Kermode & Mayo’s Take

This week, the hosts bring a nostalgic look back at the year's cinematic highlights, sharing laughs along with insights. They dive into notable films like 'Bring Her Back' and 'The Ballad of Wallis Island,' while dissecting themes of grief and horror. A fascinating discussion on music and memory showcases a poignant film set in 1930s Mississippi. They also critique various works, exploring greed and character dynamics, and wrap up with a review of the impactful series 'Adolescence,' highlighting its relevance to contemporary issues.

In this engaging conversation, director Jay Roach, known for hits like 'Austin Powers,' and renowned actress Olivia Colman dive into their latest film, 'The Roses,' starring herself and Benedict Cumberbatch. They explore the comedic complexities of marriage, touching on modern romantic pitfalls and the humorous dynamics of couples facing career conflicts. Colman shines with her delightful charm while Roach shares insights into the film's reimagining of classic tropes, making it a fresh take on love and resentment in relationships.

Join Tom Hiddleston, famed for his role as Loki, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, an acclaimed actor known for diverse roles, as they discuss 'The Life of Chuck,' a poignant adaptation of a Stephen King short story. They explore the film's unique reverse narrative structure, illustrating the richness of ordinary life against a backdrop of personal and global challenges. Expect moments of humor and depth as they reflect on the theme of joy found in everyday connections, inviting you to ponder your own experiences.

Bob Odenkirk, acclaimed actor and writer, best known for his roles in 'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul', joins for an engaging discussion. They dive into the explosive action sequences of 'Nobody 2' and explore the pressures of following a successful first film. The conversation touches on father figures in movies and Jackie Chan's influence. Mark shares his thoughts on various film releases, while both hosts reflect on the quirks of romantic comedies and the depths of character development, blending humor and insightful commentary.

Sanjeev Bhaskar, a talented British actor and comedian known for his work on 'Goodness Gracious Me', steps in as host to converse with the delightful Celine Song, a South Korean-Canadian playwright and filmmaker renowned for 'Past Lives'. They dive into 'The Materialists', a romcom that tackles the complexities of modern dating with a fresh lens. Additionally, they explore the humorous and emotional nuances of 'Freakier Friday', along with insight into a provocative Australian prison drama. Conversations about celebrity encounters add a lighthearted touch!

Noah Hawley, a celebrated showrunner known for 'Fargo' and 'Legion', joins to discuss his ambitious new series, 'Alien: Earth'. He delves into the franchise's evolution and how he tackles corporate themes intertwined with a dystopian future. The creative journey features insights on character development and the role of sound design in enhancing horror. Hawley also shares his surprising affinity for British comedy, making a fascinating connection to storytelling techniques. Mark reviews the series, raising questions about its place in the Alien legacy.

Guy Pearce, the Australian actor famous for his roles in 'LA Confidential' and 'Memento', joins the conversation to discuss his gripping role in the Australian prison drama 'Inside'. He reveals the psychological complexities of playing Warren, a lifer confronting his impending parole. The discussion also explores Pearce's music projects, the nuances of character relationships, and his candid thoughts on a classic role he dislikes. Additionally, the reboot of 'Naked Gun' sparks debate about modern comedy and whether it can measure up to its predecessor.

Join Justin Kurzel, the talented Australian director behind 'Macbeth' and 'Nitram', as he dives into the gripping themes of his latest series, 'The Narrow Road to the Deep North'. He discusses the harrowing experiences of Australian POWs during WWII and explores the emotional weight of loss and memory. The conversation also veers into the unsettling horror of 'Bring Her Back', examining family dysfunction through a chilling narrative lens. Plus, Kurzel teases an intriguing new project involving music and memory with Warren Ellis.

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.  Our guest this week is Harry Melling—all grown up after first hitting the big screen as Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter films. He’s here to chat about the latest in a hit parade of pleasingly weird and wonderful post-Potter projects, ‘Harvest’. This trippy period piece sees a mysterious feudal society in an unspecified place and time fall apart after crops fail and sinister strangers arrive. Simon unpacks this unique film with Harry—plus a bit of Potter chat since the HBO reboot has put the wizarding world back in the spotlight.   Mark reviews Harvest too—along with two more of this week’s biggest cinema releases: ‘Friendship’--a black comedy about male bonding starring Paul Rudd as the new-best-pal-next-door, and ‘Smurfs’--the latest big-screen outing for the little blue fellas. If that didn’t sound like a bit of Mark-bait already, it also stars James Corden. Odds on Kermode going full ‘Grouchy Smurf’ on this one?   Plus we revisit the Salt Path controversy, including some of your excellent correspondence, run down the Box Office Top 10 and serve up sizeable portions of delectable daftness as always.     Timecodes (for Vanguardistas listening ad-free):  Friendship Review: 10:25  BO10: 18:16  Harry Melling Interview: 26:50  Harvest Review: 42:09  Smurfs Review: 56:18    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  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark Gatiss, the talented actor and writer behind 'Sherlock' and 'Game of Thrones,' joins Simon and Mark to chat about his whimsical crime comedy, 'Bookish,' where he plays a bookseller-turned-detective in postwar London. Expect delightful discussions on detective fiction and quirky vocabulary! They also dive into the controversy surrounding 'The Salt Path,' exploring authenticity in storytelling. Plus, enjoy insights on the latest Superman film, blending humor with serious themes and paying homage to classic styles.