Now that 2018 has come to a close I thought it would be a good time to share my favorite physical releases of the year. I am a big supporter of physical media and will continue to support it. I like owning my movies that I can hold, not in some cloud somewhere. I love box art. This year was a great year for exclusive Steelbooks at Best Buy. Some of them will make my list. In deciding the number I fell on the most obvious one, 18.

Number 5 is the stunning Criterion Collection release of one of the greatest comedies ever, Some Like It Hot!

The greatest title is thrown around a lot. It is usually hyperbole. Billy Wilder’s Some Like It Hot is hands down one of the greatest, funniest comedies of all time. Catapulted by stars on the top of their game, Some Like It Hot is also a rare movie that seems to be funnier every time you see it.

Two musicians, Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) are desperate for a new gig, since there last one was in a speak-easy that was busted up. When the duo attempt to borrow a car to a gig they become witnesses to a mob hit and go on the run. Jerry and Joe find a perfect way to hid from the mob and get a great gig, they dress up like women and go to Florida as Josephine and Daphne.

The “ladies” meet a sexy ukulele player, with a totally knockout name, Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe). Now the boys, as ladies have to hide their feelings for the women in the band so they don’t blow their cover.

Once in Florida, Daphne, who is really Jerry soon catches the attention of Osgood Fielding III (the absolutely hilarious Joe E. Brown) and decides that he might just marry him. Josephine, who is really Jerry in the meantime is trying to win over Sugar as Shell Oil Junior, and that’s just what he does.

It’s hard to pick a MVP in Some Like It Hot. Everyone is in such great form. Lemmon is so funny that I can’t even imagine this film working with anyone else in his role. So too is Monroe. She proves that not only is she beautiful, but a damn fine comedienne as well. In Some Like It Hot, Monroe steals every scene she is in. Curtis is all over the place great. He is playing three parts sometimes in the matter of seconds. Wilder’s direction is also at its best. Some Like It Hot is the classic among classics.

Criterion Collection is so important to film collectors. They do such an amazing job restore classic films. Some Like It Hot is a new 4K restoration handled by MGM, Park Circus and of course Criterion Collection. It is a stunner. I had the previous blu-ray and DVD’s, the Criterion Collection video presentation blows all of these away. The film has no scratches, fine grain throughout, and seems to not suffer from any age defects or imperfections. I can’t imagine Some Like It Hot looking any better.

The audio too, is unbeatable. The music numbers sound clear. Dialogue is crisp. Again this seems to have no imperfections, it’s brilliant.

Some Like It Hot is bursting with amazing extras. The best might be the interview between Billy Wilder and Dick Cavett. Not only does Wilder discuss Some Like It Hot but he also talks about growing up in Germany. It is revealing and funny. Also included are interviews with Curtis, Lemmon and a rare audio interview with Marilyn Monroe. She comes across very likable in the interview as she discuss being remembered as a great actress. A new featurette for this release is a discussion of the costumes by Orry-Kelly. An older behind the scenes featurette and commentary are also included. As usual Criterion Collection includes a booklet for your enjoyment.

Some Like It Hot is a must buy for movie fans as Criterion knocked it out of the park.

Film: A+

Video: A+

Audio: A+

Extras: A+

Overall: A+