The Take-Up

Man with a Movie Camera

The Take-Up — Fri, 08 May 2026 19:14:52 GMT

Josh and Andrew venture into Soviet Russia to discuss the iconic Dziga Vertov film shown in film history classes, Man with a Movie Camera. Make sure to pay attention and take notes as our hosts go through their thoughts on this essential building block of pure cinema, including a reading of Josh’s undergrad essay, commentary on self-awareness, Eisensteinian montage (or not), the nature of “propaganda”, and a look into a time Communist Russia was sliding into Stalinism.

Subverting expectations, they go into One More Thing recommending anything but movies, endorsing the all-encompassing "true crime" podcast Criminal (hosted by the honey-voiced Phoebe Judges) and artemistimeline.com, a photo gallery and catalogue showing everything involving the Artemis II mission.

Read on at thetake-up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram, Twitter, Letterboxd, and Facebook. Special thanks to Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch and Contributor Ethan Tarantella. Theme music by AMP.

The Last Laugh

The Take-Up — Fri, 01 May 2026 16:07:14 GMT

Starting off their dare of including silent films into the Take-Up canon, Josh and Andrew watch F.W Murnau’s class-conscious drama The Last Laugh. Tackling the miserablist story of status, our hosts discuss the film’s political connections with Weimar Germany, its place in film history, the immense talent of Emil Jannings, and a mixed response to the "studio-note" ending.

Then, they have One More Thing, bringing up the Tippi Hedren “ferocious comedy” Roar (yes, that Roar) and the 70s adaptations of the fictional Japanese murder mystery detective Kosuke Kindaichi, including The Inugami Family.

Next week, Josh and Andrew continue their journey with Dziga Vertov’s Soviet documentary Man with a Movie Camera. Until then, read on at thetake-up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram, Twitter, Letterboxd, and Facebook. Special thanks to Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch and Contributor Ethan Tarantella. Theme music by AMP.

Messiah of Evil (with Victor Putinier)

The Take-Up — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:33:34 GMT

Joining Josh and Andrew this week, Washington University PhD Candidate Victor Putinier takes them down to post-Summer-of-Love California for 70s cult horror classic Messiah of Evil. Giddily getting into Gloria Katz and William Huyck’s “California gothic”, the trio voice their admiration for a film that refuses to draw a clear line in the sand, from its unfinished production, subversion of zombie horror, and somehow doing its own thing while learning from the seemingly disparate works of Italian masters Mario Bava and Michelango Antonioni.

Then, they have One More Thing, recommending the new album The Spiritual Sound from death metal band Agriculture, as well as continuing their talk of California Gothic with the 1970 adaptation of The Dunwich Horror.

On the next episode, our hosts decide to give themselves a challenge. Venturing further back in film history, Josh and Andrew will pick out movies from the silent era, starting things off with F.W Murnau’s The Last Laugh. Until then, read on at thetake-up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram, Twitter, Letterboxd, and Facebook. Special thanks to Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch and Contributor Ethan Tarantella. Theme music by AMP.

Frederick Wiseman's Hospital (with Alex McPherson)

The Take-Up — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 15:59:59 GMT

Paging doctors Josh and Andrew, returning guest Alex McPherson calls them down to take a look at documentary icon Frederick Wiseman’s Hospital. A seminal early work in the director’s decades-spanning career, the trio dissect all the gross, aggravating, depressing, and heartwarming moments spread throughout this encapsulating look at 1970s healthcare. Including a talk about similarities to Wiseman’s other doc Welfare, our hosts and guest gladly share their love for the celebrated filmmaker and what he captured through his “reality fiction.”

Next, they have One More Thing, going a little off-kilter this week with the newly-released RPVG Dungeons of Hinterburg and two Letterboxd accounts archiving reviews from two famous critics, Not Pauline Kael and Not Andrew Sarris.

Next week, Josh and Andrew bring on a new guest, Victor Putinier, to raise Hell over the 70s cult horror movie Messiah of Evil. Until then, read on at thetake-up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram, Twitter, Letterboxd, and Facebook. Special thanks to Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch and Contributor Ethan Tarantella. Theme music by AMP.

Song to Song (with Stephen Tronicek)

The Take-Up — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:01:19 GMT

Josh and Andrew thought they could just roll and tumble… live from song to song… kiss to kiss… until filmmaker Stephen Tronicek twirled them around with Terrence Malick’s musical love-quadrangle drama Song to Song! Picking into a film made in the experimental late-stage of the arthouse icon’s career, the trio quickly get into their love (and some qualms) of one of Malick’s most divisive movies. Featuring a dissection of exactly how many cameos are in this, all the Christian undertones, its depiction of the 2010s Austin music scene, the spinning Emmanuel Lubezki camera, twirling, whispered Rooney Mara monologues, and the magic of Natalie Portman’s abs.

Next, Josh and Andrew have One More Thing, recommending Beast, starring a breakthrough performance from Academy Award Winner Jessie Buckley (Producer Ethan: oh, it feels good to write that), and genre-defying 60s British TV show The Prisoner.

Next week, our hosts reveal they have one more Oscar movie up their sleeve, Oliver Laxe’s desert rave thriller Sirāt. Until then, read on at thetake-up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram, Twitter, Letterboxd, and Facebook. Special thanks to Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch and Contributor Ethan Tarantella. Theme music by AMP.

Marty Supreme

The Take-Up — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 19:59:09 GMT

For their final episode on some of the 2026 Best Picture Oscar nominees, Joshua and Andrew go head-to-head with Josh Safdie's Marty Supreme. How does it fit in the Safdie ouvré? Is Timothée Chalamet a total turd? Do Safdie female characters deserve better? Does everybody really want to rule the world? They'll answer these burning questions and whether this "historical" ping-pong nerve-jangler belongs in the Take-Up canon.

After that, Joshua has One More Thing about Netflix's new Japanese gay reality show, The Boyfriend, and Andrew explores some Backrooms lore with Horror in Impossible Places.

On the next episode, filmmaker and critic Stephen Tronicek has some festival fever with Terrence Malick's 2017 drama Song to Song. Until then, read on at thetake-up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram, Twitter, Letterboxd, and Facebook. Special thanks to Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch and Contributor Ethan Tarantella. Theme music by AMP.

Aftersun (with Ryan Verrill)

The Take-Up — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 23:50:21 GMT

Grab some tissues and take some Lexapro as Andrew, Josh and Ryan Verrill (host of the Disc-Connected podcast) go through their memories of Charlotte Wells’ masterful debut, Aftersun. Fitting with his background in physical media and Antenna Releasing, Ryan’s choice for the week allows a thoughtful discussion on the film, the relationship between a person and media, the conflicting nature of memory, if this still the best movie Paul Mescal’s been in, and the complex relationship between a parent and child.

Next, Josh and Andrew have One More Thing, recommending Park Chan-Wook’s latest thriller No Other Choice and the works of Soviet animator Yuri Norstein (Hedgehog in the Fog), which can be found in Eternal Family and boutique site Deaf Crocodile.

Next week, our hosts wrap up their 2026 Oscar picks with Josh Safdie’s chaotic ping-pong-dramedy Marty Supreme! Until then, read on at thetake-up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram, Twitter, Letterboxd, and Facebook. Special thanks to Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch and Contributor Ethan Tarantella. Theme music by AMP.

Sinners

The Take-Up — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 18:27:30 GMT

As Oscar night comes ever closer, Josh and Andrew travel down the “Rocky Road to Dublin” for the most-nominated film in Academy history, the much beloved (except by Variety) barn-burner Sinners! Getting deep into the hot, sweaty beauty of Ryan Coogler’s Delta blues drama/horror mash-up, our hosts praise the film’s celebration of Black music, its timely views on racism and cultural appropriation, an Andrew-approved take on vampire lore, and the effortless visual splendor and acting.

After, they have One More Thing, recommending another Carpenter-esque horror with the Master’s Prince of Darkness and Slidebean’s video essay on home video, The Biggest Mistake in the History of Hollywood.

Next up, The Take-Up goes under pressure with Disc-Connected’s Ryan Verrill to talk about the A24 drama Aftersun. Until then, read on at thetake-up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram, Twitter, Letterboxd, and Facebook. Special thanks to Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch and Contributor Ethan Tarantella. Theme music by AMP.

Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein

The Take-Up — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 20:07:28 GMT

Enjoy what becomes the Take-Up’s most polarized discussion, as our hosts go into whether Guillermo del Toro’s new Frankenstein creation has a soul worthy of a few Oscar noms or is a Netflix monstrosity dead on arrival. Debates on the director's camerawork, how much Del Toro’s take gels with all the other adaptations that arose from Mary Shelley’s novel, and if Elordi is the hottest Creature of all ensue.

Next, they have One More Thing, keeping the gothic talk going with Andrea Arnold and William Wyler’s adaptations of Wuthering Heights (as well as some thoughts on Emerald Fennel’s brat summer take on the classic story) and Abel Ferrara’s cyberpunk thriller New Rose Hotel.

Next week, Josh and Andrew continue their Oscar talk with one of the most acclaimed films from last year, Ryan Coogler’s gangster/musical/horror smash Sinners! Prepare to sink your teeth into a film bursting with genre-bending and commentary fit for a long discussion.

Until then, read on at thetake-up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram, Twitter, Letterboxd, and Facebook. Special thanks to Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch and Contributor Ethan Tarantella. Theme music by AMP.

Zodiac

The Take-Up — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:42:33 GMT

Wanting to talk about this film for years, Hurdy Gurdy Men Josh and Andrew sing their songs of love for David Fincher’s serial-killer thriller Zodiac. Falling down the numerous rabbit holes Fincher provides in his retelling of the unsolved investigation, our hosts work to solve how Zodiac works its addictive magic. Grab an Aqua Velva and unravel the mysteries surrounding this chilling piece of true crime, such as what exactly constitutes a comfort movie, which actor should stay human in a muppet-led version, and where the hell did Jim Emerson go?

Next, Josh and Andrew have One More Thing, serving up Cocktails with George and Martha, Phillip Gefter’s dishy making-of tome on Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and Sofia Coppola’s underrated father-daughter drama Somewhere (also shot by the same DP as Zodiac).

Resurrection (2025)

The Take-Up — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Hear 'Deliriants' Josh and Andrew describe their dream of Bi Gan’s long-awaited follow-up to Long Day's Journey into Night, the arthouse celebration/eulogy to cinema Resurrection. The hosts go into the weeds of the head-scratching metaphor and genre-bending ode to the five senses that is the Chinese wunderkind's epic “porterhouse steak" of a cinematic meal. Throughout, prepare to ask the important questions, such as, “Do your dreams have film cuts?”

Next, Josh and Andrew go into One More Thing, recommending Stephen Frears’ Terrance Stamp-starring 80s crime film The Hit and the hidden gems of cult film streaming service Eternal Family.

Until next time, read on at thetake-up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram, Twitter, Letterboxd, and Facebook. Special thanks to Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch and Contributor Ethan Tarantella. Theme music by AMP.

'21 Films: Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy

The Take-Up — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 14:00:00 GMT

Kayla, Andrew and Joshua spoil Drive My Car director Ryusuke Hamaguchi's other 2021 film, Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, in the last of their Films of 2021 series. First, Joshua and Andrew talk about the 2022 True/False Film Festival: docs that may be Oscar-bound and some that don't even have distributors yet. After focusing on Hamaguchi, all three critics make their picks in If We Picked the Oscars. Head over to CinemaStLouis.org to see how you can predict the winners and win prizes. (Just don't listen to the Lens critics.) They'll close out talking Euphoria, Love is Blind, and Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches. The next episode starts the Queer '90s series with Andrew's pick of Gregg Araki's The Living End.

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

Queer '90s: The Living End

The Take-Up — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 14:40:43 GMT

The Lens crew take the road to nowhere with Gregg Araki's 1992 breakout The Living End, Andrew's pick for their new Queer '90s series. First, they'll discuss new releases Fresh, Master, Deep Water, and Windfall, as well as the African Film Festival at Washington University. After focusing on Araki's "irresponsible film," they'll find out what a few of his stars are Known For in this episode's game. Finally, they close out with One More Thing: The Dropout, Charli XCX's Crash, and a little film you've never heard of called Goodfellas. Next week, they'll cover Kayla's pick: the Wachowski sisters' debut Bound.

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Gems of 2022: After Yang (with Drew Wendt and Billy Rock)

The Take-Up — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 21:38:26 GMT

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.

Queer '90s: Happy Together (with Cait Lore)

The Take-Up — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 12:00:00 GMT

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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Bonus: Oscar Nominations '22

The Take-Up — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 01:56:40 GMT

Joshua forces Kayla and Andrew into talking Oscar nominations during a late night bonus record. Enjoy a rambly hour about the 2022 Academy Award nominees and then some… What's your Wes Anderson aura? They'll return with the next proper episode on 2/22 when they talk The Scary of Sixty-First with The Man in Room 6 filmmakers Carrie Juenger and Trevor Juenger. Please share, subscribe, and review!

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

Bugonia

The Take-Up — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 20:24:14 GMT

After having to skip an episode due to Josh being held captive in Andrew’s basement last week, our hosts can finally have a dialogue over the latest Lanthimos/Stone collab, Bugonia! Diving into the sci-fi (maybe?) thriller, they debate over all the conspiracy theories, politics, the ending, and which Lanthimos movie is worthy of being put in the vault before the green planet is saved.

Then they get into One More Thing, bringing up the 1950s Technicolor Knight epic Ivanhoe (starring the always stunning Elizabeth Taylor) and friend-of-the-pod Katie Carter’s new Substack The Tea is Going Out along with her upcoming Forbidden Hollywood screening of Smarty at the Arkadin Cinema & Bar in St. Louis.

Rushmore (with Max Havey)

The Take-Up — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 20:54:40 GMT

Max Havey of STL Magazine shares with Josh and Andrew a film he holds dear, Wes Anderson’s Rushmore! A beloved staple from Anderson’s early stage in his career, the hosts dive into the comedy of this odd coming-of-age tale, Havey’s last-minute Wes Anderson movie rankings, and which one of the three was a Max Fischer in high school. Also expect a couple Graduate comparisons.

Then, expect three things to look out for from this week’s One More Thing, including the wild Godzilla movie Destroy All Monsters, Vince Gilligan’s new sci-fi series Pluribus, and the “Battle of Seattle” documentary WTO/99.

Keep an eye out for next week, where Josh and Andrew get to discuss a favorite from this year’s Cannes, The Secret Agent! As Kleber Mendonça Filho’s political thriller makes its way to St. Louis this Christmas, make sure to listen in on the duo’s take on the acclaimed movie.

Queer '90s: Bound

The Take-Up — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 13:00:00 GMT

This episode the Lens crew focus on Lana and Lilly Wachowski's 1996 debut "Bound," Kayla's pick in the Queer '90s miniseries. First, "Everything Everywhere All At Once," "The Bubble," "Apollo 10 1/2," "Rock Bottom Riser," "You Are Not My Mother," and "Memoria" are Now Showing. After The Lens, Joshua tries to stump Kayla and Andrew with a new edition of Did You Know? all about the Wachowskis' films. Lastly, they've got One More Thing with video game and Criterion Channel series recommendations. On the next episode, the gang will be joined by critic and professor Cait Lore to talk about Wong Kar-Wai's road trip romance, 1997's "Happy Together."

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Harvey Milk Film Festival Panel (with Ken Page and James Robinson)

The Take-Up — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 15:22:35 GMT

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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Nancy/Nora: Julie & Julia (with Bree Maniscalco and Shannon Weber)

The Take-Up — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 12:25:28 GMT

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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Gems of 2022: Stars at Noon

The Take-Up — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 14:05:36 GMT

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.

Sister Kristen: Twilight (with Ana Quiring)

The Take-Up — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 14:33:55 GMT

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.

MFMY: 1999 and The Virgin Suicides (with Shannon Weber)

The Take-Up — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 17:16:44 GMT

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.

'21 Films: Saint Maud

The Take-Up — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 17:30:39 GMT

Cinema St. Louis' The Lens critics discuss Rose Glass' Saint Maud for their first in the Films of 2021 miniseries and first podcast ever. Stream it on Hulu or Paramount+ before listening to the spoiler-filled discussion. First, they cover new releases Parallel Mothers, The House, Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes, A Hero, and Sundance selection After Yang. They finish up with 2021 Superlatives, during which Kayla talks HAIM and made-for-tv holiday films, Josh gets mad at Benedict Cumberbatch, and Andrew highlights his favorite cuts. In two weeks, they'll cover the doc Cusp, now streaming on Showtime.

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

Sister Kristen: Certain Women (Pt. 2)

The Take-Up — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 12:21:53 GMT

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.

'21 Films: The Scary of Sixty-First (with Carrie Juenger and Trevor Juenger)

The Take-Up — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 13:00:00 GMT

The Man in Room 6 filmmakers Trevor Juenger and Carrie Juenger join the Lens crew to discuss and spoil Dasha Nekrasova's provocative The Scary of Sixty-First for their third episode in the Films of 2021 series. You can catch both at the Webster University Film Series soon! First up, the critics discuss the various phone screens on display throughout new films Marry Me, I Want You Back, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Kimi. Later, Carrie and Trevor join them to pick the Scary of 21st: the most frightening films and film moments since 2000. After Kayla and Joshua's Lynchian persona mind meld, they join Andrew to give One More Thing(s): new double-albums, TCM-watching, and PS5's Ghost of Tsushima. On the next episode, they'll round out the 2021 miniseries with Joshua's pick of Ryusuke Hamaguchi's other 2021 film, Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, available to rent on most major platforms.

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Cinema Speculation: Rolling Thunder (with Cliff Froehlich)

The Take-Up — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 16:34:56 GMT

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: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (with Elliott Collins)

The Take-Up — Tue, 16 May 2023 16:23:38 GMT

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.

Gems of 2022: Strawberry Mansion (with Katie Carter)

The Take-Up — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 17:55:01 GMT

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.

QFest St. Louis 2022

The Take-Up — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 12:00:00 GMT

Joshua is joined by his fellow QFest St. Louis programmer Cait Lore to discuss the 15th edition of the celebration of queer film and art. Tickets are now available @ CinemaStLouis.org! They rundown the entire festival line-up (and then some), including special events like our co-presentations of Tsai Ming-liang restorations at Webster University Film Series, Opera Theatre St. Louis' Harvey Milk Film Festival, and PLAYTIME: Poison, A QFest St. Louis Party. DJ Tilda_Sweatin, the host of PLAYTIME, stops by to talk about the free party at HandleBar and sharing the same New Queer Cinema inspiration that informed the film fest this year. Follow @QFestStLouis on all social media platforms for even more details.

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

Queer '90s: Psycho (1998)

The Take-Up — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 12:30:04 GMT

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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Cannes Winners: Peppermint Frappé

The Take-Up — Tue, 31 May 2022 16:40:16 GMT

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: The Mission

The Take-Up — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 14:00:53 GMT

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

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

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

Cannes Winners: Dancer in the Dark (with Pete Timmermann)

The Take-Up — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 12:00:32 GMT

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

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

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

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

Golden Anniversaries: What's Up, Doc? (with Diane Carson)

The Take-Up — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 02:00:03 GMT

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."

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

Hot Fuzz (with Alex McPherson)

The Take-Up — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 23:19:07 GMT

Here comes the Fuzz! Alex McPherson of PoplifeSTL brings in Edgar Wright’s cop comedy Hot Fuzz for Josh and Andrew to take a look and probe their thoughts. Together, the trio discuss the sidesplitting highlights, its nature as a Tony Scott parody/giallo/bromance befitting the Dudes Rock! canon, and if it fits within the guidelines of Copaganda. Along with their differing thoughts on Wright’s movies, you’re in for a debrief that provides the greater good (“the greater good!”) elevating Hot Fuzz’s reputation as more than just a funny movie.

Following that is One More Thing, where they recommend YouTube channel Be Kind Rewind and iFixit.com.

Misericordia

The Take-Up — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 21:51:55 GMT

Switching things up a bit, Josh and Andrew go to the French countryside with Alain Guiraudie’s Misericordia. Featuring an opening French lesson/cameo by Josh’s husband, our hosts get into the intricacies of this dark comedy-thriller, including its observation on relationships, rural France, and “one of the biggest jumpscares of the year”.

They have fun talking about a film where everyone in this small town is, to put it lightly, “a little bit gay.” Then, they have One More Thing, recommending the new Netflix true crime hit The Perfect Neighbor and Joseph Losey’s 1963 psychodrama The Servant (or “Parasite meets Phantom Thread meets Homoeroticism” according to Jake Cole’s Letterboxd).

Next week, say “and here’s to you” for guest Drew Wendt of Do You Like Apples? as he gets Josh and Andrew to talk about the movie that made him interested in film criticism, the 60s classic The Graduate!

Golden Anniversaries: The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (with Cait Lore)

The Take-Up — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 14:55:38 GMT

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

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

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

Nancy/Nora: Heartburn

The Take-Up — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 18:00:35 GMT

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.

Nancy/Nora: The Parent Trap (1998)

The Take-Up — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 21:09:13 GMT

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

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

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

Nancy/Nora: The Intern

The Take-Up — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 15:45:18 GMT

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."

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

Golden Anniversaries: Sisters (1972)

The Take-Up — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 10:41:17 GMT

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!

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

Bonus: Now Showing

The Take-Up — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 13:37:11 GMT

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.

Gems of 2022: Emily the Criminal (with Jason Bollinger) and Our Top Tens

The Take-Up — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 15:41:25 GMT

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.

Sister Kristen: Certain Women (Pt. 1)

The Take-Up — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 14:34:20 GMT

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: Charlie's Angels (2019) (with Dr. Ana Quiring)

The Take-Up — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 12:27:26 GMT

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.

The Graduate (with Drew Wendt)

The Take-Up — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 02:57:32 GMT

Drew Wendt of Do You Like Apples? has one word to say to Josh and Andrew, just one word: Garfunkel.

This week, Drew seduces our hosts into talking about Mike Nichols’ New Hollywood classic The Graduate, a film that appears to defy its reputation as an iconic Boomer comedy. Getting into the nitty gritty of all the power dynamics, WASP-y suburbia, youthful aimlessness, grey morality, and just how catchy "The Sound of Silence" is, the trio dive deep into a movie that leaves them coming away with new thoughts after every rewatch. Then, they have One More Thing, with the 1980 Roeg psychodrama Bad Timing, (starring Art Garfunkel as himself but if he went into psychology) and Anthony Mann’s police procedural noir (and documentary?) T-Men.

Expect no episode next week as Josh and Andrew will be attending SLIFF, but they’ll be back in time for Max Havey’s lesson on the film that made the STL Magazine writer fall in love with movies, Wes Anderson’s Rushmore! In two weeks, make sure to listen in on this crash course in one of Anderson’s early works.

Bonus: Now Showing

The Take-Up — Sun, 23 Apr 2023 18:52:22 GMT

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.

Bonus: QFest St. Louis '23 Preview (with Chris Clark)

The Take-Up — Tue, 02 May 2023 12:04:35 GMT

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.

The New Black Film Canon: The Watermelon Woman

The Take-Up — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 00:56:03 GMT

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.

Cinema Speculation: Deliverance (with Katharine Coldiron)

The Take-Up — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 19:55:36 GMT

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.

Cinema Speculation: Escape from Alcatraz

The Take-Up — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 17:25:58 GMT

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: Eaten Alive/The Funhouse

The Take-Up — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 18:46:17 GMT

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.

QU66R COD6D: Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte

The Take-Up — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 16:10:58 GMT

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.

QU66R COD6D: Let the Right One In

The Take-Up — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 23:48:00 GMT

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: The Lost Boys (with Michael Morlaine)

The Take-Up — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 21:49:03 GMT

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.

Gems of '23: How to Blow Up a Pipeline (with Billy Rock)

The Take-Up — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 19:33:38 GMT

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: Magic Mike's Last Dance (with Max Havey)

The Take-Up — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 19:12:54 GMT

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: Evil Dead Rise

The Take-Up — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 20:38:23 GMT

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.

Our Top Tens of 2023

The Take-Up — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 18:40:34 GMT

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 Barb enheimer, and a lot more.

Before that, the Mean Girls musical, Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell, and Apolonia, Apolonia are Now Showing.

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 Take-Up — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 18:19:56 GMT

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.

Critics Are Stupid: Gummo (with Pete Timmermann)

The Take-Up — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 12:56:00 GMT

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: The Truth About Charlie (with Katharine Coldiron)

The Take-Up — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 14:40:04 GMT

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.

Critics Are Stupid: Birth (with Katharine Coldiron)

The Take-Up — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 13:26:25 GMT

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.

MFMY: 2007 and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (with Katharine Coldiron)

The Take-Up — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 18:17:13 GMT

Katharine Coldiron joins Joshua and Andrew for a showdown with Andrew Dominik's "Imagined West" in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Before discussing Andrew's Brad Pitt-starring pick for the My Favorite Movie Year program and the cinematic year that was 2007, Sasquatch Sunset and The People's Joker are Now Showing. Finally, they'll visit the Wisconsin Film Festival, Marleen Gorris on the Criterion Channel, and a movie YouTube channel that doesn't suck.

On the next episode, film critic Alex McPherson argues that 2019 is supreme with his pick, Jim Jarmusch's The Dead Don't Die. 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: 2019 and The Dead Don't Die (with Alex McPherson)

The Take-Up — Wed, 08 May 2024 15:23:11 GMT

Joshua and Andrew time-travel alllll the way back to 2019 to discuss guest Alex McPherson's favorite movie year! His pick from the not-so-distant past? Jim Jarmusch's star-studded zom-com The Dead Don't Die. First, Challengers, Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus, Hundreds of Beavers, and The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed are Now Showing. Finally, they've all got One More Thing with Fallout, Normal Gossip, and Slow Horses.

Next up is a new series when taking a peek into The Celluloid Closet⁠ with some queer classics. 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.

Queer Classics: Johnny Guitar

The Take-Up — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 20:57:19 GMT

Bang, bang! Joan Crawford shoots a whole town down in Nicholas Ray's 1954 cult/camp/queer/western/melodrama classic Johnny Guitar. It's Joshua's choice for the first episode in the Queer Classics program, celebrating our favorite queer-leaning films made before 1960.

Before they figure out if its Cahiers du Cinéma stamp-of-approval is appropriate or not, he, Andrew, and new co-host Katharine Coldiron discuss Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, The Bikeriders: A Midwest Accent Saga, I Saw the TV Glow: A Take-Up Brawl Saga, In Our Day: A Hong Sang-soo Saga. Lastly, it's all creamy keyboards and new and old Star Wars for One More Thing.

Up next, Andrew picks Jean Cocteau's classic waking dream Orpheus. 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.

Queer Classics: Orpheus

The Take-Up — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 19:54:10 GMT

It's a matter of life and death when Andrew picks famed French Renaissance Man Jean Cocteau's Orpheus for his pick in the Queer Classics program. Joshua and Katharine roll on their rubber gloves, paint eyeballs on their eyelids, and join Andrew to jump backwards into the 1950 Orpheus redux.

First, they go Inside Out (2) with Disney/Pixar's latest and Kill Your Lover, both of which are Now Showing. All three hosts take the Known 4/IMDb Game challenge with some classic gays before stumping for Agatha Christie, Ohuhu markers, and a forgotten film by Mike Nichols during One More Thing.

Queer Classics: Little Caesar (with Katie Carter)

The Take-Up — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 16:20:46 GMT

Mother of Mercy, Katie Carter is back guns a-blazin' with her pick for the Queer Classics program, Little Caesar (1931), the landmark gangster picture featuring Edward G. Robinson's breakout performance.

Before she schools Katharine and Joshua on queer depictions in the Pre-Code Hollywood era, Andrew appears to review MaXXXine, America, and A Quiet Place: Day One with everyone. Finally, they'll have One More Thing with Burt Reynolds, Siskel & Ebert, and The Projection Booth.

Queer Classics: Compulsion (1959)

The Take-Up — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 14:02:21 GMT

For the final episode in the Queer Classics program, Katharine picks the 1959 queer killers story Compulsion, based upon the real-life Leopold and Loeb case. Of course she, Joshua, and Andrew couldn't help but go into the other Leopold and Loeb-inspired films, Alfred Hitchcock's Rope and Tom Kalin's Swoon, also covered here.

First up is a killer of a different kind in Osgood Perkins' Longlegs. For this Now Showing segment, the Take-Uppers go long (spoilers from 11:45-28:20) on Mr. Downstairs. Finally, they've got One More Thing with Paula Prentiss, Riddance, and Alt Shift X explainers for you House of the Dragon fans.

Contemporary Costumes: Crimes of Passion

The Take-Up — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 14:05:10 GMT

Joshua is dressed to kill with Ken Russell's 1984 Psycho-sexual thriller/satire/melodrama Crimes of Passion, his pick for the new Contemporary Costumes program. Before digging into the Big Performances of Kathleen Turner and Anthony Perkins in full drag(s), he, Katharine, and Andrew are Now Showing yet another crime of passion with Catherine Breillat's latest, Last Summer. Finally, they've all got One More Thing: a new Elaine May biography, an old No Man's Sky, and the old/new of Les Vampires.

Contemporary Costumes: Josie and the Pussycats (with Brandon Streussnig)

The Take-Up — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 17:00:24 GMT

Critic and culture writer Brandon Streussnig glams up the pod with his pick Du Jour for the Contemporary Costumes program, 2001's "teen comedy" cult classic Josie and the Pussycats. Before he, Joshua, and Katharine break down all the fashions, all the pr🎯duct pl🎯cement, and all the Parker Posey, Andrew stops by with Now Showing reviews of Cuckoo and Handling the Undead. Finally, there's just One More Thing with Female Prisoner Scorpion, Peter Greenaway, and the Olympics for cinephiles!

Contemporary Costumes: Why Don't You Play in Hell?

The Take-Up — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 15:27:18 GMT

After a summer break, the Take-Up falls back into Contemporary Costumes with Andrew's pick, Sion Sono's Why Don't You Play in Hell?

Before trying to keep up with with the manic meta-movie, they'll catch up with some recent releases Now Showing: Alien: Romulus, Starve Acre, The Crow, Blink Twice, and Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person.

Contemporary Costumes: Follow the Fleet

The Take-Up — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 12:27:00 GMT

Katherine takes Contemporary Costumes to the high seas with musical classic Follow the Fleet, starring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. But before she, Joshua, and Andrew can let themselves go into the costumes and chemistry, the Take-Up brings out spooky season with what’s Now Showing: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, The Front Room, Red Rooms, and acclaimed documentary The Mother of All Lies. Finally the trio have just One More Thing to say about The Last of Sheila, Gojira, Blake Eckard, and more!

The Real Best Pictures: Our Tops of 2024

The Take-Up — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 21:02:04 GMT

On the eve of Academy Awards weekend (which is how we celebrate in this house) The Take-Up pod has its final say on the best films of 2024. Andrew and Joshua countdown(-ish) their favs with an epic two-hour episode (supplementing their website's annual written celebration).

Far From Heaven

The Take-Up — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 17:30:53 GMT

The Take-Up Podcast returns with a spiffy new coat of colors in Todd Haynes' 2002 Douglas Sirk homage Far From Heaven. It's Joshua's pick for building a Take-Up permanent cinema of what made them film-lovers. He and Andrew discuss the Haynes canon, the Sirk canon, and coming out of the "Criterion Closet" in 2002. Alert to fans of stars Julianne Moore, Dennis Haysbert, Dennis Quaid (you exist?), and Viola Davis: your people are praised. Finally, the duo bring up One More Thing with returning favorite show Slow Horses and newcomer Netflix series Long Story Short.

Next week Andrew's gone country... or No Country For Old Men, that is, with his 2007 Coen Bros. cinephilic awakening.

No Country for Old Men

The Take-Up — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 17:38:11 GMT

Gather your bolt pistols and money satchels, friend-os! Andrew’s pick for the film that made him a cinephile is the Coen Brothers’ violent noir/western No Country for Old Men. He and Joshua partake in a ramble about evil, age, philosophy, movie tattoos, and most importantly, which one of them lost the most out of a coin toss (spoiler: it was Andrew). And then stayed tuned as they bring up One More Thing, going into the apocalyptic zoo novel The Island of Lost Things by Emma Sloley and the latest Big Thief album Double Infinity.

Next week, special guest and The Take-Up contributor Cliff Froelich guides the hosts out of the west and into the dark, scuzzy streets of 70s New York with Taxi Driver, the classic Scorsese thriller that led to Froelich’s own cinematic awakening. Let’s hope that was the only thing that movie inspired him to become.

Taxi Driver (with Cliff Froehlich)

The Take-Up — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 19:42:00 GMT

Buckle up for guest ⁠Cliff Froehlich⁠'s pick, Martin Scorsese's landmark 1976 film ⁠Taxi Driver⁠, with a hall-of-fame performance from Robert DeNiro. The great St. Louis film-scene leader guides Andrew and Josh through his cinematic upbringing in St. Louis and the morally murky streets of Scorsese's scuzzy NYC. Despite all that, do Andrew and Josh think Taxi Driver belongs in the Take-Up's pantheon? After they answer that burning question, they'll recommend One More Thing with Jia Zhang-ke's ⁠Caught by the Tides⁠, and Stephen King's ⁠From a Buick 8⁠.

Next week Andrew and Josh continue talking King, going long on the latest big-screen adaptation of his work, ⁠The Long Walk⁠.

The Long Walk

The Take-Up — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:36:25 GMT

Andrew and Josh marathon through their thoughts on the recent Stephen King adaptation, The Long Walk, going into discussions of King’s long history writing the novel, its connection to the Vietnam War/contemporary times, and its growing Conclave-esque fan reclamation. It turns out this small-scale thriller has more to offer than a depressing time. Then the duo continue their King talk with this week’s One More Thing, going into their picks for the most underrated Stephen King adaptations.

Next week, our hosts bring in Billy Rock from Do You Like Apples? to talk about his personal pick for the Take-Up’s Permanent Cinema, M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs. Remember to have a glass of water handy for this discussion.

Signs (with Billy Rock)

The Take-Up — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 17:26:17 GMT

From the moment Billy Rock of Do You Like Apples? watched Signs with his family as a kid, its themes on faith and dedication to genre thrills served as a starting point for his growing interest in films. Twenty years later, Rock brings the M. Night Shyamalan alien thriller to the Take-Up, where Josh and Andrew swing away with their own polarizing thoughts on its intrigue and M. Night’s up-and-down career. Don’t worry, the trio have more to say beyond aliens having a weakness to water and wooden doors.

Then, Josh and Andrew continue onto One More Thing, recommending local St. Louis pride event Tower Grove Pride (and a very groovy booth featured there) along with continuing their extraterrestrial talk with FX’s Alien: Earth.

Next week, bat an eyelash for our hosts going deep into One Battle After Another, PTA’s action-comedy-thriller that is quickly becoming one of the most acclaimed and talked about movies of the year.

Until then, read on at thetake-up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram, Twitter, Letterboxd, and Facebook. Special Thanks to Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch and contributor Ethan Tarantella. Theme music by AMP.

Suspiria (1977) (with Sarah Baraba and Keith Watson)

The Take-Up — Thu, 25 Dec 2025 17:03:48 GMT

As we here at the Take-Up wish everyone a happy holiday, we bring the gift of Keith Watson’s and Sarah Barabas’ pick of the week and iconic “wallpaper cinema,” Suspiria! As the Arkadin Cinema owners alongside Josh and Andrew wander down the vast candy-lit halls of this witchy giallo, raving over the fairy tale aesthetics, camp quality, dream logic, and how it all makes for a great date movie.

Completing this episode is a preview of the Arkadin’s “Weird Canadian” theme for next month, featuring some Cronenberg, Kids in the Hall and upcoming animated documentary Endless Cookie. Plus Josh and Andrew having One More Thing with hit HBO queer hockey drama Heated Rivalry and point-and-click murder mystery game The Séance of Blake Manor.

Next week, Josh and Andrew keep this macabre gift-giving, bringing in fellow Take-Up contributor/podcast editor Ethan Tarantella (you know, the guy who writes these episode synopses?) to discuss his own first kiss with cinema, which just so happens to be Luca Guadagnino’s 2018 remake of Suspiria. Witness your writer come out of the shadows to talk about a film that breaks the nose off of Argento’s original and replaces it with an uglier attack of the senses.

Suspiria (2018) (with Ethan Tarantella)

The Take-Up — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 19:39:07 GMT

Wishing everyone a happy New Year, Josh and Andrew purify 2026 with fellow contributor/podcast editor/synopsis writer/ZekeFilm writer Ethan Tarantella’s pick, Luca Guadagnino’s remake of Suspiria!

Prepare to have your head explode with an extended discussion ranging from the remake’s unrelenting arthouse madness, sociopolitical talk about 70s Berlin, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, witchcraft and dance, fascism, queer theory, acclaimed actor Lutz Ebersdorf, the way Dakota Johnson says “Ohio”, and much, much more. Give your soul to a movie so powerful, overwhelming, and crammed with ideas no wonder it's one of this writer’s favorite movies.

Complimenting this episode includes Ethan giving an impromptu Guadagnino ranking (can you guess where After the Hunt is?) and the trio having One More Thing, recommending Kinji Fukasaku’s Black Lizard, Hong Kong gangster film Exiled, along with recent shows The Chair Company, Women Wearing Shoulder Pads, and Haha, You Clowns.

Next week, friends of the Take-Up join Josh to discuss the best of 2025! Until then, read on at thetake-up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram, Twitter, Letterboxd, and Facebook. Special thanks to Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch and Contributor Ethan Tarantella. Theme music by AMP.

One Battle After Another

The Take-Up — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 20:12:38 GMT

Rise and Shine! What Time is It? Well, Comrades Josh and Andrew take a look at PTA’s explosive new thriller One Battle After Another. Together, they praise the film’s views on rebel militias, family, and the current political climate as well as gush over the comedy, the cast, a Support the Girls reunion, the rolling hills, and the Thomas Pynchon of it all. Then they'll have One More Thing about One Battle (and some other things too)!

The Films of 2025 (with Friends of The Take-Up)

The Take-Up — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 19:27:31 GMT

We're putting a big beautiful bold bow on the films of 2025 with a little help from our friends. Joshua talks to previous guests Elliott Collins of MovieFiles and Webster University Film Series Director Pete Timmermann about a few of their favorites from last year, and new-to-the-pod friends Taylor Blake of ZekeFilm.org and filmmaker Stephen Tronicek are on deck to discuss their choices. After that, Producer Ethan and Joshua count down their top 10 films of 2025.

Want a preview of the films discussed? Listen to find out who shares the critical love for The Mastermind and Sorry, Baby; and who's stumping for The Naked Gun; The Phoenician Scheme; and Resurrection. Of course, Joshua can't give quit ⁠The Secret Agent⁠, ⁠One Battle After Another⁠, and ⁠Misericordia⁠—all previously covered on the podcast.

On next week's episode, Andrew returns to expand upon Bi Gan's latest, the aforementioned mind-trip meta-movie Resurrection. Until then, read on at ⁠thetake-up.com⁠ and follow us @thetakeupstl on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Twitter⁠, ⁠Letterboxd⁠, and ⁠Facebook⁠. Special thanks to Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch and Contributor Ethan Tarantella. Theme music by AMP.

The Secret Agent (with Diane Carson)

The Take-Up — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 20:27:42 GMT

Film critic Dr. Diane Carson spills the beans on director Kleber Mendonça Filho’s latest political thriller The Secret Agent! Together with Josh and Andrew, the trio give praise to its pointed commentary on the Fifth Brazilian Republic and darkly comedic portrayal of a political refugee. Featuring a disembodied leg, Carnival, Mendonça's love of cinema, and so many other things, listen in on our hosts gushing over this wild thriller before it drops in theatres this Christmas.

Later, they make sure to have One More Thing to say about this year’s film turnout, recommending Bi-Gan’s upcoming sci-fi film Resurrection, last summer’s A24 horror film Bring Her Back, the Cannes Grand-Prix-winning family drama Sentimental Value, and 90’s Iraq period piece The President’s Cake.

Speaking of holidays, we here at The Take-Up decided to give our listeners the best fitting yuletide gifts of the season: Dancing! Goblin! The Color Red! Arkadin Cinema & Bar owners Keith Watson and Sarah Barabas come in to discuss their first love of cinema, the Italian horror classic Suspiria. Get cozy by the excessive amount of razor wire and grab a glass of blood-building wine for what will be a fun discussion on everyone’s favorite giallo fairy tale.

Gems of 2022: You Won't Be Alone (with Jessica Scott)

The Take-Up — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 12:00:00 GMT

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.

Cannes Winners: Brief Encounter

The Take-Up — Tue, 17 May 2022 17:12:22 GMT

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.

The New Black Film Canon: Black Girl

The Take-Up — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 20:00:52 GMT

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.

Golden Anniversaries: Buck and the Preacher (with Gerald Early)

The Take-Up — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 01:59:47 GMT

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.

Bonus: Film Criticism in Flyover Country

The Take-Up — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 20:22:33 GMT

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.

MFMY: 1980 and The Shining (with Katharine Coldiron)

The Take-Up — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 15:20:02 GMT

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.

Golden Anniversaries: Lady Sings the Blues (with Charles Taylor)

The Take-Up — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 16:11:41 GMT

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

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

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

Gems of '23: They Cloned Tyrone

The Take-Up — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 15:33:56 GMT

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.

'21 Films: Cusp

The Take-Up — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 14:00:00 GMT

Join The Lens critics for a spoiler-rich discussion of the doc Cusp, Kayla’s pick for an underseen film of 2021. Catch it on Showtime before you listen! First up, they discuss the two Webster Film Series programs highlighting Rock & Doris and Don Cheadle, the theatrical expansion of Drive My Car, and Sundance ‘22. This episode’s game finds Kayla and Andrew battling over who knows more about the documentaries of 2021. After that, Andrew loves Yellowjackets, Josh loves alphabetizing, and Kayla loves Charli XCX, who’s been invited on to discuss David Cronenberg. In two weeks, The Man in Room 6 filmmakers Trevor Juenger and Carrie Juenger join them to talk The Scary of the Sixty-First.

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