The Criterion Connection

CW: This episode contains in depth discussion about The Holocaust and antisemitism. ---- Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode, Ian (they/them) & McKenzie (she/her) welcome friend of the show, Brandon Ulrich to chat his 4 favorite criterion films and the 70s French film, MR. KLEIN (1976)! We discuss the historical fact and fiction portra...

CW: While this episode focuses on the lives and joy of queer folk, we do discuss the film and it's subjects lives in depth. This means we discuss homophobia, transphobia, AIDS related illness and death, as well as a hate crime (briefly and in very little detail). Additionally, we would like to let listeners who deal with misophonia know: due to the subject matter the hosts do sniffle and cry at ce...

Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode, McKenzie (she/her) & Ian (they/them) discuss a favorite of McKenzie's: SPINE #1184 - THE WATERMELON WOMAN (1996)! We chat about queer love and life, how this film shows the lighter side of lesbian relationships in contrast to other similar films, the 90s of it all, and just all around the humor...

Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode, McKenzie (she/her) & Ian (they/them) discuss SPINE #803, THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (1962)! We discuss this film in relation to our last film, DR. STRANGELOVE, the taught direction of Frankenheimer, the political nature of the film, as well as the performances of Lansbury, Sinatra, and company. Other...

Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode, Ian (they/them) & McKenzie (she/her) discuss Stanley Kubrick & his first canonical masterpiece, SPINE #821, DR. STRANGELOVE, or: HOW I LEARNED to STOP WORRYING and LOVE the BOMB (1964)! We discuss our Kubrick histories, what works and what doesn't, the performances of Sellers as well as Scot...

Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode, Ian (they/them) & McKenzie (she/her) discuss ALL THAT JAZZ (1979)! We dive into a little bit of Fosse lore, discuss the extraordinary numbers in this fantastical fantasia, unravel the lines between fact and fiction, as well as compare and contrast this film to last weeks film - 8 ½ (1963). Other top...

Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode McKenzie (she/her) & Ian (they/them) are joined by our good friend Guti (he/him) to discuss THE RED SHOES (1948). We chat about that indescribable ballet sequence, discuss the value art has in life (and if it's more valuable than life itself), and unpack "the men" in this stellar moving picture! We also...

On this special BONUS episode of The Crtierion Connection, while McKenzie is away on vacay, we present to you all a "brief" little episode discussing 10 films that we would add to the criterion collection! --- We will return to our regular programming next week with our episode on THE RED SHOES (1948). --- This episode was mixed and edited by Ian.

Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode Ian (they/them) & McKenzie (she/her) discuss THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (1955)! We talk about why we think this film has been reclaimed by Criterion-heads and cinephiles alike, the themes we saw in this film and why patriarchy is (hot take) not good, and Ian picks a fight with male auteurs and they'...

CONTENT WARNING: On this episode we discuss the plot of EVE'S BAYOU in depth, which deals with the following subject matter: incest, grooming, & child sexual abuse. ---- Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode McKenzie (she/her) & Ian (they/them) discuss EVE'S BAYOU (1997)! We discuss how the direction of this film emphasizes t...

Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode McKenzie (she/her) & Ian (they/them) discuss DO THE RIGHT THING . Fair warning, this episode is a smidge heavier fair than what you've been used to so far - they both discuss how the film highlights how injustice has gone largely unchecked in the United States since the release of the film and wh...

Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode Ian (they/them) & McKenzie (she/her) discuss CODE UNKOWN (2000). They get into Haneke's approach to filmmaking, the way his films feel, and the questions that this meditation on communication raises within all of us. Other topics include: McKenzie gives new meaning to the phrase "I really ha...

Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode Ian (they/them) & McKenzie (she/her) discuss FRANCES HA (2013). Spoiler alert: one host likes this film a lot more than the other, but Ian & McKenzie have a great conversation about this absolutely charming film nonetheless. Other topics include: McKenzie returns with a new Mai Zetterling watch,...

Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode McKenzie (she/her) & Ian (they/them) discuss VAGABOND (1985). They discuss the film, its portrayal of Mona as a counter to normal living, the structure of the film, and narrowly escape tears. Other topics include: new additions to the Criterion Collection, whats coming to the Criterion Channel in May...

Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode McKenzie (she/her) & Ian (they/them) discuss AN ACTOR'S REVENGE (1963). They discuss the film overall and get into the nitty gritty on how this technically exquisite film tackles gender in a unique way. Other topics include: a digression on two episodes of Glee, a top ten list from one of our fri...

Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode Ian (they/them) & McKenzie (she/her) discuss CURE (1997). Did they like it? Did they hate it? Do they even agree on their love and/or hate for the film? Other topics include: a digression on how Ian can go from logging a movie at 4 stars to downgrading it to 2 stars on Letterboxd, McKenzie teases a n...

Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode Ian (they/them) & McKenzie (she/her) discuss SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS (1957), in connection to last weeks film - ACE IN THE HOLE (1951). Other topics include: a brief queer history of golden age Hollywood, what Ian & McKenzie checked out on the Criterion Channel (or otherwise) last week, & some...

Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode McKenzie (she/her) & Ian (they/them) discuss McKenzie's first fresh pick, ACE IN THE HOLE (1951) directed by the iconic Billy Wilder and how strikingly relevant it remains. Other topics include: the April channel lineup, what Ian & McKenzie checked out on the Criterion Channel (or otherwise)...

Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode McKenzie (she/her) & Ian (they/them) discuss, in connection to last week's film (PERSONA), 3 WOMEN (1977) directed by Robert Altman and all the windy roads of interpretation you can take with such an enigmatic film. Other topics include: Criterion's March title announcements, what Ian & M...

Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode Ian (they/them) & McKenzie (she/her) discuss PERSONA (1966) directed by Ingmar Bergman and all of its mysteries as well as secrets. Other topics include: Michelle Yeoh vs. Lydia Tár herself, a (semi-)deep dive into the theater world, and a surprising unified working theory on Ingmar Bergman's seminal...

Welcome to The Criterion Connection, a podcast about The Criterion Collection. On this episode Ian (they/them) & McKenzie (she/her) introduce you to the show and discuss their top 10 Criterion Picks! Other topics include: how they came to movies and the Criterion Collection, the power of the In The Mood For Love score, the pervasiveness of Bud Cort, & Ian's 1-star review of Mulholland Driv...