Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto Spine #14 Year: 1954 Director: Hiroshi Inagaki Whenever you seem lost in this lonely world, or feel your life is heading down the wrong path, I'd recommend sitting down to begin the journey of Takezo, aka the legendary Musashi Miyamoto (Toshirô Mifune). This is easily my fourth of fifth time starting … Continue reading Criterion Project #24: SAMURAI I – MUSASHI MIYAMOTO (1954)
Pan's Labyrinth Spine #838 Year: 2006 Director: Guillermo del Toro As I ponder this write-up, I won't pretend to know the history of the atrocities depicted in this film. Title cards at the outset inform us we've been transported to Spain in the year 1944, which places the events after Franco's fascist regime had overthrown … Continue reading Criterion Project #23: PAN’S LABYRINTH (2006)
Harold and Maude Spine #608 Year: 1971 Director: Hal Ashby It's been a minute since I last watched Harold and Maude and after this viewing I've come to the conclusion that it is perhaps the most anachronistic film of 1970s American cinema. The Cat Stevens soundtrack, the distinct fashion, the feeling of detachment comfortably nestled … Continue reading Criterion Project #22: HAROLD AND MAUDE (1971)
La Jetée Year: 1963 Director: Chris Marker There are a million and one reasons why I respect the work of distributors such as Criterion, but none more paramount than the breadth and scope of their catalogue. With spine numbers north of 1000 now there is simply a plethora of film styles and genres to wade … Continue reading Criterion Project #21: LA JETÉE (1963)
Author's note: Once again I come to you with an apology (and some good news). I began last week with every intention of getting this article done in time to be posted by last Monday but, alas, the time got out of hand. Prepping for the Christmas season, writing this article, and launching a podcast … Continue reading Criterion Project #20: YOJIMBO (1961)
Metropolitan Spine #326 Year: 1990 Director: Whit Stillman Fate has once again delivered me a serendipitous subject to tackle (I swear I'm not doing this on purpose). Here we are in the thick of the holiday season and this week's film is a Christmas time gem that doesn't get any attention this time of year … Continue reading Criterion Project #19: METROPOLITAN (1990)
Nightmare Alley Spine #1078 Year: 1947 Director: Edmund Goulding As previously alluded to, Noirvember is coming to its conclusion so why not feature one last noir classic that, like the prior three entries in this project (Sweet Smell of Success, Detour, and Kiss Me Deadly), I had not seen before. I also figured closing out … Continue reading Criterion Project #18: NIGHTMARE ALLEY (1947)
In yet another deviation from the project order, I decided to go full Noir-vember. I'll continue the trend for this last week of November and then head back into the proper order going forward. Detour Spine #966 Year: 1945 Director: Edward G. Ulmer And "Going Forward" would have been a much better title than Detour … Continue reading Criterion Project #17: DETOUR (1945)
I can say with complete sincerity that I did not plan this order. Two noirs back-to-back in the month of November is a serendipitous coincidence that pleased me. I may just continue the trend and keep the noir train rolling through the month. We shall see... Sweet Smell of Success Year: 1957 Director: Alexander Mackendrick … Continue reading Criterion Project #16: SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS (1957)
Author's note: First off, apologies are in order. This post is coming a week late due to some unforeseen bad luck that reared its ugly head at one of the worst times of my life. In short, I was scheduled for back surgery last week after waiting seven painful months for the insurance company to … Continue reading Criterion Project #15: KISS ME DEADLY (1955)
This Is Your Brain On Film 
You must be logged in to post a comment.