About this episode

The hosts discuss the pros and cons of modern movies and TV, exploring how the current landscape affects storytelling and audience engagement.

It was bound to happen eventually, right? As longtime cinephiles (and, sure, a little snobby about it), we finally turn our attention to the state of modern movies and TV. On this episode, we dive into what today’s film and streaming landscape gets right—and where it leaves us scratchin’ our heads. There’s a lot to love: the convenience of firing up a movie at home without tracking down a physical copy, and shorter streaming seasons with storylines that actually pay off. But not everything gets a pass. The success of a crowd-pleasing, throwback film like Project Hail Mary comes with a demanding two and a half hour runtime. And how did we end up in a world where every cast feels like a superhero reunion? (“Wait… is that Killmonger and Electro starring in a courtroom drama with Captain Marvel?”) Along the way, we ask some bigger questions. How has second screening changed the way we engage with movies and TV—and even how they’re made? Are filmmakers and showrunners now compensating for a distracted, at-home audience? And would ambitious, big-budget shows like Severance and The Last of Us even exist without the rise of streaming platforms?

Topics covered

• modern movies
• TV shows
• streaming
• film industry
• audience engagement

Keywords

• cinephiles
• streaming platforms
• second screening
• big-budget shows

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Project Hail Mary, Severance, The Last of Us

Books & works: Project Hail Mary, Severance, The Last of Us

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