Author Archives: aaronwest
CCU23 – Breaker Morant (1980), Mister Johnson (1990)
This is the first Criterion Close-Up double feature. Mark and Aaron take a close look at two films from Bruce Beresford, released theatrically a decade apart and just recently as part of The Criterion Collection. We look at Breaker Morant and how it reconciled British Colonialism on both its subjects and enemies, and how it dispensed justice. We then look at Mister Johnson, which deals with colonial issues such as commerce and civilization.
Top 20 of 1947
Some years are better than others. Maybe it is just me, but aside from some major heavyweights near the top of my list, 1947 seems like a subpar year. There are certainly some goodies. There are some wonderful British films on the list, many from Ealing Studios (which unfortunately are not readily available in the US). Aside from that, there are a handful of French and Japanese films, and of course some Hollywood fare.
CCU22: A Room with a View (1986)
Mark and Aaron start the New Year as members of CriterionCast, and jump into the world of Merchant Ivory. With such a lavish, large production with quite an ensemble of characters, there is a lot to say. We discuss the social constraints placed upon the characters, and how some groups have opposing world views that resemble traditional versus modernity, while also touching on the nature of wealth, class, and even gender. We also enjoy discussing how the film surprisingly works as a dry comedy, and we are pleased to have Merchant & Ivory back in print in the Criterion Collection.
CCU21: A Christmas Tale (2008)
This is a special Christmas episode as we discuss some end of the year Criterion news along with Arnaud Desplechin’s 2008 A Christmas Tale, released on The Criterion Collection in 2009. Rather than a pleasant family Christmas film that fills all with glee, we have a deep, ensemble family tale with rivalries, bitterness, illness and even betrayal. It culminates with a Christmas reunion out of medical necessity. We dig deep into the film and try to explore and find answers for the divided nature of the characters.
Or listen here to it here:
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Or direct download/listen to the MP3.
Show notes:
Outline:
0:00 – Intro, Christmas, Housekeeping
19:00 – News
47:00 – A Christmas Tale
Intro
News:
The Criterion Chronology – Letterboxd list from David Blakeslee
Criterion – National Film Registry Titles
2015 National Film Registry Titles
Lady Snowblood Hulu Announcement
Where to Stream the Best Films of 2015
The Graduate Leaving Netflix in January
Film Comment Best Films of 2015
A Christmas Tale
Tim’s Post about A Christmas Tale
Where to Find Us:
Mark Hurne: Twitter | Letterboxd
Aaron West: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
Criterion Close-Up: Facebook | Twitter | Email
CCU20: Criterion March Releases & the Best Blu-Rays of 2015
Aaron, Mark and Martin Kessler discuss the March 2016 Criterion Collection releases, and then go further by talking about our favorite Blu-Ray releases of the year. These include Criterions, but we also discuss many other boutique labels including Twilight Time, Kino Lorber, Flicker Alley, Masters of Cinema, Shout Factory, and many others.
Or listen here to it here:
For other apps or mobile devices, try this link.
Or direct download/listen to the MP3.
Show notes:
Special Guest: Martin Kessler from Flixwise. You can find him on IMDB, Twitter and Letterboxd.
Outline:
0:00 – Intro, Post-Surgery, Podcasts
18:15 – News
30:15 – March 2016 Criterion Releases
45:45 – The Best Blu-Rays of 2015
Intro:
Criterion Cast – Best of 2015 Podcast
InSession – Settling the Score
Vice Piece on Mexican Narco Cinema
News:
Mike Leigh and Roger Pratt on Criterion Instagram
Godard’s Une Femme Mariee coming from Cohen Media
March 2016 Criterion Collection Releases
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_YOIyGyY4Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1D65LMlZiw
Where to Find Us:
Mark Hurne: Twitter | Letterboxd
Aaron West: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
Criterion Close-Up: Twitter | Email
Top 20 of 1957
One major problem with using IMDB as the authority for determining film dates is that sometimes it can be inconsistent. IMDB will change the year of a film and then change it back. There have been occasions where we have prepared to include a film on a list, only to find out that it has been changed at the last minute. It actually happens often, but not usually with higher profile films. It happened for the 1956 list with Aparajito, which would have topped that list as it did this one. It changed from 1956 to 1957, and then in the months since we got back to the 1950s, it changed back. That’s just a convoluted excuse for why I have it at the top of my 1957 list. The film was released in 1956, not 1957, but I cannot leave it out. I know the system isn’t perfect, but IMDB, despite the flaws and inconsistencies, is usually the most accurate.
I’m a big fan of film in the 1950s, and it isn’t much of a surprise that Criterion is represented well here. The top seven on my list are on Criterion, as are 9-11 and a couple others in the teens. It is a good year for international and American films. Many of the films that just missed my list were American productions, mostly in genre films, many of which were not recognized at the time. That is the case for my second rated film, which was embarrassingly not nominated for a single Academy Award, yet a few stinkers that will remain nameless took home prizes.
International film was a juggernaut, and it is strange seeing acclaimed films from Bergman and Fellini low on my list. Six out of my top ten are international and are spread out pretty evenly among eastern and western films.
War was a major theme of many of these films, which makes sense. The late 1950s were a period of relative peace while the world was still reeling from major wars over the last couple of decades. I’m not often a fan of war films that come out of their own time (with some exceptions, notably The Best Years of Our Lives. Several of these films explore the horror and futility of war, and it is likely an underlying theme of some of the genre films that I have listed here.
1. Aparajito
2. Sweet Smell of Success
3. The Cranes Are Flying
4. Throne of Blood
5. Wild Strawberries
6. Paths of Glory
7. Tokyo Twilight
8. Men in War
9. 12 Angry Men
10. Kanal
11. 3:10 to Yuma
12. Bridge on the River Kwai
13. Witness for the Prosecution
14. Nights of Cabiria
15. Seventh Seal
16. A Face in the Crowd
17. The Tin Star
18. The Incredible Shrinking Man
19. Il Grido
20. 40 Guns
CCU19: A Conversation with Alex Cox
Mark and Aaron talk to Director, Screenwriter, Actor, Author (and many other titles) Alex Cox. We focus on his films in the Criterion Collection, including Repo Man, Sid & Nancy, Walker and Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, but we delve into a lot of other interesting subjects. Most of this is just film aficionados talking to each other and sharing tastes with each other. Alex was a forthcoming, interesting and humorous guest, who were were honored to speak with.
Or listen here to it here:
Or direct download/listen to the MP3.
Alex Cox
Contact Us to get involved with Alex’s project.
Various topics discussed:
Alex’s Criterion Connections.
His films in the Criterion Collection.
Tombstone Rashomon and Crowdfunding.
The casting of Sid.
The cinematography of Roger Deakins and Robby Müller.
Sam Peckinpah’s Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid.
West Coast USA versus British Punk Scene.
Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski.
His favorite films that he has made.
Other films of his Criterion should release.
Modern popular Mexican cinema.
Repo Man and Kenny Rogers.
Harry Dean Stanton.
Lawrence Olivier, Marlon Brando, and method acting.
Roger Corman & independent filmmaking.
Fear & Loathing with Hunter S Thompson
Watch Alex Cox’s documentary here: Kurosawa: The Last Emperor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDNQxgJ6io4
AK 100: 25 Film by Akira Kurosawa
15 Mexican Films You Should Stream on Netflix.
Where to Find Us:
Mark Hurne: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
Aaron West: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
Criterion Close-Up: Facebook | Twitter | Email
Short Cuts 6: In Cold Blood (1967)
Aaron West and David Blakeslee talk about Richard Brooks’ 1967 adaptation of the popular Truman Capote “Non-fiction Novel,” In Cold Blood. We talk about the actual crime itself and how the perpetrators are portrayed, whether accurately or not, the wide reaching influence it had, and the film language that was used in order to tell the story.
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Or direct download/listen to the MP3.
Special Guest – David Blakeslee from Criterion Reflections and The Eclipse Viewer. You can follow him on Twitter.
In Cold Blood
David’s Blog Post about In Cold Blood (with an interesting comment discussion)
Where to Find Us:
Mark Hurne: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
Aaron West: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
Criterion Close-Up: Facebook | Twitter | Email
CCU18: Expanded News and an Announcement
Mark and Aaron have to abbreviate the episode, but we expand the news and get into what is happening not just with Criterion, but also with other films out there during awards season and that are in the wheelhouse of Criterion fans. We also finally (yes, finally) announce our special guest, who has 3.5 films in The Criterion Collection.
Or listen here to it here:
Or direct download/listen to the MP3.
Show notes:
Outline:
0:00 – Intro, Housekeeping
14:55 – News
Intro, Housekeeping:
Met our Facebook challenge – thanks guys.
News:
Wexner Center to Showcase Criterions and a New Restoration.
New York Film Critics Circle Winners
Restored Mizoguchi Masterpiece Gets an Overdue Theatrical Run
Review: Hitchcock/Truffaut Revisits the Master of Suspense
Ana Lily Amirpour Top Ten List
Where to Find Us:
Mark Hurne: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
Aaron West: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
Criterion Close-Up: Facebook | Twitter | Email
Short Cuts 5: Here Is Your Life (1966)
Aaron West discusses Jan Troell’s debut film, which he co-write, directed, photographed, and edited. The intent was not to compare him to Bergman, but that was easier said than done. Any 1960s Swedish art film has to invoke Bergman, but this work stands alone as a historical and personal epic.
Or listen here to it here:
Or direct download/listen to the MP3.
Here Is Your Life
Where to Find Us:
Mark Hurne: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
Aaron West: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
Criterion Close-Up: Facebook | Twitter | Email
Criterion Close-Up 