Why This Film?

The Red Shoes (1948, Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger) with Pamela Hutchinson - Criterion Collection Spine #44

"Why do you want to live?" In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by film critic and author Pamela Hutchinson to explore The Red Shoes, Michael Powell and Em

Deep Cover (1992, Bill Duke) with Michael B. Gillespie - Criterion Collection Spine #1086

"There was a great moment in the 90s with noir films, and I think Deep Cover should always be a part of that consideration." In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm

Matewan (1987, John Sayles) with Jack Ryan - Criterion Collection Spine #999

"You walk out taking away an awful lot of knowledge of American history that you were never told." In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by film scholar Jac

The 39 Steps (1935, Alfred Hitchcock) with Sid Gottlieb - Criterion Collection Spine #56

"See how far the truth gets you." In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by film scholar Sid Gottlieb to explore The 39 Steps, Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 m

Birth (2004, Jonathan Glazer) with Carlos Aguilar - Criterion Collection Spine #1298

"It captures an uncanny feeling that relates to grief, that there's something after, the hope we could get more time with someone we love." In this episode of Why T

La cérémonie (1995, Claude Chabrol) with Girish Shambu - Criterion Collection Spine #1199

"It's an incredibly rich film." In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by film critic and scholar Girish Shambu to explore La cérémonie, Claude Chabrol&

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022, Guillermo del Toro & Mark Gustafson) with Caleb Tyson - Criterion Collection Spine #1201

"It's a perfectly imperfect film." In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by film editor Caleb Tyson to explore Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (202

Kagemusha (1980, Akira Kurosawa) with Michael Repsch - Criterion Collection Spine #267

"Is our identity predetermined or something we can create?" In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by Michael Repsch, President of Dark Star Pictures, to exp

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001, Wes Anderson) with Chris Cook - Criterion Collection Spine #157

"To me, it's a perfect film." In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by assistant director Chris Cook to explore The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), Wes Anders

The Thin Red Line (1998, Terrence Malick) with Jared Frederick - Criterion Collection Spine #536

"I think of it as Saving Private Ryan for thinkers." In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by historian, author, and educator Jared Frederick to explore The

Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985, Tim Burton) with Jesse Thorn - Criterion Collection Spine #1293

“The regular world still has something special for someone who is weird.”  In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by comedian, broadcaster, and Maximum Fun f

Repo Man (1984, Alex Cox) with James Chestnut - Criterion Collection Spine #654

"Otto is Forrest Gump." In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by assistant director James Chestnut to dive into Repo Man (1984), Alex Cox's punk-rock,

Winchester '73 (1950, Anthony Mann) with Brady Crytzer - Criterion Collection Spine #1248

"The gun really doesn't mean anything until people start obsessing over it." In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by historian and author Brady Crytze

After Hours (1985, Martin Scorsese) with Sheila O'Malley - Criterion Collection Spine #1185

"It's such an important film in his [Scorsese's] filmography. I'm so happy people are discovering it and Criterion decided to focus on it." In this episod

The Breakfast Club (1985, John Hughes) with Ciara Moloney - Criterion Collection Spine #905

In episode 3 of Why This Film?, Ron is joined by Ciara Moloney to discuss The Breakfast Club, John Hughes's defining 1980s teen film. Together, they walk through th

Touchez pas au grisbi (1954, Jacques Becker) with Ginette Vincendeau - Criterion Collection Spine #271

"If retirement means you're in a lovely flat in Paris and your fridge is full of foie gras and champagne - I'm okay with that." In episode 2 of Why This Film?,

La Jetée (1962, Chris Marker) with Dr. Dennis Weiss - Criterion Collection Spine #387

“The past is dead!” In the premiere episode of Why This Film?, I sit down with Dr. Dennis Weiss to explore Chris Marker's La Jetée (1962), a groundbreaking French s