David is joined by Richard Doyle to discuss this timely tale of radical resistance and romantic folly in fascist Italy of the 1930s.
David Blakeslee
David Blakeslee
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.
David Reviews Chen Kaige’s Farewell My Concubine [Criterion 4K/Blu-Ray Review]
Criterion's long-awaited release of this Chinese epic is now available in a splendid uncut restoration.
David Reviews Glauber Rocha’s Black God, White Devil [Criterion Blu-Ray Review]
A few thoughts and three video clips about the exciting new release of a landmark Brazilian film from 1964.
David Reviews Shaunak Sen’s All That Breathes [Janus Contemporaries Blu-Ray Review]
David shares his thoughts on this 2022 documentary about two brothers carrying out their mission of rescuing injured birds in Delhi, India.
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...
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 – Intro to Season 5: 1973
A brief video introducing the newest phase of my long-running project to review every Criterion film in chronological order of original theatrical release!
Episode 215 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2023
This year's panel (David, Jordan, Josh, Brad, and Aaron) resumes our annual tradition of sharing their favorite 2023 releases from the Criterion Collection.