Criterion Reflections
49 episodes
David Reviews Mike Nichols’s Carnal Knowledge [Criterion 4K/Blu-ray Review]
A compilation of video and audio clips that David Blakeslee put together for his review, including a repurposed Criterion Reflections podcast episode from 2019 featuring Richard Doyle and Grant Bromley.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 156 – Ingmar Bergman’s Scenes From a Marriage
In this lengthy episode, David hosts four individual conversations about this emotionally searing and evocative TV miniseries of 1973 that was edited for theatrical release the following year.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 155 – Allan King’s Come On Children
David is joined by William Remmers to discuss an obscure Canadian documentary about 10 groovy teenagers who are granted 10 weeks of autonomy for the purpose of generating compelling cinematic moments, or at least trippy vibes.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 154 – Jun Fukuda’s Godzilla vs. Megalon
David is joined by Richard Doyle and David Seeley to provide intellectual gravitas as we contemplate the threat that atomic testing presents to the future of human civilization. Also: Jet Jaguar to the rescue!
Criterion Reflections – Episode 153 – Mike Leigh’s Hard Labour
David is joined by first-time guest Ethan Magnan to discuss Leigh's first made-for-TV film, and we also talk about Hard Truth's, his most recent release from 2024.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 152 – Peter Bogdanovich’s Paper Moon
David is joined by Richard Doyle, Eric Grant, and Josh Wilson to talk about a recent release from the Criterion Collection. We had a fun conversation, that unresolved matter of $200 notwithstanding.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 151 – Robert Altman’s The Long Goodbye
David is joined by Richard Doyle and Robert Taylor to discuss this skewed reworking that situates Raymond Chandler's 50s noir classic in early 70s L.A.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 150 – Lina Wertmüller’s Love and Anarchy
David is joined by Richard Doyle to discuss this timely tale of radical resistance and romantic folly in fascist Italy of the 1930s.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 149 – Roger Vadim’s Don Juan (or if Don Juan Were a Woman)
The podcast returns after a long break featuring David in a solo episode talking about Brigitte Bardot's acting career with a focus on this, her final feature performance.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 148 – The Game of Clones
David talks with Michael Worth about the excellent new Bruceploitation box set from Severin Films.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 147 – Charles Nichols’ and Iwao Takamoto’s Charlotte’s Web
David is joined by musical theater enthusiast Robert Cioffi to discuss this Hanna-Barbera animated adaptation of E.B. White's all-time best-selling youth fiction novel.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 146 – Perry Henzell’s The Harder They Come
David and guests conclude a 3-part series on Black cinema of February 1973 with a discussion of a Jamaican midnight movie classic that launched reggae a a major force in global popular music.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 145 – Larry Cohen’s Black Caesar
David, Richard, and James continue their conversation about Black cinema of 1973, focusing on a Blaxploitation classic featuring a funky James Brown soundtrack and charismatic Fred Williamson in the title role.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 144 – Mel Stuart’s Wattstax
David is joined by Richard Doyle and first-time guest James Merritt to talk about this engaging concert/documentary featuring Isaac Hayes, Richard Pryor, The Staples Singers, and an all-star cast of Black musical artists that performed at the LA Coliseum in August 1972.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 143 – Fernando Di Leo’s The Boss
David is joined by Richard Doyle as they dive into the mafia-infused milieu of Italian poliziotteschi cinema via this trilogy-concluding whirlwind of mayhem, betrayal, and revenge.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 142 – Luchino Visconti’s Ludwig
David provides a video overview of Visconti's maligned late career masterwork and extends his coverage in a conversation with Brad McDermott
Criterion Reflections – Episode 141 – Roberto Rossellini’s The Age of the Medici
David revisits the TV miniseries that attempts to recreate the cultural milieu of 15th century Florence in this first episode of Season 5: 1973.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 140 – Costa-Gavras’ State of Siege
We wrap up Season 4: 1972 by discussing a film portraying the grinding conflicts and ruthless power plays between oppressive governments and desperate insurgencies.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 139 – Ingmar Bergman’s Cries and Whispers
David and guests discuss the strengths and liabilities of Bergman's remarkable comeback to arthouse preeminence in this Oscar-winning symphony of suffering.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 138 – Melvin Van Peebles’ Don’t Play Us Cheap
David is joined by Richard Doyle and a first-time guest, actor/filmmaker Aaron Strand, to discuss this film adaptation of a barrier-breaking Broadway musical.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 137 – Hanzo the Razor
We discuss Shintaro Katsu's "life after Zatoichi" project, three films about a principled cop in Edo-era Japan, renowned for his fighting skills and infamous interrogation techniques.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 136 – Brian De Palma’s Sisters
David dissects Brian De Palma's breakout thriller with Richard Doyle and first-time guest Robert Baum.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 135 – Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s Eight Hours Don’t Make a Day
David and his ensemble gather 'round the table to enjoy and engage with Fassbinder's winsome series about family life and the German working class.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 134 – Bernardo Bertolucci’s Last Tango in Paris
David and guests share their thoughts on this sensational, scandalous landmark film from 1972 that still stirs up strong reactions today.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 133 – Bob Rafelson’s The King of Marvin Gardens
David is joined by Richard Doyle to discuss the final feature film in Criterion's America Lost and Found: The BBS Story box set.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 132 – Éric Rohmer’s Love in the Afternoon
David is joined by Matthew Gasteier to talk about the final installment of Rohmer's film series Six Moral Tales.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 131 – Luis Buñuel’s The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie
David is joined by Derek Power, Travis Trudell, Brad McDermott and Dave Eves in a series of 1:1 chats about Bunuel's magnificent and delectable chef d'oeuvre from late in his career.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 130 – Martin Ritt’s Sounder
This adaptation of a youth fiction classic earned 4 Oscar nominations, popular acclaim and some critical backlash. We discuss all that, and also share our reactions to the new Sight and Sound list.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 129 – Shintaro Katsu’s Zatoichi in Desperation
The 24th film in the series finds the Blind Swordsman venturing down the bleakest and most nihilistic pathways. Zatoichi gets no darker than this!
Criterion Reflections – Episode 128 – Wes Craven’s The Last House on the Left
We discuss this infamous and polarizing film in which Krug and company commit sex crimes of the century that inevitably lead them to a brutal night of vengeance.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 127 – William Crain’s Blacula
David is joined by Aaron West from Criterion Now to discuss this blaxploitation/horror mash-up from July 1972.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 126 – Late July 1972
Films discussed include GREASER'S PALACE, CIAO! MANHATTAN and BONE - all streaming on the Criterion Channel.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 125 – Pier Paolo Pasolini’s The Canterbury Tales
David and guests discuss the middle installment of Pasolinin's Trilogy of Life, an adaptation of the bawdiest chapters in Geoffrey Chaucer's classic medieval text.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 124 – Ronald Neame’s The Poseidon Adventure
David and guests take a deep dive into this massively successful and influential disaster-movie blockbuster that established genre standards for the decades that followed.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 123 – James Ivory’s Savages
Daisuke Beppu, Robert Taylor and Richard Doyle join David to discuss this strange diversion from the usual form that made Merchant Ivory Productions an Oscar-winning powerhouse in 80s and 90s cinema.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 122 – Alan Gibson’s Dracula A.D. 1972
We discuss a late entry in Hammer Films' Dracula series at a time when the beloved studio's reign of terror perilously approached the breaking dawn of a new era in cinematic horror.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 121 – Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant
David and guests discuss Fassbinder's emotionally intense and visually compelling chamber piece, exquisitely crafted and impeccably performed, a superb artistic achievement for everyone involved.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 120 – Larry Hagman’s Beware! The Blob
David and guests discuss this mixed bag of schlock comedy, drippy sci-fi, goopy horror and vintage early 70s kitsch. Don't say we didn't warn you!
Criterion Reflections – Episode 119 – Gordon Parks’ Shaft’s Big Score!
David and guests talk about the second installment in the SHAFT franchise and also discuss TOP OF THE HEAP, both currently featured in the Criterion Channel's "Beyond Blaxploitation" bundle.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 118 – Bruce Lee’s The Way of the Dragon
David is joined by Michael Worth and Richard Doyle to talk about the last film Bruce Lee starred in during his lifetime, his only directorial effort, the climactic battle with Chuck Norris, and more!
Criterion Reflections – Episode 117 – Michael Campus’s Z.P.G. and George A. Romero’s Hungry Wives a.k.a. Season of the Witch
Two obscure genre flicks from May 1972 that were given brief limited runs on the Criterion Channel are the focus of this episode.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 116 – Jacques Demy’s The Pied Piper
Come listen and be entranced by our enchanted conversation about this overlooked folk horror fairy tale set in the tragic era of the Black Death.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 115 – Alfred Hitchcock’s Frenzy
David and guests discuss the delightful flavors and occasional bad taste of Hitchcock's penultimate film, a debate that ends in a tie.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 114 – Roberto Rossellini’s Blaise Pascal
Rossellini's distinctive approach to portraying history on film focuses on the French polymath, a innovative genius in mathematics, science and philosophy.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 113 – John Huston’s Fat City
Stacy Keach, Jeff Bridges and Susan Tyrell star in this remarkable adaptation of Leonard Gardner's classic novel set in the riff-raff boxing milieu of Stockton, California.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 112 – Peter Medak’s The Ruling Class
In this barbed satire of aristocratic elites, Peter O'Toole's manic pivot from beatific flower child to merciless killer ranks as one of his greatest on-screen roles.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 111 – Maurice Pialat’s We Won’t Grow Old Together
Pialat's second feature film won a Best Actor award at Cannes in 1972 for its portrayal of the terminal phase of a doomed and codependent love affair.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 110 – Robert Altman’s Images
David is joined by Brad McDermott to talk about Robert Altman's overlooked excursion into psychological horror, featuring an award-winning lead performance by Susannah York.
Criterion Reflections – Episode 109 – Lone Wolf and Cub [Part 2]
This episode covers the last three films in this classic series: Baby Cart in Peril, Baby Cart in the Land of Demons and White Heaven in Hell.