Film and Episodic Content Discussion Thread

when i worked for Amazon's Fire TV division, this had just come out. It was taken very seriously, and was super hush-hush when it was being developed.

but the utter, disastrous failure of it critically--and what Amazon really cares ab: its streaming metrics--were so bad we had an informal policy not to mention it once it hit the platform--It wasn't brought up in meetings, which was certainly abnormal for a release of its scope and size.

I was in charge of email there, and aside from the run-up, we didn't even make a big deal ab it when it was out, I think we cared more ab the Spiderverse TVOD release than that 1B$ monstrosity. My coworkers didn't even watch it lol.

 

As someone kind of in the business (more on the indie side, aka the people who need day jobs in between gigs), and who gets wind of some inner workings, the writer's guild leadership is completely out of control... the major sticking point and why the studios told them to f**k off was this "minimum staffing" agreement nonsense. For those who don't know, most every TV show has a "writer's room", where writers are hired and led by a "showrunner" to pump out stories and scripts for the show. What the guild wants is a minimum number of writers hired for these rooms (I think 6 or 7). This is a horrible horrible very bad no good idea for the following reasons:

1. It forces showrunners and studios to hire people they don't want and will be forced to pay (some showrunners don't even use writers and write every episode themselves aka Mike White/The White Lotus, etc, you're gonna force them to start hiring unneeded staff?)
2. It will create resentment in these writer's rooms, as writers who were hired for "quotas" are given nothing to do, and probably treated like shit, since they are not wanted in the first place
3. Eventually these people may even be blacklisted entirely

You don't need 7 writers to create an 8 episode season of television. Back when they were doing 22 episodes and needed the manpower, sure. But now? f**k no. One writer can handle it. And many showrunners are choosing to do it all themselves anyway (Nic Pizzallato, Taylor Sheridan, Mike White, etc).

Pissed off top showrunners like Taylor Sheridan (showrunner of the most successful show on TV right now, Yellowstone) and Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story, etc) are already throwing their weight around, the gist being that these people are independent entities who dictate their own creative process and don't want to be forced to hire people they don't want.

The guild essentially wants UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME for writers. And Hollywood is not the place for that. It's a chaotic caste system, a giant club of buddy buddy rich people who hire each other because "better the devil you know", and legitimately talented people are passed over for jobs constantly. Why do you think you see so much garbage get shoveled through these streaming services and movie theaters? Hacks run that town because they're pals with JJ Abrams and <insert successful producer/filmmaker> who probably likes hiring his hack friends because he will stand out as more talented.

The writers and actors do have a legit reason to strike though because pay has definitely gone down over the years, and also this A.I. situation, which is a legit threat to creativity and jobs.

But the studios I'm sure are trying to clean house of writers who they don't want to pay anymore (many deals were cancelled after 90 days because of force majeure or something). Yeah Hollywood is poorer overall, but that's because they've spent decades indulging hack "creatives" and slowly ruining their brands. Star Wars is a worthless franchise at this point and Marvel isn't far behind. Pretty much any known, popular IP is worthless at this point unless you are James Cameron. Hollywood only has themselves to blame for this. You cannot churn out garbage for decades and expect to retain a loyal consumer base. Especially when people have so many other options to entertain themselves like youtube, instagram, tik tok, etc. or just choose to pirate because the economy has wrecked their disposable income. This isn't even getting into the socio-political dumpster fire of Hollywood humiliating and demonizing males in entertainment. Whether you agree with this or not, you cannot piss off half your consumer base and expect profit.

And they're still paying David Zaslav (the head of WB) a quarter of a billion in salary. You don't get to plead poverty and do things like that.

 

This is exactly what I'm talking about when I said:

Do you know why Amazon LOTR tanked and was so awful? Because they hired a couple of FIRST TIME SHOWRUNENRS. They literally handed a billion dollar budgeted show over to a couple first timers (who had been writing in the biz for 10 years, but never showrun anything). Why? Because they were pals with JJ Abrams who recommended them for the gig. LMAO. This is Hollywood in a nutshell and why their brands are completely worthless now.

 

Just saw the latest MISSION IMPOSSIBLE. I've never seen an emptier, more assaultive film. If you want a summary of everything that's totally fucked about American cinema, just watch this film. I must single out the soundtrack as the worst of the many bad things; it never stops pounding. Even with earplugs it was borderline unbearable.

I'll never get those 3 hours back. Only went because a friend asked me to, and dearly wish I'd said no...

 

With Netflix i feel the need to get a smaller tv so i can still see what's going on while reading subtitles. English, Dutch and a bit of German is enough for me i don't feel like learning Spanish as well.

 

imo, Nederlandian is in between Dyotich an Anglish, could see u learning German a lot easier than most english speakers. Spanish is a wild card lol.

edit: oh shit, im in the tv & movies thread--my b. *taylor swift singing voice* I will never, ever watch Mission Impossible VII or whatever number they're on now.

and still on the hunt for a good show, after colt and others repped Severance again, I tried ep. 2 & 3 but it still didn't whet my whistle for more.

 

Yup, I actually did not like that latest, despite the fact that everyone and their grandma is slobbing its knob. I actually found it tedious despite all the action. It was basically MI: Greatest Hits. There wasn't anything we hadn't seen before, besides THE BIG STUNT, and I'll give Cruise credit for having the balls to do stuff like that without a double. But the film was agonizingly long, with so many awkward moments, dialogue that was waaaaay overwritten, actions sequences that were stretched beyond common sense. Just a big bore-fest for me.

The last one (Fallout) was actually great. But MI really needs to move past Christopher Mcquarrie... the movies have been way too dark, bloated, pompous and self serious. I actually think Brad Bird made the perfect MI film (Ghost Protocol), as it had the right mix of serious/fun. Mcquarrie's films are too far up their own ass. We need to get back to fun MI films that aren't trying to be the Godfather of action movies.

 

Props to you for having a "Taylor Swift singing voice" (few do).

If you get Prime Video, I can recommend 2 series that are dark as f**k, tense, well-made:

• THE CONSULTANT
• THE DEVIL'S HOUR

The former (a somewhat inconsistent but original satire of corporate life) has Christopher Waitz in the title role, so there's that.

The latter has maybe the creepiest role for a child actor that I've ever seen, and Jessica Raine is dazzling in a complex role.

I've stalled out on both series, but that's because of idiosyncratic/personal reasons, not a shortfall of quality in either.

While I'm thinking about it, another Prime production that really impressed me was HOMECOMING (1st season only, though; 2nd season falls off quite a bit IMO). Julia Roberts & Robert Canavale are at the top of their considerable acting abilities in this one, and the plot is ingenious, different.

 

When I posted my very negative feelings about this film last night, I avoided getting into the many specific things about it that bothered me. But you really covered all the bases in your post just now...

You're so right about the dialogue. Over and over again in this turgid, over-long thing, a bunch of these self-ordained mythic characters stand around bouncing lines at each other, minute after minute. Each line is spoken in isolation with no one interrupting or commenting over it. Please! These talky scenes play like an afternoon talk show on Mt. Olympus. And it's painfully obvious that they're simple expository place-holders to give everyone a breather between the mega-action sequences (which go on forever).

The older this series gets, the more autohagiographic it becomes. This is secular action elevated to near-religious/cult status. To really join the fun of this 7-movie series, one has to know the names and back-stories of all the characters; and their assigned roles in this mythic MI firmament. This is too much like needing to know the names of the 12 apostles in order to "get" the Last Supper.

 

Just got back from seeing OPPENHEIMER, and all I have to say at this time is that there are sequences in that movie that are more thrilling, riveting and gut wrenching than anything in the new Mission Impossible film... it's a film that earned its 3 hour running time, as opposed to MI: Greatest Hits.

 

I started up Strange New Worlds based on some recommendations here. Enjoying some modern TNG

Also, the third season of The Orville was pretty solid IMO. Little rough around the edges, but good stuff for those that enjoyed the TNG era.

 

you're comparing your old 4-45 to an off-brand dongle tho...

 

I’ve been enjoying Strange New Worlds also @M3NTAL

Last night I watched the first ep of Hijack with Idris Elba. It was decent but I am concerned this will be a slow-as-molasses series that could be condensed. I will give it a chance.

Thanks for the note about Oppenheimer @ColtMrFire I think I will need to skip work one day to go see this. Do you have any thoughts about whether or not to make an effort to see it in 70mm film?

 

this was one of my favorite netflix throwaways:

https://www.netflix.com/title/80222802

only one season.

 

I tried getting tix for the IMAX here in Austin but all shows have been sold out. It sucks because Austin used to have one of the few remaining 70mm IMAX screens in the country until they ditched it a few years ago for dual laser projection. But it's still supposed to be great and better than LIEMAX.

If you can track down ANY 70mm showing you should always do it as the resolution destroys anything digital right now.

Oh and Hijack is decent, but way too many "WTF, would never happen, stupid people" etc moments.

 

It sure didn't look like a throwaway while I was watching it. I thought it was a terrific show & assumed it was a lock for a 2nd season. I figured wrong.

Until Netflix boinked ARCHIVE81 I didn't much care about them dumping shows. But that one really pissed me off. The 3 lead actors aced their roles. Plus it's priceless to see Martin Donovan go into full creepy bad guy mode (the man looks like a hostile sociopath...it's a gift).

 

Ha! I meant throwaway as in, Netflix just threw it away. There were times where it was a bit obvious you're watching a podcast/radio drama but it was excellent, nonetheless.