The Take-Up

For the latest episode in the Nancy/Nora series, the Lens crew welcomes Bree Maniscalco, Executive Director of Cinema St. Louis, and her pick "Julie & Julia." Just like Ephron's final film, this episode has not one but two protagonists as they welcome Shannon Weber, Digital Editor of "Feast Magazine," to discuss Julie, Julia, "Julie & Julia," and their impact on food culture. Bon appétit!

First, "Hocus Pocus 2," "Do Revenge," and "Athena" are Now Showing. Lastly, Joshua takes a pilgrimage with Tsai Ming-liang and Lee Kang-shen; Kayla is still watching "Southern Charm" but might take a break for spooky season; and Andrew is back in Disney's grasp with "Star Wars: Andor." 

Next up is the final episode of Nancy/Nora with Kayla's pick of "The Intern," Meyers' intergenerational workplace comedy with Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway.

Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.

Oh, no, we've fallen in "The Parent Trap" and we can't get up. Join the Lens crew for the next episode in the Nancy/Nora series: Nancy Meyers' directorial debut starring Lindsay Lohan (times two... maybe four?). Before that, "Blonde," "Pearl," "Speak No Evil," "Saloum," and "The Woman King" are Now Showing. After talking about Meyers' Disney remake, they'll play Dead Ringers and figure out just how many multiples of Bette Davis really exist. Finally, they all have one more thing with Sudan Archives, Nathan Fielder, and (more) "Southern Charm."

Next up, we welcome Executive Director of Cinema St. Louis Bree Maniscalco to talk about "Julie & Julia," Nora Ephron's swansong from 2009.

Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.

The Lens is back from vacation with a mean case of "Heartburn." The critics focus on Nora Ephron's 1986 autobiographical divorce story starring Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson. It's the first episode of their Nancy/Nora series, zooming in on the films and careers of writer-directors Meyers and Ephron. 

First up in Now Showing, they'll cover "Three Thousand Years of Longing," "The Good Boss," and "Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul." For The Rules of the Game, Kayla quizzes Joshua and Andrew about actors who have appeared in both directors' films. Finally, they've got One More Thing with Bravo's "Southern Charm," Netflix's "The Sandman," and a trip to Hong Kong!

Next up is Andrew's pick of the Lindsay Lohan breakout "The Parent Trap," Meyers' 1998 directorial debut. Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.

Past and future (we hope!) guest and Film Studies Lecturer at Webster University Cait Lore presents Rainer Werner Fassbinder's 1972 queer classic "The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant." First, the latest episode in the Golden Anniversaries mini-series starts with Andrew and Josh talking about a few films that are Now Showing: "Orphan: First Kill," "Beast," and "A Love Song." 

The Lens returns from summer vacation in two weeks with the Nancy/Nora mini-series, highlighting the careers of writer-directors Meyers and Ephron. First up, get your antacid ready for Josh's pick of "Heartburn," Mike Nichol's adaptation of Ephron's autobiographical book starring Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson. 

Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.

Former Salon film critic and "Opening Wednesday at a Theater or Drive-In Near You: The Shadow Cinema of the American '70s" author Charles Taylor discusses "Lady Sings the Blues" in the latest Golden Anniversaries episode. A Billie Holliday biopic starring an Oscar-nominated Diana Ross? Ticket for one, please and thank you.

The Lens returns from summer vacation beginning in September with the Nancy and Nora mini-series, highlighting the careers of writer-directors Meyers and Ephron. Until then, stay tuned for more Golden Anniversary discussions. Next up, former guest and Film Studies Lecturer at Webster University Cait Lore will present Rainer Werner Fassbinder's queer classic "The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant."

Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.

A bad miracle this accidental double-feature is not! Sidney Poitier's 1972 film "Buck and the Preacher" is presented by Gerald Early, Ph.D., professor of English and of African and African-American Studies, Merle Kling Professor of Modern Letters, and editor of The Common Reader at Washington University. But first, Andrew and Joshua go long (oops!) on Jordan Peele's new film "Nope," a spiritual successor of sorts to Poitier's directorial debut, with an initial general review then a spoiler-rich deep dive. 

The Lens returns from summer vacation beginning in September with the Nancy and Nora mini-series, highlighting the careers of writer-directors Meyers and Ephron. Until then, stay tuned for more Golden Anniversary discussions. Next up is former Salon film critic and "Opening Wednesday at a Theater or Drive-In Near You: The Shadow Cinema of the American '70s" author Charles Taylor discussing "Lady Sings the Blues."

Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.

Dr. Diane Carson, KDHX film critic and professor emerita in film at St. Louis Community College, joins Cinema St. Louis' Cliff Froehlich to discuss Peter Bogdanovich's screwball classic "What's Up, Doc?" from 1972. Before the first discussion in this Golden Anniversaries series, Joshua and Andrew highlight some films that are Now Showing: "Mad God," "Watcher," "Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris," "Flux Gourmet," and "Both Sides of the Blade."

The Lens returns from summer vacation beginning in September with the Nancy and Nora mini-series, highlighting the careers of writer-directors Meyers and Ephron. Until then, stay tuned for more Golden Anniversary discussions. 

Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.

A doozy of an episode for a doozy of a film: Pete Timmermann, Director of the Webster University Film Series, joins The Lens to talk the Björk-starring and -soundtracked 2000 Palme d'Or winner "Dancer in the Dark." Before getting into his pick for the final episode in the Cannes Winners series, they all talk "Hit the Road" as well as the upcoming programs at the Film Series (and their recently upgraded state-of-the-art sight and sound). Joshua, Kayla, and Andrew round out the episode by excavating Pete's memories of his times at the Cannes Film Festival. 

We'll be taking a short break for the rest of the summer. Fret not, however; We'll be bringing Cinema St. Louis' Golden Anniversaries film fest, a year-round celebration of the films of 1972, straight to your feed. First up, KDXH film critic Dr. Diane Carson talks the classic nü-screwball "What's Up, Doc?" 

Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @stlfilmfest on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd and @CinemaStLouis on Facebook.

(Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of sexual assault.)

The Lens is running up that hill to make some deals with God with Andrew's Cannes Winner pick "The Mission." Before wading in the mud with Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons in Roland Joffé's 1986 Palme d'Or winner, they'll review some films that are Now Showing: "Jurassic World Dominion," "Neptune Frost," and "Cha Cha Real Smooth." For this episode's game, Joshua quizzes Andrew and Kayla about the 2022 Cannes Winners. Finally, they'll recommend "Barry," "The Boys," Holly Hunter, and ...vacations? 

Next up: Pete Timmermann, Director of the Webster University Film Series, will share his own on-the-ground experiences at the Cannes Film Festival. First, they'll talk Lars von Trier's Björk-starring 2000 Palme d'Or winner, "Dancer in the Dark."

Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.

For the second Cannes Winners episode, Joshua breaks all the rules and picks Carlos Saura's psychological thriller "Peppermint Frappé," a non-winner selection from the 1968 Cannes Film Festival. Victor Putinier, PhD candidate in Francophone and Cinema and Media Studies at Washington University, gives the crew a history lesson on why there was no winner at all in 1968. Before all that, "Hatching," "The Innocents," and "Fire Island" are all Now Showing. In The Rules of the Game, Kayla, Andrew, and Joshua figure how what some Cannes acting winners are Known Four. Finally, everyone has One More Thing with Nikki Glaser, Parker Posey, and Terrence Malick.

In two weeks, Andrew fast-forwards to 1986 with Roland Joffé's Palme d'Or winner "The Mission," starring Robert De Niro. Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.