Do you have streaming amnesia?
And new hit show breaks HBO record
What to know
Streaming services have a “recall” problem… Here’s an interesting finding by Puck: According to a new survey, viewers can’t seem to remember what shows are on what streamers — even after they’ve watched them. Like some kind of streaming amnesia. That’s not great for the platforms who are trying to build brands, attract new subscribers, and then retain them. Personally, I don’t have this issue, but not everyone is reading the trades every day. Of note, people can recall what shows are Disney and Netflix just fine, it’s the rest of the field that’s muddy. If streamers like HBO/Discovery, Paramount+, Peacock, Amazon, Apple, and Hulu hope to distinguish themselves, they better work on this. Cause right now many of them are trying to be everything to everyone and I wonder if that’s making an impression. 🤔
/Film: “Avatar is impressive, but Skinamarink is on the real frontier of filmmaking”… Compelling opinion piece about what makes the viral, ultra-low budget horror film so revolutionary — especially in comparison to perhaps the most expensive movie of all time. Also compelling, Way of Water passing $2B worldwide, becoming the sixth movie ever to do so. Half of those six, by the way, were made by James Cameron and 4 feature Zoe Saldana. 🎥
Kevin Feige doesn’t think audiences will ever tire of superhero movies… Of course, he doesn’t. That would be like a dairy farmer worrying about people growing tired of cheese. But for Feige’s sake, audiences better not get superhero exhaustion, cause then he’d be out of a job. 🦸🏻
Brandon Cronenberg debuts NC-17 cut of Infinity Pool at Sundance, featuring Alexander Skarsgard naked and breastfeeding… Never a dull moment on Alexander Skarsgard’s IMDB page. 😮
Amy Poehler and Aubrey Plaza revive Parks and Rec characters on SNL… I’m so glad this wasn’t a Super Bowl commercial. Looking at you Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul. 🗽
The Last of Us breaks HBO record for viewership growth between eps 1 and 2… Word of mouth on the new hit drama is spreading like, well, a fungal pandemic. 🍄
Fox Searchlight buys Ben Platt mockumentary Theater Camp for $10M, will release it in theaters… Theater kids in theaters, what a time to be alive. 🎭
Zack Snyder’s Netflix sci-fi epic Rebel Moon will now be two movies… Does Zack Snyder know how to make cuts when editing? Just wondering. 🚀
Ben Affleck’s Nike/Air Jordan movie, co-starring he and Matt Damon, coming to theaters April 5… The boys are back! Put some air in your pumps. 👟
Stage adaptation of Room coming to Broadway… Sounds like a fun, uplifting night out at the theater. 🙃
Girls Trip 2 going to Ghana, full cast returning… That ought to make a ton of money. 🇬🇭
Violent Night 2 in the works… He’s making a list and he’s checking it twice. 🎅🏻
What’s new
Wolf Pack — Jan 26 | Paramount+ drama series | 🍅
Poker Face — Jan 26 | Peacock mystery comedy series | 🍅
Shotgun Wedding — Jan 27 | Amazon comedy action film | 🍅 44%
Shrinking — Jan 27 | Apple dramedy series | 🍅 83%
You People — Jan 27 | Netflix comedy film | 🍅 27%
Returning: How I Met Your Father s2
What to watch
The less you know about the real Chippendales story the better with Hulu miniseries Welcome to Chippendales. Stay off Wikipedia and even IMDB when you fire up episode one. If you can fight those temptations, you’ll be rewarded with the violent, shocking, twisty, and tragic rise and fall of an iconic American brand, one that was notably invented by an immigrant. Showrunner Robert Siegel takes us on a roller coaster of the bold and the bawdy, complete with the triumphant highs of entrepreneurial and artistic success and the inevitable lows that come with corruption, anger, greed, and jealousy. Think Hulu label-mate The Dropout, or films like The Wolf of Wall Street and The Social Network; this is that kind of story. All 8 scripts are propulsive and pulpy in the best way, but don’t skimp on thematic content or heavier issues. This story is rich with gender, racial, and sexual politics, that while heavy handed at times, are thoroughly explored via this explosive true tale. And then there’s the A+ cast. Kumail Nanjiani anchors the show, revealing sides of his talent we’ve never seen before but always knew were there, and notable actors Dan Stevens, Annaleigh Ashford, Murray Bartlett, Juliette Lewis, Andrew Rannells, and Robin de Jesús—all of whom could headline their own show—are here together like some TV supergroup. On top of that, director Matt Shakman (WandaVision) sets the scope with mood lighting and trademark visual fare. Hulu has become so great at making this type of miniseries, may it never stop.
For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!