Best Mark Kermode Podcasts (2024)

1
Cine-world cup, 1984: the BEST film of the best year for cinema, evs 57:27

4h ago57:27

57:27

This week we put all the heavyweights from cinema’s best year – 1984 – into the ring, and see who comes out victorious. Think Terminator, Dune, Stop Making Sense, Beverly Hills Cop – I mean, there’s nowhere near enough space to list them all. But who will win...? Mark also gives his take on the re-release of Amazing Spiderman 2, with future Oscar-w…

1
Is Zoe Kravitz Born to Direct? 54:55

3h ago54:55

54:55

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…

1
SCHITT’S CREEK and Moira Rose: this is narcissism – SHRINK THE BOX 50:09

2h ago50:09

50:09

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…

1
Alien: Romulus – Mess or Masterpiece? 59:39

2h ago59:39

59:39

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; ‘…

1
Explaining addicts' behaviour, ‘trapped’ dramas (Handmaid’s Tale) and your questions - SHRINK THE INBOX 50:37

7d ago50:37

50:37

If characters in ‘trapped’ dramas escape, is that the end of the show? Ben and Nemone explore The Handmaid’s Tale and Severance as examples. Plus, Ben reacts to a listener’s ‘constructive’ feedback and Nemone explores Polyvagal Theory to explain why we might react in the way we do from childhood trauma. We want to hear about any theories we might h…

1
M NIGHT SHYAMALAN!! making his Take debut... 1:07:01

4d ago1:07:01

1:07:01

We have a VERY special guest this week. The legendary thrill-maker M Night Shyamalan comes on to talk all things Exorcist, family and his process behind his new release, Trap, starring Josh Hartnett. This was a great chat, so there’s even more in our premium episode. Plus, we review Caligula’s re-issue and get into some more results from our World …

1
THE WIRE’S Bubbles: How do you help an addict? – SHRINK THE BOX 52:05

7d ago52:05

52:05

Ben and Nemone discuss The Wire’s ‘Bubbles’ aka Reginald Collins. An informant and heroin user, a man with a fragile support network who finds himself stranded while trying to forge closer bonds with those around him. Nemone tells Ben how unconditional love is the hardest thing to give an addict, and the key to helping them start their journey to s…

1
We Made Mark Kermode Watch Sex and the City 2 Again 1:09:53

26d ago1:09:53

1:09:53

It’s a bumper week for reviews, with Mark giving his thoughts on a raft of releases, including ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’, Frank Cottrell-Boyce's adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel about a young boy swept overboard and stranded on a desert island with a mysterious stranger; ‘My Neighbour Totoro’, the classic Japanese animation about two sister…

1
PEAKY BLINDERS’ Polly Shelby: the silent observer in all of us – SHRINK THE BOX 49:26

14d ago49:26

49:26

Ben and Nemone discuss Helen McCrory’s iconic Poly Shelby from Peaky Blinders. She’s a devout Catholic, but up to her neck in the murky world of bootlegging and murder. Nemone gets into the thorny question of how she might match those up, and reveals how each of us has a ‘silent observer’ inside. We also dive into the history of women’s rights in 1…

1
Deadpool & Wolverine: Top or tiresome? 1:05:22

1M ago1:05:22

1:05:22

This week’s guest is novelist and screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce, who tells Simon all about ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’, his adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel, which sees a boy become stranded on a desert island after being swept overboard during a storm on a sailing trip with his family. The conversation is so good that we’ve got more in T…

1
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK’S “Taystee”: Adoption, Child States and Attachment Theory – SHRINK THE BOX 49:23

1M ago49:23

49:23

Ben and Nemone discuss Tasha Jefferson, aka Taystee, from Orange is the New Black. We get fascinating insights into child states and how difficult they are to escape; attachment theory and why prison can be a better alternative to living in the outside world. Expect to laugh and cry while reliving one of the early bingeable series on Netflix. And i…

1
Does EVERYONE love Twisters… except Mark? 58:27

1M ago58:27

58:27

Another guestless week but that just means more musings, fun and general nonsense from your favourite Good Doctors. Mark gives his thoughts on various new releases, including ‘Blur: To The End’, a documentary depicting the comeback of the classic Britpop band; ‘Thelma’, a June Squibb-starring comedy about a 93-year-old who gets duped by a phone sca…

1
REESE WITHERSPOON and JENNIFER ANISTON’s Alex and Bradley tackle sexism and false selves on The Morning Show - SHRINK THE BOX 48:15

2M ago48:15

48:15

Ben and Nemone put Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon’s The Morning Show characters, Alex and Bradley, on the couch. We ask how a person creates a false self at work, what makes Bradley break the mould and find out how Alex could ever have respect for her male boss in the middle of a #MeToo scandal. Stay tuned for more on false selves in our up…

1
Fly Me to the Moon, Hundreds of Beavers, Longlegs & Despicable Me 4 1:02:30

1M ago1:02:30

1:02:30

No guest this week, but that just means more from your favourite professional witterers – and a whole load of reviews! Mark gives his thoughts on various new releases including ‘Fly Me to the Moon’, a romantic comedy-drama starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum, which sees sparks fly between a marketing executive and a NASA official as he m…

1
Addiction in “Euphoria”, Analysis vs. Therapy and Sir Salman Rushdie! - SHRINK THE INBOX 44:07

1M ago44:07

44:07

Ben and Nemone answer your questions and explore your suggestions. They talk about whether they have any friends who are spies and explore some brilliant female led comedies you've either missed or forgotten. 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 t…

1
Ti West, Maxxxine, Blue Lock The Movie – Episode Nagi & Kill 1:03:02

1M ago1:03:02

1:03:02

This week’s guest is director Ti West, who is on the show to tell Mark all about ‘Maxxxine’, the hotly-anticipated third instalment of his cult horror trilogy made in collaboration with its star Mia Goth, which sees the action taken to the adult film scene in seedy 1980s Hollywood. With Mark and Ti geeking out over all things horror, the chat is ju…

1
TYRION LANNISTER knows how to play the Game...of Thrones SHRINK THE BOX 45:59

1M ago45:59

45:59

Ben and Nemone put Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones on the couch. Tyrion doesn’t conform to society’s norms. How does he use that to his advantage? He’s booksmart, cunning and the most open-minded man in Westeros. This ‘half-man’ is, in fact, three times as impressive as any of his peers. We look into difference, diversity and skulduggery in t…

1
EP. 45: Anna Bondarenko (INTERVIEW) - Art Space & Busan Based 1:04:19

2M ago1:04:19

1:04:19

In episode 45, Jay speaks with Anna Bondarenko, the owner of Naughty Muse Studios, a design studio and art café in Busan, South Korea. In this hour-long chat with Anna Bondarenko, we find out not only what it’s like being an art space owner in Busan, and indeed about the artist community in that city, but also about Anna's life, her fondness for Ko…

1
Jesse Plemons and Yorgos Lanthimos, Kinds of Kindness, A Quiet Place: Day One, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 1:04:13

2M ago1:04:13

1:04:13

This week’s guests are the red-hot actor and director duo, Jesse Plemons and Yorgos Lanthimos. They’re on to talk about their film ‘Kinds of Kindness’, which is released on 28th June, among tons of other things. It’s one you won’t want to miss. Mark also gives his take on the film, as well as reviewing ‘Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1’. This …

1
SYDNEY from THE BEAR: when will she reach her boiling point? SHRINK THE BOX 49:38

2M ago49:38

49:38

Ben and Nemone put sous-chef Sydney Adamu from The Bear into therapy. She helps whip the team at the restaurant into shape, she’s nurturing but anxious and riddled with self-doubt, not to mention a person of colour with the highest of ambitions in a profession dominated by white men. Mouthwatering, no? We want to hear about any theories we might ha…

1
S3: Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes 28:04

2M ago28:04

28:04

If nothing else is sure in life, you can be certain that change at some point will come for us all. After 18 years in her job, Rabbi Miriam is heading for something new and as the rabbis reveal how Jewish ritual is the ultimate guide to change-management they reflect on how good endings make for a strong start.…

1
Asif Kapadia & Joe Sabia, Federer: Twelve Final Days, Green Border, The Exorcism & The Bikeriders 1:05:30

2M ago1:05:30

1:05:30

This week’s guests are documentarian Asif Kapadia and videographer Joe Sabia, the co-directors of ‘Federer: Twelve Final Days’, an intimate look at the tennis legend as he approaches his retirement. Mark also gives his take on the film, as well as reviewing ‘Something in the Water’, a thriller which sees five girlfriends, reunited for a destination…

1
CHANDLER BING: could it BE any more complicated? SHRINK THE BOX 50:06

3M ago50:06

50:06

Ben and Nemone put Chandler from Friends on the famous Central Perk couch to talk about his phobia of commitment, his attachment patterns and how he feels about mum AND dad putting on a black dress and trying to seduce one of your best friends. Expect doses of sarcasm, celebrity cameos and Janice’s laughter peppered throughout. We want to hear abou…

1
Jeff Nichols, Freud’s Last Session, Arcadian & Inside Out 2 1:01:12

3M ago1:01:12

1:01:12

This week’s guest is writer-director Jeff Nichols, who is on the show to tell Simon all about his long-awaited, star-studded crime drama ‘The Bikeriders’, which stars Simon’s fave Austin Butler, and tells a fictional story inspired by the 1967 photo-book of the same name, which depicts the lives of the Outlaws MC, a motorcycle club founded in McCoo…

1
MICHAEL SCOTT invites you into The Office: SHRINK THE BOX 48:27

3M ago48:27

48:27

Ben and Nemone stroll into The Office (USA). They consider the differences between Michael Scott and David Brent, explore ego and ask why some people think they’re funny (when they’re just not). 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 ema…

1
Richard Linklater, Hit Man, The Dead Don’t Hurt & Bad Boys: Ride or Die 1:02:19

3M ago1:02:19

1:02:19

This week’s guest is one of America’s most beloved auteurs, and arguably the most laid-back director working today, Richard Linklater, who is on the show to tell Simon all about his latest black romantic comedy ‘Hit Man’, which sees a professor moonlighting as a hitman descend into dangerous, dubious territory when he finds himself attracted to a w…

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