The Playlist Podcast Network

Netflix has decided to step into the blockbuster business, and it's spending all the money. Well, $200 million to be more exact. The film it's spending it on is a globe-trotting action comedy titled, “Red Notice,” which stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Gal Gadot, and Ryan Reynolds. In this episode of The Discourse, writer-director Rawson Marshall Thurber joins the podcast to discuss helming the streamer’s latest foray into blockbuster moviemaking.

The names Kaz Firpo and Ryan Firpo are probably not names you recognize right off the bat. But somehow, these relatively unknown screenwriters were able to land one of most sought-after gigs scripting one of the biggest films of 2021, Marvel Studios' “Eternals.” And in this episode of The Playlist Podcast, the writing duo talks about their incredible “Hollywood dream story” and some spoiler-y tidbits about the creation of “Eternals.”

Welcome to "Yellowstoners," a new podcast from The Playlist Podcast Network dedicated to the one and only "Yellowstone," Paramount Network's most-watched show and the most popular drama series on cable TV. Surprised we watch, and care enough to do a whole podcast dedicated to "Yellowstone?" Well, so were we. But the cowboy ranchers in Montana show is pretty damn addictive, y'all.  Created by macho Mid-Westerner writer/director/showrunner Taylor Sheridan ("Sicario," "Hell Or High Water"), the appeal of "Yellowstone" feels head-scratching until you figure out the gist of it. It's essentially "The Godfather" set in Montana or a Mid-Western version of "Succession." So that means, family empires, dynasty, greed, money, struggle for power and control within the moral milieu of trying to navigate family while you also cross criminal lines you can't uncross. There's a cost on the soul and a cost on the family. "Yellowstone" is also a little bit of "Breaking Bad" in that sense (the cross between family and crime and how the two never mix) and "Game Of Thrones," (everyone trying to claim the throne of power). Only on this show, like "Succession," Kevin Costner and the Dutton family already sit on the throne, but every single day, there is some kind of contender trying to get their main prize title: the precious and lucrative land they own. Sheridan's films and TV series are always about men in their environments and how the environments shape the men who live in them. In "Wind River," set in Wyoming, it's a cruel and merciless environment of freezing temperatures and hostile weather that makes for a milieu of cruel humanity around it. In Sheridan's upcoming series, "The Mayor of Kingstown," it's the prison industrial complex of Michigan, and the limitations it places on a town with no other hope, that informs the men there. And in "Yellowstone," it's nostalgic men and family trying to hold onto the legacy of what they own and trying to fight against the progress around them that wants to dismantle that old cowboy way of life.  "Yellowstone" ain't perfect, but it's got a terrific cast and it's super watchable and intriguing. From here on out, we should be plodding about every episode. But in this debut episode, we break down what "Yellowstone" is for newbs, what the appeal is,  and dig a little deeper into the season four premiere that debuted recently on Paramount Network. 

A new Marvel movie is upon us – and the drama is high! “Eternals,” the third film in Marvel’s Phase Four and 26th (!!!) overall, releases today and it’s already causing a good amount of debate between critics and fans alike. Is this another Marvel hit? Is this Marvel’s first big miss? On this episode of The Playlist Podcast, host Mike DeAngelo is joined by Jeff Zhang of Strange Harbors to talk about those very questions and so much more.

Edgar Wright has made a career of mashing up genres and bringing an absurd level of energy and charm to his films like “Shaun of the Dead,” “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World,” and “Baby Driver.” In this episode of The Discourse, Edgar Wright and writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns join host Mike DeAngelo to talk about doing a straight-up, wicked thriller in “Last Night in Soho,” which is in theaters now.

Sequels are a tough sell in the horror genre. While there are some great ones every once in a blue moon, most of them are pretty terrible, including the recently released “Halloween Kills.” So, in honor of the terrible sequel issue, this episode of The Playlist Podcast is devoted to talking about horror films that didn’t get a sequel (and didn’t need a sequel) because they’re perfect just how they are.

“Dune” is upon us. After a long delay, Denis Villeneuve’s adapation of Frank Herbert’s iconic novel is hitting theaters (...and HBO Max, sigh) this week. Well, Villeneuve’s adaptation of the first half of the novel, to be more specific. And in this episode of The Playlist Podcast, we discuss whether or not “Dune” is worth your money (spoiler alert: it is), and also, if you should skip the theaters and just watch it on HBO Max instead (spoiler alert: you shouldn’t)?

Shamier Anderson is an up-and-coming actor who you may recognize from the show “Wynonna Earp” and films like “Race” or  Netflix’s “Stowaway.” He’s been steadily building a following a is seemingly ready to break out over the course of the next year with some high-profile projects. In this episode of The Discourse, Shamier Anderson joins host Mike DeAngelo to talk about his role in the Apple TV+ series “Invasion.”

Bill Hader has become a go-to voice for animation houses and features to utilize for big and small parts, with his work in the “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” series to “Sausage Party,” to “Inside Out” and much more. It seems that no animated part is too big or small for Hader to jump into and consistently knock out of the park. In this episode of The Discourse, Bill Hader joins the show to talk about his role as Cyrus Strange in “The Addams Family 2.”

By Wes Craven's third decade reinventing Hollywood horror, the "Nightmare on Elm Street" creator found himself asking, "What's the point of all this slashing?" He embarked on a third act of socially critical and self-reflexive scary movies: "The People Under The Stairs" (1991), "New Nightmare" (1994) and "Scream" (1996). With two of those three titles celebrating anniversaries this autumn, welcome to your "Be Reel" Halloween special.