Criterion Reflections

David Blakeslee and guests engage in concise but in depth conversations about Criterion films in their original historic context, and reflect on what they say to us today. Each episode covers a season of a year, discussing the movies in their chronological order of release.

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.

07-21
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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.

07-06
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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.

04-19
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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!

03-10
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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.

02-01
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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.

01-05
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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.

12-06
01:47:08

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.

11-09
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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.

10-15
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Criterion Reflections – Episode 148 – The Game of Clones

David talks with Michael Worth about the excellent new Bruceploitation box set from Severin Films.

06-22
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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.

05-25
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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.

05-15
01:54:00

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.

04-27
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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.

04-06
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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.

03-08
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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

02-07
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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.

01-16
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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.

12-02
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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.

10-21
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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.

09-22
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