Criterion Now

A current rundown of the world of Criterion with a round table of guests. We talk about new and upcoming releases, what's happening on the Criterion Channel, and other related topics related to the Criterion Collection.

Criterion Now - Episode 160

Description:Christian Gutierrez joins Aaron for the first time. He has a podcast called Reel Latinos, and is an expert in Latino cinema. He has tastes for world cinema and classic Hollywood. We talked about the July 2025 Criterion announcements, and we went through the TCM Film Festival schedule to look at conflicts and which films for him to prioritize at the 2025 fest.Links: Video of this Episode Christian's Links Real Latinos Links Follow Us:Cinejourneys - YouTube Channel | Facebook Page | Facebook Group | Instagram | Letterboxd | BlueSky | ThreadsJill Blake - BlueSkyAaron West - BlueSky | Letterboxd

04-22
54:43

Criterion Now - Episode 159

Description:Ali Khamseh joins Aaron from Tehran, Iran. It was the first time podcasting with someone anywhere close to that region, and it was a delight! Ali talked about his projects, the state of cinema in Iran, many of the Iranian masters like Abbas Kiarostami and Jafar Panahi, and how some filmmakers have become internationally known while pacifying the government. Ali likes a lot more than Iranian cinema and we had a good time looking through the Criterion titles too.Links:Video of this Episode Ali's Links Ali's Letterboxd  Follow Us:Cinejourneys - YouTube Channel | Facebook Page | Facebook Group | Instagram | Letterboxd | BlueSky | ThreadsJill Blake - BlueSkyAaron West - BlueSky | Letterboxd

04-09
49:31

Criterion Now - Episode 158 - Killers of the Flower Moon, June 2028 Announcements

Description:David Blakeslee joins Aaron. Jill is absent for the near future, and while she can't be replaced, David is a terrific co-host. We start by talking about Killers of the Flower Moon and some viral news that Criterion had allegedly approached Apple to put out a release, and Apple refused. We dig into the source and have some questions. While we are not expecting an imminent release, we think this is irresponsible reporting, but the sentiments that made it go viral are in the right place. We also talk about yet another rich month of Criterion announcements after they unveiled their June 2025 slate.Links:Video of this Episode eightslicesofpie's post on the Blu-Ray forums. The follow up post after the story went viral  120 Days of PasoliniDavid Blakeslee's Guide Profile on CineJourneysFollow David on BlueSkyFollow Us:Cinejourneys - YouTube Channel | Facebook Page | Facebook Group | Instagram | Letterboxd | BlueSky | ThreadsJill Blake - BlueSkyAaron West - BlueSky | Letterboxd

03-25
56:39

Criterion Now - Episode 157

Description:Jill and Aaron talk about Flow, which appears to be the first Janus Contemporary that will get a Criterion spine release. We then talk about the May 2025 Announcements, and the new trend of increasing the number of new titles with upgrades. We speculate whether this has to do with the Steven Rales and Indian Paintbrush acquisition. Links: Video of this Episode ‘Flow’ Will Join the Criterion Collection Later This Year with 4K Special Edition Kickstarter Campaign for The A24 New Wave Follow Us:Cinejourneys - YouTube Channel | Facebook Page | Facebook Group | Instagram | Letterboxd | BlueSky | ThreadsJill Blake - BlueSkyAaron West - BlueSky | Letterboxd

02-20
51:02

Criterion Now - Episode 156

Description:Jill and Aaron are back after a little bit of an unintentional break. We talk about Aaron's upcoming new book. We pay tribute to the loss of one of our favorite filmmakers, David Lynch. Finally we talk about the April 2025 Announcements, which include seven titles, with two from Sean Baker. We have a brief digression about Gerard Depardieu's airplane behavior.Links:    Video of this Episode     Criterion Now - Episode 154 Video     Criterion Now - Episode 155 Video     Kickstarter Campaign for The A24 New Wave     Follow Us:Cinejourneys - YouTube Channel | Facebook Page | Facebook Group | Instagram | Letterboxd | BlueSky | ThreadsJill Blake - BlueSkyAaron West - BlueSky | Letterboxd

01-28
01:00:29

Criterion Now - Episode 152

Description:Ryan Verrill joins the podcast to announce that we are joining Someone's Favorite Productions network. We also get into the November 2024 announcements on the heels of having already reacted (somewhat critically) to the CC40 boxset. We are pleased with this month, and we show a different side of Mifune to show our gratitude.Links:Criterion Now - Episode 152 - VideoSomeone's Favorite Productions linksDisc-Connected LinksCriterion Collection - Coming SoonFollow Us:Cinejourneys - Website | YouTube Channel | Discord ServerJill Blake - BlueSkyAaron West - Letterboxd

08-16
01:07:48

Criterion Now - Episode 150 - Imogen Sara Smith, October 2024 Announcements, Modern French Film

Description:Imogen Sara Smith joins for our special episode 150, which we recorded without interruptions. We talk about a number of subjects including the thrill and rarity of seeing a repertory nitrate screening. She talks about her craft process, and how she approaches writing about film. We talk about modern French film and specifically how Celine Sciamma has pushed the boundaries of telling a visual story. We talk about the 2024 October Criterion announcements, including the Val Lewton set which features an Imogen interview. Finally, Imogen weighs in our Jill and Aaron’s choices for the upcoming #Noirvember Blogathon. Thanks Imogen for helping us celebrate this milestone episode!Links:Criterion Now - Episode 150 - VideoFilm Noir FoundationMaine Media - Imogen Sara SmithCriterion Collection - Imogen Sara Smith - Rohmer's Tales of the Four SeasonsFollow Us:Cinejourneys - Website | YouTube Channel | Discord ServerJill Blake - BlueSkyAaron West - Letterboxd

07-31
01:42:11

Criterion Now - Episode 149 - Someone Bought Criterion

Description:Jill and Aaron return the Criterion Now podcast with a long overdue episode. We get into the ownership situation with Criterion Collection and Indian Paintbrush, and what we expect from it. We also look at the recent and upcoming releases, and what we are looking forward to seeing as new or for the first time.Links:Criterion September 2024 Reaction with Josh HornbeckCineJourneys – Join Our Inclusive Online CommunityCinema RitrovatoFollow Us:Cinejourneys – WebsiteJill Blake – BlueSkyAaron West – Letterboxd

07-25
01:27:11

Criterion Now – Episode 148 – Criterion 2022 Top 3, Sight & Sound, February and March 2023 Announcements

We are pleased to have Dave Eves back on the show. We talk best of 2022, February and March announcements, and the Sight & Sound list.

01-31
01:38:34

Criterion Now – Episode 147 – August 2022 Through January 2023 Criterion Releases

Now that we're back, we had some catching up to do. This week Drew Morton joined to go back through all of the months that we missed during hiatus -- August 2022 through January 2023.

11-02
01:44:55

Criterion Now – Episode 146 – A Conversation with Sean Baker and Shih-Ching Tsou

Filmmaker Sean Baker and his co-director for Take Out and frequent collaborator Shih-Ching Tsou join to discuss Take Out, Criterion, and other topics.

10-12
01:23:45

Criterion Now – Episode 145 – We’re Back!

Jill and Aaron are now officially back from hiatus and ready to resume the show. This is us getting warmed up.

10-01
01:17:47

Criterion Now – Episode 144 – July 2022 Announcements, David Lynch, Truffaut

Jill and Aaron get into June announcements, a lot of David Lynch news, and speculate about François Truffaut.

05-09
01:10:16

Criterion Now – Episode 143 – June 2022 Announcements, Indicator Bogart, Kinuyo Tunaka

Marcus Pinn joins as we discuss June announcements and a lot more.

04-24
01:45:09

Criterion Now – Episode 142 – May 2022 Announcements, Miller’s Crossing, Pink Flamingos

Drew Morton joins again, and we have a lot to talk about. Come for the Criterions, stay for his Jimmy Stewart impressions.

03-11
01:41:09

Criterion Now – Episode 141 – Martial Arts

Grady Hendrix and Chris Poggiali, authors of These Fists Break Bricks join to talk about all things martial arts.

02-24
01:44:47

Criterion Now – Episode 140 – April 2022 Announcements, A Hard Day’s Night, Shaft

Celeste de la Cabra joins to discuss the April announcements and more possibly coming to Criterion.

02-10
01:19:25

Criterion Now – Episode 139 – Reflections on 2021

Jill and Aaron spend New Year's Eve reflecting on the year of 2021

01-12
01:24:55

Criterion Now – Episode 138 – March 2022 Announcements, Janus Acquisitions, Rumors

Brad McDermott joins to talk the March 2022 Announcements and a lot of other Criterion news.

01-03
01:28:31

Criterion Now – Episode 137 – A Conversation with Farran Smith Nehme

Jill and Aaron welcome writer and frequent Criterion contributor Farran Smith Nehme to the show.

12-06
01:20:41

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