Category: media

Where previous attempts to serve the one percent by showing new movies to them for a high price, a new venture may work because the founders have decades-long relationships in the industry – they’re not some random kids from Silicon Valley. One says, “We are a niche offering — I’m too old for disruption — but even if a studio makes $25 million to $50 million annually from us, that’s found money.” – The New York Times

At Madrid’s Film for Women Festival, three directors agree that quotas aren’t ideal, but they might be necessary right now. “At least until there is some equality. ‘Or better, let’s talk about equity,’ says [Argentinean director] Lorena Muñoz.” – El País (Spain)

Other than a fun lunkhead, Shazam – who, let’s just go for maximum confusing here, used to be called Captain Marvel – is one of comic books’ most important superheroes, historically speaking: “In his prime, he regularly outsold Superman and Batman. And he was the first comic book superhero to appear on film.” – The New York Times

What’s up with the terrible representation, TV? Of course, “the sexually manipulative bi character is not so unique,” but Villanelle, Frank Underwood, and Annalise Keating’s characters shade more into the diabolical. – BuzzFeed

Until very recently, you could start a Netflix video on your phone and then “cast” it to your Apple TV. Then, boom, it just … stopped working. That’s “a change Netflix says is due to “technical limitations” and not a business disagreement with Apple.” Hmmmm. – Variety

It’s been a long time coming for Coronation Street. “To many observers, the addition, while welcome, came astonishingly late for a show, known as ‘Corrie,’ that debuted in December 1960 and that has been watched by up to a third of the British public — including, reports say, Queen Elizabeth II.” – The New York Times

After four seasons, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is ending, but it began at a time when critics declared the TV musical utterly moribund after the decline and fall of Glee (and, earlier, Smash). But more than a little show that could, the wild plot and edgy comedy of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend got around certain issues with musicals and musical theatre by framing all of the music (150 original songs so far) as an imaginary therapeutic device for the main character, allowing her “to escape from her overwhelming emotions and her unfeeling family.” – The Atlantic

Terry Gilliam’s The Man Who Killed Don Quixote “has to be one of the unluckiest passion projects in history: In a three-decade stretch, Gilliam, now 78, endured several financing stops and starts, a rotating cast of committed and uncommitted cast members, and a brutal flash flood that wiped out an entire set. … In interviews, those who had stayed with Gilliam on this ride could be described as the director’s own Sancho Panzas: equal parts loyal and astounded that Gilliam kept pressing on, even under the most challenging circumstances.” – The New York Times

It’s Been a Minute isn’t a comedy show like Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me. Says co-founder and host Sam Sanders, “We kind of trick our listeners into thinking it’s like a little fun talk party but, like, no, we’re giving you a lot of news stories. It’s still journalism. We’re still storyboarding, we’re still researching, we’re still fact-checking.” – Current