Criterion Cast: Master Audio Feed
The Criterion Cast is a podcast (network) for fans of the Criterion Collection.
The Eclipse Viewer – Episode 75 – The First Films of Samuel Fuller
This podcast focuses on the Eclipse Series, box set editions of lost, forgotten, or overshadowed films recently revived by the Criterion Collection. Hosts David Blakeslee and Trevor Berrett give an overview of each set and offer their perspectives on the unique treasures they find inside. In this episode, David and Trevor discuss three films included in the recent Blu-ray release of Eclipse Series 5: The First Films of Samuel Fuller.
His films have been called raw, outrageous, sensational, and daring. In four decades of directing, Samuel Fuller created a legendarily idiosyncratic oeuvre, examining U.S. history a...
The Eclipse Viewer – Episode 74 – Five Radical Documentaries by Kazuo Hara and Sachiko Kobayashi
This podcast focuses on the Eclipse Series, box set editions of lost, forgotten, or overshadowed films recently revived by the Criterion Collection. Hosts David Blakeslee and Trevor Berrett give an overview of each set and offer their perspectives on the unique treasures they find inside. In this episode, David and Trevor discuss five films included in the recent Blu-ray release of Eclipse Series 49: Five Radical Documentaries by Kazuo Hara and Sachiko Kobayashi.
Shocking, confrontational, and made with white-hot fury, these radical documentaries—directed by Kazuo Hara and produced by his wife and longtime creative part...
The Eclipse Viewer – Episode 73 – Carlos Saura’s Flamenco Trilogy
This podcast focuses on the Eclipse Series, box set editions of lost, forgotten, or overshadowed films recently revived by the Criterion Collection. Hosts David Blakeslee and Trevor Berrett give an overview of each set and offer their perspectives on the unique treasures they find inside. In this episode, David and Trevor discuss three films included in the recent Blu-ray reissue of Eclipse Series 6: Carlos Saura’s Flamenco Trilogy. This is their second conversation about the set, following up on their previous coverage of the films in 2016 when they were available in DVD format, though the box was out...
The Eclipse Viewer – Episode 72 – Kinuyo Tanaka Directs [Part 3]
This podcast focuses on the Eclipse Series, box set editions of lost, forgotten, or overshadowed films recently revived by the Criterion Collection. Hosts David Blakeslee and Trevor Berrett give an overview of each set and offer their perspectives on the unique treasures they find inside. In this first of three episodes covering the recently issued Blu-ray edition of Eclipse Series 48: Kinuyo Tanaka Directs, David and Trevor discuss two films: Girls of the Night (1961) and Love Under the Crucifix (1962), her final directorial effort.
Kinuyo Tanaka was already one of Japan’s greatest actors—celebrated for her collaborations with...
The Eclipse Viewer – Episode 71 – Kinuyo Tanaka Directs [Part 2]
This podcast focuses on the Eclipse Series, box set editions of lost, forgotten, or overshadowed films recently revived by the Criterion Collection. Hosts David Blakeslee and Trevor Berrett give an overview of each set and offer their perspectives on the unique treasures they find inside. In this first of three episodes covering the recently issued Blu-ray edition of Eclipse Series 48: Kinuyo Tanaka Directs, David and Trevor discuss two films: Forever a Woman (1955) and The Wandering Princess (1960).
Kinuyo Tanaka was already one of Japan’s greatest actors—celebrated for her collaborations with auteurs such as Kenji Mizo...
The Eclipse Viewer – Episode 70 – Kinuyo Tanaka Directs [Part 1]
This podcast focuses on the Eclipse Series, box set editions of lost, forgotten, or overshadowed films recently revived by the Criterion Collection. Hosts David Blakeslee and Trevor Berrett give an overview of each set and offer their perspectives on the unique treasures they find inside. In this first of three episodes covering the recently issued Blu-ray edition of Eclipse Series 48: Kinuyo Tanaka Directs, David and Trevor discuss two films: her directorial debut Love Letter (1953) and The Moon Has Risen (1955), based on a screenplay written by Yasujiro Ozu.
Kinuyo Tanaka was already one of Japan’s gr...
Episode 220 – An Interview with Thomas Golianopoulos, Author of The Life of Singleton: From Boyz n the Hood to Snowfall
In this episode of Criterion Cast, David Blakeslee interviews Thomas Golianopoulos about his new book The Life of Singleton: From Boyz n the Hood to Snowfall. The book provides an in-depth biography of director/writer/producer John Singleton, subject of John Singleton’s Hood Trilogy, a three-film box set recently issued by the Criterion Collection.
About the Book:
The Life of Singleton is the definitive account of film icon John Singleton’s life and times.
John Singleton became a living legend at just 24 years old when he earned Academy Award nominations for...
The Eclipse Viewer – Episode 69 – Lubitsch Musicals [Part 2]
This podcast focuses on the Eclipse Series, box set editions of lost, forgotten, or overshadowed films recently revived by the Criterion Collection. Hosts David Blakeslee and Trevor Berrett give an overview of each set and offer their perspectives on the unique treasures they find inside. In this second of two episodes covering the recently reissued Blu-ray edition of Eclipse Series 8: Lubitsch Musicals, David and Trevor are joined by guest William Remmers to discuss two films: The Smiling Lieutenant, starring Maurice Chevalier, Claudette Colbert, and Miriam Hopkins, and One Hour with You, featuring Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald.<...
The Eclipse Viewer – Episode 68 – Lubitsch Musicals [Part 1]
This podcast focuses on the Eclipse Series, box set editions of lost, forgotten, or overshadowed films recently revived by the Criterion Collection. Hosts David Blakeslee and Trevor Berrett give an overview of each set and offer their perspectives on the unique treasures they find inside. In this first of two episodes covering the recently reissued Blu-ray edition of Eclipse Series 8: Lubitsch Musicals, David and Trevor are joined by guest William Remmers to discuss two films: The Love Parade, starring Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald, and Monte Carlo, also featuring Jeanette MacDonald, with Jack Buchanan.
About...
The Eclipse Viewer – Episode 67 – Abbas Kiarostami: Early Shorts and Features [Part 4]
This podcast focuses on the Eclipse Series, box set editions of lost, forgotten, or overshadowed films recently revived by the Criterion Collection. Hosts David Blakeslee and Trevor Berrett give an overview of each set and offer their perspectives on the unique treasures they find inside. In this last of four episodes, David and Trevor discuss six “School Films” (Two Solutions for One Problem, So Can I, Tribute to Teachers, Toothache, Orderly or Disorderly, and Homework) from Eclipse Series 47: Abbas Kiarostami – Early Shorts and Features. Eleven other films included in this set are covered in earlier episodes.
About th...
Episode 219: An Interview with Aaron West, Author of The A24 New Wave
In this special episode of Criterion Cast, David Blakeslee interviews Aaron West, a longtime contributor to this site, about his new book The A24 New Wave, which will publish in May 2026. Their conversation gives a brief overview of A24’s history since the company began distributing films in 2012 (with their big breakthrough Spring Breakers) and went on from there to accelerate the careers of many of today’s most influential and respected directors, actors, and other talents. A24 has released many of the most impactful movies of the past decade-plus and this book offers insights and behind-the-scenes deta...
The Eclipse Viewer – Episode 66 – Abbas Kiarostami: Early Shorts and Features [Part 3]
This podcast focuses on the Eclipse Series, box set editions of lost, forgotten, or overshadowed films recently revived by the Criterion Collection. Hosts David Blakeslee and Trevor Berrett give an overview of each set and offer their perspectives on the unique treasures they find inside. In this episode, David and Trevor discuss five films (Solution No. 1, First Case/Second Case, The Chorus, Fellow Citizen, and First Graders) from Eclipse Series 47: Abbas Kiarostami – Early Shorts and Features. Thirteen other films included in this set are covered in other episodes.
About the films:
Long before he be...
Episode 218 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2025
In our annual episode focusing on The Criterion Collection’s releases from the past year – and there’s a lot to celebrate! – we’ve assembled a panel of CriterionCast regulars to share our favorite releases of 2025. David Blakeslee from Criterion Reflections hosts this discussion, which also includes Aaron West and Brad McDermott.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS or in iTunes
Episode Notes
Aaron’s List
Favorite Cover/Packaging: I Know Where I’m Going by Thinh Dihn Favorite Releases Anora The Grifters FlowBrad’s List
Favorite Cover/P...The Eclipse Viewer – Episode 65 – Abbas Kiarostami: Early Shorts and Features [Part 2]
This podcast focuses on the Eclipse Series, box set editions of lost, forgotten, or overshadowed films recently revived by the Criterion Collection. Hosts David Blakeslee and Trevor Berrett give an overview of each set and offer their perspectives on the unique treasures they find inside. In this episode, David and Trevor discuss two films (Experience and A Wedding Suit) from Eclipse Series 47: Abbas Kiarostami – Early Shorts and Features. Thirteen other films included in this set will be covered in future episodes.
About the films:
Long before he became one of the most renowned artis...
The Eclipse Viewer – Episode 64 – Abbas Kiarostami: Early Shorts and Features [Part 1]
This podcast focuses on the Eclipse Series, Blu-ray box set editions of lost, forgotten, or overshadowed films recently revived by the Criterion Collection. Hosts David Blakeslee and Trevor Berrett give an overview of each set and offer their perspectives on the unique treasures they find inside. In this episode, David and Trevor discuss four films (Colors, Bread and Alley, Breaktime, and The Traveler) from Eclipse Series 47: Abbas Kiarostami – Early Shorts and Features. Thirteen other films included in this set will be covered in future episodes.
About the films:
Long before he became one of th...
David Reviews Mike Nichols’s Carnal Knowledge [Criterion 4K/Blu-ray Review]
A new release from the Criterion Collection represents yet another successful retrieval of an important film originally released by that company on the Laserdisc format they specialized in for 15 years or so before they started releasing movies on DVD. Carnal Knowledge, Mike Nichols’ 1971 follow up to Catch-22, functioned as a lightning rod for candid conversations and high-stakes legal proceedings in the immediate aftermath of its release and still shows plenty of potential for stoking fresh discussions and charged debates about how so many men relate to women in regard to sexuality and committed relationships. I had a ch...
Criterion Reflections – Episode 156 – Ingmar Bergman’s Scenes From a Marriage
https://criterioncast.com/wp-content/uploads/1751/28/Criterion-Reflections-Episode-156-Scenes-From-a-Marriage.mp3
Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a discussion about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. In this episode, David has 1:1 conversations with four different guests (returning: Derek J. Power and Jordan Essoe, with Michael Palli and Imani Payne making their first visits to the podcast) to hear their th...
Episode 217 – Argentine Noir with guest Matthew Gentile
This episode of Criterion Cast features a conversation with director/screenwriter Matthew Gentile, as he and host David Blakeslee discuss the ARGENTINE NOIR bundle currently streaming on the Criterion Channel. As the name implies, this is a collection of six films noir originally released in Argentina during the 1950s. Here’s how the Channel describes the set:
Argentina gave rise to some of the finest and most fascinating crime thrillers of the postwar noir boom—pitch-black tales of lust, greed, guilt, and deception suffused with the passionate intensity of tango and sculpted in striking expressionist shad...
Criterion Reflections – Episode 155 – Allan King’s Come On Children
Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a discussion about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. In this episode, David and guest William Remmers review Come On Children, directed by Allan King. This episode also includes a discussion about the film that David had in 2012 with Rob Nishimura and Josh Brunsting from his former podcast, The Eclipse Vi...
Criterion Reflections – Episode 154 – Jun Fukuda’s Godzilla vs. Megalon
Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a discussion about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. In this episode, David and guests Richard Doyle and David Seeley review Godzilla vs. Megalon, directed by Jun Fukuda. The film is included in the Criterion Collection box set Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films (Spine #1000) and is also available in the Criterion Ch...
Criterion Reflections – Episode 153 – Mike Leigh’s Hard Labour
Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a discussion about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. In this episode, David and guest Ethan Magnan review Hard Labour, directed by Mike Leigh. The film is part of the Criterion Channel streaming library and included in Mike Leigh at the BBC, a bundle of eight teleplays he directed for th...
Criterion Reflections – Episode 152 – Peter Bogdanovich’s Paper Moon
Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a discussion about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. In this episode, David and guests Richard Doyle, Eric Grant, and Joshua Wilson review Paper Moon, directed by Peter Bogdanovich. The film was released on 4K UHD and Blu-ray by the Criterion Collection in November 2024.
EPISODE LINKS:
PE...
Episode 216 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2024
In our annual episode focusing on The Criterion Collection’s releases from the past year – and there’s a lot to celebrate! – we’ve assembled a panel of CriterionCast regulars to share our favorite releases of 2024. David Blakeslee from Criterion Reflections hosts this discussion, which also includes Aaron West (CineJourneys), Josh Hornbeck (Criterion Channel Surfing), and longtime site contributor Brad McDermott.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS or in iTunes
Episode Notes
Josh’s List
Favorite Cover/Packaging: Three Revolutionary Films by Ousmane Sembène by Ify Chiejina Favorite Releases Chantal Akerma...Criterion Reflections – Episode 151 – Robert Altman’s The Long Goodbye
Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a discussion about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. In this episode, David and guests Richard Doyle and Robert Taylor review The Long Goodbye, directed by Robert Altman. The film has streamed on the Criterion Channel several times, most recently in early 2024 as part of a bundle showcasing cat movies.
...Criterion Reflections – Episode 150 – Lina Wertmüller’s Love and Anarchy
Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a discussion about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. In this episode, David and guest Richard Doyle review Love and Anarchy, directed by Lina Wertmüller. The film streamed on the Criterion Channel in 2019 as part of a bundle showcasing her films.
EPISODE LINKS:
LINA WERTMÜLLER...
Criterion Reflections – Episode 149 – Roger Vadim’s Don Juan (or if Don Juan Were a Woman)
Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a short video clip in which David offers a few thoughts about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. These clips will occasionally be accompanied by lengthier podcast episodes including other guests for films that call for more in-depth coverage. In this episode, David reviews Don Juan (or if Don Juan We...
Criterion Reflections – Episode 148 – The Game of Clones
This special episode of the podcast steps away from the usual coverage of films with a Criterion connection to discuss The Game of Clones: Bruceploitation Collection Vol. 1, a recently released box set from Severin Films. The set includes the 2023 documentary Enter the Clones of Bruce, plus 12 (or 14) more martial arts films originally released between 1973-1985 that all feature one or more of the actors who were cast for both their fighting prowess and their physical resemblance to Bruce Lee, whose death in 1973 created a void that these movies sought to fill. Thi...
Criterion Reflections – Episode 147 – Charles Nichols’ and Iwao Takamoto’s Charlotte’s Web
Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a short video clip in which David offers a few thoughts about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. These clips will occasionally be accompanied by lengthier podcast episodes including other guests for films that call for more in-depth coverage. In this episode, David is joined by Robert Cioffi to discuss Ch...
Criterion Reflections – Episode 146 – Perry Henzell’s The Harder They Come
Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a short video clip in which David offers a few thoughts about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. These clips will occasionally be accompanied by lengthier podcast episodes including other guests for films that call for more in-depth coverage. In this episode, David is joined by Richard Doyle, Josh Hornbeck, Br...
Criterion Reflections – Episode 145 – Larry Cohen’s Black Caesar
Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a short video clip in which David offers a few thoughts about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. These clips will occasionally be accompanied by lengthier podcast episodes including other guests for films that call for more in-depth coverage. In this episode, David is joined by Richard Doyle and James Me...
Criterion Reflections – Episode 144 – Mel Stuart’s Wattstax
Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a short video clip in which David offers a few thoughts about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. These clips will occasionally be accompanied by lengthier podcast episodes including other guests for films that call for more in-depth coverage. In this episode, David is joined by guests Richard Doyle and Ja...
Criterion Reflections – Episode 143 – Fernando Di Leo’s The Boss
Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a short video clip in which David offers a few thoughts about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. These clips will occasionally be accompanied by lengthier podcast episodes including other guests for films that call for more in-depth coverage. In this episode, David discusses The Boss, directed by Fernando Di Le...
Criterion Reflections – Episode 142 – Luchino Visconti’s Ludwig
Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a short video clip in which David offers a few thoughts about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. These clips will occasionally be accompanied by lengthier podcast episodes including other guests for films that call for more in-depth coverage. In this episode, David discusses Ludwig, directed by Luchino Visconti. In 2022, th...
Criterion Reflections – Episode 141 – Roberto Rossellini’s The Age of the Medici
Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a short video clip in which David offers a few thoughts about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. These clips will occasionally be accompanied by lengthier podcast episodes including other guests for films that call for more in-depth coverage. In this first episode of Season 5, David discusses The Age of th...
Criterion Reflections – Intro to Season 5: 1973
After six years as a podcast, preceded by eight years as a blog, my long-running project Criterion Reflections once again takes a new turn to become… a short form video clip YouTube kind of thing! After I wrapped up my coverage of Criterion-connected films of 1972 in Season 4 of my podcast last year, I felt another change was in order, just to keep it fresh and make sure it stays fun. Of course I continue to enjoy making podcasts, drawing great satisfaction from digitally capturing a lively and smart conversation about film with my friends that I can sh...
Episode 215 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2023
In our annual episode focusing on The Criterion Collection’s releases from the past year – and there’s a lot to celebrate – we’ve assembled a panel of CriterionCast regulars to share our favorite releases of 2023. David Blakeslee from Criterion Reflections hosts this discussion, which also includes Aaron West (CineJourneys), Josh Hornbeck (Criterion Channel Surfing), and longtime site contributors Jordan Essoe and Brad McDermott.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS or in iTunes
Episode Notes
Jordan’s List
Favorite Cover/Packaging: Thelma & Louise by Sam Hadley Favorite Releases Godland The Eight...Criterion Channel Surfing, Episode 60: Ishirō Honda’s Kaiju Cinema – Part Three
Critic and YouTube creator Celeste de la Cabra joins Josh for a journey into the Criterion Channel’s permanent, streaming-only library, and conclude their conversation about the films of Japanese filmmaker and the master of kaiju cinema, Ishirō Honda.
Episode Links
The Criterion Channel The Criterion Channel Club Facebook Group Michael Hutchin’s Letterboxd List of Streaming-Only Criterion Titles Michael Hutchins’s Letterboxd List of Limited Engagements Frankenstein vs. Baragon, Directed by Ishirō Honda The War of the Gargantuas, Directed by Ishirō Honda Space Amoeba, Directed by Ishirō HondaWhere to Find Us Online
Criterion Reflections – Episode 140 – Costa-Gavras’ State of Siege
Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of this fourth season of the podcast features conversations with a variety of guests offering insights on movies that originally premiered in 1972 and were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint. In this, the final episode of Season 4, David is joined by Trevor Berrett and Brad McDermott to discuss State of Siege, directed by Costa-Gavras. The film is available on DVD and Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection an...
Inside the Box – Episode 18 – The Complete Jean Vigo
Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee are pleased to present Inside the Box, a podcast series that explores the riches in the various box sets released by The Criterion Collection. In this episode, they discuss The Complete Jean Vigo. This box set contains the films À propos de Nice (1930), Taris (1988), Zéro de conduite (1933), and L’Atalante (1934).
Even among cinema’s legends, Jean Vigo stands apart. The son of a notorious anarchist, Vigo had a brief but brilliant career making poetic, lightly surrealist films before his life was cut tragically short by tuberculosis at age...
Criterion Reflections – Episode 139 – Ingmar Bergman’s Cries and Whispers
Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of this fourth season of the podcast features conversations with a variety of guests offering insights on movies that originally premiered in 1972 and were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint. In this episode, David is joined by Brad McDermott, Derek J. Power, Daniel Humphrey, and first-time guest James Bogdanski to discuss Cries and Whispers, directed by Ingmar Bergman. The film is available on DVD and Blu-ray fr...
