You're spot on with "Bros". I honestly don't understand how a business that is supposed to be about creating profitable content is now obsessed with culture wars instead of making cash. This has to stop at some point. The only thing propping up the business is the tentpoles that don't push culture war stuff. Or at least don't shove it down the audience's throat.
What hurts with "Bros" is it gives the knee jerk "Comedy is dead" executives more clout in Hollywood. I don't have a problem with "Bros". It should be made. But it should not be some referendum on R-rated Comedies or comedy films in general. It also should not be a referendum on "Gay" movies.
I think back many decades ago to going to see The Birdcage with my boomer parents who loved it so much they saw it in the theater twice. Eichner acting like he cracked the glass ceiling was tone deaf. In fact, he seems more of a hinderance to the picture's success. If you release that movie with Neil Patrick Harris as the lead, it might have cracked 10 million.
But yeah, Hollywood has lost the thread. They used to be about box office. Now they care about woke inclusion optics and making sure the message meets the moment politically as long as they agree with the message.
How can they continue like this? It's not a sustainable business model. And I know from my own experiences that a lot of execs aren't putting the projects they want to make and believe in forward because of this crap.
The first studio that stands up (and I think it's Paramount) and just makes non political message movies that are entertaining for everyone is going to be the biggest on the block. Paramount should just put the pedal to the metal on that and let artists know you don't have to pander to the left to get a movie made here. They'll own the box office if they can do that.
And I'm sorry, because I love the guys earlier stuff, but Apatow deserves to take some losses with his overly political Twitter presence cosplaying as Rob Reiner Jr. If that man can't see the empire he built was based on movies with messages that are in conflict with his social justice warrior quest, he's blind. He cashed in on those kind of movies and now that he has a mountain of money he has found religion? Please. Spare us all. And Uni should think twice before they let him do anything else that has a social justice slant to it. The public doesn't want it. Make a funny movie for everyone again Judd. If you still can.
Love everything you write, Sasha. Devour every word of common sense. In a world of gibberish, you cut through the clutter. Thank you for leading the parade.
I love this. I haven't paid to subscribe yet (because I'm over my budget already on Substacks), but I enjoyed this greatly. I want desperately to support more independent thinkers and writers.
I had to put down your new book "Bad News" yesterday so I could review your "Short Takes on the News."
My wife and I want to thank you for introducing us to the Early American and Frontier Patriot YouTube channels, and "The Fabelmans" Official Trailer.
Your inclusion of the bar graph showing how much support by Hispanics the Democrats have lost and Republicans have gained in so short a time was amazing, as well as your graphic showing the most recent number of viewers for each of the cable news channels. All much appreciated.
Great, Sasha. Would love to see a few more links to what each of your topics are - ie. I just had to look up what Bros was - often cultural idiot that I am. So, for example on Bros, link to trailer or news link on “homophobic” backlash. The best recap news Substacks always provide links to source for background and context.
That said, I would read you if just writing Craigslist ad posts... :)
Re: Hollywood Makes the New McCarthyism Official... Disney, being the strongest enforcer should implement similar clauses on their executives too. That will never happen!
I like this a lot. I don't feel I have to take it all in at one sitting. It's something I can come back to again and again. Loved the chicken cooking segment. Will come back later for the eating. Fablemans looks really good and I'm so glad to hear that it's not woke. Thanks for the tip on Taibbi and Kirn. I subscribe to Taibbi but haven't watched the segments with Kirn. Will do so now. This is all good info, useful and easy to digest.
Excellent format! I don't often have time to read long articles so I can pick & choose after reading your synopsis & opinion. Keep it up!
If you write it, I will read it!
Love this, Sasha!
You're spot on with "Bros". I honestly don't understand how a business that is supposed to be about creating profitable content is now obsessed with culture wars instead of making cash. This has to stop at some point. The only thing propping up the business is the tentpoles that don't push culture war stuff. Or at least don't shove it down the audience's throat.
What hurts with "Bros" is it gives the knee jerk "Comedy is dead" executives more clout in Hollywood. I don't have a problem with "Bros". It should be made. But it should not be some referendum on R-rated Comedies or comedy films in general. It also should not be a referendum on "Gay" movies.
I think back many decades ago to going to see The Birdcage with my boomer parents who loved it so much they saw it in the theater twice. Eichner acting like he cracked the glass ceiling was tone deaf. In fact, he seems more of a hinderance to the picture's success. If you release that movie with Neil Patrick Harris as the lead, it might have cracked 10 million.
But yeah, Hollywood has lost the thread. They used to be about box office. Now they care about woke inclusion optics and making sure the message meets the moment politically as long as they agree with the message.
How can they continue like this? It's not a sustainable business model. And I know from my own experiences that a lot of execs aren't putting the projects they want to make and believe in forward because of this crap.
The first studio that stands up (and I think it's Paramount) and just makes non political message movies that are entertaining for everyone is going to be the biggest on the block. Paramount should just put the pedal to the metal on that and let artists know you don't have to pander to the left to get a movie made here. They'll own the box office if they can do that.
And I'm sorry, because I love the guys earlier stuff, but Apatow deserves to take some losses with his overly political Twitter presence cosplaying as Rob Reiner Jr. If that man can't see the empire he built was based on movies with messages that are in conflict with his social justice warrior quest, he's blind. He cashed in on those kind of movies and now that he has a mountain of money he has found religion? Please. Spare us all. And Uni should think twice before they let him do anything else that has a social justice slant to it. The public doesn't want it. Make a funny movie for everyone again Judd. If you still can.
Love everything you write, Sasha. Devour every word of common sense. In a world of gibberish, you cut through the clutter. Thank you for leading the parade.
I love this. I haven't paid to subscribe yet (because I'm over my budget already on Substacks), but I enjoyed this greatly. I want desperately to support more independent thinkers and writers.
These short takes are great, easy to read news summaries. I love the way you tie-in interesting and relevant events. Awesome edition to your Substack.
I had to put down your new book "Bad News" yesterday so I could review your "Short Takes on the News."
My wife and I want to thank you for introducing us to the Early American and Frontier Patriot YouTube channels, and "The Fabelmans" Official Trailer.
Your inclusion of the bar graph showing how much support by Hispanics the Democrats have lost and Republicans have gained in so short a time was amazing, as well as your graphic showing the most recent number of viewers for each of the cable news channels. All much appreciated.
Your new experiment is a keeper Sasha.
I like the short takes, yes!
I enjoyed it and would like more please.
Great, Sasha. Would love to see a few more links to what each of your topics are - ie. I just had to look up what Bros was - often cultural idiot that I am. So, for example on Bros, link to trailer or news link on “homophobic” backlash. The best recap news Substacks always provide links to source for background and context.
That said, I would read you if just writing Craigslist ad posts... :)
Good writing — keep writing
Sasha, you're on fire. I'm really enjoying all of your work.
Re: Hollywood Makes the New McCarthyism Official... Disney, being the strongest enforcer should implement similar clauses on their executives too. That will never happen!
This is terrific.
This rules. Keep it coming
I like this a lot. I don't feel I have to take it all in at one sitting. It's something I can come back to again and again. Loved the chicken cooking segment. Will come back later for the eating. Fablemans looks really good and I'm so glad to hear that it's not woke. Thanks for the tip on Taibbi and Kirn. I subscribe to Taibbi but haven't watched the segments with Kirn. Will do so now. This is all good info, useful and easy to digest.