Category Archives: Criterions
CCU26 – Jellyfish Eyes (2013)
Mark and Aaron are joined by Matt Sheardown of … Criterion Close-Up. You heard right. Long story. Matt is also a video games expert, so we borrowed his expertise as we broke down and evaluated the controversial Criterion release of Takashi Murakami’s Jellyfish Eyes. We discuss the visuals, the influences, the intended audience, and how to classify it as a genre. We also ask the big question, which many have asked since the announcement — is it worthy of Criterion?
CCU25 – Dont Look Back (1967)
Mark, Aaron and Keith Enright give a look at D.A. Pennabaker’s documentary portrait of Bob Dylan in Dont Look Back (the no apostrophe is intentional). This was a pivotal period in the artist’s career, and both the film and the music were influential. We dig deep as to what type of persona Dylan revealed, the cinéma vérité filmmaking style that captured him in his element, and also his attitude towards the press and others who wanted to label him.
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.
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:
For other apps or mobile devices, try this link.
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
Where to Find Us:
Mark Hurne: Twitter | Letterboxd
Aaron West: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
Criterion Close-Up: 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.
Or listen here to it here:
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
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
CCU17: Dressed to Kill (1980)
Aaron and Mark talk about Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Brian De Palma’s 1980 sensual thriller, Dressed to Kill. We go into De Palma and how he’s just a film buff that is able to make movies, plus we investigate the expression of sexuality through therapy, and how De Palma was able to use film language to convey his character’s desires. And of course, we talk about the iconic museum scene.
Or listen here to it here:
Or direct download/listen to the MP3.
Show notes:
Outline:
0:00 – Intro, Housekeeping
19:00 – News
30:20 – Dressed to Kill
Intro
Criterion Fans Show Their Dedication
Get us to 1,000 likes on Facebook
News
Setsuko Hara: Ozu’s Quiet Muse Dies at 95.
Criterion Tribute to Ozu and Hara
Dressed to Kill
Where to Find Us:
Mark Hurne: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
Aaron West: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
Criterion Close-Up: Facebook | Twitter | Email
Short Cuts 4: 3:10 to Yuma (1957)
Aaron West discusses the second in the Delmer Daves, Glenn Ford trilogy, which could be considered a “Western Noir” because of the clever shot selection, the use of light and shadow, and the multifaceted characters.
Or listen here to it here:
Or direct download/listen to the MP3.
3:10 to Yuma
Where to Find Us:
Mark Hurne: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
Aaron West: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
Criterion Close-Up: Facebook | Twitter | Email
Criterion Close-Up 