The Criterion Correction

Sometimes the most terrifying thing in the world can simply be darkness when you’re alone. Or, it could be a persistent suitor breaking in your door to profess his care and love. Or, maybe it’s the money-hungry landlord who will accept payment in forms other than money. And for them, the most terrifying thing might just be a candelabra and a straight-razor. You go get ‘em, Carol!

War, what is it good for? In feudal Japan, it seems to be pretty good for losing sons to the battlefield while emphasizing the powerful bond between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Oh, and for discovering demonly masks that bestow the wearer with the power to frighten women into staying in a murder-prone home-life. Come along with us, to a place where we can watch Onibaba.

Sibling rivalry doesn’t get much more intense than when you’re physically attached. Join us as we watch Brian De Palma experiment with the splitscreen effect in his 1973 thriller, Sisters.

This week we return to the cheery world of Ingmar Bergman, to finish out his loosely-defined (or loosely-refuted) trilogy. That’s right, we’re heading to The Silence.

Are you ready for some punk glam? No, we’re not revisiting Sid and Nancy, but we are headed back to the trenches. Or back to a van at least. Hey, who would have thought modern punk was the origin of #vanlife? Join us for Smithereens.

Ah, the life of a photographer—capturing the spectacular beauty of the world. Preserving the perfect moments that reflect our momentary existence. Viewing the world through the distanced lens of a piece of machinery in an attempt to preserve and reflect upon the trauma visited upon one by a sadistic scientifically-motivated father whose fascination with fear leads to the desire to pass this affliction to others immediately before murdering them. Oh, and weddings. Join us for Peeping Tom.

What happens to a samurai without honor? Well, apparently it’s a lot of bad stuff capped off with a bout of madness. Yeah, that seems like a fate worthy of anyone who would consider going after (in a minor character role) the fantastic Toshiro Mifune. Join us for the Sword of Doom.

It was the best of times—no, wait. It was the worst of times. Definitely the worst of times. Don’t you remember middle school? The awkwardness? The uncertainty? The constant sensation of dread from the pull of torturous social expectations and norms?! So we agree, it was the worst of times, but Eighth Grade grapples with the best of themes: navigating the pressures of adolescence.

Beneath the sea lies beauty, adventure, and man-eating jaguar sharks. Hold onto your red caps and lock your sea laboratory door, because you’ve entered The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.

This week we head into the desert to learn more about ourselves. And snakes. And kangaroos. And the ephemeral pain of the inability to communicate due to the cultural barriers that separate us from one another in non-physical, yet terribly unfathomable ways. That’s right, we’re taking a journey. A Walkabout.