Criterion Reflections – Intro to Season 5: 1973

A brief video introducing the newest phase of my long-running project to review every Criterion film in chronological order of original theatrical release!

After six years as a podcast, preceded by eight years as a blog, my long-running project Criterion Reflections once again takes a new turn to become… a short form video clip YouTube kind of thing! After I wrapped up my coverage of Criterion-connected films of 1972 in Season 4 of my podcast last year, I felt another change was in order, just to keep it fresh and make sure it stays fun. Of course I continue to enjoy making podcasts, drawing great satisfaction from digitally capturing a lively and smart conversation about film with my friends that I can share with other friends and even revisit myself somewhere down the road. But this 10 minute video offers an explanation of my reasons and a preview of some of the movies I’ll be watching in the months ahead as I investigate the best that cinema had to offer the world in 1973.

The Age of the Medici
Ludwig
The Harder They Come
Godzilla vs. Megalon
Come On Children
Shall We Go to Your Place or My Place or Each Go Home Alone?
Scenes from a Marriage
Zatoichi’s Conspiracy
Visions of Eight
Day for Night
Fantastic Planet
The Holy Mountain
The Friends of Eddie Coyle
A River Called Titas
Enter the Dragon / Bruce Lee: The Man and the Legend
Touki Bouki
F for Fake
Dry Wood / Hot Pepper
Mean Streets
The Spirit of the Beehive
Don’t Look Now
Badlands
World on a Wire
Flesh for Frankenstein
Lady Snowblood
Amarcord

Besides the titles listed above, I plan to include quite a few others that currently stream on the Criterion Channel and maybe a few others that the Channel featured in the past. I look forward to continued exploration and hope you’re able to check in with me here from time to time to see and hear my latest progress report!

David Blakeslee [ TikTok / Website / Facebook / Letterboxd ]