The Take-Up Podcast
By The Take-Up
The Take-Up PodcastFeb 11, 2022
MFMY: 1999 and The Virgin Suicides (with Shannon Weber)
Shannon Weber, Managing Editor of Feast Magazine, returns to the podcast to take up her favorite movie year! She joins Joshua and Andrew to party like it's 1999 when they discuss her pick from that year, The Virgin Suicides. Before flashing back to Sofia Coppola's debut feature, the boys talk some films that are Now Showing: Radu Jude's (masterpiece) Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World and a spider-rific Sting. Finally, they'll all have One More Thing with more Jeffrey Eugenides, Netflix's 3 Body Problem, and... something else?
Katharine Coldiron returns on the next episode to talk with Joshua and Andrew about the latter's pick for the My Favorite Movie Year program: 2007 and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Until then, please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram, Twitter, Letterboxd, and Facebook.
Special thanks to editor Jessica Pierce and Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch. Theme music by AMP.
MFMY: 1980 and The Shining (with Katharine Coldiron)
Things get hot in the cold as The Take-Up goes a little stir crazy with Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. It's Joshua's pick for the new My Favorite Movie Year series, and guest Katharine Coldiron joins to discuss the horror classic and the totally un-horrific, great movie year that is 1980 (and 30-plus films that prove it so).
First, Late Night with the Devil, Stopmotion, Riddle of Fire, and, sure, Ghostbusters: Kicking Ice Edition are Now Showing. Finally, they all have One More Thing with Waxahatchee, Jean Arthur, and Stephen King.
On the next episode, Feast Magazine Managing Editor Shannon Weber returns to take-up her pick, Sofia Coppola's The Virgin Suicides, for a 1999 edition of the podcast. Until then, please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram, Twitter, Letterboxd, and Facebook.
Special thanks to editor Jessica Pierce and Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch. Theme music by AMP.
Critics Are Stupid: Birth (with Katharine Coldiron)
Andrew picks the final film in the Critics Are Stupid program, Jonathan Glazer's misunderstood 2004 film Birth. Before he, Joshua, and returning guest Katharine Coldiron dive into the Nicole Kidman-starring "ghost story," Io Capitano, Here, and Behind the Haystacks are all Now Showing. Lastly, they all have One More Thing with Alamo Drafthouse's Time Capsule, the African Film Festival at Wash University, Forbidden Films, and an interview of sorts with novelist Sjón.
On the next episode, the gang enter their own time capsules with their next program, My Favorite Movie Year! Joshua is up first with 1980 and a little film called The Shining. Please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and our partners at Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
Critics Are Stupid: The Truth About Charlie (with Katharine Coldiron)
Katharine Coldiron joins Andrew and Joshua for the latter's pick for the Critics Are Stupid program, The Truth About Charlie. Before rushing the streets of Paris in Jonathan Demme's Charade remake, the film critics discuss Dune: Part Two, Drive-Away Dolls, and The Legionnaire. Finally, everyone has One More Thing with some Swans, some Terror, and more on The Zone of Interest.
On Thursday, Feb. 29 at 7 PM, the WUFS will be screening Joshua's pick for the program, Jonathan Glazer's Birth! Then return here the following Tuesday to listen to the episode about it, featuring returning guest Katharine Coldiron. You can see the full schedule on their site and on their social media.
Please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook. Special thanks to Editor Jess Pierce and Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch. Theme music by AMP.
Critics Are Stupid: Gummo (with Pete Timmermann)
Harmony Korine goes to Ohio in Gummo, guest Pete Timmermann's pick for the Critics Are Stupid program. Before diving into the iconoclast director's red flag-raising debut feature, the Webster University Film Series Director joins Joshua and Andrew to discuss Lisa Frankenstein, How to Have Sex, Under the Fig Trees, and Skin Deep, all of which are Now Showing. Finally, they'll round the episode out with video game, book, and music recs. BYE BYE!
On Thursday, Feb. 22 at 7 PM, the WUFS will be screening Joshua's pick for the program, Jonathan Demme's The Truth About Charlie! Then return here in a few days to listen to the episode about it, featuring returning guest Katharine Coldiron. You can see the full schedule on their site and on their social media. Please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook. Special thanks to Editor Jess Pierce and Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch. Theme music by AMP.
Critics Are Stupid: Stone Cold (with Katharine Coldiron)
The great Katharine Coldiron returns to the podcast with her pick for the new Critics Are Stupid program, celebrating critically reviled films we love. Before breaking down the 1991 porkchop/bulldozer Stone Cold, Andrew and Joshua are Now Showing True Detective: Night Country, Trunk: Locked In, Dario Argento Panico, and The Seeding. Finally, they'll have One More Thing featuring good bad movies and good good movies, like the 1964 classic Woman in the Dunes, which will be showing in St. Louis at the Webster University Film Series.
Speaking of our friends at WUFS, our next three picks will be playing on the big screen there, beginning with a Feb. 8 7 PM screening of Harmony Korine's Gummo! Then return here to hear the episode about it. You can see the full schedule on their site and on their social media. Please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook. Special thanks to Editor Jess Pierce and Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch. Theme music by AMP.
Our Top Tens of 2023
On this special episode, Andrew and Joshua countdown their respective top ten films of 2023. They talk some tentpole franchise entries marking the return of Ethan Hunt and Spider-Man, tasty docs like Frederick Wiseman's latest, not-so-tasty ones like De Humani Corporis Fabrica, critcs' darlings like Past Lives and The Zone of Interest, one-half of Barbenheimer, and a lot more.
Before that, the Mean Girls musical, Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell, and Apolonia, Apolonia are Now Showing.
Next time they admit that "Critics Are Stupid" with a program full of critically reviled films that they and their guests love. Stay tuned to find out just how wrong they are. Please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to Editor Jess Pierce and Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch. Theme music by AMP.
Gems of '23: Evil Dead Rise
Joshy's with the maggots now! Calm down, he's just picked Lee Cronin's Evil Dead Rise for the final episode of the Gems of '23 program. He and Andrew spill all the gory tea (be warned!) about one of the year's better genre entries. After that, they're catching you up on 2023 with reviews of Saltburn, Infinity Pool, Silent Night, Bottoms, and Blackberry. Finally, they're Landscapers-ing and thinking about cookie cutters with One More Thing.
To put a neat little bow on 2023, Joshua and Andrew will be breaking down their top tens of the year on the next episode! Please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to Editor Jess Pierce and Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch. Theme music by AMP.
Gems of '23: Magic Mike's Last Dance (with Max Havey)
It's your last chance for the Last Dance with Max Havey of St. Louis Magazine! He joins Joshua and Andrew with his pick for the Gems of '23 program: Steven Soderbergh's latest (and last) Magic Mike. Before that, the two hosts have Now Showing blow-out bonanza with the final segment of the of the year covering Ferrari, The Color Purple, Wonka, Eileen, The Iron Claw, and The Zone of Interest. After allllll that, the three still have One More Thing.
Next up is the final episode in the program with Joshua's pick of Evil Dead Rise. Please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to editor Jess Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and our partners at Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
Gems of '23: How to Blow Up a Pipeline (with Billy Rock)
Past and future guest Billy Rock of Do You Like Apples returns to the Gems series for our 2023 edition with agitprop melo-thriller How to Blow Up a Pipeline in tow. Before that, Godzilla Minus One and Frederick Wiseman's Menus-Plaisirs - Les Troisgros are Now Showing. Later, they'll play a Pipeline edition of Known Four and recommend One More Thing each: real Christmas trees and two Criterion Channel recs among them.
Next time, St. Louis Magazine's Max Havey makes his inaugural appearance on the podcast with his pick, Magic Mike's Last Dance! Please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to editor Jess Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and our partners at Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
Gems of '23: They Cloned Tyrone
John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonnah Paris headline the sci-fi satire They Cloned Tyrone. Juel Taylor's debut feature is Andrew's pick for the Gems of '23 series, highlighting the best of the underrated or underseen films of the year. First, they'll talk Todd Haynes' May December and Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things in Now Showing. After Tyrone, they've got a few suggestions for Academy members. Finally, they've got One More Thing.
Next up is Joshua's pick for the series... which is TBD! Please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and our partners at Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
QU66R COD6D: The Lost Boys (with Michael Morlaine)
The blood-sucking Brady Bunch is back with Dark Dream Cinema's Michael Morlaine picking The Lost Boys for QU66R COD6D. Before getting into Joel Schumacher's 1987 vampy vampire cult hit, Andrew and Josh go long on some killers: David Fincher's The Killer and Martin Scoresese's Killers of the Flower Moon. Later, the Take-Up critics preview the 32nd St. Louis International Film Festival, presented by partners Cinema St. Louis. Finally, and maybe just a couple hours or so later, they'll have One More Thing.
Please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and our partners at Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
QU66R COD6D: Let the Right One In
Andrew picks Tomas Alfredson's contemporary classic, Let the Right One In, for the QU66R COD6D series. Before getting into its trans (non-)allegories and whether they should let in American remake Let Me In, they'll talk The Exorcist: Believer, Fair Play, and The Royal Hotel in Now Showing. Finally, they recommend (more than) One More Thing with a lot of Stanley Kubrick talk and just a bit about Lana Del Rey and the Virginia Slims.
Jessica Scott of WeWhoWalkHere.com returns to the podcast with her queer-leaning horror pick in about two weeks! Until then, please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and our partners at Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
QU66R COD6D: Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte
It's the most wonderful time of the year... Spooky Season, of course! For the first episode in the QU66R COD6D program, a celebration of queer horror, Joshua picks a childhood favorite: Robert Aldrich's follow-up to What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, the Gatekeep/Gaslight/Girlboss thriller Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte. Before launching into the 1964 camp classic featuring Bette Davis, Andrew and Josh have Trailer of a Movie That Will Never Exist: Phony Wars, Dumb Money, and No One Will Save You for Now Showing—only one of which is the title of Jean-Luc Godard's final film. At the end of the episode, they'll recommend new (old) music by Big Thief and more Dungeons and Dragons ephemera!
Next up, Andrew invites Tomas Alfredson in for the QU66R COD6D program with the director's contemporary classic Let the Right One In. Until then, please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and our partners at Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
Cinema Speculation: Eaten Alive/The Funhouse
CRUNCH! CRUNCH! Joshua picks Eaten Alive, Tobe Hooper's killer-crocodile follow-up to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, for the final episode of the Cinema Speculation program. As if that weren't enough to satiate hungry listeners, he and Andrew also cover Hooper's 1981 meta-slasher The Funhouse. After this Hooper Fest, the critics pick their most anticipated films from the fall fests. Crocs! Hamaguchi! Haynes! Oh my!
In just a few days, the guys keep sweatin' in the South with Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte, Joshua's pick for the first episode in the QU66R COD6D program. Can't read that? Better stay tuned to find out what it means! Until then, please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and our partners at Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
Cinema Speculation: Escape from Alcatraz
For the next Cinema Speculation episode, Andrew picks Escape from Alcatraz, the 1979 prison-break from Don Siegel. Before they discuss star Clint Eastwood in possibly too much detail, Joshua and Andrew talk what's Now Showing: DC's Blue Beetle, Ira Sach's Passages, and Between Two Worlds with Juliet Binoche. After, they'll play Quoting Tarantino. Finally, they're recommending One More Thing.
Next up, Joshua picks a Tobe Hooper two-fer with The Funhouse and Eaten Alive. Until then, please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and our partners at Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
Cinema Speculation: Deliverance (with Katharine Coldiron)
Joshua and Andrew are joined on a perilous journey by author and critic Katharine Coldiron, when the three of them discuss her pick for the Cinema Speculation program, Deliverance. Did QT get it right saying the first half of John Boorman's 1972 classic is better than the second? First up, the three talk Barbenheimer, Meg 2: The Trench, and Afire. Later, they find out what the cast of Deliverance is Known 4. Finally, they'll round the bend with One More Thing.
Next up, they're breaking out (for real this time)! Andrew picks Don Siegel's 1979 Clint Eastwood vehicle Escape From Alcatraz. Until then, please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and our partners at Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
Bonus: Film Criticism in Flyover Country
For the 23rd annual St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase hosted by Take-Up partners Cinema St. Louis, Joshua moderated a panel of esteemed St. Louis film critics called "Film Criticism in Flyover Country". Former guests Elliott Collins and Cliff Froehlich joined colleagues Eileen G'Sell and Diane Carson to bring their diverse experiences as film critics to this master class. The panel was recorded live, so please be aware its quality leaves a bit to be desired.
When most film fans think about film criticism, there are likely a few cultural hubs that spring to mind: New York, Chicago, L.A., Paris, etc. However, like a lot of “flyover country,” St. Louis has a decades-strong film criticism community that’s quietly become even stronger as the pandemic subsides and audiences return to the big-screen. As the Internet overshadows print publications and critics find new mediums to work within, how has this community adapted? Are there challenges unique to “regional” critics? As St. Louis’ filmmakers struggle and thrive, what role do their critic cohorts play? Join some of the key St. Louis film critics to get answers to these questions and the inside scoop on what it’s like to make work out of watching and talking movies.
Please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook. Special thanks to editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and our partners at Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
Cinema Speculation: Rolling Thunder (with Cliff Froehlich)
Cliff Froehlich, critic for The Riverfront Times and former Executive Director of Cinema St. Louis, joins Joshua and Andrew to chat about Quentin Tarantino's latest work, Cinema Speculation, and Cliff's pick from the film-essay memoir, Rolling Thunder. Before diving into that 1977 revenge-o-matic cult classic, Andrew and Joshua review Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning - Part One, The Miracle Club, and Lynch/Oz. Cliff sticks around to school the boys (he's an actual professor, after all!) about Tarantino's book before they send you off with two totally original cinematic recommendations: The Mother and the Whore and John Ford.
Next up, they're breaking out! Andrew picks Don Siegel's 1979 Clint Eastwood vehicle Escape From Alcatraz. Until then, please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and our partners at Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
The New Black Film Canon: Black Girl
It's the final pick in our New Black Film Canon program, and Andrew has selected Ousmane Sembène's 1966 classic Black Girl. Before going long on what Joshua calls his favorite film they've covered, they'll review Disney/Pixar's Elemental and two films that they think are among the best of the year: Celine Strong's Past Lives and Wes Anderson's Asteroid City. After talking Ousmane "revolutionary" debut feature, they dig even deeper into this program's genesis, exploring Slate and NPR's list of The New Black Film Canon.
For the rest of the summer, they take up films covered in Quentin Tarantino's book Cinema Speculation. Guest Cliff Froehlich, contributor and former editor for The Riverfront Times and former Executive Director of Cinema St. Louis, is on hand to talk Rolling Thunder. Until then, please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and our partners at Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
The New Black Film Canon: The Watermelon Woman
It's a big one, folks! Go down the cinematic rabbit holes of Cheryl Dunye's Black queer classic The Watermelon Woman, Joshua's pick for for The New Black Film Canon program. Before that he and Andrew review a bevy of new releases, including: You Hurt My Feelings, The Little Mermaid remake, About My Father, The Eight Mountains, and In the Dusk. After taking up Dunye's film, Joshua and Andrew gush about the end of HBO's Succession before recommending the Critters films (yes, those Critters) and I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson. Whew!
For the final film in our New Black Film Canon program, Andrew's chosen Ousmane Sembène's 1966 classic Black Girl. Until then, please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and our partners at Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
The New Black Film Canon: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (with Elliott Collins)
Elliott Collins of Movie Files on YouTube is here for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, his pick for the first episode in The New Black Film Canon program. First, Joshua and Andrew discuss new releases Book Club 2: The Next Chapter, De Humani Corporis Fabrica, and The Starling Girl. After talking about the "instant classic" animated Spider-Man feature, they'll all Match the Multi-Verse. Finally, there's One More Thing anticipating Dune, mourning Barry and Succession, stalking Apichatpong Weerasethakul, and playing Star Wars.
Next time Joshua picks Cheryl Dunye's The Watermelon Woman for The New Black Film Canon program. Please share, subscribe, and review! Read on at TheTake-Up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and our partners at Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
Bonus: QFest St. Louis '23 Preview (with Chris Clark)
Artistic Director of Cinema St. Louis Chris Clark joins Joshua to break down everything QFest St. Louis 2023, running May 4-10 at Cinema St. Louis' new home at the historic Hi-Pointe Theatre. The 16th edition of St. Louis' LGBTQIA+ festival features award-winning films, stars, local filmmakers, a newly restored punk classic, and much more! Tickets and information are available at cinemastlouis.org.
Andrew returns on the next episode, the first of the New Black Film Canon program. Also in tow is special guest Elliott Collins of the Movie Files YouTube series with his pick from the canon. Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and our partners at Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
Bonus: Now Showing
Before they take up their new program, The New Black Film Canon, Joshua and Andrew break down several of April's newest releases in a special bonus episode. They agree that Nic Cage-starring Renfield sucks, but have a slate of their own new reviews, including Ari Aster's Beau is Afraid, the Dardennes' Tori and Lokita, docs-fiction The Plains, Nike backstory Air, and Suzume, from the director of Your Name.
Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to Editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and partners Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
Sister Kristen: Charlie's Angels (2019) (with Dr. Ana Quiring)
Dr. Ana Quiring joins Joshua and Andrew once more for the Sister Kristen program and Joshua's pick, the Stewart-starring Charlie's Angels reboot directed by Elizabeth Banks. It's a movie you definitely remember happened! They talk feminism, old and new, and neat haircuts, with plenty of tangents along the way.
First, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is Now Showing, as well as Hulu's Rye Lane and Webster University Film Series' Earth Day double of Matter Out of Space and Geographies of Solitude. Ana sticks around for our Angels-centric trivia game, and Joshua and Andrew round out with recommending streaming options and a book.
We wave goodbye to Sister Kristen and hello to The New Black Film Canon, our upcoming program based on NPR and Slate's recent survey of the best films by Black filmmakers. Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to Editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and partners Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
Sister Kristen: Certain Women (Pt. 2)
The long-awaited second part of the Certain Women episode is here! First, they're screaming bloody murder about Boston Strangler, Scream VI, and John Wick: Chapter 4. Then they cool it way, way down with our Top 3 Kelly Reichardt film performances. Will Sister Kristen Stewart, object of affection for certain people, appear on either Josh or Andrew's lists? How many times will Michelle Williams appear? After answering those questions, they've got One More Thing with too rarely talked-about things: Turner Classic Movies and Succession.
Up next is the final entry in this program with Dr. Ana Quiring returning to discuss the forgotten Stewart vehicle, Elizabeth Banks' Charlie's Angels reboot. Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to Editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and partners Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
Sister Kristen: Certain Women (Pt. 1)
It's what everyone's been asking for... A two-part, two-hour podcast episode (mostly) about Kelly Reichardt's 2017 anthology "western" Certain Women! Andrew and Josh go long for Andrew's pick in the Sister Kristen program. Certain women are certainly discussed: Laura Dern's consternation, Lilly Gladstone missing in action, Michelle Williams smoking a cigarette, and why Kristen Stewart is everyone's object of affection. Josh brings up Todd Haynes. Andrew brings up the existential crisis of never truly knowing another person. They've gone hog wild here!
In two days, we'll drop the second half of the episode, featuring Now Showing reviews of the latest Scream and John Wick installments and our Top 3 Kelly Reichardt film performances. Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to Editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and partners Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
Sister Kristen: Twilight (with Ana Quiring)
We're breaking dawn with guest Dr. Ana Quiring, who picks Twilight for the new Sister Kristen program, celebrating Kristen Stewart and her collaborations with female filmmakers. Ana gives Andrew and Joshua a proper education on everything about Catherine Hardwicke's 2008 Y.A. vampire romance, including its Mormon conservatism, queer interpretations, sparkly aesthetics, Acting, and more!
Up next will be a full femme ensemble with Andrew's pick of Kelly Reichardt's Certain Women (2017). Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to Editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and partners Cinema St. Louis. Theme music by AMP.
Gems of 2022: You Won't Be Alone (with Jessica Scott)
It’s a horror-heavy episode when Jessica Scott of WeWhoWalkHere.com joins Joshua and Andrew to talk about You Won’t Be Alone. Before they talk about Andrew’s witchy pick for the Gems of 2022 program, they’ll talk The Outwaters, Attachment, Huesera: The Bone Woman, and the ultimate horror show of Marvel’s Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. This episode’s game celebrates our favorite Best Supporting Witches. Finally, they’ll all Knock at the Cabin (door) with One More Thing.
Throughout are brief thoughts on M. Night Shyamalan's latest, "his" Apple TV+ show Servant, Skinamarink, Bette Davis' greatness, Sam Raimi's Oz thing, Terrence Malick, graphic novels and graphic romance novels, and more!
Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to our editor Jessica Pierce, Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch, and partners Cinema St. Louis! Theme music by AMP.
Gems of 2022: Stars at Noon
Cinema St. Louis' The Lens is now The Take-Up, a place to gather when the film is over. For our first/twenty-something-th podcast episode, we're processing Claire Denis' Stars at Noon, featuring Margaret Qualley and Joe Alwyn sweating all over Nicaragua. First, what the heck is The Take-Up? Kayla's back to join Andrew and Joshua to talk about their new adventure in film criticism. After, the guys talk 2023 Oscar nominations, movies in Paris, and HBO's The Last of Us.
Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Special thanks to our editor, Jessica Pierce, and our partners at Cinema St. Louis! Theme music by AMP.
Gems of 2022: Emily the Criminal (with Jason Bollinger) and Our Top Tens
Jason Bollinger of the Cinema Spin podcast joins the Lens podcast with his pick for an underrated and underseen film of 2022, the Aubrey Plaza character thriller Emily the Criminal. After getting existentially criminal with Emily and Jason, Andrew and Joshua count down their top ten favorite films of the year and more. Will battle lines be drawn? Will the two critics fulfill early promises for their top spots, or did the onslaught of great year-end films shake things up?
Find out everything everywhere all at once in this super-sized episode? Nope, not quite! We saved one pick for a deep dive. Stay tuned to the next episode when the boys venture to Nicaragua with Margaret Qualley, Denis Johnson, Claire Denis, and Stars at Noon, Joshua's choice for the Gems of 2022 mini-series.
Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook. Special thanks to our editor, Jessica Pierce.
Gems of 2022: Strawberry Mansion (with Katie Carter)
Critic Katie Carter gets in front of The Lens to talk about a gem of 2022 and one of her favorites of the year, Strawberry Mansion. Before she joins Andrew and Joshua to dive into the trippy lo-fi love story from Albert Birney and Kentucker Audley, they'll discuss the St. Louis Film Critics Association 2022 award-winners, including Avatar: The Way of Water, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and The Whale. After, it's time for a game of Known Four with some of the award-winning actors of the year! Finally, Andrew and Joshua have One More Thing.
More gems of 2022 still to come. Next up is CinemaSpin's Jason Bollinger and his pick, the Aubrey Plaza vehicle Emily the Criminal. Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Gems of 2022: After Yang (with Drew Wendt and Billy Rock)
Goodbye, 2022! Hello, new mini-series! The Lens is back and focusing on some underseen 2022 films, and for the first episode, guests Drew Wendt and Billy Rock of Do You Like Apples? pick Kogonada's After Yang. Before that, Andrew and Joshua talk Avatar: The Way of Water and She Said. After breaking down the Colin Farrell-starring Yang, Joshua quizzes everyone about A24's highest-grossing films. Finally, One More Thing about God of War: Ragnarök and visiting The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
On the next episode, critic Katie Carter choses the whacked-out Strawberry Mansion as her pick for a Gem of 2022. Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Bonus: Now Showing
In this bonus episode, Andrew and Joshua come out of a brief hibernation to talk about a handful of recent releases. First up, Rian Johnson has his "Knives Out" again with "Glass Onion." Then, Luca Guadagnino takes a bloody road trip in "Bones and All." Andrew covers two Netflix streamers: the Florence Pugh-headlining "The Wonder" and Cartoon Saloon's "My Father's Dragon." Joshua spends some time with "The Fabelmans" (or is it the Spielbergs?). Lastly, they talk two more films about family: James Gray's "Armageddon Time" and the A24 release "Aftersun," the debut feature by Charlotte Wells.
In two weeks, the Lens crew welcomes special guests to kick off the Gems of 2022 mini-series. Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Golden Anniversaries: Sisters (1972)
In this very special episode, Andrew and Joshua preview #SLIFF31 A.K.A. the 31st Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival. They really only scratch the surface of the bounty of offerings in the 2022 edition of the fest, including buzzy year-end award hopefuls, international and indie critical darlings, daring docs, and shorts in every color. The SLIFF schedule, tickets, and information on the lineup and special events are now available at cinemastlouis.org.
Before that, Andrew reviews "The Banshes of Inisherin" and "All Jacked Up and Full of Worms." After, stick around for the dueling duo's dual live presentation on Brian De Palma's classic thriller "Sisters," a selection from the year-round Golden Anniversaries film festival.
The next episode will feature some more Now Showing and Golden Anniversary presentations by special guests!
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Nancy/Nora: The Intern
The Lens is retiring from the Nancy/Nora mini-series with Kayla's pick, Meyers' "The Intern," starring Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro. Andrew, Kayla, and Joshua break down everything about the writer-director's workplace "rom-com," complete with re-casting speculations, personal sleeping attire, and the ethos of girlbossing. Now Showing has Andrew and Joshua gushing over "Decision to Leave" and "Stars at Noon," Kayla's New York Film Festival coverage, and a spotlight on "Piggy." Later, the Known Four game makes a return with some Meyers players, Andrew and Joshua read books, and Kayla watches more Bravo (and "Hocus Pocus," finally).
On the next episode, Joshua and Andrew preview the upcoming St. Louis International Film Festival (tickets and showtimes here) and present their live Golden Anniversaries discussion of Brian De Palma's "Sisters."
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Nancy/Nora: Julie & Julia (with Bree Maniscalco and Shannon Weber)
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.
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Nancy/Nora: The Parent Trap (1998)
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.
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Nancy/Nora: Heartburn
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.
Golden Anniversaries: The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (with Cait Lore)
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.
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Golden Anniversaries: Lady Sings the Blues (with Charles Taylor)
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."
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Golden Anniversaries: Buck and the Preacher (with Gerald Early)
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.
Golden Anniversaries: What's Up, Doc? (with Diane Carson)
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.
Cannes Winners: Dancer in the Dark (with Pete Timmermann)
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?"
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(Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of sexual assault.)
Cannes Winners: The Mission
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."
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Cannes Winners: Peppermint Frappé
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.
Cannes Winners: Brief Encounter
All aboard the love train in the first Cannes Film Festival Winners episode: It's Kayla's pick of "Brief Encounter." First up, "Happening," "Sheryl," and "Downton Abbey: A New Era" are Now Showing. After focusing on David Lean's classic romance, the crew look forward to the 2022 Cannes Film Festival with their most anticipated titles. Finally, Andrew on Ida Lupino, Kayla on "It's Complicated," and Joshua goes to the movies 8 times in a row with Late Nite Grindhouse.
Joshua picks Carlos Saura's "Peppermint Frappé" for the next Cannes (non-)Winners episode. Please share, subscribe, and review! Follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram/Twitter/Letterboxd/Facebook.
Queer '90s: Psycho (1998)
For the final episode of the Queer '90s miniseries, Joshua picks Gus Van Sant's shot-for-shot "Psycho" remake. First, in Now Showing, the Lens critics talk QFest St. Louis' showing of "Anaïs in Love," "Playground," Webster U. Film Series' showing of "Father," and "The Duke." After taking the Hitchcock and making it gay(-er), they're going to play a game about how other films riffed on The Master's work. Finally, One More Thing with Joshua and Kayla talking new film restorations and Andrew binge-ing "Severance," the new AppleTV+ series.
Next time: A new miniseries all about the Cannes Film Festival with Kayla covering the fest from its beginning up through 1959 with her pick of David Lean's "Brief Encounter."
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Harvey Milk Film Festival Panel (with Ken Page and James Robinson)
This past weekend, the Webster University Film Series hosted the Harvey Milk Film Festival, which featured "The Times of Harvey Milk" and "Milk" in celebration of Opera Theatre St. Louis' upcoming "Harvey Milk" opera remount. Joshua was joined by James Robinson, Artistic Director of OTSL, and Ken Page, legendary stage and screen star and St. Louis native, to discuss Milk's legacy, both within the arts and politics. Fmr. Gov. Jim McGreevey and Broadway producer David Rothenberg also join for special messages. The program was co-presented by QFest St. Louis and St. Louis LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce.
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Queer '90s: Happy Together (with Cait Lore)
Film studies instructor and Lens contributor Cait Lore stops by to get "Happy Together," her pick for the Queer '90s miniseries. Before diving into Wong Kar-wai's road trip romance, the Lens gang get into what's Now Showing: "The Northman," "Mothering Sunday," and the Harvey Milk Film Festival. Cait joins them to discuss alternates for Queer '90s picks, before Joshua, Andrew, and Kayla have One More Thing. Next up is Joshua's pick, Gus Van Sant's widely derided 1998 "Psycho" remake.
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