For September’s online edition of MK3D, Mark invites four fascinating guests on the show.

In response to a question from the virtual audience Mark looks ahead to the BFI London Film Festival (7 to 18 October 2020). As excited as Mark is for Steve McQueen’s opening film Mangrove and Francis Lee’s closing film Ammonite, he equally looks forward to stumbling upon unknown gems. Find out about Mark’s LFF experience in our next episode, out on 19 October.

Mark’s first guest is Be Manzini, founder of Caramel Film Club and trailblazing ‘film poet’. They talk about Chinonye Chukwu’s Clemency (2019), and Be recites her poetic response to the film. Based on real life events, Clemency follows the interweaving lives of the prison warden and her prisoner, an innocent man kept on death row for 22 years, and portrays the devastating effects of America’s death penalty system. Concluding with a look back on his illustrious career, Be pays an equally poignant poetical tribute to the late, great Chadwick Boseman.

Next up, Mark welcomes composer Segun Akinola to the screen. The two musicians get excited about tambourines and track Segun’s career. From Shola Amoo’s The Last Tree to the latest series of Doctor Who, there’s lots to unpack! Finally, you can find out what Segun thinks of Mark’s bass playing…

The final guests are writer-director Rose Glass and actor Morfydd Clark, who recently collaborated on Saint Maud. In this psychological horror a devout Christian nurse comes to believe that she must save the soul of her patient. Morfydd explains how she approached the titular role of Maud, and Rose talks about how she developed this sinister story.

To celebrate Chadwick Boseman Mark treats us to a clip of Chadwick’s role as James Brown in Get On Up (2014) for this show’s concluding musical moment.

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The fourth online edition of MK3D sees four big guests take to the screen to talk about the films that make them tick.

In response to questions posted on his Patreon page, Mark kicks off the show by discussing remakes of The Exorcist (again!), his desire for a TV adaptation of the story behind Stanley and Iris (1990), and his love for Altered States (1980). 

Ahead of filming the next Mission Impossible, Mark talks to Simon Pegg about his latest two movies. Simon delves into his recent roles in Inheritance, about a girl who inherits a terrible secret from her father, and Lost Transmissions, a drama about a schizophrenic music producer. For ‘Guilty Pleasures’, Simon chooses Italian sub Romero horrors Zombi 2 (1979) and The Beyond (1981). This quickly escalates into a gleefully gory discussion of video nasties. Moving from barfs to laughs, Simon selects Raising Arizona (1987) by the Coen Brothers for ‘The Film That Changed My Life’ and explains how it has influenced his comedy filmmaking.

Up next is Salvador Simó who talks about his film Buñuel: in the Labyrinth of the Turtles (2018) following its release on BFI Player. Based on the graphic novel by Fermín Solís, this animated feature tracks the filmmaking journey of Luis Buñuel’s hard-hitting documentary in 1930s Spain. Salvador explains his motivation behind adapting this provocative true story.

With no shortage of talented guests, Mark then welcomes comedian, actor and writer Shazia Mirza to the show. Shazia tells Mark about seeing The Jungle Book (1967) on her first trip to the cinema, and offers two surprising choices for ‘Guilty Pleasures’ – she explains why she can’t stop watching the awful Bitter Moon (1992) and how Raging Bull (1980) inspires her comedy writing.

Mark’s final guest is the fantastic Brian Cox. Ever productive, Brian updates Mark on his recent and current projects, including his roles in the virtual lockdown film, The Agoraphobics Detective Society, the third season of Succession, and the upcoming Ian Rankin adaptation, Detention. Brian joyfully delves into his choice for ‘Guilty Pleasures’ – the quick-fire, mistaken-identity comedy The Court Jester (1955). And Mark rounds up the conversation by inviting Brian to the BFI Southbank in 2021 to celebrate his sixty-year career. 

Lastly, as a tribute to the late, great composer Ennio Morricone, the show plays out to his music with a clip from The Mission (1986). For extended versions of tonight’s interviews, check out the Kermode On Film podcast on all platforms, or on Twitter and Instagram @kermodeonfilm.

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For the third online edition of MK3D, Mark welcomes five fascinating guests to the screen to chat about their careers and current projects.

Mark kicks off the show with a Q&A, answering questions from the Patreon page. He reveals the theme of his new book, discusses remakes, and considers rewatching Kansas City (1996). 

For ‘Coming Attractions’, Mark’s first guest is Sam Riley, a winner of the prestigious (“better than an Oscar!”) Kermode Award for his role in Control (2007). Sam discusses co-starring opposite Rosamund Pike as the physicists Pierre and Marie Curie in the new biopic Radioactive. He also hints at what to expect from the upcoming remake of Rebecca.

Next up are Fyzal Boulifa, writer and director of Lynn + Lucy, and Roxanne Scrimshaw, who plays Lynn. The film tells the story of two school friends who fall out when one loses her child. Fyzal reveals the inspiration behind his tragic tale and Roxanne talks about the experience of being cast in her first professional role.

Mark is delighted to talk to Noel Clarke in the wake of the second season of the hit detective series Bulletproof, which Noel created and stars in. They look back at the successes and challenges of Noel’s career so far, from Kidulthood (2006) to Doctor Who to Star Trek Into Darkness (2013). Noel highlights pressing problems within the British film industry and, in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests, discusses his own experiences of discrimination and racial profiling.

There is no shortage of brilliant guests as Mark welcomes Caitlin Moran to talk about her new, semi-autobiographical film, How To Build A Girl. Starring Beanie Feldstein as a working-class teenager from Wolverhampton, this coming-of-age story follows her boldly try to find her feet in the masculine world of ’90s music journalism. Caitlin cringes as Mark reminds her about the first time they met when she was just 16. She goes on to tell outlandish true stories behind How To Build A Girl and reveals that her next film will be sci fi with a twist. 

Finally, ending with the usual celebration of sound and vision, Mark chooses a clip from Control showcasing Sam Riley’s unique rendition of Joy Division’s “Transmission”. For extended versions of tonight’s interviews, check out the Kermode On Film podcast on all platforms, or on Twitter and Instagram @kermodeonfilm.

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Following 50 entertaining live shows and a packed first Mark Kermode Online in 3D last month, the second online edition sees Mark welcome four talented guests to talk about the movies that are getting us through lockdown.

Mark’s first guests are Simon Bird, director of Days of Bagnold Summer, and Monica Dolan, who plays Sue Bagnold. The film tells an all-too-familiar story about a mum and her son who find themselves spending 6 weeks at home together after their summer holiday plans are cancelled. Simon and Monica explore the processes of adapting a graphic novel and giving ordinary lives a cinematic platform.

Catching up for the first time since MK3D’s epic 50^th episode celebration, Jason Isaacs has Mark in stitches as he shares what he has been up to in lockdown. They take their minds off the pandemic by talking about our favourite ‘meddling kids’ in the family feel-good animation Scoob. Jason discusses his voice-acting work and an impromptu encounter with his co-star Zac Efron in an elevator. And Jason asks Mark’s advice on the age-old dilemma of how to settle on what film to watch with your family, to which Mark offers a solution: Powell and Pressburger’s A Matter of Life And Death (1946).

Finally, Andy Serkis tells us when we can expect to see Venom 2 and shares his experience recording the Hobbitathon. He also takes part in two much-loved segments of the show, choosing apocalyptic comedy This Is the End (2013) for ‘Guilty Pleasures’ and all-time classic Apocalypse Now (1979) for ‘The Film That Changed Your Life’. The conversation rounds up with Mark and Andy discussing the technological advancements of the past few decades, which are leading to an exciting future in theatre and film.

As usual, the episode ends with its iconic celebration of sound and vision, playing out to the raucous ‘Boss Bitch Fight Challenge 2020’. For extended versions of tonight’s interviews, check out the Kermode On Film podcast on all platforms, or on Twitter and Instagram @kermodeonfilm.

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Our first ever digital edition of the duly renamed Mark Kermode Online in 3D was just as packed as our usual live shows. Joining Mark from across the globe, our seven guests brought the same animated brilliance to their video interviews as can be counted upon in an evening at the BFI Southbank.

Gugu M’batha Raw joined Mark first, talking about her starring role in the recently digitally released Misbehaviour. All the way from LA, she talked about the many-sided story of the 1970 Miss World protest told by the film, and its relevance to today. Plus, she and Mark revisit her breakthrough role in Amma Assante’s Belle.

Bringing the “party on the top, comfort on the bottom” with his tuxedo and PJs videocall combo, Jack Howard joined Mark next. They talked lockdown life, isolation film clubs, and in a truly shocking admission Jack revealed that he’d never seen The Exorcist. Frankly, we’re surprised Mark didn’t just hang up.

Sharing his film club choices too was comedy legend and ‘Smartest Man In The World’ Greg Proops. Another of our guests calling from California, he also gave us a peak at the surprising result of a garage clear-out – his lockdown ‘shrine’. 

Show day marked the digital release of Calm With Horses, Nick Rowland’s gritty drama set amongst small-town crime in rural Ireland. Patching in its stars Niahm Algar and Cosmo Jarvis, Mark got the inside perspective on the development process behind their characters Ursula and Arm  ̶  with the help of crisps and cans by the canal. That’s a method approach we could get behind…

Translating our regular ‘Here’s The Thing’ feature into the lexicon of lockdown, Mark interviewed brand new BFI CEO Ben Roberts, who’s had to incorporate a global pandemic into his handover. He shared details of the BFI’s Britain In Lockdown video preservation project, and offered his reassurances about the future of cinema beyond.

Meera Syal joined Mark for ‘The Film That Changed My Life’, choosing Douglas Sirk’s Immitation Of Life for itscompassionate approach to identity and belonging. Treating us to her ‘Guilty Pleasure’ too, she revisited the guiltlessly wonderful When Harry Met Sally.

The show stuck to its trademark ‘Sound & Vision’ finale, playing out to Frances Ha’s joyous invocation of Bowie’s ‘Modern Love’. We wish we could all skip down the Southbank again, but until then you can join us online for the next digital MK3D.  For extended versions of tonight’s interviews, check out the Kermode On Film podcast on all platforms, or on Twitter and Instagram @kermodeonfilm.

This month’s MK3D was an especially lively evening to mark a very special occasion: our 50^th show. A ‘Sound & Vision’ extravaganza, the night celebrated those golden moments when music and film intersect to create goosebumpy cinematic perfection  ̶  and we were thrilled to share it with some exceptional guests dear to us at MK3D.

First up, Mark’s partners in skiffle The Dodge Brothers – tonight consisting of guitarists Mike Hammond and Aly Hirji, with Neil Brand on the keys  ̶  joined him onstage. Bringing back the magic of the pre-talkie era for a few moments, they performed a live improvised score to the 1930 silent film City Girl. Neil stuck around onstage to revel with Mark in his favourite musical screen moments, from the sweeping orchestral notes of Murder On The Orient Express to the spine-tingling synths of Close Encounters Of The Third Kind.

Director Amma Assante joined Mark next to discuss her upcoming project Mrs America, a 1970s-set drama about the backlash against the American Equal Rights Amendment. Like Neil, she shares her favourite movie music moment – an altogether more comic choice.

A Bond-themed number was the favourite of composer David Arnold, who also took to the piano to perform his own captivating piece inspired by the nation’s favourite secret agent. Sanjeev Bhaskar showed his range with picks from Hollywood and Bollywood alike, and final guest Jason Isaacs was his usual sweary self with a scene from The Godfather and a gangster anecdote to match.

A raucous rockabilly playout of Rocket In My Pocket saw the night end on a high note, with the whole gang – and producer Hedda – jumping onstage to join in. Here’s to the next 50!

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Rounding off the show’s fourth year, the final MK3D of 2019 featured great guests and some festive treats. Thank you to our special supporters, Kodak.

Mark welcomed the audience and began the show with a Q&A, which saw the audience quiz Mark on various topics, including Spielberg’s upcoming West Side Story remake.

Our first guest was the terrific Taron Egerton, star of Rocketman, for which he received rave reviews and nominations for an array of awards, including a Golden Globe.  Taron talked about his performance in the Elton John biopic directed by Dexter Fletcher (who came on the show last month). Mark and Taron talked about how the film came about, and the preparation involved in taking on the role. They also talked about Eddie the Eagle, Kingsman, and Kingsman: The Golden Circle, and discussed how monumental Rocketman has been, and how it will influence the choices Taron makes going forward.

Up next in Here’s The Thing Mark discussed the impending release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, taking the opportunity to reiterate how brilliant The Last Jedi was, despite the nasty criticism it received both during and after its release. Mark also paid tribute to Danny Aiello, star of Do The Right Thing and Moonstruck, who sadly passed away earlier in the month.

Next up, actress Emily Beecham came on to talk about her new film, Little Joe, for which she won the Best Actress prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Directed by Jessica Hausner, the film opens in February and sees Emily play a single mother who works in plant breeding facility. Emily talked about her Cannes win and the extraordinary experience of making the film. Mark also talked to Emily about her role in Hail, Caesar! alongside Ralph Fiennes and Alden Ehrenreich, and asked about Emily’s upcoming films, including Cruella which stars Emma Stone and Emma Thompson and is a live-action origin tale of Cruella de Vil.

To get in the festive spirit, and inspired by the recent success of Knives Out, Mark played a Christmas parlour game with the audience in which various pictorial clues came up on-screen and the audience could guess which whodunnit film they related to!

In last month’s show, Mark exclusively revealed that the BFI are hosting a screening of Mark Jenkin’s Bait in January featuring a live-score by award-winning Cornish-Welsh musician Gwenno Saunders. Gwenno joined Mark on-stage to talk about writing the score, and her relationship with Cornish music. Gwenno treated the audience to a performance of her song Tir Ha Mor (land and sea) which features on her album Le Kov, which is sung entirely in Cornish. Gwenno returned to the stage and taught the audience her infamous, vegan friendly Cornish cheese chant, Eus Keus?

Continuing with the musical theme, Mark talked about his upcoming ‘A Hollywood Christmas’ concert at the Royal Albert Hall, and treated the audience to an exclusive preview of his rendition of Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town on the double bass.

This month’s List-O-Mania was a festive extravaganza which saw Mark give his Top Twelve Christmas musical moments from the movies. The list included choices from lesser-seen Christmas films including Tangerine and Black Nativity, as well as songs from The Snowman, It’s A Wonderful Life, Love, Actually and Meet Me in St. Louis.

Mark ended the show in style with an audience singalong of Blue Christmas, accompanied by Mark on the piano.

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This month’s MK3D was so jam-packed that it made our 46th edition the longest running show (so far). All of tonight’s guests have been involved in projects that were shot on Kodak, who are our special supporters!

We began with Here’s The Thing in which Mark exclusively revealed an upcoming screening of Mark Jenkin’s Bait at BFI Southbank, accompanied by a live score from award-winning musician, Gwenno Saunders. Mark also paid tribute to the great actor and producer, Robert Evans, who passed away last month. In cinemas now and on Netflix from Friday (29th November), Mark flagged-up Jérémy Clapin’s brilliant animation, I Lost My Body. Mark also mentioned John Pilger’s new documentary, The Dirty War on the NHS, and reminded that it is the final few days in which you can register to vote! Finally, Mark flagged up his upcoming show at the Royal Albert Hall, ‘A Hollywood Christmas’. This will see Mark and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra perform an array of festive film scores, from the likes of Elf, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Love, Actually.

For Coming Attractions, our first guest was the sublime Lesley Manville, who talked about her new film, Ordinary Love, in which she co-stars with Liam Neeson. Directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn, whose previous work includes Good Vibrations, Ordinary Love charts a middle-aged couple and their journey as Lesley’s character is diagnosed with breast cancer. Mark and Lesley also talked about working with Mike Leigh, and her award-winning performance in Another Year. Mark asked Lesley about her experience of working with Paul Thomas Anderson on her academy-award nominated role in Phantom Thread. Mark ended the interview by urging people to see Ordinary Love, and mentioned Lesley’s upcoming role in The Visit, which opens at the National Theatre early next year.

Next up, the incomparable Edgar Wright took on one of the show’s most well-loved features, Guilty Pleasures. Mark touched on the multitude of brilliant films that Edgar has directed, including Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim v. the World, and Baby Driver. Edgar is currently working on not one, but two, films: a psychological-horror set in central London starring Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy, called Last Night in Soho, and a documentary about the band, Sparks. Mark revealed we had asked Edgar to choose a film for The Film That Changed My Life, but Edgar sent through six choices (An American Werewolf in London, Raising Arizona, Carrie, The Driver, Evil Dead II, and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly). Instead, Mark focused on Edgar’s guilty pleasure, Michael Winner’s The Sentinel. Edgar adeptly spoke of his complicated love for the film, the trailer of which inspired his own Don’t trailer. Edgar even read aloud from Michael Winner’s autobiography, to share an excruciating anecdote from it.

Mark turned to the audience next for Ask the Audience, and answered questions about which films he is most and least looking forward to seeing in 2020, about Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut, and the recent controversy over Vue’s decision to pull Blue Story.

The brilliant guests just kept on coming, and Maxine Peake was next for The Film That Changed My Life. Mark asked Maxine about her plethora of work, including her latest film Fanny Lye Deliver’d, which premiered at this year’s BFI London Film Festival. Maxine also spoke of her work in The Falling, Gwen, and Funny Cow. She also touched on Lesley Manville’s earlier comments about working with Mike Leigh, and the great experience she had on Peterloo. Mark then turned to Maxine’s choice: John Cassavetes’s Gloria. Expressing her admiration for the great Gena Rowlands, Maxine talked about the kinds of roles on offer for mature actresses.

Our final guest of the night was Dexter Fletcher, actor and director of Caravaggio, Wild Bill, Sunshine on Leith, and Rocketman. Mark congratulated Dexter on the great Rocketman. They talked about Dexter’s early work as an actor, including his role in David Lynch’s The Elephant Man. Mark brought the focus to Dexter’s role in Fernando Trueba’s The Dream of the Mad Monkey – and Dexter raved about the film that changed his world-view, professionally: Emir Kusturica’s Black Cat, White Cat.

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