Category Archives: Podcast
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
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
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.
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
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
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
CCU16: February 2016 New Releases & The #CriterionBlogathon
Aaron, Mark, Kristina Dijan (Speakeasy) and Ruth Kerr (Silver Screenings) discuss the February 2016 Criterion Collection line-up and then we delve into the Criterion Blogathon, which was an epic experience for all of us. We talk about some of the behind the scenes info, give out prizes, talk about the social media thrills with the #CriterionBlogathon, and give our thanks to all who participated.
Or listen here to it here:
Or direct download/listen to the MP3.
Show notes:
Outline:
0:00 – Intro, Housekeeping
9:20 – News & February Releases
38:40 – Criterion Blogathon
Intro
Kristina – Speakeasy Blog | Twitter
Ruth – Silver Screenings Blog | Twitter
Image of 4 Month, Three Weeks, 2 Days
News
Kristina’s In Cold Blood review
Aaron’s The Apu Trilogy Review
Kitchen Conservations: Gaspar Noé
February 2016 Releases
Criterion Blogathon
Recap, Day One: English Language Films released before 1947
Recap, Day Two: Europe and Mexico
Recap, Day Three: English Language Films, 1947-1980.
Recap, Day Four: Asian Cinema
Recap, Day Five: English Language films, 1981 to present.
Recap, Day Six: Essays and Box Sets.
F For Films – Favorites from the Criterion Blogathon
Grand Prizes:
Research: Cinematic Scribblings
Portrait: Coffee Gone Cold
Originality: Criterion Affection
Humorous: CineMaven’s Essays from the Couch
Where to Find Us:
Mark Hurne: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
Aaron West: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
Criterion Close-Up: Facebook | Twitter | Email
Criterion Close-Up 