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
David Blakeslee
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...
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...
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