Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share The Criterion Connection
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
The Criterion Connection
By Ian & McKenzieTV & Film
The Criterion Connection episodes
- 118 - NIGHTMARE ALLEY (1947) with Christian Gutiérrez
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 what they have watched noir-wise so far this month.
NEXT TIME: NIGHTMARE ALLEY (2021) with Special Guest Guti
----
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:02:58) What we've been watching
(00:15:36) Nightmare Alley
(01:09:34) Final thoughts
----
Follow Guti at Finite Cinema Dreams and on Letterboxd. Also find his recently published article "Noir or Not: Los hermanos Del Hierro" in Noir City Magazine No. 44.
McKenzie on Austin Danger Pod, on Letterboxd
Ian on Letterboxd
Listen to Ian & McKenzie's other show about contemporary cinema, Above The Line.
----
Send us your emails and voicemails to have them read/played on the show to [email protected]
----
The Criterion Connection is edited & mixed by Ian.
1 hr 18 min - 117 - HOUSE (1977), plus Criterion Collection announcements for January 2026
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 also discuss what is coming to the Criterion Collection in January 2026 as well as the channel next month (November 2025).
----
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:03:16) What we've been watching
(00:14:12) Criterion Collection announcements for January 2026
(00:21:59) Criterion Channel additions for November 2025
(00:28:37) House
(00:55:10) Final thoughts
(00:59:39) Listener Messages
(01:07:13) Next week
----
Follow our NEW Podcast! Above the Line, a film podcast about about contemporary cinema, film culture, and the theatrical movie-going experience.
----
McKenzie on Austin Danger Pod, on Letterboxd
Ian on Letterboxd
----
NEXT WEEK: NIGHTMARE ALLEY (1947) with Special Guest Guti
----
Send us your emails and voicemails to have them read/played on the show to [email protected]
----
The Criterion Connection is edited & mixed by Ian.
1 hr 11 min - 116 - SORCERER (1977)
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) What we've been watching
(00:21:08) Sorcerer
(00:59:47) Final thoughts
(01:04:00) Next week
----
Follow our NEW Podcast! Above the Line, a film podcast about about contemporary cinema, film culture, and the theatrical movie-going experience.
----
McKenzie on Austin Danger Pod, on Letterboxd
Ian on Letterboxd
----
NEXT WEEK: HOUSE (1977)
----
Send us your emails and voicemails to have them read/played on the show to [email protected]
----
The Criterion Connection is edited & mixed by Ian.
1 hr 9 min - 115 - THE WAGES OF FEAR (1953)
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've been watching
(00:19:38) The Wages of Fear
(00:51:27) Final thoughts
(00:58:10) Next week
----
Follow our NEW Podcast! Above the Line, a film podcast about about contemporary cinema, film culture, and the theatrical movie-going experience.
----
McKenzie on Austin Danger Pod, on Letterboxd
Ian on Letterboxd
----
NEXT WEEK: SORCERER (1977)
----
Send us your emails and voicemails to have them read/played on the show to [email protected]
----
The Criterion Connection is edited & mixed by Ian.
1 hr - 114 - ANORA (2024), plus Criterion Collection announcements for December 2025
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 our accidental hiatus as well as what is coming to the Criterion Collection in December 2025 & the Criterion Channel in October 2025.
----
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:03:38) What we've been watching
(00:18:05) Criterion Collection announcements and Criterion Channel additions
(00:32:50) Anora
(01:09:40) Final thoughts
(01:20:02) Next week
----
McKenzie on Austin Danger Pod, on Letterboxd
Ian on Letterboxd
----
NEXT WEEK:
----
Send us your emails and voicemails to have them read/played on the show to [email protected]
----
The Criterion Connection is edited & mixed by Ian.
1 hr 25 min - 113 - WORKING GIRLS (1986)
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 spoiler filled discussion, albeit brief, of the 1955 film Bad Day at Black Rock (20:42-26:26).
----
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:03:03) What we've been watching
(00:28:53) Working Girls
(01:06:48) Final thoughts
(01:13:14) Next week
----
McKenzie on Austin Danger Pod, on Letterboxd
Ian on Letterboxd
----
NEXT WEEK: Anora (2024)
----
Send us your emails and voicemails to have them read/played on the show to [email protected]
----
The Criterion Connection is edited & mixed by Ian.
1 hr 17 min - 112 - CASQUE D’OR (1952), plus Criterion Collection announcement for November 2025
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
----
McKenzie on Austin Danger Pod, on Letterboxd
Ian on Letterboxd
----
Send us your emails and voicemails to have them read/played on the show to [email protected]
----
The Criterion Connection is edited & mixed by Ian.
1 hr 3 min - 111 - THE EARRINGS OF MADAME DE... (1953)
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 Danger Pod, on Letterboxd
Ian on Letterboxd
----
Send us your emails and voicemails to have them read/played on the show to [email protected]
----
The Criterion Connection is edited & mixed by Ian.
1 hr 1 min - 110 - THE LAST WALTZ (1978)
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 Austin Danger Pod, on Letterboxd
Ian on Letterboxd
----
Send us your emails and voicemails to have them read/played on the show to [email protected]
----
The Criterion Connection is edited & mixed by Ian.
1 hr 10 min - 109 - ORIGINAL CAST ALBUM: COMPANY (1970) with Scott Interrante
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 Elephants & This Is The Greatest Song I've Ever Heard In My Life.
----
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:03:15) Getting to know our guest - Scott
(00:16:28) Original Cast Album: Company
(01:05:54) Final thoughts
(01:14:00) Next week
----
McKenzie on Austin Danger Pod, on Letterboxd
Ian on Letterboxd
----
Send us your emails and voicemails to have them read/played on the show to [email protected]
----
The Criterion Connection is edited & mixed by Ian.
1 hr 20 min
About The Criterion Connection
From the publisher's feed
Two friends explore the Criterion Collection by connecting the iconic films to each other through the greater tapestry of cinema.
More shows like The Criterion Connection
This American Life
90,954 Listeners
Criminal
37,628 Listeners
Pop Culture Happy Hour
11,565 Listeners
Filmspotting
3,956 Listeners
The Next Picture Show
790 Listeners
Blank Check with Griffin & David
6,192 Listeners
Up First from NPR
56,420 Listeners
The Rewatchables
13,998 Listeners
This is Love
9,316 Listeners
Uncover
10,324 Listeners
Unspooled
4,740 Listeners
Random Acts of Cinema
16 Listeners
Radio Rental
32,582 Listeners
Deep Cut: A Film Podcast
31 Listeners