The Beginning Of The End

Overview

This episode explores the seismic shifts in the movie industry, focusing on the decline of traditional theatrical experiences, the rise of streaming platforms, and the cultural and technological forces driving these changes. It examines the implications of Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros and the broader transformation of Hollywood's business model.

Notable Quotes

- The theatrical movie experience, as we knew it, is dying. It's not in a temporary slump. It's not just going through a bad spell right now. It doesn't need to hang in there until things pick up again. - The Critical Drinker, on the irreversible decline of movie theaters.

- Movie theaters are an outdated form of entertainment, a holdover from the 20th century that's been propped up beyond its time by one simple philosophy: more gigantic budgets, more visual effects, bigger screens, louder sound systems. - The Critical Drinker, critiquing the industry's reliance on spectacle.

- Pretending this stuff isn't happening or that it can be magically reversed is like telling yourself that internet cafes or video rental stores are going to make a comeback someday. They won't. - The Critical Drinker, on the inevitability of change in entertainment delivery.

🎥 The Decline of Theatrical Movie Experiences

- The Critical Drinker describes the modern theater experience as expensive, inconvenient, and often unpleasant, citing high ticket prices, overpriced concessions, and disruptive audiences.

- The traditional appeal of theaters—scale and spectacle—is losing ground to the comfort and convenience of home setups, which are increasingly affordable and technologically advanced.

- The episode argues that the theatrical model is no longer sustainable, with declining attendance and shrinking theatrical windows signaling its demise.

📺 Streaming's Takeover and Netflix's Warner Bros Acquisition

- Netflix's $80 billion acquisition of Warner Bros is highlighted as a pivotal moment, signaling the dominance of streaming platforms over traditional studios.

- Concerns are raised about Netflix potentially abandoning theatrical releases entirely, accelerating the industry's shift to streaming-first models.

- The episode predicts that streaming giants like Netflix, Apple, and Amazon will continue to acquire studios, leveraging their broader business models to fund content production.

💰 Changing Metrics of Success in Hollywood

- Box office revenues are becoming obsolete, with streaming hours watched emerging as the new measure of success.

- Streaming platforms' lack of transparency allows studios to obscure failures behind subscription walls, fundamentally altering how success is perceived in the industry.

- The episode suggests that Hollywood's reliance on theatrical releases and blockbuster budgets has reached an evolutionary dead end.

🏠 The Rise of Home Entertainment

- Home cinema setups are increasingly appealing due to their affordability, convenience, and ability to replicate the theatrical experience.

- The trade-off between spectacle and comfort is shifting in favor of home viewing, as audiences prioritize ease over grandeur.

- The episode predicts that theaters will become niche venues for film buffs and major event movies, akin to the decline of musical theaters in the 19th century.

🔮 The Future of Hollywood and Movie Theaters

- The episode acknowledges the cultural loss of traditional theaters but emphasizes the inevitability of their decline due to technological advancements.

- Hollywood's reliance on theaters is described as unsustainable, with the industry adapting to streaming-first models and shorter theatrical windows.

- The future of entertainment delivery is uncertain, but the episode suggests that the Hollywood system as we know it is unlikely to survive in its current form.