Criterion Channel Surfing, Episode 12: March 2020 New and Expiring Titles

Josh is joined by frequent contributor Matt Gasteier of The Complete Podcast to discuss March’s new and expiring titles, and Michael Hutchins stops by to discuss the directors who are represented in Criterion’s permanent digital library.

Note: The segments with Matt were recorded in early March, when we were just beginning to get an idea of just how serious the outbreak of COVID-19 really was going to be for our country. Michael’s segment was recorded in mid-February, due to a previously schedule trip. Things have changed all across the country since this was recorded, and both Matt and Michael have shared a few organizations that they’d like listeners to consider supporting if you have the resources. Due to a hectic work schedule during this crisis that leaves little time or bandwidth for editing, the follow episode is lightly edited and contains many of the stammers and pauses that are usually trimmed.

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Criterion Channel Surfing, Episode 11: The Lovers on Other Streaming Services

Josh is joined once again by Will Remmers to continue their conversation about “The Lovers,” this time focusing on stories of love and loss on other streaming services.

Note: The following episode was recorded in early February and editing was delayed due to the spread of COVID-19 in Western Washington in late-February. Things have changed all across the country (and all around the world) since this was recorded. There is a brief message at the beginning of the episode with ways you can help a few members of our community – especially our guest Will Remmers and Ryan Gallagher of CriterionCast. You can find links on how to help below.

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Criterion Channel Surfing, Episode 10: The Lovers

Will Remmers joins Josh to continue their conversation about the Criterion Channel. For this episode, they discuss “The Lovers” – stories of love and loss – and give a few recommendations for films that fit the theme. Plus, Matt Gasteier of The Complete podcast shares some tips and tricks for navigating the Criterion Channel’s digital supplements – and makes the case for spending time with the Channel’s interviews, commentaries, and supplemental documentaries.

Note: Will did choose films that expire February 29, 2020, so we are including links to these films’ Just Watch listing in order to direct our listeners to alternate avenues for viewing these titles.

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Criterion Channel Surfing, Episode 9: February 2020 New and Expiring Titles

Josh is joined by Will Remmers, frequent contributor to the Criterion Reflections podcast and Criterion Now, to talk about the new and expiring titles for February, and Michael Hutchins stops by to discuss the mystery of the disappearing limited engagements.

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Criterion Channel Surfing, Police Stories on Other Streaming Services

Oscars 2020: Predictions, Preferences, and Winners

It’s been a whirlwind of viewing and a blur of awards activity since the nominations for the 92nd Academy Awards were announced just a few short weeks ago, and this is the first year in quite some time that I have fallen behind in my viewing schedule. Some of that is due to additional podcasting and working responsibilities, but much of it is due to the tighter awards season window. Thankfully, the academy is going back to a late-February ceremony next year which will give us all a little more breathing room.

I was able to squeeze in most of the major nominees – and will still try to fit in a few of the short films before the ceremony begins at 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time, but I know I’ll be playing catch up throughout most of the year. While it was lovely to finally see Marriage Story and The Irishman – both films absolute masterpieces that I am eager to revisit years from now – I was struck by the mediocrity of many nominees that I caught up with during this year’s Oscar run – from the current frontrunner 1917 (a technical exercise in search of a soul) to films like Ford v Ferrari, Bombshell, and Judy.

Still, no matter how bad (or mediocre) the nominees or winners, I love the Oscars and will be rooting for my favorites (Parasite and Little Women and The Irishman) to sweep all of the categories. So here are the films that I think will win, should win, and some possible spoilers. I’ll also be updating this throughout the night with the actual winners. And you can listen to the conversation Robert Taylor and I had on the subject earlier today.

Happy Oscars, everyone!

Complete List of Predictions, Preferences, Possible Spoilers, and Winners

1917, Directed by Sam Mendes | Distributed by Universal Pictures

Best Picture

      • 1917
      • Ford v Ferrari
      • The Irishman
      • Jojo Rabbit
      • Joker
      • Little Women
      • Marriage Story
      • Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
      • Parasite

Prediction: 1917

Preference: Parasite (or The Irishman, or Jojo Rabbit, or Little Women, or Marriage Story, or Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood)

Spoiler: Parasite

Winner: Parasite

1917, Directed by Sam Mendes | Distributed by Universal Pictures

Best Director

      • Bong Joon-ho – Parasite
      • Sam Mendes – 1917
      • Todd Phillips – Joker
      • Martin Scorsese – The Irishman
      • Quentin Tarantino – Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Prediction: Sam Mendes

Preference: Bong Joon-ho

Spoiler: Bong Joon-ho

Winner: Bong Joon-ho

Joker, Directed by Todd Phillips | Distributed by Warner Brothers

Best Actor in a Leading Role

      • Antonio Banderas – Pain and Glory
      • Leonardo DiCaprio – Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
      • Adam Driver – Marriage Story
      • Joaquin Phoenix – Joker
      • Jonathan Pryce – The Two Popes

Prediction: Joaquin Phoenix

Preference: Adam Driver (or Antonio Banderas)

Spoiler: None

Winner: Joaquin Phoenix

Judy, Directed by Rupert Goold | Distributed by Roadshow Attractions

Best Actress in a Leading Role

      • Cynthia Erivo – Harriet
      • Scarlett Johansson – Marriage Story
      • Saoirse Ronan – Little Women
      • Charlize Theron – Bombshell
      • Renée Zellweger – Judy

Prediction: Renée Zellweger

Preference: Scarlett Johansson (or Saoirse Ronan)

Spoiler: Charlize Theron

Winner: Renée Zellweger

Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, Directed by Quentin Tarantino | Sony Pictures Classics

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

      • Tom Hanks – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
      • Anthony Hopkins – The Two Popes
      • Al Pacino – The Irishman
      • Joe Pesci – The Irishman
      • Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Prediction: Brad Pitt

Preference: Joe Pesci (or Al Pacino)

Spoiler: None

Winner: Brad Pitt

Marriage Story, Directed by Noah Baumbach | Netflix

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

      • Kathy Bates – Richard Jewell
      • Laura Dern – Marriage Story
      • Scarlett Johansson – Jojo Rabbit
      • Florence Pugh – Little Women
      • Morgot Robbie – Bombshell

Prediction: Laura Dern

Preference: Laura Dern (or Florence Pugh, or Scarlett Johansson)

Spoiler: Scarlett Johansson

Winner: Laura Dern

A still from the film JOJO RABBIT.
Jojo Rabbit, Directed by Taika Waititi | Distributed by Fox Searchlight

Best Adapted Screenplay

      • The Irishman – Steven Zalilian
      • Jojo Rabbit – Taika Waititi
      • Joker – Todd Phillips & Scott Silver
      • Little Women – Greta Gerwig
      • The Two Popes – Anthony McCarten

Prediction: Jojo Rabbit

Preference: Little Woman

Spoiler: Little Woman

Winner: Jojo Rabbit

Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, Directed by Quentin Tarantino | Sony Pictures Classics

Best Original Screenplay

      • 1917 – Sam Mendes & Krysty Wilson-Cairns
      • Knives Out – Rian Johnson
      • Marriage Story – Noah Baumbach
      • Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood – Quentin Tarantino
      • Parasite – Bong Joon-ho & Han Jin-wan; story by Bong Joon-ho

Prediction: Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Preference: Marriage Story (or Knives Out, or  Parasite)

Spoiler: Parasite

Winner: Parasite

1917, Directed by Sam Mendes | Distributed by Universal Pictures

Best Cinematography

      • 1917
      • The Irishman
      • Joker
      • The Lighthouse
      • Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Prediction: 1917

Preference: The Lighthouse

Spoiler: None

Winner: 1917

Parasite, Directed by Bong Joon-Ho | Neon

Best Film Editing

      • Ford v Ferrari
      • The Irishman
      • Jojo Rabbit
      • Joker
      • Parasite

Prediction: Parasite

Preference: Parasite 

Spoiler: The Irishman

Winner: Ford v Ferrari

Little Women, Directed by Greta Gerwig | Distributed by Columbia Pictures

Best Costume Design

      • The Irishman
      • Jojo Rabbit
      • Joker
      • Little Women
      • Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Prediction: Little Women

Preference: Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Spoiler: Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Winner: Little Women

1917, Directed by Sam Mendes | Distributed by Universal Pictures

Best Production Design

      • 1917
      • The Irishman
      • Jojo Rabbit
      • Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
      • Parasite

Prediction: 1917

Preference: Parasite

Spoiler: Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Winner: Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Bombshell, Directed by Jay Roach | Annapurna Pictures

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

      • 1917
      • Bombshell
      • Joker
      • Judy
      • Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

Prediction: Bombshell

Preference: None (None of the nominees really stood out to me this year)

Spoiler: None

Winner: Bombshell

Parasite, Directed by Bong Joon-ho | Distributed by NEON

Best International Feature Film

      • Corpus Christi
      • Honeyland
      • Les Misérables
      • Pain and Glory
      • Parasite

Prediction: Parasite

Preference: Parasite

Spoiler: None

Winner: Parasite

Toy Story 4, Directed by Josh Cooley | Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures

Best Animated Feature Film

      • How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World
      • I Lost My Body
      • Klaus
      • Missing Link
      • Toy Story 4

Prediction: Toy Story 4

Preference: I Lost My Body

Spoiler: Klaus

Winner: Toy Story 4

American Factory, Directed by Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert | Netflix

Best Documentary – Feature Film

      • American Factory
      • The Cave
      • The Edge of Democracy
      • For Sama
      • Honeyland

Prediction: American Factory

Preference: Honeyland

Spoiler: For Sama

Winner: American Factory

St. Louis Superman, Directed by Smriti Mundhra and Sami Khan | Distributed by MTV Documentary Films

Best Documentary – Short Subject

      • In the Absence
      • Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)
      • Life Overtakes Me
      • St. Louis Superman
      • Walk Run Cha-Cha

Prediction: St. Louis Superman

Preference: In the Absence

Spoiler: Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)

Winner: Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)

Joker, Directed by Todd Phillips | Distributed by Warner Brothers

Best Music – Original Score

      • 1917 – Thomas Newman
      • Joker – Hildur Guðnadóttir
      • Little Women – Alexandre Desplat
      • Marriage Story – Randy Newman
      • Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – John Williams

Prediction: Joker

Preference: Marriage Story (or Little Women)

Spoiler: 1917

Winner: Joker

Rocketman, Directed by Dexter Fletcher | Paramount Pictures

Best Music – Original Song

      • Breakthrough – “I’m Standing With You,” music and lyric by Diane Warren
      • Frozen II – “Into the Unknown,” music and lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
      • Harriet – “Stand Up,” music and lyric by Joshuah Brian Campbell and Cynthia Erivo
      • Rocketman – “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again,” music by Elton John, lyric by Bernie Taupin
      • Toy Story 4 – “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away,” music and lyric by Randy Newman

Prediction: Rocketman

Preference: Rocketman

Spoiler: Harriet

Winner: Rocketman

Ford v Ferrari, Directed by James Mangold | 20th Century Fox

Best Sound Editing

      • 1917
      • Ford v Ferrari
      • Joker
      • Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
      • Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Prediction: Ford v Ferrari

Preference: Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Spoiler: 1917

Winner: Ford v Ferrari

Ford v Ferrari, Directed by James Mangold | 20th Century Fox

Best Sound Mixing

      • 1917
      • Ad Astra
      • Ford v Ferrari
      • Joker
      • Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Prediction: Ford v Ferrari

Preference: Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Spoiler: 1917

Winner: 1917

1917, Directed by Sam Mendes | Distributed by Universal Pictures

Best Visual Effects

      • 1917
      • Avengers: Endgame
      • The Irishman
      • The Lion King
      • Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Prediction: 1917

Preference: Avengers: Endgame

Spoiler: Avengers: Endgame

Winner: 1917

Hair Love, Directed by Matthew A. Cherry, Everette Downing, Jr., and Bruce W. Smith | Distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing

Best Animated Short Film

      • Dcera (Daughter)
      • Hair Love
      • Kitbull
      • Memorable
      • Sister

Prediction: Hair Love

Preference: Memorable

Spoiler: None

Winner: Hair Love

Brotherhood, Directed by Meryam Joobeur

Best Live Action Short Film

      • Brotherhood
      • Nefta Football Club
      • The Neighbors’ Window
      • Saria
      • A Sister

Prediction: Brotherhood

Preference: None (I’ve only seen one of the nominees)

Spoiler: Sariahs

Winner: The Neighbors’ Window

Cinema Cocktail, Episode 2 – Oscar Predictions

Josh Hornbeck is once again joined by screenwriter and critic Robert Taylor for a discussion about the 92nd Academy Awards. With the shortened Oscar window, the two have had less time to see the films, but still give their predictions and preferences for who will (and should) win the Oscar in each category.

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Criterion Channel Surfing, Episode 7: Police Stories (January 2020)

For our first episode of 2020, Josh is joined by David Blakeslee of the Criterion Reflections podcast to talk about “Police Stories,” stories of crime and justice to kick off the new year. Friend of the show Michael Hutchins stops by to discuss the various countries and geographical regions represented by the Criterion Channel, and regular contributor Matt Gasteier of The Complete podcast provides strategies for tackling the Criterion Channel’s permanent, streaming only library.

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Criterion Channel Surfing, Bonus Episode: Criterion’s April Announcements

For this special bonus episode, host Josh Hornbeck was joined by Matt Gasteier and Travis Trudell of The Complete Podcast, and Robert Taylor of the Robert Taylor Odyssey for two casual discussions about the announcements for Criterion’s April releases.

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Cinema Cocktail, Episode 1 – Oscar Nominations

In this first episode of the Cinema Cocktail podcast, host Josh Hornbeck is joined by screenwriter and critic Robert Taylor of the Robert Taylor Odyssey to discuss Oscar nominations and reflect on some of the surprises – or lack thereof – during this shortened awards season.

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