predictable to be interesting (two Kurosawa Eclipse sets?). And while the Collection has recently upped its game on the “contemporary” portion of its claim by highlighting modern-day masterpieces like Olivier Assayas’s Carlos and Andrew Haigh’s Weekend, for the most part attempts at forming a complete directorial filmography via within the Collection has typically been reserved for directors whose filmographies have completed. Except, of course, for the case of Wes Anderson.

Richard Ayoade’s Submarine is a much-needed corrective to the twee adolescent indie dramedy. The film maintains many of the recognizable bells and whistles of that exceedingly tired subgenre, but like the potential available in any catalog of clichés, Submarine finds a way to make them work. Instead of simply presenting us a socially outcast teen protagonist who speaks and thinks like somebody possessing cleverness and insight far beyond his years, Submarine provides specific reasons why its protagonist is so articulate while still giving us plenty of evidence that he is indeed an inexperienced teenager who has a lot to learn. Instead of assembling random visual quirks into a Jared Hess-style landscape in which decades of fashion are collapsed into one oppressively ironic and ahistorical moment, the setting and style of Submarine is (mostly) consistent in presenting a historical moment informed by nostalgia, even if we don’t quite know when that moment is (but we don’t really need to). In short, Submarine is refreshingly sincere. It’s an all-too-familiar coming of age tale, but the film gives us plenty of reasons to give a damn – its story in particular.

Fox Searchlight has provided Film School Rejects with an exclusive look behind the scenes of their upcoming release Gentlemen Broncos. A very strange behind the scenes look.

We managed to sit down with Jemaine Clement to talk Gentlemen Broncos, playing a pompous asshole, and the future of Rock Band: Flight of the Conchords Edition.

Fox Searchlight has provided Film School Rejects with an exclusive look behind the scenes of their upcoming release Gentlemen Broncos, from Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess.

Jared Hess has had trouble proving that he’s completely insane, so he and Sam Rockwell are putting out these short videos for Gentlemen Broncos to drive the point home.

The first trailer for the Fantastic Fest 2009 opening night film, Gentlemen Broncos, from Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess is here. And if you’re down with the twisted, odd mind of Hess, this is going to be right up your alley.

Fox Searchlight just dropped a line into Reject HQ to give us a few sweet updates on Jared Hess’ upcoming film, Gentlemen Broncos, including a hot new poster and details on a trailer debut.

Gentleman Broncos! Journey to Saturn! Vampire Girl Vs. Frankenstein Girl! Trick ‘r Treat! A fantastic line up for a Fantastic Fest.

Fans of Flight of the Conchords will recognize the brilliant actor behind this oddball sci-fi writer as Jemaine Clement. Don’t be fooled though, this is very seriously inspirational shit…