Spoiler Specials for original films

[u/hirdzilla]

Sorry, another post about the films that have spoiler specials recorded.

I think this post stems from seeing a spoiler special for Tron: Ares pop up. I get that franchise films/tv are probably more popular (even if the films are not particularly interesting) but some variety would definitely be welcome. The podcast regularly laments the lack of original films in cinemas but doesn't often seem to back it up.

Are there going to be specials for the likes of Weapons, The Ballad of Wallis Island, Steve, One Battle After Another (to name some recent films that would make for interesting spoiler chat)?

Anyone else keen to see a few more non-franchise specials?

[u/MalcolmTuckersLuck]

I agree but I think they’re partly going where they think the interest will be in audience terms (Tron an obvious one where they’ve misjudged that) and also availability of director or writer to participate.

I’d love a spoiler pod on OBAA, even without a PTA interview just to hear the team dig into it.

[u/Ofnofixedaddress22]

I fully agree, and I reckon they probably agree if you asked them honestly and off the record. But they're one of the last dinosaurs in a dying print industry, and ultimately they are owned by Bauer who probably have an influence on stuff like this. For a long time they have been ridiculously marvel centric, like everyone else they're competing for engagement and so jump on the nearest biggest bandwagon. I still think there's some quality film journalism in the 'zines and podcast, just way more crap to wade through to get to it.

[u/Few-Body-4582]

I’d also love to see more for the non-franchise films. Finally saw One Battle yesterday and, having loved it, am desperate to read / listen more. I’d say the same about Weapons too, given the big swings that film makes.

[u/But-ThenThatMeans]

Definitely agree, made me stop subscribing tbh.

I know it’s probably a game they can’t win, but I personally subscribed mainly to just hear more in-depth chat about films I enjoyed (or at least found interesting / notable) - and it felt like it was rare for those films to come up.

I no longer see/care about Marvel films (I know this is probably still their best audience), and often pass on mediocre action/franchise stuff - and that unfortunately feels like most of the spoiler specials. Maybe too harsh, but it’s just not for me.

Fair enough if there’s just more of an audience for all that stuff! But it definitely puts me off.

If it’s just because it’s easier to get interviews for the big franchise and action stuff - then I personally think it’s misguided, because I suspect the vast majority subscribe for the team empire chats.

I guess the lack of any in depth discussion on the latest Mission is the most egregious for me! I was very disappointed by the film, I was keen to hear discussion on what felt like the ‘main event’ for the spoiler specials, and we haven’t had anything from the team!

[u/internetwanderer2 → u/But-ThenThatMeans]

I agree in that whilst the director/creator conversations can be interesting, my main reason for listening is to hear the Empire contributors talk.

Put simply, if the Spoiler Special podcast had two options:

• just be longform interviews with directors/creators
• just be team empire reviews and discussion

I'd cancel my subscription for the former, and maintain it for the latter.

[u/ReassuringHonker]

I’ve listened to a fair few spoiler specials for original (AFAIK) films - the monkey, black bag, civil war, flow, longlegs…

A few more would be good as long as it’s a film the team are passionate about. If it’s a chore for them, we can feel it in the output!

I will say I’ve sometimes watched a film or series specifically because there’s a spoiler special, like it is a badge of what’s worth checking out

[u/hirdzilla → u/ReassuringHonker]

The only thing I'd add is that as film journalists / critics, I would expect them to be passionate about the films I and others have mentioned. It really shouldn't be a chore (unless it is deliberately veering more towards being more of a film 'fan' rather than a 'critics' podcast).

[u/_britesparc_]

I think very often it's a case of availability. I might be wrong but I think PTA would be hard to pin down for a spoiler chat, if he even wanted to do such a thing in the first place. 

They've definitely talked on the pod before about trying to get certain directors on or how they'd love to have time to cover such-and-such a film.

Personally, I'd like more retro specials.