The Witterlist - 9th March 2018

Awards season is over, the prizes have been won and lost and the Oscar party hang overs have finally begun to subside. But the movie train just keeps on a-rollin', and Mark and Simon had a whole new slate of films to discuss on this week's show. Here, for your viewing pleasure, are the highlights.

If you've missed any of our recent shows or simply want to relive the highlights, you can find all of The Witterlists so far on the BBC's Wittertainment page:

This week, Simon spoke to Rooney Mara about her new film, Mary Magdalene. Re-teaming with her Lion director Garth Davis, Rooney plays the titular Mary in a film that hopes to redress the story of one of Jesus' closest acolytes, changing the perception of her from simply a prostitute saved by Christ to one of his key disciples.

Linking our interview to Mark's film of the week is Joaquin Phoenix; Jesus in Mary Magdalene and veteran Joe in Lynne Ramsay's new thriller, You Were Never Really Here. It's as intense and cinematic a film as you'd expect from Ramsay, arguably one of the most accomplished filmmakers working today.

David Oyelowo was on last week's show talking about Gringo, a film that Mark found to be not the most original, but a funny crime caper that does enough to keep you engaged.

Sweet Country is the new film from director Warwick Thornton, probably best known for 2009's Samson And Delilah. A film exploring deep-seated racism in the Northern Territories, this Australian Western won't make it into a lot of UK cinemas, but it's definitely worth tracking down if you can.

Less interesting and probably not worth seeking out is Wonder Wheel, the latest film whimpered into existence by Woody Allen. Juno Temple is good. Everything else, not so much.

And finally this week, there's new British comedy Walk Like A Panther. It made Mark laugh, but to be honest we don't expect that to be the case for anyone else (and we don't think he does either).

Next week it's all about desecrating areas of historic significance and stealing antiquities, as Alicia Vikander joins us to talk all about her new action extravaganza, Tomb Raider.

To get you warmed up for all that excitement, we leave you this week with Mark's dramatic retelling of the moment he finished watching You Were Never Really Here for the second time. Strap yourself in, it's going to be a wild ride...