Episode 215 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2023

In our annual episode focusing on The Criterion Collection’s releases from the past year – and there’s a lot to celebrate – we’ve assembled a panel of CriterionCast regulars to share our favorite releases of 2023. David Blakeslee from Criterion Reflections hosts this discussion, which also includes Aaron West (CineJourneys), Josh Hornbeck (Criterion Channel Surfing), and longtime site contributors Jordan Essoe and Brad McDermott.

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Episode Notes

Jordan’s List

• Favorite Cover/Packaging: Thelma & Louise by Sam Hadley
• Favorite Releases
  1. Godland
  2. The Eight Mountains
  3. No Bears

Aaron’s List

• Favorite Cover/Packaging: Tod Browning’s Sideshow Shockers by Raphael Geroni
• Favorite Releases
  1. After Hours
  2. Inland Empire
  3. One False Move

Brad’s List

• Favorite Cover/Packaging: The Adventures of Baron Munchausen by Abigail Giuseppe
• Favorite Releases
  1. The Trial
  2. Pasolini 101
  3. The Watermelon Woman

Josh’s List

• Favorite Cover/Packaging: Pasolini 101 by Eric Skillman
• Favorite Releases
  1. Small Axe
  2. Two Films by Marguerite Duras
  3. This is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection

David’s List

• Favorite Cover/Packaging: Lars von Trier’s Europe Trilogy by Fred Davis
• Favorite Releases
  1. Pasolini 101
  2. The Ranown Westerns
  3. The Red Balloon and Other Stories

Episode Credits

• Jordan Essoe ( Website / Oregon Arts / Instagram )
• Aaron West ( CineJourneys / Substack )
• Brad McDermott ( Instagram / Letterboxd / Gallery)
• Josh Hornbeck ( Website | Twitter | Instagram | Letterboxd )
• David Blakeslee ( TikTok / Website / Facebook / Letterboxd )

Past Favorites of the Year Episodes

• Episode 214 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2022
• Episode 213 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2021
• Episode 212 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2020
• Episode 202 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2019
• Episode 195 – Criterion Collection Favorites of 2018
• Episode 189: Criterion Collection Favorites of 2017
• Episode 180: Criterion Collection Favorites of 2016
• Episode 167: Criterion Collection Favorites of 2015
• Episode 152: Our Favorite Criterion Collection Releases from 2014
• Episode 145: Our Favorite Criterion Collection Releases from 2013
• Episode 135: Favorite Criterion Collection Releases of 2012
• Episode 108: Our Favorite Criterion Collection Releases of 2011
• Episode 63.5: Top Criterion Collection Releases of 2010