Cordkillers 357 - Is It a Box or a Dongle?
Roku offers more pixels for the dollar. Can anyone save the historic Arclight? All this and more on Cordkillers! With special guest Naaim Siddiqi.
This week on It's Spoilerin' Time: Falcon and the Winter Soldier (105), Invincible (106), Hannibal (207)
Next week: Falcon and the Winter Soldier (106), Invincible (107), Hannibal (208)
CordKillers: 357 - Is It a Box or a Dongle?
Recorded: April 19 2021
Guest: Naaim Siddiqi
Intro Video
LOVE DEATH + ROBOTS vol. 2
Primary Target
Roku launches a rechargeable, hands-free voice remote and other devices, rolls out Roku OS 10
- Roku began rolling out Roku OS 10, which adds AirPlay 2 and HomeKit compatibility. Previously AirPlay 2 was only supported on select 4K players and TVs. Now all Roku devices that can run the new OS can support AirPlay 2 and HomeKit, meaning Siri voice control.
- Roku OS 10 also features Instant Resume which takes viewers back to the last thing they were watching on 15 supported channels. The US Live channel guide now lets you hide channels and add some to a favorites list. And connected game consoles can be auto-detected on TVs and features configured for gaming.
- Roku OS 10 also includes HDR10+ and a virtual surround setting for Roku Sound bars. It's coming to all supported Roku devices over the next several weeks.
- Roku also announced the Roku Express 4K+, available for $40 in Mid-May. It has a faster processor than the Roku Premiere it replaces, includes dual-band WiFi, and works with micro-USB adapters for ethernet.
- The company also announced the Roku Voice Remote Pro, which includes a rechargeable battery by micro-USB that lasts up to two months, shipping this week. It's mid-field microphone can detect when you say Hey Roku without having to pick up the remote. And it has preset buttons for Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus and Apple TV Plus. Available now online and in stores in may for $30.
- And finally the Roku Smart Soundbar is being renamed the Roku Streambar Pro. The only change is it will ship with a voice remote like the Roku Ultra does and supports virtual surround. Coming in May for $180.
How to Watch
‘Godzilla Vs Kong’ Nears $400M Worldwide; ‘Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet’ Wins Weekend Round – International Box Office|
- Godzilla vs. Kong is now the top-grossing movie worldwide since March 2020 clocking in at $390.2 million as of Sunday. Mortal Kombat has racked up $19.2 million in 28 markets, tacking ahead of Godzilla vs. Kong and heading to the US and other markets this weekend.
Arclight Cinemas And Pacific Theatres Won’t Be Reopening; Parent Company Decurion Hands Keys Back To Landlords
The Arclight Hollywood Could Reopen. Here’s the Most Likely Candidates for Rescue
- We lost our first big theater chain in the US.
- Last Monday, right after Cordkillers, Decurion announced it will not reopen its Pacific Theaters or Arclight theater chains. The company said "This was not the outcome anyone wanted, but despite a huge effort that exhausted all potential options, the company does not have a viable way forward."
- The chain is a smaller one but operates the theater in LA's The Grove shopping center which is right by CBS Studios and also the Hollywood Arclight and CineramaDome, which hosted multiple openings.
- Deadline says Decurion handed the keys back to landlords because they can't afford to pay the rent. The company itself has not declared bankruptcy. But the chain did give notice to staff
- IndieWire says Cincemark is the most likely chain to take over some or all fo the locations as it has weathered the pandemic better than most and is underrepresented in Southern California. Arizona Harkins theaters which is in solid shape and Mexico-based luxury theater chain Cinepolis are other possibilities. It's also possible an outside investor steps in and bails out Decurion. That's where talk of Netflix or Amazon stepping in could make sense though it would more likely be an equity management firm.
What to Watch
The first trailer for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings debuts Marvel’s latest martial arts hero
- Marvel released the first trailer for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings starring Awkwafina as an amazing San Francisco bus driver who is friends with Shang-cgi. Shang-Chi, played by Simu Liu faces off against the leader of the Ten Rings organization, the Mandarin. The real Mandarin, not the fake one from Iron Man 3. It's coming to theaters. Just theaters. September 3rd.
‘F9’ Trailer: Director Justin Lin On Questions Answered By New Pic, Future Of The ‘Fast & Furious’ Franchise Beyond The Big Screen & Universal’s Commitment To The Theatrical Experience
- Universal released a new trailer for F9, the ninth mainline Fast & Furious movie, starring John Cena and Chrlize Theron along with the usual fast crew of Vin Diesel and company. F9 will come to theaters. Just theaters on June 25th.
‘The Lord Of the Rings’: Blockbuster Budget For Season 1 Is Revealed As New Zealand Ups Amazon Series’ Rebate
- New Zealand announced Friday that Amazon will get an increased tax rebate for the shooting of its Lord of the Rings-based series because the cost is $465 million. Some of that is up front costs of building sets that will continue to be used for multiple seasons.
Netflix has ordered seasons 3 and 4 of Bridgerton. Production on season 2 is underway.
‘Downton Abbey 2’ Sets Release Date As Production Gets Underway With Original Cast Back & Dominic West Among New Additions.
- Focus Features announced a release date for the movie Downton Abbey 2 for December 22 this year. Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Imelda Staunton and Maggie Smith are all on board.
‘Netflix says Season 4 will be the last in the Castlevania series. It premiere May 13th. Netflix is planning other series int he universe.
Mindy Kaling's Netflix series "Never Have I Ever" which featured John McEnroe in season 1 will include Common in season 2, playing a dermatologist.
Eyes On
Naaim: Mighty Ducks Game Changers, CollegeHumor
Brian: Ryan George
Tom: Baseball
On the Lookout: Cheat On Me, If You Can
Front Lines
Which TV streaming service is the best value for money?
- Money management company Self analyzed which streaming services give you the most bang for your buck. Netflix led in movies with most movies per dollar and most high quality movies per dollar based on IMdB rankings. HBO Max came in second. For TV shows, Netflix came in first, Amazon Prime second and HBO Max third in both most and most high quality. Surprisingly HBO Max was top in 7+ content considered family friendly with Disney Plus second and Netflix third. Finally Apple TV Plus has the highest average IMDB score and Hulu had the highest quality 4K content also based on IMDB score.
Google is removing its Play Movies and TV app from every Roku and most smart TVs
- Google announced Google Play Movies and TV apps will no longer be available on Roku set top boxes or smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Vizio and Roku as of June 15th. Content rentals and purchases will all move to the “Your movies and shows” section of the YouTube app.
Netflix gives its Kids profiles a visual upgrade
- Netflix upgraded the Kids profile to show favorite characters and titles at the top instead of trending shows and suggestions. Netflix says the new profiles are rolling out now to TV devices globally, but will be tested on tablets and mobile devices in the coming months.
AT&T will launch a 'digital learning platform' with WarnerMedia content
- AT&T announced a connected learning initiative to offer teachers and students tools to help with learning. The learning platform will include exclusive content from Warner Media properties.
Paramount+ Starts Spanning The Globe As U.S. Streamers Try Not To Get Lost In Translation
- Paramount Plus didn't just rebrand CBS All Access in the US, it also became the name of services in 23 other markets. ViacomCBS expects Paramount Plus to 350 million new subscribers outside the US by 2024.
Dispatches from the Front
A while back, Brian questioned Atom Eve's logo, because it looks like the Female symbol with an X over it.
Apparently it's supposed to be an Atom, not an X.
Guess the animators just got lazy.
- Clyde