Episodes
This week, Mark hosts the show alongside Take fave Ben Bailey-Smith. Ben sits down with one of Hollywood’s finest actresses Laura Linney to discuss her sentimental comedy-drama ‘The Miracle Club’, which follows a group of Dublin women in 1960’s Ireland as they embark on a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Mark offers his own thoughts on the film, while also giving his take on ‘Blackberry’, a Glenn Howerton-starring biographical drama about the rise and fall of the world’s first smartphone; ‘Silver Dollar Road’, Raoul Peck’s latest documentary about a Black family’s decades-long leg...
This week, Simon sits down with director Gareth Edwards to talk about his new AI-centred sci-fi action thriller epic, ‘The Creator’. Mark reviewed this last week.
Other films Mark gives his takes on include ‘The Exorcist: Believer’, the sixth instalment of the horror franchise, which sees Hollywood icon Ellen Burstyn reprise her role from the original film; ‘The Burial’, a Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones-helmed legal drama about a lawyer who helps a funeral home-owner save his family business from a corporate behemoth; and ‘The Great Escaper’, which sees a World War 2 veteran, played by Mic...
This week’s episode sees Simon interview director Craig Gillespie, to discuss his film 'Dumb Money’, which is based on the true story of everyday people who flipped the script on Wall Street and got rich by turning GameStop(!) into the world's hottest company. Mark reviewed this in full last week.
Other films Mark reviews include ‘The Creator’ - set against the backdrop of a war between humans and robots with AI, a former soldier finds a secret weapon, which turns out to be a robot in the form of a child. Plus ‘Saw X’, where John is back; he travels to Mexico for a risky, experimental medi...
The smash-hit interview podcast Out To Lunch is out now, with a sparkly new host on dining duty: the much loved British actor, comedian and writer Ade Edmondson.
Ade takes guests such as Chrissie Hynde, Reece Shearsmith, Tony Visconti, Daisy Haggard and Ed Byrne to a top restaurant whilst you get to hear the witty and wonderous conversation. It’s like you’re sat at the table next to us.
After breaking into the comedy circuit in the 1980s, Edmondson starred in countless British films and TV shows, including seminal comedy The Young Ones and alongside his wife, Jennifer Saunders as part of ...
More Mark, more Simon, more mindless natter – and some movie reviews for good measure!
This week’s episode sees Simon sit down with director and Take diehard Alice Troughton, who’s in the studio to discuss her film debut ‘The Lesson’, a mystery-thriller about an aspiring young writer who accepts a tutoring position at the estate of his literary idol only to become ensnared in a web of family secrets.
Mark also offers his thoughts on the film, along with reviewing ‘Dumb Money’, Craig Gillespie’s star-studded dramatisation of the David-and-Goliath, real events, which saw a group of savvy Re...
Don’t worry, Mark and Simon are back for good! This week’s episode sees Simon sit down with the humble and delightful Timothy Spall, who is in the studio to discuss his new film ‘Bolan’s Shoes’, a melodrama about the enduring legacy of childhood trauma and the deep bonds of sibling love set to the music of the film’s namesake, T-Rex's Mark Bolan.
Our own iconic Mark also offers his thoughts on the film, along with reviewing ‘A Haunting in Venice’, Kenneth Brannagh’s stab at a Poirot murder-mystery, which sees the famous detective investigating a murder while attending a Halloween séance at...
Mark and Simon are finally back on land, having abandoned their canalboat somewhere near Slough, and, more importantly, Celine Song is in the studio to discuss her soulful debut feature ‘Past Lives’. The film is her directorial debut, and sees two deeply connected childhood friends reunited for one fateful week as they confront destiny, love and the choices that make a life.
Plus, Mark reviews two new sequels, ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3’, the Portokalos gang’s latest outing directed by lead actress Nia Vardalos; and ‘The Nun 2’, which sees Sister Irene once again come face to face with th...
With Mark and Simon still having the time of their lives at sea, Anna Bogutskaya and Rhianna Dhillon are back to warm their seats with some sizzling, cinematic takes.
Say a prayer to the cinematic powers that be because this week is a bumper week for interviews. Rhianna sits down with not one but two - yes two! - brilliant directors, Antoine Fuqua and Ira Sachs, to talk about their respective new films, ‘The Equalizer 3’, the final outing for Denzel Washington’s violent vigilante Robert McCall, and ‘Passages’, which sees a gay couple’s marriage thrown into crisis when one of them impulsive...
With Mark deciding he simply hasn’t had enough of the UK’s waterways and heading back out to join Simon, Robbie Collin and James King are stepping in to co-captain The Take podcasting vessel.
James sits down with the funny and philosophical French writer, director and actor, Louis Garrel, to discuss his latest film ‘The Innocent’, a comedy-heist-come-family-farce that’s far more personal than you’d first think.
Robbie reviews ‘Scrapper’, a sunny, imaginative kitchen-sink drama starring Harris Dickinson; and ‘Theater Camp’, a Young Hollywood-packed comedy about the eccentric staff of ...
This week sees Mark holding down the fort with fellow professional film watcher Robbie Collin.
In a special twist, both Mark and Robbie sit down for a brilliant conversation with British-acting-legend-in-the-making Harris Dickinson to discuss his sunny, new, kitchen-sink drama, ‘Scrapper’.
They also debate the merits of ‘Strays’, an R-rated comedy featuring the voices of Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher and Will Ferrell, who play a motley crew of stray dogs, who team up to get revenge on one of their owners; ‘Lie With Me’, a thoughtful French film about an author who, on returning to his ho...
With Simon still chugging along on the UK’s glorious waterways, beloved actor and Take fave Sanjeev Bhaskar steps in to chat nonsense – ahem, review films - with Mark.
Sanjeev speaks with director Neill Blomkamp about his new stranger-than-fiction biographical sports drama ‘Gran Turismo’, covering everything from Blomkamp’s motivations for making the film to the challenges of shooting in a moving race car - or as the directors puts it, a “motion sickness, nausea machine”.
Mark offers his thoughts on Blomkamp’s new film, which sees a young man win an opportunity to become a real racing dri...
BBC’s ‘Ghosts’ - we explore them further. We also ask if Homer Simpson is abusive and we answer your questions in this special bonus edition.
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With Mark and Simon on their rip-roaring canal cruise, this week’s episode sees favorites Rhianna Dhillon and Anna Bogutskaya take the helm of the good Take ship.
Rhianna speaks to writer and director Nicole Holofcener about her new film ‘You Hurt My Feelings’ - her view on drafting the script and how she takes feedback...
Rhianna and Anna also review ‘Heartstopper’ Season 2, a Netflix series about two teens Charlie (Joe Locke) and Nick (Kit Connor) who are in the midst of navigating school and young love; ‘Joy Ride’ an outrageous raunchy comedy starring Ashley Park, directed by Adele Lim...
Ben’s close encounter with an obsessive fan. Plus we ask why writers create good-looking psychopaths and we explore your character suggestions in this special bonus edition.
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A Sony Music Entertainment production.
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To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
With Mark and Simon setting off on their rip-roaring canal cruise, this week’s episode sees favourites Rhianna Dhillon and Anna Bogutskaya take the helm of the good ship Take.
Rhianna chats to SAG Executive Vice President Ben Whitehair to find out more about the strikes, including what actors are fighting for and the wider implications for the industry.
Anna reviews ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’, the star-studded, Seth Rogen co-penned, computer-animated superhero outing, which sees the iconic Turtles set out to be accepted as normal teenagers through acts of heroism; ‘The ...
As Season 2 hits our screens, we reflect on the recipe that had everyone crying into their dinner, how Carmy and Ritchie approach grief differently and how advice from a Vietnamese Buddist Monk can be applied to a professional kitchen.
The Bear is available to watch on Disney Plus. As ever, adult issues, language and spoilers will be sprinkled liberally throughout the show.
If you want to catch the BBC show that Ben is in (as mentioned): https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0fvlpf9/the-sixth-commandment
If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the ...
The humanity in growing old. Mattel's uncomfortable history. The undeniability of Ryan Gosling. This week’s episode sees Simon discuss all things ‘Barbie’, already one of the hottest – and pinkest – films of the year, with its wonderfully thoughtful co-writer and director Greta Gerwig.
And if that’s not enough, Mark reviews the other big-hitter of the summer, ‘Oppenheimer’, Christopher Nolan’s epic biographical thriller about the scientist who developed the atomic bomb; and the second season of ‘The Bear’, Christopher Storer’s dynamic, heart-filled kitchen comedy, which sees the chefs at T...
You’d think someone with two therapist parents would be golden. Why Otis is scared of sex. Plus what’s worse, having a parent who is strict or a smotherer? We look at what it’s like for the rest of the boys such as Eric, Adam and Jackson in the second of this two-parter on the hugely popular Netflix show.
If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan.
Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/
For UK help via talking therapies contact your GP or the British Association f...
The terror of wondering whether Tom Cruise has died. Writing the rulebook for shooting in a pandemic. The artistic mediocrity of AI. Even more Tom Cruise! This week’s episode sees Simon sit down for a chat with another iconic Simon, the brilliant Simon Pegg, who has once again strapped on his harness to join the Mission Impossible crew for its seventh stunt-filled, death-defying outing.
Mark reviews ‘Medusa’, a drama about a young woman who leads a vigilante girl gang enforcing Christian standards in Brazil; ‘Squaring the Circle’, a documentary about the creative team responsible for some ...
What it’s like being called a ‘cock-biter’ - how Maeve is misunderstood and underestimated. Plus revenge porn, toxic friendships and fears or fascination around sex. In this two parter: we look at the girls first and what they face growing up in this hugely popular Netflix show.
We'd love to hear your comments and guest suggestions on the show. Email: shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com
If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan.
Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/
For...
An emotional interview with Pixar director and voice over, Peter Sohn, about his latest film ‘Elemental’. During the interview Peter opens up to Simon about why this film is particularly close to his heart.
Mark reviews the seventh film in the Mission Impossible franchise, ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’ starring Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell and Rebecca Ferguson, plus a new heartfelt documentary ‘Name Me Lawand’, which shows us the world from the point of view of a migrant whose life was transformed by a school for the deaf in the UK.
Plus Mark and Simon cover this week’s Box...
Emotional contagion in gang culture is not the only issue driving this week's client. Does compartmentalising ruthless work and being a caregiver have ill effects? We delve into how grief can drive reckless decision-making to become Top Boy.
If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan.
Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/
For UK help via talking therapies contact your GP or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy bacp.co.uk
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‘Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a modern creative force’ who keeps Harrison Ford on his toes, according to director James Mangold, who has just directed the fifth film in the Indiana Jones franchise, ‘Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny’.
Simon is remote from Denmark, so Mark takes the reins on this week’s interview, in which they discuss the genius of Phoebe Waller-Bridge and agree Toby Jones can do no wrong whilst talking about working with Harrison Ford...
Mark reviews ‘Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny’, plus Isabelle Huppert’s new French thriller ‘La Syndicaliste’ and this week’s Box ...
The difference between personality types: Feeler or Dealer. Plus why Mitch is so desperate to be one of the crowd and Cam wants to stand outside of it. We explore two of our favourite characters in more detail.
If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan.
Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/
For UK help via talking therapies contact your GP or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy bacp.co.uk
EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/shrink...
Work experience with Kenneth Branagh. A guardian angel dance troupe. The Simon Mayo cameo that could have been. This week’s episode features an interview with Aisling Bea and Lara McDonnell, who star as the younger and older iterations of the lead character in ‘Greatest Days’, a jukebox musical featuring the hits of Take That.
Mark reviews ‘No Hard Feelings’, Jennifer Lawrence’s new, R-rated, coming-of-age sex comedy; ‘Nimona’, a computer-animated fantasy featuring the voices of Riz Ahmed and Chloë Grace Moretz, which sees a knight and a scrappy shapeshifting teen team up to prove the form...
What does infidelity say about a marriage? How can honesty in the face of money laundering keep a family together, and what sort of mother is Wendy? We learn how a wholesome American mum holds her nerve (and maybe even thrives) against a cartel.
If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan.
Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/
For UK help via talking therapies contact your GP or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy bacp.co.uk
EXCLUSIVE NordVP...
Sibling disagreements on set. Making sense of the DC universe. The legend that is Michael Keaton. This week’s episode features an interview with director and producer brother-sister duo Andy and Barbara Muschietti about their contentious, new, time-bending superhero movie, ‘The Flash’.
Mark reviews ‘Extraction 2’, the second instalment of the Russo Brothers’ Chris Hemsworth-helmed action franchise; ‘The Flash’, DC's latest controversy-ridden offering starring Ezra Miller as Barry Allen, a forensic scientist who gains the power of superhuman speed after being struck by lightning; and ‘Prett...
With special guest Kiell Smith-Bynoe who plays Mike in hit BBC comedy ‘Ghosts’. Ben and Sasha ask: is sharing your partner with a group of ghosts a metaphor for partnerships and what’s it like to act next to dead people? Plus, they take a look at why it's not just our upbringing that shapes us, but also the time we come from. Recorded Live at The Podcast Show in London.
If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan.
Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/
For UK help ...
Violin-offs. A fresh interpretation of Marie Antoinette. Simon Mayo, a fashionista? This week’s episode features an interview with actors Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Lucy Boynton about their new biographical period drama, 'Chevalier’.
Mark reviews ‘Medusa Deluxe’, a murder mystery set in a high-stakes hairdressing competition; ‘Chevalier’, an upcoming biographical drama based on the true story of Black composer Joseph Bologne, the son of an enslaved Senegalese woman and a French plantation owner, who rose to great heights in 18th Century French society; and 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts', ...
What’s an anxious ruminator? What happens when self-blame is a way of life and how stationery can be lethal? We learn that there’s a little bit of George in all of us and how to keep it at bay.
Our top ten George episodes (available on Netflix)
Season 2, episode 4: The Phone Message
Season 4, episode 10: The Contest
Season 4, episode 15: The Shoes
Season 5, episode 14: The Marine Biologist
Season 5, episode 21: The Opposite
Season 7, episode 19: The Calzone
Season 7, episode 22: The Invitation
Season 7, episode 7: The Secret Code
Season 8, episode 9: The Abstinence
Season 8, epis...