I saw "The Smashing Machine" at noon on a weekday at my local (Ashburn VA) Alamo Drafthouse. I was the only person in the theater. Surely a good sign.
I'm old enough to remember the days of this UFC era....I even owned a DVD copy of "The Smashing Machine" documentary. (I also owned the DVD set of the PRIDE tournament that this film showcases)
The Rock did give a terrific performance, I think. Specifically because he could play opposite Emily Blunt. Much like a pro wrestling match requires both performers to be good, had a lesser actress played her part, Rock would not have been as good.
The movie however, suffers from the same thing the documentary does.....Mark Kerr and Dawn Staples are kind of awful folks. The real heroes of the documentary are Mark Coleman and Bas Rutten, who save Mark Kerr's life and career, respectively.....same thing for the feature.
I agree with Sonny, that like music, the movie making technology has changed to the point that people interested in making a movie can make a movie. This does open up the industry to people currently ignored or rejected by the big studios and so offers opportunities to them. The problem is and will be in finding viewers. For example, the Dust youtube channel isn't marketed as far as I can tell, I found it by accident. So, makers shown on that channel can't be well known outside Dust. This begs the concern of Peter in his point about talent being able to earn a living in a far more decentralized industry.
While I like to see ATMA along with the other shows on my Bulwark feed, spinning it off into its own thing may allow it to grow organically in the entertainment and cultural space. Also, Sonny is 💯 that those middle class creative jobs re going away and perhaps 1% will eke out a living by staying in the field.
What the heck Bulwark?! How could you let the best podcast in my feed walk?
You think you’re drinking the Washington Posts’ milkshake with your new hires?! Well wherever Alyssa, Peter, and Sonny go next will drink your milkshake.
Bad business move Mr. Bulwark! I do not approve. Will I cancel my subscription? Probably not. Will I be cranky and pouty by this decision? Yes I will.
Too many random commercials on you tube. Others may not mind but I avoid watching podcasts on you tube for any podcasts I pay for like here on the Bulwark. I can’t afford it all so will watch other content there if I am not a paid subscriber. But the commercials are frequent and annoying.
I'm not going anywhere, so I'm still getting paid. And I'd say, you know, there's a lot of good stuff at the Bulwark worth paying for; I always marvel that it is, genuinely, the best deal on Substack just in sheer volume terms.
That said, if ATMA is, truly, the only thing you listen to, you'll want to sign up for the new Substack when it's up and running in the next day or two here. More details on that in a bit once it's fully live. I'll probably link to it in my newsletter, the Bulwark Goes to Hollywood, on Friday.
I saw "The Smashing Machine" at noon on a weekday at my local (Ashburn VA) Alamo Drafthouse. I was the only person in the theater. Surely a good sign.
I'm old enough to remember the days of this UFC era....I even owned a DVD copy of "The Smashing Machine" documentary. (I also owned the DVD set of the PRIDE tournament that this film showcases)
The Rock did give a terrific performance, I think. Specifically because he could play opposite Emily Blunt. Much like a pro wrestling match requires both performers to be good, had a lesser actress played her part, Rock would not have been as good.
The movie however, suffers from the same thing the documentary does.....Mark Kerr and Dawn Staples are kind of awful folks. The real heroes of the documentary are Mark Coleman and Bas Rutten, who save Mark Kerr's life and career, respectively.....same thing for the feature.
Yeah, Coleman and Rutten are way more interesting.
I agree with Sonny, that like music, the movie making technology has changed to the point that people interested in making a movie can make a movie. This does open up the industry to people currently ignored or rejected by the big studios and so offers opportunities to them. The problem is and will be in finding viewers. For example, the Dust youtube channel isn't marketed as far as I can tell, I found it by accident. So, makers shown on that channel can't be well known outside Dust. This begs the concern of Peter in his point about talent being able to earn a living in a far more decentralized industry.
While I like to see ATMA along with the other shows on my Bulwark feed, spinning it off into its own thing may allow it to grow organically in the entertainment and cultural space. Also, Sonny is 💯 that those middle class creative jobs re going away and perhaps 1% will eke out a living by staying in the field.
Please don’t go! I’ll pay more! It’s a welcome relief from our trauma.
I’m not sure how I feel about the change. I plan on following both.
What the heck Bulwark?! How could you let the best podcast in my feed walk?
You think you’re drinking the Washington Posts’ milkshake with your new hires?! Well wherever Alyssa, Peter, and Sonny go next will drink your milkshake.
Bad business move Mr. Bulwark! I do not approve. Will I cancel my subscription? Probably not. Will I be cranky and pouty by this decision? Yes I will.
Totally agree!! I love ATMA🥰
I am very disappointed.
Sad to hear, I may try it out, but evidence shows I am really bad at following substacks other than the Bulwark. Maybe if you put it on YouTube too?
Me too!
Too many random commercials on you tube. Others may not mind but I avoid watching podcasts on you tube for any podcasts I pay for like here on the Bulwark. I can’t afford it all so will watch other content there if I am not a paid subscriber. But the commercials are frequent and annoying.
We may try that.
I'm not going anywhere, so I'm still getting paid. And I'd say, you know, there's a lot of good stuff at the Bulwark worth paying for; I always marvel that it is, genuinely, the best deal on Substack just in sheer volume terms.
That said, if ATMA is, truly, the only thing you listen to, you'll want to sign up for the new Substack when it's up and running in the next day or two here. More details on that in a bit once it's fully live. I'll probably link to it in my newsletter, the Bulwark Goes to Hollywood, on Friday.
I loved how you all interacted with news and culture. I am feeling a little more traumatized…