The Hollywood Read

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Franchises No One Asked For feat. Robin Hood and Lisbeth Salander Nov 29, 2018

Show notes

A couple of recent franchise non-starters lead us to discuss the Hollywood franchise machine and why it mostly doesn't work (except for Marvel). We dive into Robin Hood and The Girl in the Spider's Web to look at why it's so hard to launch a franchise and all the ways these movies demonstrate the dangers of franchise filmmaking. Hint: You can't launch a franchise if your movie sucks. Also, why Robin Hood doesn't work as a modern parable, and the variable appeal of Scandi Noir and whether or not Lisbeth Salander can be saved from Hollywood's clutches.

Here is Sarah's review of The Girl in the Spider's Web: https://www.laineygossip.com/girl-in-the-spiders-web-starring-claire-foy-movie-review/51304

And here is Kayleigh opining on Ben Mendelsohn's gig as Hollywood's favorite evil bureaucrat: http://www.pajiba.com/film_reviews/how-ben-mendelsohn-became-the-smarmy-middle-manager-villain-of-hollywood-blockbusters.php?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

One correction: Your Highness is not a Seth Rogen movie, it's by David Gordon Green.

Widows, Box Office, And That Dumb Popular Oscar Idea Nov 22, 2018

Show notes

Steve McQueen's new film, Widows, is not performing well at the box office, which could doom its Oscar hopes. It shouldn't! But it does! Because the Oscars are ridiculous and only getting more so as the Academy tries to find ways to combat the slipping ratings which are still really high. This week Kayleigh Donaldson and Sarah Marrs discuss Widows, the Oscars, that proposed "popular Oscar" category everyone is ready to throw out of a moving car, and how box office and popularity impact award campaigns. So join us for the first in a series of discussions about the upcoming Oscars and how they will be different from any previous Oscars ceremony. Also: GO SEE WIDOWS.

Kayleigh's Widows review can be found here: http://www.pajiba.com/film_reviews/an-ode-to-the-women-of-widows.php

Sarah's Widows review can be found here: https://www.laineygossip.com/tiff-review-steve-mcqueens-widows/50823

Yell at Kayleigh here: @Ceilidhann

And yell at Sarah here: @Cinesnark

The Hollywood Chrises Nov 14, 2018

Show notes

It's the eternal internet debate--who is the best Chris? What does it mean when four dudes named Chris dominate Hollywood? What does it say about who is making movies, the kind of movies they're making, and the narratives they're selling? And in a post-Movie Star world, how have the Chrises built such megawatt careers? Film and pop culture writers Kayleigh Donaldson and Sarah Marrs examine the Hollywood Chrises and decide which Chris is Best Chris for 2018. (Hint: Definitely not Pratt.) Join us for the first episode of The Hollywood Read!

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