Best of 2021

For over a decade, the sharp, often delightfully cantankerous voice of film critic Mark Kermode has been a fixture on the airwaves alongside the seasoned broadcaster Simon Mayo. Their weekly conversation, captured in Kermode and Mayo's Film Review, is less a formal critique and more a lively, informed, and frequently hilarious debate about the latest cinematic releases. This BBC Radio 5 Live podcast delivers the full, unfiltered experience of their radio segment, where passionate opinions on blockbusters, indie darlings, and everything in between are delivered with wit and deep knowledge. Listeners are dropped directly into the heart of their dynamic, hearing Kermode's famously detailed dissections-complete with trademark rants about shaky-cam or his beloved horror films-met by Mayo's perfectly pitched questions and more measured reflections. It’s the feeling of eavesdropping on two friends who happen to be experts, arguing and laughing about the magic and missteps of modern filmmaking. The charm of this podcast lies in its consistency and chemistry; you tune in not just for the verdicts, but for the familiar rhythms of their partnership, the listener emails, and the shared joy (or despair) about the state of the movies. Whether you agree with Mark's scorching takedowns or his rare, effusive five-star recommendations, the discussion is always engaging and thoroughly human.