Episodes
Emily Watson stars alongside Paul Mescal in new psychological drama ‘God’s Creatures’. She joins Simon and Mark in the studio to talk about what it was like playing Paul’s mother in the film where her sense of right or wrong is well and truly put to the test.
Mark reviews new Iranian crime movie ‘Law of Tehran’, ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ - starring a stellar cast including Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, and Regé-Jean Page among others - based on the tabletop role-playing game ‘Dungeons & Dragons’, and ‘God’s Creatures’ - a story about a mother (played by Emily Watson) who ...
Meet the Rayburn’s. They are upstanding pillars of the community, hugely admired, and entirely dysfunctional.
We delve into why Danny is actually the scapegoat, what the sympathetic ghost signifies, and just how sticky familial roles can be.
Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@somethinelse.com
Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of Bloodlines to avoid spoilers. 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: ht...
Keanu and Chad tell Simon about the most difficult stunts to film in the latest John Wick installment in a fascinating interview.
Mark reviews the new satirical horror from Brandon Cronenberg - ‘Infinity Pool’ about a writer (Alexander Skarsgård) and his wife, who find themselves in a strange and dangerous situation on holiday when they’re involved in a fatal accident, ‘The Beasts’ - about a middle-aged French couple who move to a village but are met with hostility and violence from two of the locals, and ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ the highly successful franchise is back, and this time sees ...
Black, British and kind of famous, Michaela Coel’s Arabella colours outside of the lines; misses deadlines, and, can’t *quite* remember what happened to her last night?
One woman’s search for the truth raises questions around agency, relationships and whether or not there’s ever such a thing as shades of grey - when it comes to consent.
Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of I May Destroy You to avoid spoilers.
Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@somethinelse.com
If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For t...
The Multifaceted Daveed Diggs tells Simon how his role as Marshall Zucker in the start studded ‘Extrapolations’ was deeply personal.
Mark reviews South London rom- com ‘Rye Lane’ - starring David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah, ‘Pearl’ Ti West’s prequal to horror film ‘X’ which sees Mia Goth reprise her role as the title character, ‘80 for Brady’- which is a comedy starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sally Field, and Rita Moreno and is inspired by the true story of four best friends who travel to the Superbowl to see their hero Tom Brady, ‘Extrapolations’ Apple +’s new anthology drama, set in the...
Transporting viewers to the idyllic, suburban world of Westview, New Jersey, but all is not how it seems. Despite her otherworldly powers, Wanda experiences grief and loss, just like the rest of us.
Plus a deep dive into the strength of nostalgia, what the mysterious beekeepers mean, and how sometimes, destruction is the only thing that helps us heal.
Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of Wandavision to avoid spoilers.
Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@somethinelse.com
If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episo...
Andy Serkis tells Simon about playing his darkest role yet, and why he decided to take on the challenge.
Mark reviews the new horror/slasher take on a child’s classic ‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey’ which follows a bloodthirsty Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet as they terrorise their former friend Christopher Robin; ‘Champions’ - a heartwarming new comedy/drama starring Woody Harrelson about a former minor-league basketball coach who is court ordered to manage a team of players with intellectual disabilities; ‘Luther: The Fallen Sun’ which sees Idris Elba reprise his role as detective John Lu...
Advertising sells - and Don Draper knows how to sell it better than anyone: a product, the American dream, and even himself.
We look at why the ad-men of the ‘60s were so terrified of therapy, how sex is power, and why faking who you are - is actually the hardest sell of all.
Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of Mad Men to avoid spoilers. Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@somethinelse.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-...
Michael B. Jordan talks about his directorial debut – he discusses how he feels about Danielle Deadwyler missing out at the Oscars, and working with Jonathan Majors (who interrupted Jordan’s directing playing his music).
Mark reviews new MUBI release ‘Close’ which follows two teenage boys whose friendship is thrown into disarray when their schoolmates point out their intimacy. New slashes/splatter film ‘Project Wolf Hunting’ - about dangerous criminals on a cargo ship bound for Busan, South Korea; and ‘Electric Malady’ directed by Marie Liden, about a man who suffers from electro-sensitivi...
Falling in love with a priest - whilst being deathly afraid of intimacy? What’s that about?
Join us as we delve into the world of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag and find out why she is so intent on being quite so ‘naughty’.
Don’t forget to check out Season 1 and 2 of Fleabag to avoid spoilers.
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 Couns...
Simon speaks to Hugh Jackman about how filming ‘The Son’ changed him as a parent, plus he talks about reprising his role as Wolverine! Mark reviews ‘Cocaine Bear’, a film about a 500-pound black bear who goes on a murderous rampage after unintentionally ingesting cocaine. ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ starring Lily James and Shazad Latif, centering around an arranged marriage; ‘The Independent’ starring Jodie Turner-Smith and Brian Cox which tells the story of a reporter who uncovers a presidential election conspiracy; and ‘Broker’, a Korean drama film written and directed by Japanese fil...
Omar is only Barack Obama's favourite fictional character of all time. And perhaps ours too?
We find out why we're on the side of the gun-toting, duster-coat wearing stick-up badass who robs drug dealers for a living.
Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of The Wire to avoid spoilers.
Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@somethinelse.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/...
Simon speaks to Hollywood royalty Michael Douglas about the return of Ant-Man - Michael recommends the best way to watch his new film... Mark reviews drama ‘Nostalgia’ about a man named Felice who returns to his hometown, Naples, after a 40-year absence; ‘Marcel the Shell with Shoes On’ - the feature adaptation of the animated short, Marcel (voiced by Jenny Slate) is a 1-inch-tall shell that lives with his grandmother; ‘The Son’ starring Hugh Jackman, Laura Dern and Vanessa Kirby which tells the tragic story of a deeply troubled teenager who tries to navigate moving in with his father, and ...
The often enigmatic chess genius that is Beth Harmon - is the Queen of this week’s episode.
Ben and Sasha explore why Beth feels so compelled to clean up after parties - and how her controlled prowess at the chessboard, becomes utter chaos away from it.
Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@somethinelse.com
Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of The Queen’s Gambit to avoid spoilers.
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.
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We learn about the making of ‘Till’, and what Danielle thinks about the Awards. Mark reviews ‘Women Talking’ - a harrowing American drama about a religious isolated community starring Jessie Buckley, Rooney Mara and Claire Foy, ‘Epic Tails’ - which tells the story of a super smart mouse named Pattie and her feline friend Sam, who embark on an exciting adventure through ancient Greece. ‘Blue Jean’- Georgia Oakley’s standout feature film about a closeted PE teacher in the 1980s who must lead a double life in order to keep her job, and Channing Tatum takes to the stage once again in ‘Magic Mik...
Sliding on their gloves, and stepping into their Hazmat suits, Ben and Sasha distil one of TV’s most infamous characters: The mighty Heisenburg.
On this week’s Shrink the Box we uncover why Walter White is often in his underpants, how he taps into his ‘shadow side’ and we explore if the ‘Revenge of the Nerd’ is really a thing.
Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of Breaking Bad to avoid spoilers.
Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@somethinelse.com
If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAM...
Telegraph critic Robbie Collin stands in for Simon this week as he’s unwell. Mark reviews ‘EO,’ Jerzy Skolimowski’s harrowing new film about a donkey that encounters happiness and sorrow along his journey through life, ‘Knock at the Cabin’ - M Night Shyamalan’s apocalyptic film – which tells the story of a same sex couple who are held hostage and asked to make an unthinkable choice, from the Shrek family ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,’ starring Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, and Florence Pugh, and ‘The Whale’ - adapted from stage to screen, the film tells the sad tale of a reclusive and obe...
Unravelling the complex (and surprisingly endearing) layers of the OG mobster: Mr Tony Soprano, all roads lead to New Jersey on the first episode of Shrink the Box!
We find out why talking to a therapist is a ‘whackable’ offence, how falling in love with your shrink is not THAT uncommon and why his mother, Livia Soprano could be the real villain of the show.
Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of The Sopranos to avoid spoilers.
Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@somethinelse.com
If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in th...
Ever wondered why Tony Soprano's therapist stuck with him? Simon and Mark chat with friend of the show, actor/comedian Ben Bailey Smith, and psychotherapist Sasha Bates about their new podcast ‘Shrink the Box’ where every week Sasha and Ben give listeners the chance to delve into the psyches of their favorite fictional film and tv characters.
Mark reviews Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical coming of age drama ‘The Fablemans’, ‘Plane’ stars Gerrard Butler who finds himself in even more danger after he is forced to land a commercial plane on an island in the Philippines, ‘Unwelcome’ ...
Cate Blanchett is the star of ‘Tár’ and is tipped to win big at the awards this year; in this episode you’ll hear Cate talk to Simon about the impact the film has had on her. Mark reviews Damien Chazelle’s latest film ‘Babylon’ - set in the decedent and depraved world of 1920’s Hollywood, ‘Holy Spider’ a Persian-language crime thriller directed by Iranian director Ali Abbasi, ‘More than Ever’ - a heartfelt drama starring Vicky Krieps and Gaspard Ulliel in the penultimate film before his death, and ‘Alice Darling’ - directed by Mary Nighy, and starring Anna Kendrick - the film tells the st...
Would Empire of Light have happened if Olivia Colman hadn’t said yes to playing Hilary? Director and writer, Sam Mendes CBE, chats to Simon in this week’s episode as the pair unpack his latest release.
Mark reviews psychological horror ‘Enys Men’, set in 1973 on an uninhabited island off the Cornish coast; Cate Blanchett’s new film ‘Tár’ - about the life of composer and conductor, Lydia Tár; ‘M3gan’ - about a robotics engineer at a toy company, who builds a life-like doll that begins to take on a life of its own, as well as Olivia Colman and Sam Mendes’ latest ‘Empire of Light’.
Time Co...
The daughter of Beatle Paul McCartney, Mary McCartney, joins Ben and Anna to give us a glimpse of what went down in the world-famous Abbey Road Studios. Anna reviews ‘Till’ - the heart-breaking film about the death of Emmett Till in 1960s America, the highly anticipated ‘A Man Called Otto’, the Disney Original documentary ‘If These Walls Could Sing’, and ‘Piggy’- a Spanish French indie thriller.
Time Codes (relevant only when you are part of the Vanguard):
13:09 Till Review
24:27 Box Office Top 10
39:55 Mary McCartney Interview
51:32 If These Walls Could Sing Review
57:13 Laughter Lif...
Mark and Simon take a look at the best bits of Kermode and Mayo’s Take this year including highlights from Rowan Atkinson, Jeff Goldblum, Charlotte Rampling – as well as the biggest reviews like Top Gun Maverick, Elvis and Everything Everywhere All At Once.
PLUS Simon interviews TOM HANKS and MARIANA TREVINO about the upcoming comedy-drama ‘A Man Called Otto’.
They also reflect on those we have lost this year in the world of Film and TV, including Robbie Coltrane, Angela Lansbury, Olivia Newton-John and Sidney Poiter among others.
EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/take Try ...
Daniel Craig and Rian Jonson, The Pale Blue Eye, The Enforcer, I Wanna Dance with Somebody & Corsage
Detective Benoit Blanc is back!! Simon sits down with Daniel Craig, and director Rian Johnson to chat all things ‘Glass Onion: A Knives out Mystery,’ the sequel to ‘Knives Out.’ (2019) Mark reviews ‘The Enforcer’- an American action thriller starring Antonio Banderas who must sacrifice everything to save a young girl from his femme fatale boss (Kate Bosworth), ‘The Pale Blue Eye’ - a gothic horror starring Christian Bale, Gillian Anderson and Henry Melling’s as a young Edgar Allan Poe, ‘I Wanna Dane with Somebody’ the new biographical musical about American icon Whitney Houston starring Nao...
It took three years and cost 250 million dollars to make ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’, and Mark has some strong feelings on the film... Mark also reviews animated Christmas movie ‘The Nutcracker and the Magic Flute’ - which follows Marie as she makes a wish and becomes the same size as her toy nutcracker, ‘The Unofficial Science of Home Alone’ - a one off Sky special with comedians James Acaster and Guz Khan, as they step into the shoes of the Wet Bandits as they build and test some of the famous boobytraps from the film, and ‘Le Pupille’, Disney+’s new live-action short that follows the rebe...
What is it like to work with Tom Cruise? The legendary Hollywood producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, pays us a visit to tell all and to speak to Simon about the making of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’.
Mark reviews ‘Nocebo’ - a new mystery/psychological thriller starring Eva Green and Chai Fonacier, ‘Anonymous Club,’ a documentary that gives an intimate portrayal at the life of beloved singer Courtney Barnett, ‘The Silent Twins’ - a biographical drama about the twin sisters June and Jennifer Gibbons, who were institutionalized following years of silence as teenagers, and ‘Rimini’ - The latest drama by Ulri...
Why eating nineteen bowls of noodles helped Gary Oldman get into character for Jackson Lamb – he joins Mark and Simon in the studio, fully in character for ‘Slow Horses season two’. Gary talks filming the new series, as well as the 25th anniversary of ‘Nil by Mouth.’
Mark reviews ‘White Noise’- an apocalyptic black comedy directed by Noah Baumbach and starring Greta Gerwig, Adam Driver and Don Cheadle, ‘Tori & Lokita,’ which tells the tale of two youngsters who are united by their shared experience of travelling alone from Africa and having to contend with the cruel conditions of their ex...
The monstrous Miss Trunchbull is played by Dame Emma Thompson in the new musical film ‘Matilda the Musical’ - Simon talks to Dame Emma about this extraordinary role, and how Emma’s comprehensive prosthetics started at 5am each day!
Mark reviews ‘Bones and All’ - a romantic horror road film by Luca Guadagnino, starring Timothée Chalamet Taylor Russell and Mark Rylance, ‘She Said’ - a biographical drama based on the 2019 book that follows the New York Times investigation that exposed Harvey Weinstein, ‘Matilda the Musical’ - based on the 1988 book by Roald Dahl with music by Tim Minchin, and...
Simon speaks to actor Paul Mescal about his new film ‘Aftersun.’ Mark reviews black comedy horror film ‘The Menu,’ starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Holt, and Ralph Fiennes - about a young couple who visit a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant, but the chef has prepared some shocking surprises for his guests, ‘Armageddon Time’ - a personal coming of age story by James Gray - starring Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong, ‘Aftersun’- the debut feature film from Charlotte Wells, about a woman reflecting on the memories of a holiday she spent with her father as a child, and ‘Glass Onio...
Ben Bailey Smith speaks to writer/director Sebastián Lelio and actor Florence Pugh about their haunting new film ‘The Wonder.’ Mark reviews the much-anticipated ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ the first four episodes of ‘The Crown’ season five, ‘No Bears’ by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi – about two parallel love stories in which the partners are thwarted by hidden, inevitable obstacles, and ‘A Bunch of Amateurs’ – about the survival of one of one of the oldest amateur filmmaking clubs in the world.
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