Kermode & Mayo’s Take

Vanguardistas have more fun—so if you don’t already subscribe to the podcast, join the Vanguard today via Apple Podcasts or extratakes.com for non-fruit-related devices. In return you’ll get a whole extra Take 2 alongside Take 1 every week, with bonus reviews, more viewing recommendations from the Good Doctors and whole bonus episodes just for you. And if you’re already a Vanguardista, we salute you. Reviews this week of French feelgood hit ‘The Marching Band’ (En Fanfare)--where a conductor in need of a bone-marrow transplant discovers a long-lost brother and undertakes an unexpected musical journey. Think Brassed Off, but more French. Also we have the edge-of-your-car-seat thriller ‘Hallow Road’ starring Rosamund Pike, and the usual run down of the Box Office Top 10 and all your erudite/hilarious/chin-strokey correspondence on those. The Good Doctors will also be talking ‘The Last Of Us’ series 2—and that’s because our very special guest this week is its showrunner Craig Mazin. In a bumper conversation that extends into Take 2 for Vanguardistas, he and Simon talk about the groundbreaking video-game adaptation series and his journey to creating it. Covering everything from storytelling secrets to the show’s brilliant needle drops, via revenge, grief and creativity, this one really goes places—don't miss it. Timecodes (for Vanguardistas listening ad-free): En Fanfare (The Marching Band) Review: 08:15 Craig Mazin Interview: 26:03 The Last of Us S2 Review: 45:28 Hallow Road Review: 58:36 You can contact the show by emailing correspondence@kermodeandmayo.com or you can find us on social media, @KermodeandMayo Please take our survey and help shape the future of our show: https://www.kermodeandmayo.com/survey EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/take Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us @sonypodcasts To advertise on this show contact: podcastadsales@sonymusic.com And to find out more about Sony’s new show Origins with Cush Jumbo, click here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dive into a captivating discussion about Nic Cage's quirky new film, 'The Surfer', where he finds himself in a surreal beachside conflict while reconnecting with his son. There's a heartfelt review of David Attenborough's latest ocean documentary, peeling back the layers of environmental challenges. Explore a fresh take on the romcom classic 'The Wedding Banquet', tackling love and cultural complexities. The hosts also offer insights on the theater experience versus streaming, weaving in nostalgic anecdotes and humor, making for a delightful listening journey.

Paul Feig, the stylish director behind hits like Bridesmaids and Spy, joins to discuss his latest film, Another Simple Favor. He shares insights on the challenges of crafting sequels, including character evolution and the significance of strong female leads. The conversation touches on the role of music in storytelling and critiques a recent film for its predictability, all while interspersing humorous anecdotes. Feig's unique perspectives offer a peek into the intricacies of filmmaking and the legacy of beloved characters.

David Oyelowo, an accomplished actor known for his powerful roles in 'Selma' and 'Government Cheese,' joins the conversation. He reveals insights about playing Hampton Chambers in his new Apple TV+ series, blending humor with serious themes of family and redemption. They explore the unique storytelling of 'Government Cheese' set in the 1960s, discussing its cultural significance and the balance between comedy and drama. The hosts also dive into the biting satire of 'The Studio,' showcasing the absurdities of Hollywood filmmaking.

Join Alex Garland, an acclaimed writer and director behind hits like Ex Machina, and Ray Mendoza, a former Navy SEAL and military advisor, as they discuss their gripping new film 'Warfare.' They delve into the importance of authentic storytelling in depicting modern conflict, drawing from Mendoza’s own wartime experiences. The conversation also touches on sound design, narrative techniques, and the challenges of balancing realism with cinematic tradition. Don't miss their insights on the emotional weight of representing war on screen.

Dive into the intriguing world of Black Mirror with creator Charlie Brooker and star Emma Corrin. They discuss the innovative 'ReDream' technology in their new episode, blending classic films with modern-day narratives. The conversation also touches on the artistic influence of vintage media and the challenge of maintaining secrecy in filmmaking. Additionally, they explore themes of forbidden love and how nostalgic storytelling reveals the bittersweet nature of memory and loneliness. The chat promises surprises, including a detour into bowling!

This week features James Hawes, director of 'The Amateur,' known for hits like 'Slow Horses' and 'Black Mirror,' alongside Laurence Fishburne, iconic as Morpheus in 'The Matrix.' They discuss the film's unique take on espionage, weaving themes of grief and identity into an action-packed narrative. Hawes shares anecdotes from the set, while Fishburne reflects on his character's complexities. They also dive into the influence of traditional spy tales and the challenges of modern storytelling. Prepare for a lively conversation filled with insights and humor!

In this engaging discussion, Toby Jones, an acclaimed actor known for his roles in 'Captain America' and 'Infamous,' shares insights about playing Philip Burton in 'Mr. Burton,' who guided Richard Burton's rise in acting. He chats about the nuances of accents, the evolution of TV drama, and the impact of mentorship. The conversation also explores the quirky A24 film 'Death of a Unicorn,' its dark humor, and the challenges of navigating the indie film landscape today.

This week, Gorgeous George MacKay, known for his roles in films like 1917, joins the discussion. He shares insights about his role in Josh Oppenheimer's unique post-apocalyptic musical, The End. The conversation dives into the complexities of familial relationships amidst catastrophic circumstances, exploring themes of denial and creative risks. George also touches on the transition from documentary to musical storytelling, highlighting the blend of fantasy and realism in their approach. A fascinating take on a world that mirrors our own!

Vanguardistas have more fun—so if you don’t already subscribe to the podcast, join the Vanguard today via Apple Podcasts or extratakes.com for non-fruit-related devices. In return you’ll get a whole extra Take 2 alongside Take 1 every week, with bonus reviews, more viewing recommendations from the Good Doctors and whole bonus episodes just for you. And if you’re already a Vanguardista, we salute you. The much anticipated ‘Flow’ is first on the review slate this week. The Oscar-winning animation follows the story of a solitary black cat, displaced from its home by a huge flood in a world now devoid of humans, who finds refuge on a boat with a crew of other animals who must work together to survive. Plus The Alto Knights—the new gangster flick where Robert De Niro as 1950s New York Mafioso Frank Costello squares up to, erm, himself as rival Vito Genovese—and of course Snow White—the live action remake of the 1937 Disney classic. Our guest this week is the fabulously French auteur director Francois Ozon, who’s chatting with Simon about his new film ‘When Autumn Falls’. Set amidst the crisp and golden vistas of Autumnal Burgundy, and featuring lots and lots of extremely chic knitwear, the film follows doting grandmother Michelle—whose family life is thrown into turmoil by an unfortunate accident involving some mushrooms. But was it an accident? All is not as cosy as it seems, and the dodgy  fungi aren’t all that’s toxic about this situation... Another week of top takes and high-quality witterings from the Good Doctors—not to mention correspondence from you lot. Don’t miss it! Timecodes (for Vanguardistas listening ad-free): Flow Review: 07:52 Francois Ozon Interview: 27:49 When Autumn Falls Review: 39:23 Laughter Lift: 48:40 The Alto Knights Review: 53:31 Snow White Review: 01:00:12 You can contact the show by emailing correspondence@kermodeandmayo.com or you can find us on social media, @KermodeandMayo EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/take Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us @sonypodcasts To advertise on this show contact: podcastadsales@sonymusic.com And to find out more about Sony’s new show Origins with Cush Jumbo, click here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices