CriterionCast Episodes – CriterionCast: Recent Episodes
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In this episode of Criterion Cast, David Blakeslee interviews Thomas Golianopoulos about his new book The Life of Singleton: From Boyz n the Hood to Snowfall. The book provides an in-depth biography of director/writer/producer John Singleton, subject of John Singleton’s Hood Trilogy, a three-film box set recently issued by the Criterion Collection.
About the Book:The Life of Singleton is the definitive account of film icon John Singleton’s life and times.
John Singleton became a living legend at just 24 years old when he earned Academy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for Boyz N the Hood, the sleeper hit of the summer of 1991 and one of the decade’s most important films. Though he wasn’t victorious on Oscar night, it didn’t detract from his achievements. Singleton was the first Black person nominated for Best Director and remains the youngest person nominated for the award. But he wasn’t finished. Over the next three decades, he’d amass a Hall of Fame career featuring more classic films (Rosewood, Baby Boy), four number one hits (Poetic Justice, Shaft, 2 Fast 2 Furious, and Four Brothers) and one of the top-rated series on cable television (Snowfall, which ran for six seasons).
In The Life of Singleton: From Boyz N the Hood to Snowfall, Thomas Golianopoulos reports on the life and death of John Daniel Singleton, from his time as a driven film student at USC to his last days on the Costa Rica set of Snowfall. Singleton was an American original, a Hollywood maverick, and a South Central icon — no one repped LA harder than him. He created indelible moments on the screen and inspired and mentored a generation of filmmakers.
Featuring nearly 400 original interviews and sharp analysis, The Life of Singleton takes readers behind the scenes of the filmmaker’s work and unwraps the complex man behind it.
John Singleton’s Hood TrilogyThe Criterion Collection
Contact us:* David Blakeslee [ TikTok / YouTube / Facebook / CriterionCast / Blog ] * Thomas Golianopoulos [ Website / Instagram ]
In this special episode of Criterion Cast, David Blakeslee interviews Aaron West, a longtime contributor to this site, about his new book The A24 New Wave, which will publish in May 2026. Their conversation gives a brief overview of A24’s history since the company began distributing films in 2012 (with their big breakthrough Spring Breakers) and went on from there to accelerate the careers of many of today’s most influential and respected directors, actors, and other talents. A24 has released many of the most impactful movies of the past decade-plus and this book offers insights and behind-the-scenes details on how those projects came together. Aaron also describes his creative process and shares some early insights on his plans for upcoming volumes exploring other chapters of cinema history.
About the Book:The A24 New Wave is the story of the foundation of the indie film powerhouse that championed new voices and transformed cinema. This comprehensive book explores the A24 way, their business practices, and the great cinema that changed the way movies are marketed and seen. Includes in-depth stories about filmmakers Barry Jenkins, Robert Eggers, Greta Gerwig, Sean Baker, Ari Aster, and so many more.
For more information on how to order the book, visit CineJourneys!
Press Release Contact us:* David Blakeslee ( TikTok / YouTube / Facebook / CriterionCast / Blog ) * Aaron West ( CineJourneys / Letterboxd / Bluesky / Instagram )
In our annual episode focusing on The Criterion Collection’s releases from the past year – and there’s a lot to celebrate! – we’ve assembled a panel of CriterionCast regulars to share our favorite releases of 2025. David Blakeslee from Criterion Reflections hosts this discussion, which also includes Aaron West and Brad McDermott.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS or in iTunes
Episode NotesAaron’s List Favorite Cover/Packaging: I Know Where I’m Going by Thinh Dihn * Favorite Releases 1. Anora 2. The Grifters 3. Flow*
Brad’s List Favorite Cover/Packaging: Altered States by Richey Beckett * Favorite Releases 1. Eyes Wide Shut 2. Born in Flames 3. Return to Reason: 4 Films by Man Ray*
David’s List Favorite Cover/Packaging: The Wages of Fear by Juan Esteban R. * Favorite Releases 1. Eclipse Series 47: Abbas Kiarostami – Early Shorts and Features 2. Sorcerer 3. Él*
Criterion 2025 Factoids
- 82 Total Releases (including Janus Contemporaries/Criterion Premieres, Eclipse 47, and Wes Anderson Archive)
- 50 new spine numbers (The Mother and the Whore #1245 thru David Byrne’s American Utopia #1294, though House Party #1287 was delayed until 2026)
- 25 Upgrades/Reissues of previous spine numbers (including Laserdiscs)
- 16 Standard Upgrades from Blu-ray to 4K
- 2 Blu-ray to 4K Upgrades were new packages (Wages of Fear, Umbrellas of Cherbourg)
- 4 In-print DVDs to 4K Upgrades
- 4 OOP DVDs returned, 3 to 4K Upgrades, 1 to Blu-ray
- 11 of the new spine numbers released in DVD format
- Only three-format (4K/BR/DVD) releases of 2025 were:
- The Mother and the Whore
- The Wages of Fear
- Anora
- Shoeshine
- Flow
- David Byrne’s American Utopia
Episode Credits* Brad McDermott ( Instagram / Letterboxd / Gallery) * Aaron West ( CineJourneys / Substack ) * David Blakeslee ( TikTok / Website / Facebook / Letterboxd )
Past Favorites of the Year Episodes* Episode 216 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2024 * Episode 215 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2023 * Episode 214 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2022 * Episode 213 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2021 * Episode 212 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2020 * Episode 202 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2019 * Episode 195 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2018 * Episode 189: Criterion Collection Favorites of 2017 * Episode 180: Criterion Collection Favorites of 2016 * Episode 167: Criterion Collection Favorites of 2015 * Episode 152: Our Favorite Criterion Collection Releases from 2014 * Episode 145: Our Favorite Criterion Collection Releases from 2013 * Episode 135: Favorite Criterion Collection Releases of 2012 * Episode 108: Our Favorite Criterion Collection Releases of 2011 * Episode 63.5: Top Criterion Collection Releases of 2010
This episode of Criterion Cast features a conversation with director/screenwriter Matthew Gentile, as he and host David Blakeslee discuss the ARGENTINE NOIR bundle currently streaming on the Criterion Channel. As the name implies, this is a collection of six films noir originally released in Argentina during the 1950s. Here’s how the Channel describes the set:
Argentina gave rise to some of the finest and most fascinating crime thrillers of the postwar noir boom—pitch-black tales of lust, greed, guilt, and deception suffused with the passionate intensity of tango and sculpted in striking expressionist shadows. This selection of newly restored films from the Perón era brings together some of the most intriguing examples of Argentine noir, including two atmospheric Cornell Woolrich adaptations (IF I SHOULD DIE BEFORE I WAKE, NEVER OPEN THAT DOOR), a female-centered remake of Fritz Lang’s M (THE BLACK VAMPIRE), and a searing adaptation of Richard Wright’s landmark novel NATIVE SON starring the writer himself. Set amid the smoky nightclubs and dark alleys of Buenos Aires and laced with bitterly ironic social critique, these stylish, suspenseful journeys into existential dread are ripe-for-discovery gems from one of Latin America’s major film industries.
Episode Links:* Argentine Noir on the Criterion Channel * CriterionCast episode on Matthew’s feature film American Murderer (published October 2022)
Never Open That Door / If I Should Die Before I Wake* The Criterion Channel * Flicker Alley * Wikipedia * Cinema Sentries * Film Frenzy * Films Graded * Heart of Noir * Journeys in Darkness and Light * Laura’s Miscellaneous Musings * Pop Matters * Shadowplay * Slant
The Beast Must Die* The Criterion Channel * Flicker Alley * Wikipedia * CageyFilms * Cineaste * Laura’s Miscellaneous Musings * Slant
The Bitter Stems* The Criterion Channel * Flicker Alley * Wikipedia * CageyFilms * Cineaste * Laura’s Miscellaneous Musings * Slant * TCM
The Black Vampire* The Criterion Channel * Flicker Alley * Wikipedia * Boulder Weekly * CageyFilms * Dennis Schwartz * Die, Danger, Die, Die, Kill! * Laura’s Miscellaneous Musings * Less Hat, Moorhead * Out of the Past
Native Son* The Criterion Channel * Kino Lorber * Wikipedia * New York Times (1951) * New York Times (2016) * Variety (1951) * 1More Film Blog * Austin Chronicle * Chicago Film Society * Houston Chronicle * Literary Hub * Michael J. Cinema * Movie Nation * National Review * Reel Talk * ScreenFish * Sight Lines
CONTACT US:* David Blakeslee [ YouTube / TikTok / Website / Facebook / Letterboxd ] * Matthew Gentile [ Website / Instagram ]
In our annual episode focusing on The Criterion Collection’s releases from the past year – and there’s a lot to celebrate! – we’ve assembled a panel of CriterionCast regulars to share our favorite releases of 2024. David Blakeslee from Criterion Reflections hosts this discussion, which also includes Aaron West (CineJourneys), Josh Hornbeck (Criterion Channel Surfing), and longtime site contributor Brad McDermott.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS or in iTunes
Episode NotesJosh’s List Favorite Cover/Packaging: Three Revolutionary Films by Ousmane Sembèneby Ify Chiejina * Favorite Releases 1. Chantal Akerman Masterpieces, 1968-1978 2. The Underground Railroad 3. Peeping Tom*
Brad’s List Favorite Cover/Packaging: Querelle by Astra Zero * Favorite Releases 1. I Walked With a Zombie/The Seventh Victim: Produced by Val Lewton 2. Werckmeister Harmonies 3. Three Revolutionary Films by Ousmane Sembène*
Aaron’s List Favorite Cover/Packaging: No Country for Old Men by Juan Esteban R. * Favorite Releases 1. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid 2. Gregg Araki’s Teen Apocalypse Trilogy 3. Eric Rohmer’s Tales of the Four Seasons*
David’s List Favorite Cover/Packaging: Paper Moon by Raphael Geroni * Favorite Releases 1. Black God White Devil 2. The Runner 3. Nothing But a Man*
Miscellaneous(random stuff mentioned in the episode)* Janus Films Streaming Library – Letterboxd List by Michael Hutchins * CineJourneys * The Eclipse Viewer – Chantal Akerman in the Seventies * Grand Rapids Film Society
Episode Credits* Josh Hornbeck ( Website | Instagram | Letterboxd ) * Brad McDermott ( Instagram / Letterboxd / Gallery) * Aaron West ( CineJourneys / Substack ) * David Blakeslee ( TikTok / Website / Facebook / Letterboxd )
Past Favorites of the Year Episodes* Episode 215 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2023 * Episode 214 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2022 * Episode 213 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2021 * Episode 212 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2020 * Episode 202 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2019 * Episode 195 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2018 * Episode 189: Criterion Collection Favorites of 2017 * Episode 180: Criterion Collection Favorites of 2016 * Episode 167: Criterion Collection Favorites of 2015 * Episode 152: Our Favorite Criterion Collection Releases from 2014 * Episode 145: Our Favorite Criterion Collection Releases from 2013 * Episode 135: Favorite Criterion Collection Releases of 2012 * Episode 108: Our Favorite Criterion Collection Releases of 2011 * Episode 63.5: Top Criterion Collection Releases of 2010
In our annual episode focusing on The Criterion Collection’s releases from the past year – and there’s a lot to celebrate – we’ve assembled a panel of CriterionCast regulars to share our favorite releases of 2023. David Blakeslee from Criterion Reflections hosts this discussion, which also includes Aaron West (CineJourneys), Josh Hornbeck (Criterion Channel Surfing), and longtime site contributors Jordan Essoe and Brad McDermott.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS or in iTunes
Episode NotesJordan’s List Favorite Cover/Packaging: Thelma & Louiseby Sam Hadley * Favorite Releases 1. Godland 2. The Eight Mountains 3. No Bears*
Aaron’s List Favorite Cover/Packaging: Tod Browning’s Sideshow Shockers by Raphael Geroni * Favorite Releases 1. After Hours 2. Inland Empire 3. One False Move*
Brad’s List Favorite Cover/Packaging: The Adventures of Baron Munchausen by Abigail Giuseppe * Favorite Releases 1. The Trial 2. Pasolini 101 3. The Watermelon Woman*
Josh’s List Favorite Cover/Packaging: Pasolini 101 by Eric Skillman * Favorite Releases 1. Small Axe 2. Two Films by Marguerite Duras 3. This is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection*
David’s List Favorite Cover/Packaging: Lars von Trier’s Europe Trilogy by Fred Davis * Favorite Releases 1. Pasolini 101 2. The Ranown Westerns 3. The Red Balloon and Other Stories*
Episode Credits* Jordan Essoe ( Website / Oregon Arts / Instagram ) * Aaron West ( CineJourneys / Substack ) * Brad McDermott ( Instagram / Letterboxd / Gallery) * Josh Hornbeck ( Website | Twitter | Instagram | Letterboxd ) * David Blakeslee ( TikTok / Website / Facebook / Letterboxd )
Past Favorites of the Year Episodes* Episode 214 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2022 * Episode 213 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2021 * Episode 212 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2020 * Episode 202 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2019 * Episode 195 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2018 * Episode 189: Criterion Collection Favorites of 2017 * Episode 180: Criterion Collection Favorites of 2016 * Episode 167: Criterion Collection Favorites of 2015 * Episode 152: Our Favorite Criterion Collection Releases from 2014 * Episode 145: Our Favorite Criterion Collection Releases from 2013 * Episode 135: Favorite Criterion Collection Releases of 2012 * Episode 108: Our Favorite Criterion Collection Releases of 2011 * Episode 63.5: Top Criterion Collection Releases of 2010
In our annual episode focusing on The Criterion Collection’s releases from the past year – and there’s a lot to celebrate – we’ve assembled a panel of CriterionCast regulars to share our favorite releases of 2022. David Blakeslee from Criterion Reflections hosts this discussion, which also includes Aaron West (Criterion Now), Josh Hornbeck (Criterion Channel Surfing), and longtime site contributor Jordan Essoe.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS or in iTunes
Episode NotesJosh’s List Favorite Cover/Packaging: The Celebration by Century.Studio * Favorite Releases 1. Time 2. Faya dayi 3. Eve’s Bayou*
Aaron’s List Favorite Cover/Packaging: Eve’s Bayou by Nessim Higson * Favorite Releases 1. Malcolm X 2. The Piano 3. The Celebration*
Jordan’s List Favorite Cover/Packaging: Hôtel du Nord by Karolis Strautniekas * Favorite Releases 1. Exotica 2. Adoption 3. Drive My Car*
David’s List Favorite Cover/Packaging: Pink Flamingos by Jaxon Northon (interior portrait) * Favorite Releases 1. Three Films by Mai Zetterling 2. The Girl Can’t Help It 3. Raging Bull*
Episode Credits* Jordan Essoe (Twitter / Website) * Aaron West (Twitter) * Josh Hornbeck (Twitter / Website) * David Blakeslee (TikTok / Website)
Past Favorites of the Year Episodes* Episode 213 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2021 * Episode 212 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2020 * Episode 202 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2019 * Episode 195 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2018 * Episode 189: Criterion Collection Favorites of 2017 * Episode 180: Criterion Collection Favorites of 2016 * Episode 167: Criterion Collection Favorites of 2015 * Episode 152: Our Favorite Criterion Collection Releases from 2014 * Episode 145: Our Favorite Criterion Collection Releases from 2013 * Episode 135: Favorite Criterion Collection Releases of 2012 * Episode 108: Our Favorite Criterion Collection Releases of 2011 * Episode 63.5: Top Criterion Collection Releases of 2010
The full CriterionCast crew assembles for our 12th annual year-end conversation about our favorite Criterion Collection offerings in 2021.
Scott is joined by David, Aaron, Trevor, and Jordan to discuss their Criterion Collection releases from 2020.
On episode 211 of CriterionCast, Jordan Essoe is joined by Scott Nye, David Blakeslee, and Arik Devens to discuss Chris Hegedus and D. A. Pennebaker's 1993 documentary The War Room.
On episode 210 of CriterionCast, Jordan Essoe is joined by Scott Nye, David Blakeslee, and Arik Devens to discuss Michelangelo Antonioni’s 1961 film L'eclisse.
On episode 209 of CriterionCast, Jordan Essoe is joined by Scott Nye, David Blakeslee, and Arik Devens to discuss Michelangelo Antonioni’s 1961 film La notte.
On episode 208 of CriterionCast, Jordan Essoe is joined by Scott Nye, David Blakeslee, and Arik Devens to discuss Michelangelo Antonioni’s 1960 film L'avventura.
This time on the podcast, Jordan Essoe, Scott Nye, David Blakeslee, and Arik Devens discuss Roberto Rossellini's Germany Year Zero.
This time on the podcast, Jordan Essoe, Scott Nye, David Blakeslee, and Arik Devens discuss Roberto Rossellini's Paisan.
This time on the podcast, Jordan Essoe, Scott Nye, David Blakeslee, and Arik Devens discuss Roberto Rossellini's Rome Open City.
Ryan is joined by David, Scott, Trevor, and Jordan to discuss their Criterion Collection releases from 2019.
Trevor, Scott and David convene to sift through the motives and malice driving this compelling, Oscar-winning adaptation of Henry James's Washington Square.
Ryan is joined by Arik, David, Scott, and Josh to discuss the podcast’s ten-year anniversary, as well as a few Criterion-related topics.
David Blakeslee interviews director and film critic Kent Jones about his new film Diane, starring Mary Kay Place.
Ryan is joined by David, Arik, and Jordan to discuss their Criterion Collection releases from 2018.
For this episode of The CriterionCast, Scott, David, and Trevor join to discuss Ingmar Bergman's Persona.
Trevor, David and Scott share their deep love of this magical film, so stop what you're doing and watch (or at least listen to) what happens.
David, Aaron and Arik go for the gold as they slalom and curl their way through Criterion's epic box set.
David, Scott and Trevor sift right from wrong, by jing, as they discuss this classic slice of Americana from 1939.
David Blakeslee and Aaron West sift through the clues embedded in the annual New Year's info dump from the Criterion Collection.
Scott, David, and Trevor talk production models, genre, and drug trips in Hellman's landmark low-budget westerns.
For this episode of The CriterionCast, Trevor is joined by David and Scott to talk about Jack Clayton's The Innocents, adapted from Henry James's classic ghost story The Turn of the Screw.
In this episode, Trevor Berrett and Scott Nye venture into the mysteries of the Zone, discussing Andrei Tarkovsky's 1979 film Stalker.
David is joined by Catherine Stebbins to discuss what they learned in their encounter with the original Valley Girls.
In this episode, Scott Nye, David Blakeslee, and Trevor Berrett discuss Michelangelo Antonioni's 1966 film Blow-Up.
David and Trevor take a swing at this seminal Tracy/Hepburn comedy, and try not to waffle in their opinions on the film's implicit messages about gender roles.
In this episode, Trevor Berrett and David Blakeslee discuss Peter Weir's 1975 film Picnic at Hanging Rock.
The crew talks about the past year in Criterion, including their favorite three Criterion releases of 2016.
David, Aaron, Arik and Mark get all speculative as they share their Criterion-related hopes and dreams for the year ahead.
Scott, David, and Ryan discuss heartache, sacrifice, gender roles, and performance in Mizoguchi's 1939 masterpiece.
Scott, David, Trevor, and Arik discuss sex, seasons, witty retorts, dueling, and moral investigation in Bergman's 1955 classic.
Scott, David, Trevor, and Arik discuss the eroticism, restless youth, realist and stylistic traits in Bergman's landmark film.
Scott, David, Trevor, and Arik discuss the artistic seeds, sensuality, playfulness, performances, autobiography, and tragedy in Bergman's 1951 film.
Scott, David, Ryan, and James discuss the thrills, chills, and discomfort of Bay's landmark blockbuster, and whether it belongs in the Collection.
Scott, David, and James discuss the politics, filmmaking, the legacy of war, and, of course, sex in the landmark dual film.
Scott and David discuss faith, simplicity, nature, joy, and realism in Rossellini's don't-call-it-a-biopic.
Scott and David discuss faith, chance, choices, and morality in Eric Rohmer's landmark 1969 hit.
To celebrate the past year of Criterion Collection releases, Ryan is joined by David Blakeslee, Scott Nye, Aaron West, Arik Devens and Keith Enright to discuss their favorite releases of 2015.
Scott, David, and Trevor discuss dramatic structure, societal needs, and production design in the landmark utopian film.
Scott, David, and Ryan discuss the heritage of war, the supernatural, visual effects, and violence in Del Toro's 2001 ghost story.
Scott, David, and Sean discuss propriety, society, and sexuality in the definitive adaptation of Oscar Wilde's classic farce.