The Screen Mash

Assessing the SAG Strike and Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (with Brad Lenz)

Barrett and Brad break down the SAG-AFTRA strike: the sequence of events, the issues at stake (equitable pay for working actors) and myth-busting incorrect perceptions of the situation. 
 
Then, they discuss the release of Tom Cruise's seventh installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, Dead Reckoning Part One. Its lead up, opening weekend box-office and critical reception. Brad and Barrett disagree on the overall quality of the film and deliver their arguments accordingly.
 
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Can Barbenheimer and Tom Cruise Save the Summer Box Office?

Barrett breaks down the recent box office flops of Warner Bros.' The Flash and Disney's Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and how many are saying Barbie, Oppenheimer (Barbenheimer) and Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning - Part One are Hollywood's last hope to save the theatrical business model for this season.
 
Franchise fatigue? Superhero fatigue? Critics reactions? There's several compounding factors that are collectively contributing to what's going on. Hopefully Gerwig, Nolan and Cruise can save the day.
 
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How A24 Changed The Game For Hollywood (with Brad Lenz)

Brad and Barrett discuss the rise of A24 as a film studio powerhouse in Hollywood. First a distribution-only company, then pivoting to production, A24 has changed the way Hollywood makes movies.
 
From fostering new creative talent, to introducing a branded style of visual prowess and strange stories. A24's business and cultural impact story is a fascinating one.
 
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Where Was Ahsoka During the Events of the Original Trilogy?

Barrett breaks down one of the biggest gaps in Star Wars canon: where was Ahsoka Tano during the events of the original trilogy? She's become a fan favorite and an iconic character, but one of the biggest elephants in the room is her whereabouts during the events that transpired in A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. 
 
Did she just go into hiding? Time travel? There's only one viable option that seems logical stemming from the animated series, Rebels. Whatever the case may be, it needs to be addressed in the upcoming Disney+ live action series, Ahoska.
 
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Reflecting On The Writers Strike (with Brad Lenz)

In this episode of Take Two, Barrett and Brad discuss the 2023 WGA writers strike, which just hit the 6-week mark. Fair pay, streaming disruption, AI, delayed productions, they break it all down.
 
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Disney Bets Big on Apple’s Mixed Reality Vision Pro Headset

Barrett breaks down Apple's announcement this week of its new mixed reality (VR + AR) headset with a whopping price tag of $3,500. More specifically, Disney CEO Bob Iger's presence on stage showcasing the exclusive streaming content partnership with Disney+.
 
What is the upside for Disney? How is this going to change the game for the streaming wars? Would you watch The Mandalorian while feeling like you're actually on Tatooine? 
 
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Vanderpump Rules Season 10 Deep Dive (with Claire Bramel)

Barrett's friend and former colleague Claire Bramel returns to The Screen Mash to break down this insane season of Bravo's Vanderpump Rules. They of course dive deep into #Scandoval that rocked the reality TV world and pop culture, but also discuss how and why they got into the show years ago. They also rank their favorite (and least favorite) people. Then Claire answers Barrett's on-the-spot VPR "would you rather?" and trivia questions. 
 
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The 20th Rewatch of Seinfeld

Barrett discusses his recent milestone of rewatching the entire Seinfeld series: 20 rewatches over the course of 20 years. Seinfeld is Barrett's favorite TV comedy of all time and he breaks down what makes Seinfeld so special as a TV show in Hollywood and to him personally. 
 
He references his ranking of all 9 seasons of Seinfeld and his favorite episode in each featured on @thescreenmash Instagram page. Low Talker, Shrinkage, The Rye, The Switch... "you gotta love the Sein."
 
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Why Oppenheimer Could Be ’The One’ for Christopher Nolan

Barrett breaks down why he believes Oppenheimer could be the pinnacle film for Christopher Nolan, by obtaining all the core success achievements for a film: being a box-office hit, critically acclaimed and finally winning the elusive Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture. 
 
This all stems from the most recent Oppenheimer trailer that Universal Pictures dropped this week, which Barrett has been watching on repeat and has been universally praised as being the best trailer of the year. Is Barrett right? Will this be 'The One' for Nolan?
 
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Take Two: 2023 Summer Movie Preview (with Brad Lenz)

In this edition of Take Two, Barrett and Brad break down the upcoming slate of 2023 summer movies: from blockbusters to indie dramas, there’s a lot of content hitting theaters over the next four months. The films are categorized into four themes:  Supersized Sequels, Superhero Showdowns, Dynamic Directors and Outstanding Originals.
 
From Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, to The Flash, to Barbie, to Joy Ride, there’s 16 total movies that are discussed, where Barrett and Brad share what they’re excited about and what they’re not into.
 
Cheers to summer movie season!
 
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