49 episodes
Criterion Reflections David Blakeslee
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- TV & Film
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4.7 • 21 Ratings
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
Customer Reviews
Best Criterion podcast out there
I’m a fan of the Criterion Collection and have about a dozen or so titles in my home collection. So I’m always interested in podcasts that focus on the series. Unfortunately, most are just of the “two guys blowing smoke” variety, often ill-informed and merely expressing like or dislike. That doesn’t tell me anything. David respects the listener enough to provide historical context, where a movie fits in its cinematic tradition, and informed biographical information about directors, actors, screenwriters, and the culture which produced the film. And he does so without being pedantic (the only exception to this would be the review of Saló, but that film is such an outlier that, really, all bets are off. So if you’re looking for informed commentary on movies, this is a great place to start.
Where are the women?
Overall, I’ve enjoyed this podcast and would recommend it to anyone who wants a variety of in-depth perspectives on cinematically significant titles. I like the fact that David brings on younger voices who are often seeing the 70s films for the first time, or at least weren’t born when they were first released. However, there is a noticeable dearth of women’s perspectives, which in several cases (Klute, Straw Dogs, The Last Picture Show to name a few) leave a gaping hole in the analysis.
One of the best Criterion Specific Movie Podcasts
I love the chronological format, and David is a mad genius. I feel like I am getting some pretty good insight into this fraught time (late 60s), which also give me insight into our current time. Thanks David! Also, thanks for having on Jordan Essoe, who is just dreamy.