Open Thread: Patreon Mailbag (December 2024)
Added 2024-12-09 17:07:04 +0000 UTCHi Patrons!
One or more of our next few After Dark episodes will likely feature listener mail. Have any questions/suggested topics? Let us know in the comments below.
Also: If we didn't get to your question last time around, you are welcome to re-post them. Thanks, as always, for your support.
Comments
Have you guys seen the new AI Coca Cola Christmas ad? It’s scary that a big corporation has already started using generative AI to replace one of their flagship ad campaigns. It also looks terrible and I’m surprised Coca Cola chose to run it when it looks so low effort.
Austin Smith
2024-12-25 18:59:12 +0000 UTCYou guys need to discuss the AI assisted remaster of Interstella 5555.
Steven Kennick
2024-12-17 20:44:23 +0000 UTCWhat the heck happened to Rick and Morty? For three seasons it was peak cultural relevance, and then it’s like society as a whole decided to stop caring about it. You guys even praised it as some of the best sci-if comedy out there. What happened?
Steven Kennick
2024-12-14 14:51:38 +0000 UTCI’ve recently listened to an old after dark way back around the time Jeff was moving to Denver. He was selling a bbq pit online only for the buyer to convince him to keep it and offered to teach him how to fully utilise the pit. Whatever came off that? Are you now a master of smoked meats?
Redzuan Megat
2024-12-13 01:39:11 +0000 UTCper your recommendation, i watched and fairly enjoyed The Franchise. i gather the satire is spot on, but on the other hand, it felt largely inside baseball to me. i get the sense that one character is supposed to be a chris pratt type. and the studio guy is a kevin feige send up, but as a casual marvel watcher, i cant really tell how true-to-life it is. did kevin feige freak out on stage at comicon or something? i'd love to get more insight on some less obvious specifics the show is making fun of.
Del Nakamura
2024-12-12 15:54:21 +0000 UTCMy thoughts are that it features possibly the single most unbelievable lead protagonist in film history
Mark P
2024-12-11 02:57:07 +0000 UTCIf you could redo one TV Show or Movie with a different take, what would it be and what's the take? I just watched Preacher and while not necessarily bad, it's not the take of the source material I would have done.
Matt Batterman
2024-12-11 01:51:17 +0000 UTCThat's hilarious. My sister had the same experience with "The Sixth Sense," because she knew Bruce Willis's character was dead before she even saw the movie. I asked her if someone spoiled it for her, and she said, "Yeah, the trailer. It plays every other commercial break, and the little kid tells Bruce Willis, 'I see dead people.' I don't understand that people didn't realize that from the beginning." I was like, "now that you say that, the kid definitely says that in the trailer directly to Bruce Willis..." lol
Sarah T.
2024-12-11 00:37:45 +0000 UTCA lot has been made about the decline of sex in film. Would you like to see more sex in films or is the current level of sex just perfect? Jeff, you first.
I like drawing pigeons
2024-12-11 00:30:30 +0000 UTCI’d love to see a Filmcast “Cribs” edition to see what all of your home studio setups look like. Show off your tech and/or any knick knacks around your studio/office. Just your office areas, not your entire home.
Dave Godlewski
2024-12-10 16:01:12 +0000 UTCFavorite film made before your birth date?
joshua sroufe
2024-12-10 16:00:33 +0000 UTCSerious question: If you had to recast a film with Muppets (but leave one human actor), which film would you choose and who would be the remaining actor?
Larissa Sousa
2024-12-10 15:09:37 +0000 UTCI normally do google but there are some slashfilm links that don’t work anymore
Nick
2024-12-10 14:57:39 +0000 UTCI google the filmcast then the movie title and it usually pops up
Wil Johnson
2024-12-10 14:09:32 +0000 UTCWould he the worst topic imaginable for them to discuss…
Wil Johnson
2024-12-10 14:07:51 +0000 UTCWhat We Do in the Shadows wraps up the series finale next week. Would be a fun episode to hear y’all talk about the show again as I know everyone is a fan.
Wil Johnson
2024-12-10 14:03:56 +0000 UTCWhat are some good books you've been reading lately ? (Could be fiction, non fiction, comics, manga...)
Paul Landriau
2024-12-10 12:15:39 +0000 UTCJeff what equipment is in your home theater. Like what projector and receiver
Sal Monardo
2024-12-10 11:38:20 +0000 UTCJacob I feel seen. Thank you 🥰😂
Sal Monardo
2024-12-10 11:37:10 +0000 UTCMy kids have watched Home Alone every Xmas since 2019 when they were 5 and 3. This year they were able to watch it with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conducting the score. Cool experience!
Mark P
2024-12-10 08:06:41 +0000 UTCI've had it where "the twist" I didn't so much guess but didn't realize to others that was a huge twist at the time. I watched it for the first time I think last year but the big reveal in 1992's The Crying Game that I had recollections of people being shocked and thought it was a great reveal, i literally clocked right away as just a detail about someone. Then I got to the end of the movie and thought "wait, what was the twist?" only to read later this non thing was the twist.
Jacob Chimilar
2024-12-10 07:05:56 +0000 UTC1.5x on tv and movies at home through VLC or browser extension, 2x on podcasts and YouTube.
Jacob Chimilar
2024-12-10 06:54:25 +0000 UTCHey, I'm glad you liked it! (I was the one who made the mastups, and send in more after) devindra pretty flatly stated he's not a games on the podcast guy so I don't see that coming back.
Jacob Chimilar
2024-12-10 06:52:58 +0000 UTCOh man, my parents can be like this. They'll talk over stuff the movie about unrelated things, or look at their phone for a minute or two during key points. Or they will get up to go do something and I'll have to say, wait 10 seconds... Okay now go.
Jacob Chimilar
2024-12-10 06:50:00 +0000 UTCDave has said a few times that he doesn't really want to do that as the show has evolved over time and doesn't really want the older stuff mixed into the feed. Slashfilm.com is really your best bet.
Jacob Chimilar
2024-12-10 06:42:16 +0000 UTCThis is a great question
Asher Maitin
2024-12-10 06:26:59 +0000 UTCI would love the hear the crew's thoughts on the travesty known as Dear Santa on Paramount+. It takes an odd turn 3/4ths in.
Loren Morris
2024-12-10 05:32:24 +0000 UTCNot sure if this counts as a whole theme, but the vocals from Paul’s Dream from the Dune films seems to have wormed its way into the pop culture lexicon (no pun intended): https://youtu.be/DTdVqm6juQQ?si=ZoRxD-nkw4iVw5vJ
Rob
2024-12-10 05:21:05 +0000 UTCWill there be a review/mention of the 10th anniversary rerelease of Interstellar, and as a bonus: have your opinions changed on the movie since 2/3 of you have become dads?
Rob
2024-12-10 05:16:47 +0000 UTCDoes Jeff find that the strong MAGA support from the NFL and the WWE effects his enjoyment of those things?
Stranger2Reality
2024-12-09 21:17:30 +0000 UTCJust wondering if Jeff ever got around the watching Meru? It's the climbing documentary that I thought fit his very particular kink. I think Dave and Jeff both said they were planning on watching it on an After Dark a few months ago. It's one of my favorite documentaries, and would love to hear what you guys have to say about it.
Nathaniel St. Clair
2024-12-09 21:12:55 +0000 UTCI've been spending a lot of time watching and rewatching Dungeons & Dragons content, from Critical Role to Honor Among Thieves, as I prepare to possibly dive back into the hobby for the first time in many years. Jeff, are there any plans to revive Dungeon Run (one of my favorites) or to create any other D&D-type content in the future?
the_daemon_cat
2024-12-09 20:48:53 +0000 UTCOther than James Cameron’s Avatar, what are some movies you love that don’t have enough of a cultural footprint? I just saw the Sugarland Express for the first time and was amazed that it doesn’t get talked about as one of Spielberg’s many great films.
Eric Johnson
2024-12-09 20:42:12 +0000 UTCHow does one join the Slack channel? Not that I need another distraction, but I’d love to connect with other TheFilmcasters
Derek Cheng
2024-12-09 20:08:58 +0000 UTCTo touch on your discussion of Bluesky from a few weeks ago, I think that the meme fallout of the catching of the CEO shooter today is the first 'real-time-event' that I've seen be successfully and organically followed on the app.
Sean Fitzpatrick
2024-12-09 20:05:59 +0000 UTCI'm curious how each of you would describe the defining theme or feel of the movies being made in the 2020s so far and what you expect the rest of the decade to be like, compared to past decades. For example, the 80s had a distinct vibe of optimism and blockbuster spectacle, while the 90s often explored grittier realism and self-aware storytelling. What would you say is shaping the identity of the 2020s in cinema? How might future audiences look back and characterize this decade's movies?
Nathan Freier
2024-12-09 19:58:35 +0000 UTCWhat’s your favorite villain as the protagonist movies/shows? Do you have any feelings about this type of story? It seems like there’s always people that take the wrong lessons from this. Joker and Death Note come to mind. My personal favorite is There Will Be Blood. Outside of people saying “I drink your milkshake”, I don’t think anybody wants to be like Daniel Plainview.
Danny Champlin
2024-12-09 19:43:37 +0000 UTCIm a sucker for a good needle drop, especially when it is a song I like used in a fitting scene. In the last week I have seen two different shows where one of my all time favourite songs starts playing, and it hypes me so much up, and they cut it right before it gets good or worse, just play like a couple of seconds. The last two examples are the penguin with the cures «a forest» and English teacher with MGMT - little dark age. Why do shows even use licenced songs when they are just going to play the tinies bit of the intro? For the people who are not familliar with the song it would probably be enough with some way cheaper sample with kind off the same vibes. But I end up just feeling blue balled from the whole scene and very mildly annoyed for a couple hours after. Its like using welcome to the jungle in the climax of a fun action movie, but stop right before the main riff.
Henrik St
2024-12-09 19:35:08 +0000 UTCGreat question
April Reid
2024-12-09 19:31:10 +0000 UTCAny chance patreons can have an easy way to access ALL episodes? There are movies I am finally getting around to and am unable to find episodes if they are too old.
Nick
2024-12-09 19:21:09 +0000 UTCDo any of you still read comic books? If so what are some of your current favorite titles?
Alan Alvarez
2024-12-09 19:13:56 +0000 UTCHow do you guys find the time to watch all the content you review? Also, does being a critic adversely affect your enjoyment of TV/movies? For example, I enjoyed Red One, even though I know it isn't a good movie. It was a fun watch.
Jerry Mudd
2024-12-09 19:11:49 +0000 UTCHave any of you seen a movie that had a plot point or twist that you didn't recognize or understand until you talked to someone else or read about it? (And I don't mean movies that are intentionally ambiguous, confusing, or obtuse, like "Inception"). It happened to me with "Adaptation," one of my all-time favorite movies (spoiler alert, I guess, but it's 23 years old). I immediately understood that the movie "Charlie" was writing was the actual movie I was watching, but I didn't realize (until I was discussing it with a friend) that, when the movie starts getting totally bonkers (drugs, crocodiles, etc.), "Donald" has taken over the writing (then Donald dies and Charlie finishes the screenplay). At least, that was my friend's interpretation, and watching it back, it seems obvious. Whether Kaufman intended that to be implicit or my friend is wrong, my mind was blown and I was already a huge fan of the movie. It's still a Top 10 for me. Thanks and love you guys!
Sarah T.
2024-12-09 19:00:54 +0000 UTCYou guys gave your brief reviews of current AR Headset Video watching options (i.e. Vision Pro and Quest). But I don't think you spoke much about the future of this technology for consumers. Do you think 10-20 years from now you could see yourself doing most of your home viewing(and gaming too) on lenses instead of a TV or monitor? Is it possible we may see the end of a 100 year run of customers investing in larger and nicer television sets? And what will be the point of ultrawide monitors anymore once you can use a pair of glasses that fills your whole field of view? Does this change our relationship with screens and also reduce the number of devices we own?
James Moon
2024-12-09 18:57:50 +0000 UTCWhat holiday movies are in your individual canons to watch every year and (for Jeff and Devindra) have you shared them with your kids yet? My wife and I watched the first two Home Alone movies with our kids and my seven year old can't get enough of Home Alone 2. We watched it twice with her and will likely watch it again before the holiday season ends.
Dan Mulhall
2024-12-09 18:52:48 +0000 UTCWhat reviews or reactions from your co-hosts were most surprising, or caused you to rethink your expectations of them? As much as I enjoy someone finally watching a Devindra recommendation and loving it, I really like the discussions when one of you has an unexpected reaction to something.
David Gauthier
2024-12-09 18:08:29 +0000 UTCWestern audiences aren't used to them but recent films like The Brutalist tastefully employed the intermission and used them to help audiences digest the longer runtime. Which films which do not have an intermission would otherwise benefit from one OR have an act break so delicious that inserting an intermission there would be its own artful punctuation. Films that come to mind for me are Antichrist (the "chaos reigns" scene) and Mad Max Fury Road (the "green place" scene)
Nizar B
2024-12-09 17:56:28 +0000 UTCWith Interstellar back in theaters, have Devindra and Jeff considered revisiting the movie to see if it hits differently now that they have children?
Eric Webster
2024-12-09 17:54:52 +0000 UTCHello, this question is for Dave. I asked this question maybe about a year ago and you did acknowledge it but never actually answered it. So during the early stages of the pandemic Jeff, Devindra and Dan all had movies that was their choice and was made the main review but we never got to Dave's choice. I just want to know WHAT WAS DAVE's CHOICE.
Ashley V.16
2024-12-09 17:54:49 +0000 UTCJeff recently spoke about seeing "It's a Wonderful Life" and how much he appreciated it. Are there any other classic films you all are big fans of and maybe even revisit on occasion? And what about any universally beloved classics that you didn't like or "get?" Thanks!
Steven Meredith
2024-12-09 17:50:21 +0000 UTCI watched Star Wars: A New Hope with a live orchestra and it was great
Jerry Mudd
2024-12-09 17:50:08 +0000 UTCYes. I was surprised by #1 Just a fun exercise
Garry L
2024-12-09 17:43:26 +0000 UTCHave you three had any memorable experiences watching a film with a live orchestral score? I recently attended a screening of the 1922 silent film Haxan (a Swedish documentary about witchcraft through the ages), and it was accompanied by a live orchestra performing a score for the film. It was fascinating to combine the film’s visuals with the live performance of the musicians. Any film experiences like this that were especially memorable to you or that you’d recommend?
Lucas Parris
2024-12-09 17:43:11 +0000 UTCWho are some of your favorite YouTubers?
Gary Yarbrough
2024-12-09 17:37:56 +0000 UTCDepends what you mean by expensive. Budget plus advertising?
Cardassian Vexillology
2024-12-09 17:37:10 +0000 UTCIf the film gods allowed you to create a movie and you could choose the genre, director and two main actors, what and who would you choose? My “fantasy” picks would be, Sci fi, Alfred Hitchcock, Jim Carrey and Jimmy Stewart. For a plausible contemporary one I’d say, sci fi, Denis Villeneuve, Charlize Theron and Bryan Cranston.
David Esposito
2024-12-09 17:36:38 +0000 UTCI think the show should address, on a main episode (or an after dark, something!), that you don't use hashtag slashtag anymore and officially encourage one single alternative method to recommend movies, whether that be emails or a bluesky post or whatever. Preferably one that you 3 all see, like the way you all saw slashtag tweets before Elon Musk destroyed twitter. It's crazy to me that the show has been silent on hashtag slashtag for over a year now. It used to be a BIG part of the show! People should be told on a main episode (or an after dark, I guess) what the single preferred method is now and that should be promoted the way hashtag slashtag was promoted each and every week for YEARS. Maybe it should be telling everyone, each week, to send recommendations by using #slashtag on bluesky? And to also address whether the voicemail line is ever checked anymore and if it will ever be used again (if not, just officially kill it then.). Voicemail number is listed in the show notes every episode but a voicemail left on the voicemail number hasn't been played on the show for YEARS. Even leading up to Episode #800, not once was the audience told they could call the voicemail line. We're LONG overdue for this sort of housekeeping on a main episode (or after dark) re: hashtag slashtag, voicemails and the show notes. Thanks!
Papool Chaudhari
2024-12-09 17:36:29 +0000 UTCWithout googling, I wonder if you guys can name what is now officially the top 3 most expensive movies ever made?
Garry L
2024-12-09 17:33:55 +0000 UTCWorst/Most disappointing (iyho) 3 films of the year ? Yeah it's all great that they made a film, but we chose in good faith to give it our time & money. So hears to feedback. All the best lads Adam, in North East England
Adam Ramsay
2024-12-09 17:33:30 +0000 UTCYes! The way of the “theme-heavy” film score has gone away. Every movie’s score just sounds like filler music. It’s so sad as I used to collect tons of movie scores growing up.
AF
2024-12-09 17:33:14 +0000 UTCTo your knowledge, what control do directors have over their movie's marketing? Does a director have a veto on a trailer that may spoil a film? I'm thinking of the vampire flick Abigail which had a great premise that was ruined early by its trailer.
Seth Lewis
2024-12-09 17:32:53 +0000 UTCWanted to see if any of you have listened to the Lin-Manuel Miranda & Eisa Davis' musical concept album Warriors. While not a movie itself, it's film-adjacent as it's based on the 1979 cult classic (my all-time favorite film!). Curious your take on it if you've given a listen. Thanks!
Stephen Shaffer
2024-12-09 17:31:24 +0000 UTCHere’s a silly question that I’m asking in a playful, not violent, manner…What actor/actress in your opinion has a punchable face? In other words, which thespian’s mere appearance on screen just makes you instantly annoyed. For me it’s Eddie Redmayne and Lili Taylor, both incredible actors in their own right, but something just irks me when they show up on screen.
AF
2024-12-09 17:30:55 +0000 UTCHey there fellas, Been a long time listener, more recent Patreon supporter, and first time writing in! Film and tv are addressed by all of you, I'll start with a basic what-if question: what's a film or film IP that would actually benefit from being a long form tv show, and what's a tv show that would work better as a film or series of films? Thanks for all you do, the podcast has been a meaningful part of my week for 5+ years now.
Javin Mather
2024-12-09 17:30:06 +0000 UTCDo you ever worry you’ll be radicalized online? Throughout the years, I’ve seen friends and acquaintances succumb to the manosphere, antivax, or other conspiracy theory communities. Oftentimes, this process begins in some innocuous way, like watching a Yoga YT channel, or getting really into the Joe Rogan podcast. Due to the nature of, well, the world, I’m online and interacting with some sort of social media almost every day. I often think there’s no way it could happen to me…but would I recognize it if I did? Is this something you guys ever worry about? If so, do you have any safeguards in place?
aGuyWhoPatsDogs
2024-12-09 17:29:49 +0000 UTCWhat is a movie you changed your opinion about most drastically after rewatching it?
David Esposito
2024-12-09 17:26:07 +0000 UTCThoughts on Red Rooms?
Isaac Chehebar
2024-12-09 17:24:37 +0000 UTCIs there a TV show or mini series you wish you could cover on the pod?
Nice Guy Eddie
2024-12-09 17:24:32 +0000 UTCDo you have any movie-related holiday traditions? P.S. I’m a Devindra
Zomino
2024-12-09 17:24:12 +0000 UTCIf you saw a movie with no zero foreknowledge (cast, crew, premise, etc.), how confident are you that you could figure out who directed it? Are there directors you are more confident or less confident about? For me, despite making some of my favorite films of all time, I am absolutely certain I could never guess a Ridley Scott movie. Which is ironic, because I'm just as sure I could guess anything his brother made.
John Huppenthal
2024-12-09 17:22:44 +0000 UTCFor Dave and Devindra: how do you organize your digital library of movies? I never understood how that works. Do you always buy on the same platform, say Amazon? You guys probably have hundreds of movies you own digitally, how do you browse them? What if Amazon or your library manager goes bankrupt, you lose everything?
Cosmia
2024-12-09 17:20:11 +0000 UTCNot a question, but it was suggested by Dave on the 800th anniversary episode that not many listeners are “Daves”. I’d like to say that I am definitely a Dave. It’s not easy to become a Dave. I’ve been listening for a decade and at one point, Dave’s skepticism and what I perceived as negativity made me almost want to unsubscribe. However, over time, I grew so accustomed to having you three in my earholes that despite my disagreements with him, I came to find Dave a very comforting presence and even started listening to Decoding TV and A Cast of Kings. After that, his critical lens began to resonate with me more and more. I now trust his recommendations most (no offense Jeff and Davindra). I do still find myself sighing at times at some of Dave’s reviews (Silo is a recent example), but overall I appreciate his views and am proud to call myself a “Dave”. PS - Jeff, I’m a DLC listener and love your roguelike and deck-building recs. Davindra - I always seek out your tech reviews when making a big purchase.
Patrick McIlhone
2024-12-09 17:19:46 +0000 UTCAre you guys at all bothered when the person you're watching something with is distracted and LOOKS AWAY for a crucial few seconds of a movie? I love my wife — but man, she sure can take a long-ass time looking down at her plate setting up a perfect bite (or adjusting her blanket, etc) while we watch something. In theory I don't care, but when I see this in my peripheral vision (and she's missing a particularly beautiful cinematic shot, or non-verbal plot developments) it drives me bonkers. At home I'll sometimes pause so she doesn't miss things, and in theaters I have to go full madman-in-a-hoodie to block out everything but the screen. Am I alone?
Song Notes by David Pots
2024-12-09 17:17:50 +0000 UTCHello gents, a bit of a morbid question, what would happen if one of you met an untimely demise? Would the podcast continue with just 2 hosts, have a rotating carousel of guests, add a new permanent host, or something else? Thanks and I hope you all live forever.
Joey Lett
2024-12-09 17:17:10 +0000 UTCWhat are some of your favourite meals of 2024?
Calvin Jones
2024-12-09 17:17:06 +0000 UTCI'm not sure if it's just me, but I feel that there's some lack of really memorable movie-themes these days. I can hum melodies from Superman, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars and many others in a second, but those are ”old”. What's the latest example of a theme from a film you remember the melody from? For me, I think it might be Wonder Woman's theme from BvS, but that's like 8 years ago. Maybe Giacchino's Batman melody with a gun to my head but I'm not really sure.
Linus
2024-12-09 17:16:48 +0000 UTCPiranha 2 with James Cameron.
Tyler Sexton
2024-12-09 17:15:43 +0000 UTCAre there any movie habits that you used to consider faux pas but now embrace like a warm blanket. For me, kids have killed my movie watching ability. I embraced the change when I rewatched The Matrix on my iPhone with one Bluetooth headphone in while I cooked a meal for my family and then cleaned the kitchen. Y’all are the best!
R Ellis Bardin
2024-12-09 17:15:32 +0000 UTCWho would you book as an SNL host for your own enjoyment or unhinged madness?
Tyler Sexton
2024-12-09 17:14:50 +0000 UTCWhat are formative theater-going experiences for you all as critics and simply just lovers of movies? Can be from your childhood, college days, more recent for the show. Whatever stands out! Also, another obligatory plea for Jeff to watch the Satoshi Kon film Millennium Actress if he is ever looking for something to throw on! Consider this an unofficial #slashtag from a non-tweeter or skeeter. Happy holidays!
Eric Trapp
2024-12-09 17:14:09 +0000 UTCAs part of year end wrap up, I'd love to hear what your favorite music releases from the year were :)
Matthew Henshaw
2024-12-09 17:11:46 +0000 UTCHas the crew thought anymore about bringing back games to the after dark? I really enjoyed the media mashup game a while back and think it'd be fun to hear others, too!
Sergio Meyer
2024-12-09 17:11:25 +0000 UTCIf you could watch any movie with any director sitting beside you, what movie and which director would you choose?
Byron
2024-12-09 17:10:52 +0000 UTCdo any of you watch content (or listen to) sped up? I watch and listen to all content sped up. my friends think I am crazy
Sal Monardo
2024-12-09 17:10:41 +0000 UTCBesides Superman, do any of you have a DC project you're especially looking forward to under James Gunn's helm? (I think the Teen Titans movie is a massively positive sign for being announced this early on.)
Timothy Mably
2024-12-09 17:10:10 +0000 UTC
