Our Christmas Spectacular, recorded live at London’s Prince Edward Theatre is now available in your ears! On our festive guestlist this week we have Wallce & Gromit creator Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, who co-direct the famous plasticine pair’s latest adventure Vengeance Most Fowl. They talk us through what happened when Aardman went noir for this festive film treat, share stop motion secrets, and tell us why it was the right time to bring back dastardly glove-headed supervillain Feathers McGraw. Check out our socials for photos of the real A-Listers on the bill though—actual Wallace and actual Gromit, who also joined us onstage. They were a little shy on the mic... but you can watch them in Vengeance Most Fowl on BBC 1 and iPlayer on Christmas Day at 6:10pm, and on Netflix outside of the UK from 3rd January.

Plus a flying visit from someone we’re always happy to being saying hello to—Jason Isaacs himself!

If you were one of our fabulous, talented and exceptionally good-looking live audience members then we’ve got some backstage extras in this episode for you too. London cinema tour guide extraordinaire Nigel Smith gives Simon and Mark the lowdown on our venue the Prince Edward’s history as a Cinerama. Plus a bonus backstage review of ‘The Bibi Files’—Alexis Bloom’s documentary expose on Benajamin Netanyahu and the corruptions scandals surrounding his government.

Hear Mark’s take on ‘Queer’—Luca Guadagnino’s much-anticipated adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ novel, starring Daniel Craig as the autobiographical lead William Lee. And—from one former Bond to another—he also reviews ‘From Roger Moore With Love’, a charming celebration of the eyebrow-arching national treasure. You listeners bust out your film-buff smarts too, as two of our live audience take to the stage for a game of ‘(Simon and) Markstermind’...

Timecodes (for Vanguardistas listening ad-free):

Bibi Files Review: 08:32

Queer Review: 24:04

From Roger Moore with Love Review: 39:26

Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham Interview: 48:16

You can contact the show by emailing [email protected] or you can find us on social media, @KermodeandMayo

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Introducing How Open Source can Democratize AI from Smart Talks with IBM.

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In a rapidly evolving AI landscape, open-source models can further accelerate the pace of progress and help expand access to all. In this episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell sits down with Mo Duffy, Software Engineering Manager at Red Hat.

They discuss InstructLab and the benefits of open-source technology, such as flexible deployment and the ability to enhance transparency, as well as the power of partnerships and collaboration. Mo explains how a community-based approach is essential for developing genuinely open-source AI.

This is a paid advertisement from IBM. The conversations on this podcast don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions.

Visit us at https://ibm.com/smarttalks

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

The ‘Rumours’ are true... screen superstar Cate Blanchett and director Guy Maddin are joining Simon this week to give us the gossip on their surreal new satire—once they’ve finished fangirling over the music of Sparks, that is. Following decades of avant garde work that’s made him one of Canada’s most celebrated filmmakers, ‘Rumours’ is the biggest movie to date from the Winnipeg weirdo—its star-studded cast featuring Charles Dance and Alicia Vikander alongside Blanchett. Set at a G7 summit called to address an ‘unnamed-crisis’, it follows the hapless world leaders as they are beleaguered by bronze-age bog bodies come to life in some sort of apocalypse situation. There’s also a giant brain. It’s as odd as it sounds.

Mark reviews this bizarre object of a film, along with ‘Merchant Ivory’, a documentary deep dive on the filmmakers responsible for all those most quintessentially British of period dramas from ‘Room With A View’ to ‘The Remains of the Day’—and ‘Nightbitch’, Marielle Heller’s dark comedy where Amy Adams plays a new mother at her wits end who transforms into a dog.

The Christmas Spectacular is almost upon us! Mark and Simon will be live onstage at London’s Prince Edward theatre this Sunday 8th December. We’re all sold out now, and you can find the event info here: https://www.fane.co.uk/kermode-and-mayo

Timecodes (for Vanguardistas listening ad-free):

Merchant Ivory Review: 06:09

Cate Blanchett and Guy Maddin Interview: 25:53

Rumours Review: 40:18

Nightbitch Review: 56:11

You can contact the show by emailing [email protected] or you can find us on social media, @KermodeandMayo

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Introducing Transformations in AI: Why Foundation Models are the Future from Smart Talks with IBM.

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Major breakthroughs in artificial intelligence research often reshape the design and utility of AI in both business and society. In this special rebroadcast episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Goldstein explore the conceptual underpinnings of modern AI with Dr. David Cox, VP of AI Models at IBM Research. They talk foundation models, self-supervised machine learning, and the practical applications of AI and data platforms like watsonx in business and technology.

When we first aired this episode last year, the concept of foundation models was just beginning to capture our attention. Since then, this technology has evolved and redefined the boundaries of what's possible. Businesses are becoming more savvy about selecting the right models and understanding how they can drive revenue and efficiency.

This is a paid advertisement from IBM. The conversations on this podcast don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions.

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Two divine guests this week as Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci join Simon to discuss ‘Conclave’, the papal political thriller from ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ director Edward Berger. Set in the Vatican’s pontific conclave, where cardinals are sequestered during the selection of the new Pope, the film follows the taut power struggle as these men of the cloth vie for the Catholic Church’s top job. The pair talk faith and doubt, Isabella Rossellini, and whether those robes can possibly be comfortable??? We find out whether Mark thought the film was a spiritual experience, or should be atoning for cinema sins...

As well as Conclave we’ve got reviews this week of ‘Moana 2’, sequel to the 2016 Disney smash where this time the Polynesian not-a-princess must journey to the lost land of Motufetū to lift a curse from her island community—and ‘Your Monster’, the comedy-horror-musical mash-up that sees dumped and depressed actress Laura unexpectedly reunited with the childhood monster from under her bed.

Plus your stellar correspondence adds more names to the overly-polite Brits abroad league table, and we’ve got more on Galdiator II space monkeys too.

Our Christmas Spectacular with Mark and Simon live onstage at London’s Prince Edward theatre is now sold out! Event info here: https://www.fane.co.uk/kermode-and-mayo

Timecodes (for our ad-free Vanguardistas):

Moana 2 Review: 06:35

Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci Interview: 24:08

Conclave Review: 41:16

Your Monster Review: 53:36

You can contact the show by emailing [email protected] or you can find us on social media, @KermodeandMayo

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Introducing Caught In The Current with Chris Long from Good Game with Sarah Spain.

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Kansas City Current co-founder Chris Long joins Sarah to talk about getting Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce to a match at CPKC Stadium, hosting the 2024 NWSL Championship, and signing league MVP Temwa Chawinga. Plus, Sarah and Mish debrief on a whirlwind weekend of parties, beer pong, and watching the Orlando Pride win their first title.

• Follow iHeart Women’s Sports on Instagram here

• Check out all things Shea Butter FC here

• Check out all things Gal Pal Sports here

• Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 

• Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Thomasin McKenzie is this week’s guest—star of Edgar Wright’s ‘Last Night in Soho’, Mark’s film of the year 2018 ‘Leave No Trace’—and now ‘Joy’, a new Netflix drama about the development of IVF treatment at Oldham hospital in the 1970s. Written by Jack Thorne, the film’s medical miracle story is focalised through McKenzie’s character Jean Purdy—a talented embryologist whose work was key to the team’s breakthrough discovery, but whose name was left out of the history books. She chats to Simon about putting Jean back in the picture in this latest in a line of meaty and challenging roles for the young actor.

Reviews this week of ‘Blink’, a poignant documentary following a family determined to travel the world and create precious visual memories for their three children, who are losing their sight—and Amrou Al-Kadhi's debut drag queen drama ‘Layla’, which follows the story of the titular performer (Bilal Hasna) as they discover their confidence and creativity whilst navigating their queer Arab identity. Plus the much-anticipated stage-to-screen musical ‘Wicked’. The Wizard of Oz prequel stars Cynthia Erivo as green-skinned misfit Elphaba, and Ariana Grande as glam girl Galinda, both still witches-to-be as they forge an unlikely and rocky friendship at university. We find out if Mark thinks it’s going to be ‘Pop-u-lar'...

Plus top quality correspondence from you and typical witterings from the Good Doctors as per.

Our Christmas Spectacular with Mark and Simon live onstage at London’s Prince Edward theatre is now sold out! Event info here: https://www.fane.co.uk/kermode-and-mayo

Timecodes (for our ad-free Vanguardistas):

Blink Review: 09:30

Thomasin McKenzie Interview: 30:18

Layla Review: ~47:49

Wicked Review: ~57:00

You can contact the show by emailing [email protected] or you can find us on social media, @KermodeandMayo

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Introducing ‘We Have a Real Voice’ with Molly McCage and Cassidy Lichtman from Good Game with Sarah Spain.

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Molly McCage and Cassidy Lichtman join Sarah to discuss how Athletes Unlimited pro volleyball is different from other pro leagues, AU’s unique player-first policies and benefits, and the momentum in volleyball right now. Plus, the USWNT is back and Sarah gets proof she’s still got it. 

• Watch USWNT players and fans say thank you to Kelley O’Hara here 

• Check out the full AU volleyball schedule here

• Follow the folks that Molly and Cassidy recommended on Instagram: 

• Follow Morgan Hentz here 

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• Follow Kaz Brown here 

• And, of course, follow Molly and Cassidy! Molly is here and Cassidy is here 

• Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected]

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

‘Gladiator II’ director and legendary one-man blockbuster factory Ridley Scott is our guest this week. He joins Simon to discuss the long-awaited sequel to 2000’s modern classic, in which this time Paul Mescal plays Lucius, the long-exiled son of Russell Crowe’s Maximus. He finds himself back in Rome as a prisoner from his now-conquered adopted homeland, and must outfight and outwit his opponents and captors whilst guarding the secret of his ancestry. Simon talks to Ridley about swords, sandals, CGI and how he knew Paul Mescal would make a great Roman.

We find out what Mark makes of the high-octane epic– do its mega action sequences jump the (Coliseum-swimming) shark? Plus we’ve got two more reviews of ‘The Last Dance’, a punchy drama set amidst the Hong Kong funeral business from director Anselm Chan—and ‘Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point’, a kooky indie holiday comedy with an ensemble cast including Matilda Fleming, Michael Cera and Francesca Scorsese. Spoiler alert – if a catastrophic weather event happened at Miller’s Point, Mark wouldn’t mourn its disappearance.

More top takes from the Good Doctors. To our LTLs and newbies alike: strength and honour!

Catch Mark and Simon live at our Christmas Spectacular – final tickets available here: https://www.fane.co.uk/kermode-and-mayo

Timecodes (for Vanguardistas listening ad-free):

The Last Dance Review: 09:48

Sir Ridley Scott Interview: 28:23

Gladiator II Review: 44:19

Christmas Eve In Miller’s Point Review: 58:00

You can contact the show by emailing [email protected] or you can find us on social media, @KermodeandMayo

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Introducing Michele Kang’s Capes with Meg Linehan from Good Game with Sarah Spain.

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Meg Linehan, senior writer at The Athletic, joins Sarah to discuss the nominees for the 2024 NWSL Awards, explain the “Yes, And” she’d like to see from Canada Soccer, and give unaffiliated Slices reasons to root for each of the teams in the NWSL semifinals. Plus, we’re transitioning to Bluesky, and a listener rages against the “move the Connecticut Sun” machine.

• Check out Caitlin Clark’s epic shank at The ANNIKA pro-am here

• See the nominees and info for the 2024 NWSL Awards here, and cast your vote here

• Play NWSL Bingo with the Full Time with Meg Linehan crew on their IG account here

• Follow Meg on Bluesky: @meglinehan.com

• Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 

• Follow us on Bluesky! We’ve included the new links below! 

• Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323

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• Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social  

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].