The Criterion Connection

On this episode of the Criterion Connection, we discuss John Sayles' generation spanning neo-western/mystery-drama dissecting themes as vast as the desert itself, Lone Star (1996). We also chat the 50th Anniversary of All The President's Men and Meiko Kaji in Lady Snowblood. Thanks to our friend Nathan for his voicemail! NEXT TIME: THE RUNNER (1984) ---- McKenzie on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

On this episode we discuss one of the biggest additions in recent memory - Joel & Ethan Coen's 2007 Best Picture winning thriller No Country for Old Men . But, be warned: we don't love this movie. We also chat about the most gorgeous film-acting couple in the world, the new additions to the Criterion Collection for June 2026, and Ian recommends Magic Mike's Last Dance. NEXT TIME: LONE STAR (19...

On this episode, Ian & McKenzie continue their double feature of films made up of two Hong Kong action classics. This week we discuss our first John Woo film by breaking down the melodrama, homoerotic undertones, and graceful thrills of one of his many collaborations with the amazing Chow Yun-fat. Join us as we talk THE KILLER (1989). Also discussed is Ian finally completing the filmographies...

On this episode, Ian & McKenzie are going to Hong Kong for an action double feature from two great Chinese auteurs. To kick things off, we are chatting about Johnnie To's THROW DOWN (2004). We talk about the film's reliance on vibes over plot, it's amazing aesthetic, and the relationships among the core trio. There's also lots of chat about John Waters, Mink Stole, Michael Bay,...

We finally complete our first double feature of 2026 by following up Saving Face with Joan Micklin Silver's lovely NYC rom-com, Crossing Delancey (1988). We get into the cultural specificity of the film, its laughs, its touching moments, and how gorgeous Amy Irving is throughout. We also chat about James Bond on Netflix, the new Criterion Collection editions coming in April & May of 2026,...

We're back to our regular schedule and we're starting 2026 off with a favorite of both of ours! We both jumped with joy when Alice Wu's Saving Face (2004) was added to the collection because so few romantic comedies come close to the perfection that is this gem. We also chat a little bit about Todd Haynes and Steven Spielberg up top before we get deep into our love and admiration for A...

At long last, Ian and McKenzie return to finish out their Kubrick Double feature with his final film, Eyes Wide Shut (1999). On our long delayed episode, we discuss how little we both actually like this film and further excavate our mixed feelings on a filmmaker so many revere as a cinematic genius. We chat about the odd performances in this movie, some different interpretations of the themes, and...

Ian and McKenzie begin a double feature focused on the cinema of Stanley Kubrick. First up? Barry Lyndon (1975). They discuss their opinions on the filmmaker himself and how they go somewhat against the grain when it comes to their opinions of his body of work, the majesty of Barry Lyndon's compositions, the performances that work and don't work for each of them, and how funny the film can...

Ian and McKenzie, for the second time in a row, welcome back their friend ⁠Christian Gutiérrez⁠ to bring Noirvember to a close! This time we are talking about the 2021 version of Nightmare Alley . We chat the differences in this adaptation, the black & white director's cut exclusive to The Criterion Collection, the stellar cast, neo-noir, as well as the craft of master filmmaker Guillermo...

Ian and McKenzie welcome back their friend Christian Gutiérrez to usher in a special double feature for Noirvember. This month we are all about Nightmare Alley as IP. On this episode, we discuss the original film adaptation from 1947 . We chat Tyrone Power, how Nightmare Alley differs from typical film noir, as well as talk about film noir more generally. McKenzie and Guti also briefly talk about...

On this special one off episode, with no connection, we bring you our one piece of spooky programming this Halloween season: cult classic and Criterion favorite House (1977). We talk about the films themes, backgrounds, special effects, and our differing levels of enjoyment. Ian give a brief review of the new Apple TV series, Mr. Scorsese and McKenzie updates us on her John Carpenter journey. We a...

This week we finish a double feature by watching the "remake" of the film we covered last week - William Friedkin's best-picture follow up and cult classic, Sorcerer (1977). Also on the show: Ian tells McKenzie about watching a horror behemoth for the first time and McKenzie finally watched a movie Ian recommended to her maybe a year ago on the podcast(?). ---- Chapters (00:00:00) Intro (00:06:06)...

This week on the show we start a new double feature about Men trying to get explosives through a jungle. We kick it off with the seminal 1953 French thriller, The Wages of Fear (1953). Whatever will we pair it with next? We also make a very special announcement at the top of the episode! ---- Chapters (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:45) Announcing Above the Line - a new film podcast! (00:07:24) What we&#3...

We're home!! This week we conclude our double feature surrounding the lives of sex workers in cinema. We discuss Sean Baker's Palm d'Or winning screwball dramedy that also went on to win five Oscars including Best Actress for its star, Mikey Madison, and Baker every award he was personally nominated for. We're talking Anora (2024). We also discuss some great films we watched during...

This week we start a new double feature centered around the lives of sex workers with two films that look past the sensational and gaudy tendencies that these stories tend to have and attempt to have a more empathetic and realist view. We begin with Lizzie Borden's slice-of-life drama Working Girls (1986). We also discuss the new Ethan Coen/Tricia Cooke film Honey Don't as well as have a s...

This week we continue our stay in Belle Epoque France with a film that we are surprised is not more widely talked about - Jacques Becker's ⁠Casque d'or⁠ (1952). ---- Chapters (00:00:00) Intro (00:03:40) What we've been watching (00:16:05) Criterion Collection additions for Nov 2025 + Criterion Channel additions for Sept 2025 (00:32:40) Casque d'or (00:56:20) Final thoughts (01:00:34) Next week ---...

This week we journey back to the mid century in France with a film set even earlier at the turn of the century. We discuss Max Ophüls's stunning masterpiece, The Earrings of Madame de... (1953). ---- Chapters (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:40) What we've been watching (00:24:18) The Earrings of Madame de... (00:54:28) Final thoughts (00:58:19) Next week ---- McKenzie on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Austin...

This week we discuss one of the few concert films in the criterion collection. We chat 1960s countercultural figures and the ending of an era of rock'n'roll as we discuss Martin Scorsese's The Last Waltz (1978). ---- Chapters (00:00:00) Intro (00:03:00) What we've been watching (00:26:14) The Last Waltz (00:58:40) Final thoughts (01:06:49) Next week ---- McKenzie on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

This week we welcome friend of the show, Scott, to chat all things Sondheim, 19-hour marathon recording sessions, and Documentary Now! parodies as we discuss D.A. Pennebaker's seminal 1970s musical theater documentary Original Cast Album: Company (1970). ---- Thanks to our friend Scott for coming to chat with us!! Follow him on Letterboxd & Blusky . Listen to his podcasts Big White Elephan...

This week we journey from Mexico to Spain to discuss another film about political turmoil, this time though, seen through the big wide eyes of a child - Victor Erice's The Spirit of the Beehive (1973). ---- Chapters (00:00:00) Intro (00:03:00) What we've been watching (00:26:04) Criterion Collection additions for October 2025 (00:33:52) The Spirit of the Beehive (01:01:34) Final thoughts (...

This week we journey to Mexico with 2018's Oscar-winning semi-autobiographical drama from acclaimed auteur Alfonso Cuarón - Roma (2018). ---- Chapters (00:00:00) Intro (00:03:00) What we've been watching (00:25:00) Roma (01:03:10) Final thoughts (01:13:24) Next week ---- McKenzie on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Austin Danger Pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ian on ⁠⁠⁠...

Last week we talked about one clown, Monsieur Hulot. This week we discuss another. McKenzie & Ian go back almost a hundred years into cinema's past to chat about The Tramp in his last appearance, Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times (1936). ---- Chapters (00:00:00) Intro (00:03:26) What we've been watching (00:25:16) Modern Times (00:53:57) Final thoughts (00:57:48) Listener Messages (00...

This week we start a new double feature featuring famous clowns. First up, we tackle Criterion Collection staple Jacques Tati and his famous clown character (Monsieur Hulot) with Playtime (1967). ---- Chapters (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:23) What we've been watching (00:07:18) Criterion Collection additions for September 2025 & Criterion Channel additions for July 2025 (00:32:13) Playtime (01:00:0...

This week we tackle another film about Private Investigators delving into the criminal underbelly of the disillusioned 70s with Alan J. Pakula's Oscar winning neo-noir, Klute (1971). ---- Chapters (00:00:00) Intro (00:04:30) What we've been watching (00:26:20) Klute (00:58:38) Final thoughts (01:06:34) Listener Messages (01:08:08) Next week ---- McKenzie on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Austin Danger Pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

On this episode, we welcome back dear friend Brandon Ulrich to discuss the recently added Night Moves (1975). ---- Chapters (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:45) What we've been watching (00:24:33) Night Moves (01:16:00) Final thoughts (01:28:55) Next week ---- McKenzie on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Austin Danger Pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- Sen...