The Story

British director Sir Ridley Scott's new epic, Napoleon, is released in cinemas today. It comes as Marvel’s latest film suffered its lowest box office opening ever, raising questions about the future of superhero movies. Have audiences grown tired of the genre Scott has called "boring as shit"? Our critic gives his verdict on the new release, and assesses the state of cinema in 2023.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Tom Shone, Sunday Times film critic and author of The Nolan Variations and Blockbuster: How Hollywood Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Summer.Host: Luke Jones.Two-for-one cinema tickets at Everyman for Times+ members: https://www.mytimesplus.co.uk/offers/two-for-one-cinema-tickets-at-everymanEmail us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.ukClips: 20th Century Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Lucasfilm/Disney, Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Hovis, MGM, HBO Max.This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tomorrow, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will present his Autumn Statement to the Commons. For a government down in the polls, it may offer the opportunity for giveaways - and the Prime Minister says his government “can and will” cut taxes. But, with an economic recovery precarious, and coming before a general election next year, could a future Labour government be left paying the bill?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.ukClips: ITV, Sky News, Reuters, BBC News, David Boothroyd.This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Polling shows Americans think Biden is too old to be president. Ben Hoyle, Foreign Editor at The Sunday Times, discusses concerns about Biden's age and gaffes. He explores the primary system, similarities in age and blunders between Biden and Trump, and the state of American politics.

In this podcast, Philippa Gregory explores the history of women's protests and riots throughout England, highlighting their often overlooked role and the significant social and cultural changes driven by these women. The podcast also discusses the involvement of women in protests and riots during historical uprisings, the struggles of women in the 19th century for better working conditions and the right to vote, the exploitation of female workers, the impact of strike action on women's rights, the shift in feminist ideology among women in the 70s, and the importance of alternative values in advocating for change.

Martyn Ziegler, Chief Sports Reporter, The Times and The Sunday Times, discusses the impact of VAR on football, including controversial decisions, confusion caused by a communication breakdown, and its influence on goal celebrations. The podcast also explores the resistance towards technology in football, the potential costs of VAR errors, and the mixed feelings of fans towards VAR in terms of transparency and financial implications.

Controversy and creative license in 'The Crown', impact of historical inaccuracies, portrayal of Princess Diana and Camilla, impact on perception of monarchy

In the West Bank, violence is escalating between Israeli settlers and Palestinians, with over 180 deaths. The growth of illegal settlements and tensions between settlers and Palestinians are explored. A lawyer for a pro-settler movement shares his uncompromising views. The potential for the West Bank to erupt poses challenges for Israel, already fighting in Gaza and Lebanon.

Former prime minister David Cameron returns to the government after Rishi Sunak's reshuffle, while Suella Braverman is sacked. They discuss the implications for the party and country, including controversies, accusations, and the potential risks and impact on Rishi Sunak's image.

Historian Mark Galeotti discusses the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and explores the challenges faced by Ukraine in its war with Russia. The podcast explores the possibility of a military victory for Ukraine, President Zelensky's frustration with the lack of support from Western allies, and the importance of American support. It also delves into the political tensions within Ukraine and the potential negotiation outcomes for both sides.

“This really is the single weirdest book I have ever read, and anyone who does not reach the same conclusion after reading it should be sectioned.”That was our colleague Patrick Maguire’s verdict on ‘The Plot: The Political Assassination of Boris Johnson’ by former culture secretary Nadine Dorries, which was published on Thursday.So this weekend we’re bringing you an episode of another Times podcast, Red Box, in which Patrick journeys into Nadine Dorries's world with Times Radio presenter Matt Chorley.Plus: Matt speaks to Times columnist Danny Finkelstein (who Dorries accuses of being part of a cabal controlling the Tory party), and one of Boris Johnson’s political allies.Read more:Patrick Maguire’s review: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nadine-dorries-book-review-the-plot-ln7gfbvgz9 explosive claims from Nadine Dorries’s book: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nadine-dorries-book-the-plot-claims-summary-key-points-mpbzh9v68This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.