MK3D Archives - Page 2 of 9

Mark Kermode Live In 3D | Show 73 | October 2022

This month was our 73rd MK3D at the BFI Southbank and featured yet more wonderful guests and discussions about film.

The show opened with GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY director Rian Johnson and stars Kathryn Hahn and Kate Hudson, who shared their experiences working on the film and the community atmosphere as they shot during the pandemic. The three mentioned their highlights of filming #GlassOnion as well as their favourite detective movies. Rian revealed a love of THE LAST OF SHEILA which was the inspiration for his own whodunnits.

In Here’s The Thing Mark paid tribute to the passing of talented actress Angela Ladbury, who also had a cameo in #GlassOnion. Mark went on to highlight Black History Month and celebrate the new release of THE WOMAN KING which stars Viola Davis, whose performance will no doubt see her nominated for best actress this year. Mark then made a strong case for the audience to take action to save the Edinburgh Filmhouse, Aberdeen Filmhouse and Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), which went into administration earlier this month. The EIFF was the oldest continuously running film festival, and it and both cinemas were key to the creative landscape in the UK and worldwide. This is devastating news for the industry – you too can sign the petition to save them, here: https://chng.it/tKHxf9MNtS

Our second guest was director Eddie Sternberg, who spoke about his feature I USED TO BE FAMOUS; a feel-good British Netflix film about the friendship of a washed-up pop star (Ed Skrein) and a musically gifted neurodivergent young man (Leo Long). Eddie speaks about his casting choices, representation, and inspirations behind the film, which was followed by a discussion of his love for horror, and in particular IT FOLLOWS.

During Ask the Audience, Mark received questions about his favourite director-actor duo; his answer mentioned the collaborative works of Cornish based filmmaker Mark Jenkin and Mary Woodvine, and the somewhat explosive pairing of Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski. Mark also offered advice to aspiring film critics.

Next, Mark interviewed BFI film programmers Anna Bogutskaya and Michael Blyth about the upcoming horror season IN DREAMS ARE MONSTERS – the trailer for which is enough to scare you alone. Anna and Michael talked about their selection process for the films being shown, and mentioned their favourites, THE LURE and SOCIETY. If you’re a horror fan, this season is for you. It runs from October-December across the UK so you have no excuse to miss it!

Lastly, Mark welcomed Professor Sir Christopher Frayling to the stage to chat about his new book VAMPIRE CINEMA: THE FIRST ONE HUNDRED YEARS, which comes out later this month. Christopher also spoke about his love for NOSFERATU, and introduced the audience to the strangely comedic and largely unknown Universal short BOO!

When asked his opinion on vampire classic TWILIGHT, Christopher expressed his disdain for the ‘approved by parents’ vampires in the films – an opinion Mark couldn’t help to disagree with.

Mark closed the show with a Sound & Vision segment celebrating the “maybe-horror” film BEETLEJUICE.

Mark Kermode Live In 3D | Show 72 | September 2022

This month’s MK3D at the BFI Southbank (no. 72!) saw another incredible array of guests and some great conversations about film culture.

We are back to using roaming microphones for our audience Q&As, and our brilliant audience asked Mark about everything from lost media and TV (the website mentioned is here for any people interested: https://lostmediawiki.com/Home) to the furore around the premiere of DON’T WORRY DARLING.

The news in Here’s the Thing of course focused on the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. In tribute, Mark played a clip from THE QUEEN starring Helen Mirren.

Mark then moved on to Michael Flatley’s latest film BLACKBIRD for which he has – somehow – won Best Actor at Monaco Streaming Film Festival. He then, swiftly, moved on to a much better festival: the London Film Festival.

Our first guest on stage was director of the LFF Tricia Tuttle, who gave us an excellent rundown of what’s on at the festival. Her highlights included opening film ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL, big festival moments Guillermo del Toro’s PINOCCHIO and Sam Mendes’ EMPIRE OF LIGHT, and five British debut films: BLUE JEAN, PRETTY RED DRESS, ORIGIN, AFTERSUN and MEDUSA DELUXE. Finally she looked forward to Rian Johnson’s GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY.

Our second guest was director Toby Amies who spoke about his feature documentary about the band King Crimson, IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING. After some anecdotes about filming the band and its leader Robert Fripp, Toby told us his Guilty Pleasure: the wonderful LEGALLY BLONDE – which is absolutely nothing to be guilty about.

Next, Mark returned to a news item in Here’s The Thing, highlighting Tom Cruise’s most recent video promoting his latest film MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE. This clip truly has to be seen to be believed – so go and watch it.

After that, Mark welcomed director Babak Anvari to the stage to talk about his new Netflix film I CAME BY starring Hugh Bonneville and the brilliant George MacKay (a round of applause for him and for co-star Kelly Macdonald came from the audience). Babak then spoke about his Influential Film CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND and his film influences which span everything from Hitchcock to NIGHTCRAWLERS.

Finally, MK3D friend Mike Leigh took to the stage to talk about his current event at The Garden Cinema in which every single one of his films is being screened in chronological order, each one followed by a Q&A with the man himself. Mike told us all about his wonderful directing style and how he elicits such natural performances from the actors.

We closed the show with a tribute to Robert Fripp who collaborated with David Bowie on Heroes, which was used to great effect in one of the intoxicating scenes in CHRISTIANE F.

Mark thanked all the guests for coming – including the legendary director of GRACE OF MY HEART and GAS, FOOD LODGING Allison Anders, who had turned up to watch the show!

Mark Kermode Live In 3D | Show 71 | July 2022

This month’s MK3D at the BFI Southbank saw another stellar array of guests and insightful conversations about Film and TV.

We are finally allowed to have roving mics again so we can do impromptu audience Q&As (hurrah!) Audience members asked about the canon of autistic films – which Mark agreed should NOT include RAIN MAN; the success of summer blockbuster TOP GUN: MAVERICK, and which ELVIS biopic is truly the best.

Our first guests on stage were BRIAN AND CHARLES co-writer and star David Earl and co-star Louise Brealey who talked about their brilliant new feature, which won the audience award at Sundance London last month. David talked about the film that has most influenced his work, director Chris Smith’s little-see documentary gem AMERICAN MOVIE (1999), and Mark reminded Louise of her experience of watching THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT at Cannes – her response to which was so powerful that it featured in Mark’s Channel 4 documentary THE BLAIR WITCH PHENOMENON.

The news in Here’s the Thing focused on James Caan, who sadly passed away recently – Mark especially celebrated Caan’s roles in MISERY and ROLLERBALL. Mark also looked ahead at our upcoming MK3D at Latitude on 22 July, where he will go head to head with Jack Howard about their very different responses to THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER.

Our second guest was director Charlotte Colbert who talked about her feature debut SHE WILL. Much to Mark’s surprise, the film that most influenced her was DEAD AGAIN. She explained that the themes of inherited trauma have very much influenced her work – but it was also influential because she repeatedly watched it secretly, because she wasn’t allowed to see it at a young and tender age. After the conversation Mark agreed that perhaps he had been wrong to dismiss the film – and Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson’s roles – and it might be due a rewatch.

After another Ask The Audience (we are so excited to be back to roving mics!) Mark welcomed his final guest, the magnificent Brett Goldstein, to talk about his pod FILMS TO BE BURIED WITH, about writing on and starring in the successful TV show TED LASSO – and about the final scene of THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER, in which the news drops that Brett is to be Hercules in the Marvel Universe. Brett is working out to get the right physique and Brett and Mark ended up doing synchronised push-ups on stage. A memorable moment for sure. Brett talked about The Film That Changed His Life, SHOPLIFTERS – which moved him deeply – and about his Guilty Pleasure, GREASE 2. Is it better than the original? It’s certainly more feminist, which is what Brett likes about it.

Mark Kermode Live in 3D | Show 70 | June 2022

This month’s MK3D at the BFI Southbank saw another extremely talented array of guests and wide-ranging conversations about film and film culture.

The news in Here’s the Thing focused on Judy Garland’s recent 100th birthday and the season of her films currently at the BFI (which was given a glowing review by Mark’s daughter who was in the audience); the relaunch of the BFI Imax; the upcoming Cineramageddon at Glastonbury that Mark is curating with Julien Temple, and his upcoming MK3D at Latitude – and a shout-out to the new Britbox series REEL BRITANNIA.

Our first guest on stage was Swedish director Ninja Thyberg who talked about her brilliant new film PLEASURE and the female gaze, and about her favourite filmmakers Lukas Moodysson and Ruben Östlund.

Next Mark in the Q&A segment, Asked The Audience to decide who would win in a fistfight between Friedkin and Herzog (no prizes for guessing: it’s Herzog). He also – very subtly – asked to be invited on the wonderful Girls on Film podcast hosted by Anna Smith after a question about his recent appearance on Brett Goldstein’s ‘Films to Be Buried With’. He paid tribute to the late Julee Cruise and her amazing work on the soundtrack for TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME.

Our second guest was Movement Director & Choreographer Polly Bennett who talked about her latest project, ELVIS. Polly was previously praised by MK3D guest Rami Malek about her work on BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY and so we had to have her on herself! Her work on ELVIS is stunning and to illustrate her technique she taught Mark to move like The King – a moment that will make it into our Hall of Fame. She went on to talk about her choreographic influences, ANNIE and WEST SIDE STORY.

Next up was a List-O-Mania where Mark dissected a list of the 20 most confusing films of all time. Mark invited Kermode on Film co-host Jack Howard to the stage to explain the film in the number one spot, TENET.

Next Mark welcomed Director Lucile Hadžihalilović onto the stage to talk about her newly released first English-language film EARWIG. Then, much to Mark’s delight, Lucile chose THE EXORCIST as her Film That Changed My Life.

Finally, Mark welcomed friend and filmmaker Mark Jenkin to the stage to talk about his film ENYS MEN who had just returned from the Cannes Film Festival and which will be distributed in the UK by the BFI in the near future. Mark talked about the influence of Derek Jarman’s THE GARDEN and its soundtrack, which he still listens to regularly on cassette, as well as naming THE PERFECT STORM as his Guilty Pleasure pick.

We ended on a Sound & Vision moment with actual ’68 Elvis.

Ninja Thyberg, Lucile Hadzihalilovic, Mark Kermode, Polly Bennett and Mark Jenkin

Mark Kermode Live in 3D | Show 69 | May 2022

On May’s MK3D we had a sparkling array of film guests.

First up, brilliant film music composer Nainita Desai and documentarian Nick Hardie came to talk about their award winning film ‘The Wall: Climb for Gold’ about the first four female Olympian athletes to compete in Tokyo. They talked about the four different temperaments of the women and the decision to give each their own musical theme using different instrumentation. Nainita brought a hang drum to illustrate – and gave her very first performance in front of a live audience on this beautiful instrument, accompanying her soundtrack live on stage.

Next up Mark welcomed Audrey Rumsby, the actor and director who has just made her first feature doc ‘Barry and Joan’, about the nonagenarian couple who are keeping vaudeville and Commedia del’Arte alive through performance and workshops. Californian Audrey also talked about her influences, which included Cyd Charisse in ‘Singing’ in the Rain’ and Meg Ryan in ‘You’ve Got Mail’. Both she and Mark teared up when they talked about the themes in the film.

Next, actor Saskia Reeves, currently in ‘Slow Horses’, came to talk about the Apple TV + spy series in which she shines in the ensemble cast, alongside Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas. She also talked about her earliest film influences, which include Mel Brooks’ ‘The Producers’ and Fellini’s Nights of Cabiria starring Giulietta Masina, who first inspired her to become and actress.

Lastly, Mark was joined by Jack Lowden, also part of the ‘Slow Horses’ cast as a young, dynamic spy – and star of Terence Davies’ latest feature ‘Benediction’, in which he plays war poet Siegfried Sassoon, out in cinemas this week. Mark and Jack talked about working with Terence, about actors miming musical instruments, and about working in an accent. Jack’s Scottish brogue is rarely brought to the screen, and in ‘Benediction’ he speaks a clipped upper class English and in ‘Fighting with my Family’ he had a broad Norwich accent. Jack also talked about the film that changed his life: ‘Master and Commander’ starring Paul Bettany and Russell Crowe, and about ‘The Mighty Ducks’, his guilty pleasure featuring Emilio Estevez and a children’s ice hockey team. We ended the show on a brilliantly climactic scene from ‘Brassed Off’, the 1996 comedy-drama starring Tara Fitzgerald, Pete Postlethwaite, Jim Carter and Ewan McGregor. The film can be seen in the Royal Albert Hall on 25 May 2022 with live accompaniment by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, with a Q&A with Mark Kermode and the cast. A rousing end to a riveting show.

Nick Hardie, Nainita Desai, Audrey Rumsby, Jack Lowden, Saskia Reeves and Mark Kermode

Mark Kermode Live in 3D | Show 68 | April 2022

This MK3D at the BFI Southbank was wild! Another stellar array of guests and wide-ranging conversations about film culture.

The news in Here’s the Thing picked up the big stories at the Oscars (there was only one big story at this year’s Oscars and that was Riz Ahmed’s win for “The Long Goodbye”!), paid homage to the recently deceased legendary actor William Hurt, highlighting his work in “Network” – and saw Mark announce his Sony-backed new podcast, Kermode & Mayo’s Take.

Our first guest on stage was Croatian director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic to talk about her brilliant debut feature “Murina”, about working with Martin Scorsese. She also talked about her Guilty Pleasure, which Mark was baffled to hear is “My Girl”.

Next Mark did his Q&A segment Ask The Audience and talked about movies featuring train journeys after a question about the Finnish film “Compartment No 6″. For more details, head on over to the BBC iPlayer and have a listen to the Screenshot episode on the same topic. He also gave advice to young aspiring film critics, and told us what he thinks is the most underrated film of the moment, that we should all be watching right now. Who’d have guessed it would be “Greenland” starring Gerard Butler?

Our second guest was Eddie Marsan to talk about his ITV drama series “The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe”, based on the true story of John and Anne Darwin who committed insurance fraud by faking John’s death. Eddie and Monica Dolan excel in the lead roles. Eddie talked about the toxic masculinity that it explores, and about shifts in how people perceive bullying in their own relationships following the #MeToo movement. He also touched on his Netflix horror film “Choose or Die”, how he choose his roles – and showing his children scary films like “Silence of the Lambs” and “The Exorcist”.

Next up Mark highlighted the upcoming 007 Retrospective. To celebrate 60 years since “Dr No”, all 25 Bond films return to cinemas in the ultimate BOND retrospective from this Friday for the 60th Anniversary of the beloved British franchise – screening chronologically from April to October 2022, culminating in World Bond Day on 5th October.

Mark listed his top five Bond films – at which his on-stage sidekick and long time producing partner Nick Jones rolled his eyes, and gave his own top five Bond films. Mark invited the audience to show whose list they preferred by applauding both. Let’s not dwell on the outcome…

Next Mark welcomed old friend and star actor Jason Isaacs, as well as Johnny Flynn onto the stage to talk about “Operation Mincemeat”, and about Johnny Flynn’s other movie on release right now, “The Outfit”. Mark also asked if bad reviews hurt – which led to an interesting chat about “Stardust” – which Mark panned.

Finally Mark welcomed Don Letts to the stage to talk about his life and the biopic “Rebel Dread”. Don also talked about “The Film that Changed My Life: The Harder They Come” and about his Guilty Pleasure: “Guardians of the Galaxy” – and the music used so brilliantly in both the films.

Mark ended the show by thanking everyone – and especially our intern Shanaiya Pithiya who has been offered a great job in the film industry. We are gutted that she is leaving but so delighted for her at the same time.

Eddie Marsan, Don Letts, Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic, Johnny Flynn, Jason Isaacs, and Mark Kermode

Mark Kermode Live in 3D | Show 67 | March 2022

March’s MK3D at the BFI Southbank was a bumper episode. Mark’s Q&A with the audience led him to a discussion of the relative merits of the actors who have played Batman, and his thoughts on who will with the Oscar for Best Director this year.

Our first guest was brilliant director Harry Wootliff, a double BAFTA nominee for her short film Nits, and for Only You starring Josh O’Connor and Laia Costa. She joined us to talk about her new film True Things, starring Ruth Wilson and Tom Burke, which comes out on 1 April 2022. She also talked to Mark about the films that influenced her work as a director: she chose Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Dekalog and Three Colours Blue.

In the news segment, Here’s the Thing, Mark paid homage to Doug Trumbull, director of Mark’s all time favourite film Silent Running.

Next he invited broadcaster and journalist Anna Smith onto the stage to talk about the first ever Girls On Film Awards, which were set up by, and hosted jointly by Anna and myself. Anna talked about the Girls On Film podcast and talked us through some of the categories: alongside the usual categories of Best Feature Film and Best Feature Documentary, the Girls On Film Awards include some groundbreaking categories including Best Ensemble Acting, Best Female Friendship, and Best Female Orgasm on Screen – which is awarded for sensitive handling of female pleasure on screen, and for countering the customary male gaze. Anna also talked about the year-long Girls On Film initiative started by Heather Dempsey: we have been posting a recommendation for a female-focused film every day of the year, from last year’s International Women’s Day, to this year’s. Today, 8 March, sees the last of the 365 posts in the project. One of the films posted about was Atlantis – a Ukrainian film that is currently not available for viewing in the UK but Anna is actively lobbying for its re-release.

Next up, actress Monica Dolan came on. Her extensive TV credits include Call The Midwife, W1A and A Very English Scandal. She won a BAFTA for playing Rose West in Appropriate Adult and an Olivier Award for the stage production of All About Eve. She is terrific in The Dig, The Falling and Days of the Bagnold Summer – and she co-stars in Cyrano – which is up for outstanding film of the year at the BAFTAs. She also talked to Mark about two film choices: the Film that Changed Her Life was “Man in a White Suit” (1951) directed by Alexander McKendrick starring Alec Guinness. Her Guilty Pleasure was “The Holiday” starring Kate Winslet and Eli Wallach. Mark had not appreciated the charms of the film, but Monica’s defense of the life-swap movie prompted Mark to promise he would re-watch it with “as much of an open mind as I can” – and report back. Watch this space!

Mark did a List-O-Mania of his top ten Michael Caine performances, which are: The Day the Earth Caught Fire, Zulu, Mona Lisa, Hannah and Her Sisters, Alfie, The Italian Job, A Muppet Christmas Carol, California Suite, Educating Rita – and in the top spot: Get Carter.

Our last guest graced us with some fabulous Hollywood stardust: she was the star of West Side Story, Rachel Zegler, who is in London filming Snow White. Her screen debut in Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated film won her a Golden Globe for Best Actress – and she is the youngest ever actress to win in that category. She talked about working with Steven Spielberg and the auditioning process – which took a whole year! The show went out with a bang when Rachel and Mark broke into song, with lines from Donny & Marie’s “I’m a Little Bit Country – And I’m a Little Bit Rock’n’Roll”. What a show!

Mark Kermode Live in 3D | Show 66 | February 2022

At the 66th MK3D, Mark Kermode answered questions from the audience on the recent BAFTA Nominations, comparable films to the ‘Terrible but Fun’ Moonfall and his favourite romcom for this upcoming Valentine’s day.

Mark was then joined by Jonas Poher Rasmussen – Writer and Director of the animated documentary Flee, Nominated for 2 BAFTAs and 3 Oscars. Jonas shares the origins of this remarkable story and how it found its way to him. The pair then discuss Jonas’ choices for his Guilty Pleasures – Once Upon a Time in the West and Karate Kid (1984).

Cherish Oteka then joined Mark on stage to talk about their BAFTA nominated short, The Black Cop – a documentary about the life of a Queer Black Police officer. They discuss how this story can resonate with everyone, regardless of race, gender or sexuality. Cherish then shares their passion for documenting the stories of people finding their identities.

The Directors James Spinney and Pete Middleton came to talk about their upcoming documentary, The Real Charlie Chaplin. Delving into the processes of making this film and having privileged access to the Chaplin Archives. They go on to discuss the Films That Changed Their Lives: Pete’s choice For All Man Kind and James’ choice of Cabaret.

Finally we were joined by Clio Barnard to talk about her new film Ali & Ava – a romantic film celebrating the ‘ordinary’ lives of two people from Bradford. Clio tells us of her dedication to portray Bradford accurately, with spotlight on the kindness of the community. Mark and Clio then talk about her choices for the Films That Changed Her Life: Rashomon and Performance, drawing ties on how these have influenced her works.

We close with Sound & Vision, showing Jennifer Hudson’s fantastic portrayal of Aretha Franklin in RESPECT.

Peter Middleton, James Spinney, Clio Barnard, Cherish Oteka, Mark Kermode, and Jonas Poher Rasmussen

Mark Kermode Live in 3D | Show 65 | January 2022

This MK3D (our 65th!) was the first of the show’s seventh year in residence at the BFI Southbank.

Mark Kermode answered questions from the audience on subjects ranging from stage adaptation of classic movies to film scores.

Look out for Neil Brand’s orchestral score to South, Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Glorious Epic of the Antarctic, which screens at the IMAX on 27 January with live accompaniment.

In the news section Here’s the Thing, Mark paid tribute to the iconic actor Sidney Poitier who passed away in January aged 94 – the first black man to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for Lilies of the Field in 1964 – and to Peter Bogdanovich who we lost on the same day, best known for this BAFTA-winning The Last Picture Show.

Actor-turned-director, horror fan Romola Garai came to talk about her terrifying feature Amulet starring Imelda Staunton – and about her Guilty Pleasure, the film Point Break, which she discovered aged 11 and has loved ever since.

Himesh Patel came to talk about the runaway success Netflix feature Don’t Look Up and Station Eleven, the HBO series about a post-pandemic society. He talked to Mark about the films that influenced his view of life: Richard Linklater’s ‘Before’ trilogy, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight.

Finally Mark welcomed Joanna Hogg who was last on the show to talk about The Souvenir and returned to talk about The Souvenir Part II, which has been longlisted for this year’s BAFTAs. She and Mark bonded over her choice of Guilty Pleasure: she chose not one film, nor a trilogy, but an entire genre – disaster movies. Favourites include The Poseidon Adventure and The Day After Tomorrow – and anything by Roland Emmerich, including the much-awaited Moonfall.

We closed the show with Sound & Vision, and a tribute to Get Back, the eight-hour epic series by Peter Jackson, culminating in the rooftop rendition of Get Back.

Joanna Hogg, Mark Kermode, Romola Garai, and Himesh Patel

Mark Kermode Live in 3D | Show 64 | December 2021

Mark invited Mark Gatiss, Noomi Rapace, Reggie Yates and Riz Ahmed to join him on Mark Kermode Live in 3D, for the 64th actual live show in NFT1, which marks six full years of monthly shows at the BFI Southbank.

They were all great conversations and if you missed out tonight you can catch it on the Kermode on Film podcast.

The Amazing Mr Blunden, Lamb, Pirates and Encounter were discussed. And so were After Love, Love Actually, A Muppet Christmas Carol, Nil By Mouth, La Haine, The Long Goodbye, Romancing the Stone, Paddington II and Elvis Presley’s ‘68 Comeback Special — as well as ten films set on Xmas eve including The Apartment, Trading Places and When Harry Met Sally.

Oh and House of Gucci. And Bug. And The Exorcist, natch. A rocking end-of-year show, hosted with customary panache by the inimitable Dr K.