Kermode & Mayo’s Take

For the last episode of this season, team STB gets real with those pesky inner monologues (as promised in the Carrie: Sex and the City episode). Plus, what's the connection between 80s comedy-thriller Lovejoy and The Matrix? We explore actors who have come back from obscurity with aplomb.   We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop the team an email (which may be part of the show): shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com    Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts.  To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week’s guest is the one and only Sir Ian McKellen, who is on the show to very eloquently tell Simon all about his starring role in ‘The Critic’, a period thriller in which a powerful – and pompous – London theatre critic lures a struggling actress into a blackmail scheme that has deadly consequences. Mark also weighs in on the film, as well as reviewing ‘Lee’, a Kate Winslet-starring biopic of photographer Elizabeth ‘Lee’ Miller, a fashion model who became an acclaimed war correspondent for Vogue magazine during World War II; ‘Speak No Evil’, a psychological thriller with James McAvoy, which sees an American family’s dream holiday turn into a living nightmare when they spend a weekend at a British family’s idyllic country estate; and ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’, the long-awaited sequel to Tim Burton’s beloved 1988 comedy horror classic, which sees the mischievous poltergeist Beetlejuice return for more supernatural chaos, as a new family stumbles upon his bizarre afterlife realm. By all accounts, a stellar week! Timecodes (relevant only for the Vanguard - who are also ad-free!): Lee Review – 06:00 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice – 22:37 Sir Ian McKellen Interview – 29:11 The Critic Review – 43:41 Speak No Evil – 54:56 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our final character episode of this season, we put Carrie from Sex and the City on the couch. Nemone looks at why Sex and the City hasn’t aged well, and Ben talks about diversity in the privileged, white world of the show. We get into Carrie’s shopping habit, low self-esteem, and why everyone in the show is SO obsessed with relationships, even though the women really have no need for them. We also get a primer on the Bechdel test, and how you can tell if a show is sexist without knowing it. And if you want to check out more on the patriarchy and diversity, have a listen to our episodes on Sydney from The Bear. We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop the team an email (which may be part of the show): shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com Find how to view the shows we’ve talked about here. CREDITS We used clips from episodes of Sex and the City. It’s available to watch on NOWTV/SKY. Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker – Carrie Bradshaw Cynthia Nixon – Miranda Hobbs Kim Cattrall – Samatha Jones Kristin Davis – Charlotte York Created by: Darren Star Candace Bushnell Directed by: Susan Seidalman Nicole Holofcener Alison Maclean Michael Fields Darren Star Produced by: Darren Star Michael Patrick King John P. Melfi Jenny Bicks Sarah Jessica Parker Cindy Chupack We would love to hear your theories: shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts. To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dive into a playful debate as the hosts determine Meryl Streep's ultimate film masterpiece in a spirited World Cup-style showdown. New releases are also on the agenda, with chilling insights into British folk horror in Starve Acre and heartwarming animation in Robot Dreams. The transitional themes of summer to autumn spark nostalgic reflections, while Spider-Man's cinematic evolution and memorable film deaths add layers to the discussion, delivering humor and depth in equal measure.

In this insightful discussion, Jackson Lamb, a complex character from 'Slow Horses' portrayed by Gary Oldman, takes center stage. They explore whether spies make the best therapists, diving into themes of identity and emotional resilience. The hosts share a crash course on transference and counter-transference, revealing why some individuals mask their true selves. Humor blends with serious insights as they analyze Lamb's cynical nature and relationships while highlighting the challenges faced by those in high-stakes espionage.

Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield, known for their roles in the Amazing Spider-Man series, join the discussion as they dive into the cinematic juggernauts of 1984. They explore fan favorites like The Terminator and Beverly Hills Cop, sparking a lively debate on which film reigns supreme. Mark reviews the re-release of Amazing Spider-Man 2 while sharing insights on its enduring appeal. They also discuss the moving Swedish film Paradise is Burning, highlighting themes of family resilience and joy amid challenges.

Raymond Holt, the first black, gay police captain, and acclaimed actor André Braugher discuss the complexities of identity in policing. They delve into the challenges of representation and acceptance faced by marginalized individuals in a conservative setting. The conversation highlights neurodiversity, vulnerability in relationships, and the power of humor. They also explore leadership through empathy and the unique dynamics within police teams, making a strong case for multi-dimensional characters in storytelling.

This week Mark is joined by another Take fave Ben Bailey Smith to talk all things cinema. Mark also gives his take on a swathe of new releases, including ‘Kneecap’, a comedy-drama based on true events that sees fate bring together a Belfast teacher and two self-confessed down-and-outs – the real musicians playing themselves – to form a hip-hop trio that rises to global fame; ‘Between the Temples’, which sees a cantor in a crisis of faith have his world turned upside town when his grade school music teacher reenters his life as his new adult bat mitzvah student; and ‘Blink Twice’, a psychological thriller and actress Zoe Kravitz’s directorial debut, which sees two cocktail waitresses invited on a dream vacation to a tech billionaire’s private island, only for strange events to leave them questioning their reality. A great week in new releases! What will be Mark’s pick of the week? Timecodes (relevant only for the Vanguard - who are also ad-free!): Kneecap Review – 05:20 Box Office Top Ten – 13:52 Close to You Review – 26:30 Between The Temples Review – 35:20 Blink Twice Review – 41:00 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben and Nemone put Moira Rose on the couch and take a deep dive into her narcissistic tendencies, and what effect that has on the rest of the Schitts. Nemone explains how narcissism is not as easy to spot as its widespread use would have you believe. We also discuss the collection of wigs that Moira keeps in her closet and why they are transitional objects. And if you’re interested in hearing more on narcissism, then check out our episode on Game of Thrones’ Cersei Lannister. We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop the team an email (which may be part of the show): shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com NEXT CLIENTS ON THE COUCH. Find out how to view here Raymond Holt, Brooklyn 99 (selected episodes) Jackson Lamb, Slow Horses (Season 1) Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City (selected episodes) CREDITS We used clips from episodes of Schitt’s Creek. It’s available to watch on Netflix. Starring: Eugene Levy - Johnny Rose Catherine O'Hara - Moira Rose Daniel Levy - David Rose Annie Murphy - Alexis Rose Created by: Daniel Levy Eugene Levy Directed by: Jerry Ciccoritti Paul Fox Produced by: Eugene Levy Dan Levy Fred Levy Andrew Barnsley Ben Feigin Kevin White David West Read We would love to hear your theories: shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts. To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we have an extra special treat, as Take fave Sanjeev Bhaskar joins Mark in the host’s seat to deliver a funny and insightful episode. Mark reviews various new releases, including ‘Only the River Flows’, a Chinese neo-noir crime thriller, which sees an ambitious police detective attempt to solve a series of murders from a disused cinema; ‘Swan Song’, an immersive documentary following The National Ballet of Canada as it mounts a legacy-defining new production of Swan Lake; and ‘Alien: Romulus’, a new addition to the sci-fi horror franchise, which sees space colonisers come face-to-face with the most terrifying life-form in the universe while scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station. Will Mark like it, love it, hate it? Listen to find out! Timecodes (relevant only for the Vanguard - who are also ad-free!): Only The River Flows Review – 06:46 Box Office Top Ten – 13:14 Swan Song Review – 35:53 Alien: Romulus – 45:33 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices