Physical media is making a comeback, and streaming services have no one to blame but themselves. From Blu-rays to VHS, collectors are embracing the joy of owning a film outright — no licenses, no disappearing titles. And if you know where to look, like the Arrow Video sale, you can build a killer collection without paying scalper prices… assuming you can stop at just one.
Terminator AI Fears + Harry Potter’s Decade + Ahsoka Rumor Debunked | HWAD 08.11.25
In this episode of Hollywood After Dark, we cover everything from remembering Robin Williams 11 years after his passing to James Cameron’s AI-fueled Terminator dilemma, the resurgence of physical media, and Warner Bros.’ 10-year Harry Potter plan. Plus, we fact-check the Ewan McGregor/Ahsoka Season 2 rumor and dive into John Boyega’s vision for Finn’s Star Wars arc. Six stories, one show, and plenty of unfiltered perspective.
Why Movie Studios don’t care about Movie Theaters anymore
In 2024, subscription streaming services pulled in over $40 billion in U.S. consumer spending. That number absolutely dwarfs the domestic box office, which landed around $7.5 billion. For anyone still treating theatrical numbers as the end-all, it’s time to adjust your perspective. The box office isn’t the final word on a movie’s success anymore—it’s the … Continue reading Why Movie Studios don’t care about Movie Theaters anymore
Why the Hell Are We Paying $80 for Games and Calling It Normal?
Eighty-dollar games, sixty-dollar movie nights, and thirty-five-dollar Blu-rays aren’t the future—they’re happening right now. As entertainment prices skyrocket, the industry keeps pushing limits, and we keep letting them.
Netflix “Saved” Hollywood—After Burning It to the Ground
Let’s be honest—Tarantino has a point. The movie industry has changed drastically, and not always for the better. The pandemic didn’t just disrupt theaters; it flipped the entire system on its head. Streaming exploded, theaters shut down, and audiences got used to watching the latest releases from their couches. For Tarantino, the year 2019—when Once … Continue reading Netflix “Saved” Hollywood—After Burning It to the Ground
The Dogma Resurrection Tour Proves This Film Still Kicks Ass
If you had told me back in June 1999, when I first read the Dogma screenplay from a .txt file on Script-o-Rama, that I'd be attending a 25th-anniversary screening introduced by Kevin Smith himself, I would've thought you were as crazy as Bartleby and Loki on a redemption mission. But there I was, in Seattle, … Continue reading The Dogma Resurrection Tour Proves This Film Still Kicks Ass
$42.99 for 28 Days Later? What Are We Paying For?
It feels like a joke setup. A movie shot on early 2000s MiniDV, using a Canon XL1 you could find at a garage sale, is being remastered and released in glorious 4K Ultra HD. But it’s real. Sony Pictures has announced a 4K steelbook release of 28 Days Later for June 16, 2025, and this … Continue reading $42.99 for 28 Days Later? What Are We Paying For?
Physical Media Is the Last Line of Defense from the Digital Memory Hole
Netflix just posted another strong quarter. Subscriptions are up. Revenue’s solid. Wall Street's smiling. But if you’re a fan of physical media, it’s the same old punchline: you’re still getting nothing. No discs. No 4K releases. No shelf presence. Netflix is the guy who shows up to a potluck with a bag of chips and … Continue reading Physical Media Is the Last Line of Defense from the Digital Memory Hole
The Death of Physical Media Wasn’t Streaming—It’s Premium Pricing
SteelBooks used to be a collector’s treat—something you’d spot on a shelf, nestled between your Criterion editions and that one out-of-print Arrow Video set you’ll never open but will defend to the death. But now? They’ve become a lightning rod for controversy in the physical media world, with the upcoming 4K release of Tombstone setting … Continue reading The Death of Physical Media Wasn’t Streaming—It’s Premium Pricing
Physical Media Isn’t Dead. It Just Moved to Walmart and Thrift Stores
There’s something quietly apocalyptic about watching the movie section at your local big-box store shrink year after year. What used to be a couple aisles packed with DVDs and Blu-rays is now a sad little endcap tucked between seasonal socks and discount phone chargers. Best Buy already walked away. Target barely pretends to care anymore. … Continue reading Physical Media Isn’t Dead. It Just Moved to Walmart and Thrift Stores
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