Radulich in Broadcasting

Damn You Hollywood: Avatar - Fire and Ash

Avatar: Fire and Ash is a 2025 American epic science fiction film directed by James Cameron, who co-wrote the screenplay with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver from a story the trio wrote with Josh Friedman and Shane Salerno. Distributed by 20th Century Studios and produced by Lightstorm Entertainment, it is the sequel to Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) and the third installment in the Avatar franchise. Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, and Kate Winslet reprise their roles from the previous films.Cameron, who had stated in mid-2006 that he would like to make sequels to Avatar (2009) if it was successful, announced the first two sequels in early 2010 following the success of the first film, with the then-untitled Avatar 3 aiming for a December 2015 release. However, the addition of two more sequels (four in total), and the development of new technology required to film performance capture scenes underwater, a feat never accomplished before, led to significant delays to allow the crew more time to work on the writing, pre-production, and visual effects. Avatar: Fire and Ash started shooting simultaneously with The Way of Water in New Zealand on September 25, 2017; filming completed in late December 2020, after over three years of shooting. With an estimated budget of over $400 million, it is one of the most expensive films ever made. The film is dedicated to editor John Refoua, who died in 2023, and producer Jon Landau, who died in 2024.Avatar: Fire and Ash had its world premiere at Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, on December 1, 2025, and was released theatrically in the United States on December 19, and has grossed $347.3 million. Critics praised the visuals, characters, performances, and action sequences, though many were divided on the plot, screenplay, and runtime.[b] Two additional sequels, Avatar 4 and Avatar 5, are in various stages of production and are scheduled to be released in 2029 and 2031, respectively.Disclaimer: The following may contain offensive language, adult humor, and/or content that some viewers may find offensive – The views and opinions expressed by any one speaker does not explicitly or necessarily reflect or represent those of Mark Radulich or W2M Network.Mark Radulich and his wacky podcast on all the things:https://linktr.ee/markkind76alsohttps://www.teepublic.com/user/radulich-in-broadcasting-networkFB Messenger: Mark Radulich LCSWTiktok: @markradulichtwitter: @MarkRadulichInstagram: markkind76RIBN Album Playlist: https://suno.com/playlist/91d704c9-d1ea-45a0-9ffe-5069497bad59 

Triple Feature: Oh. What. Fun./Jingle Bell Heist/A Merry Little Ex-Mas

This episode features a streaming-era Christmas triple feature examining how modern holiday films handle conflict, resentment, and emotional labor: Oh. What. Fun., A Merry Little Ex-Mas, and Jingle Bell Heist.Oh. What. Fun. was released by Prime Video in 2024 as a holiday comedy aimed at adult audiences, with a cast led by established, middle-aged performers and a narrative centered on maternal burnout and invisible labor. Critical reception was mixed to negative, with reviewers divided on tone, though some praised its willingness to depict flawed, resentful characters.A Merry Little Ex-Mas, a 2024 Netflix original rom-com, targets millennial and Gen Z viewers fluent in therapy culture, featuring a recognizable streaming-friendly cast and a Christmas setting built around emotional reconciliation. Critics largely noted its heavy reliance on therapy-speak and safe conflict resolution, resulting in lukewarm aggregate scores.Jingle Bell Heist, also released by Netflix in 2024, leans into the holiday caper genre, combining romance with a Christmas Eve robbery plot and a younger, internationally marketable cast. Reviews were mixed but slightly more favorable than typical seasonal filler, and the film performed well in Netflix’s global streaming charts despite modest critic scores.Together, these films offer a snapshot of how streaming platforms shape modern holiday storytelling.Disclaimer: The following may contain offensive language, adult humor, and/or content that some viewers may find offensive – The views and opinions expressed by any one speaker does not explicitly or necessarily reflect or represent those of Mark Radulich or W2M Network.Mark Radulich and his wacky podcast on all the things:https://linktr.ee/markkind76alsohttps://www.teepublic.com/user/radulich-in-broadcasting-networkFB Messenger: Mark Radulich LCSWTiktok: @markradulichtwitter: @MarkRadulichInstagram: markkind76RIBN Album Playlist: https://suno.com/playlist/91d704c9-d1ea-45a0-9ffe-5069497bad59 

On Trial: Scrooged

Scrooged (1988) is an American Christmas fantasy black comedy directed by Richard Donner and written by Mitch Glazer and Michael O’Donoghue. Inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, it offers a metafictional modern retelling starring Bill Murray as Frank Cross, a cynical TV executive preparing a live broadcast of A Christmas Carol who is visited by ghosts on Christmas Eve. The supporting cast includes Karen Allen, John Forsythe, Bobcat Goldthwait, Carol Kane, Robert Mitchum, Michael J. Pollard, and Alfre Woodard.Produced on a $32 million budget and filmed in New York City and Hollywood from December 1987 to March 1988, the film marked Murray’s return after a four-year hiatus following Ghostbusters. Production was turbulent due to creative clashes between Murray and Donner, though the film featured numerous celebrity cameos, including Murray’s brothers. Marketed heavily around Murray’s ghost-themed persona, Scrooged was released November 23, 1988, grossed over $100 million worldwide, and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Makeup. Though critics were mixed, it has since become a Christmastime staple and is often cited as an unconventional or ahead-of-its-time holiday classic.Disclaimer: The following may contain offensive language, adult humor, and/or content that some viewers may find offensive – The views and opinions expressed by any one speaker does not explicitly or necessarily reflect or represent those of Mark Radulich or W2M Network.Mark Radulich and his wacky podcast on all the things:https://linktr.ee/markkind76alsohttps://www.teepublic.com/user/radulich-in-broadcasting-networkFB Messenger: Mark Radulich LCSWTiktok: @markradulichtwitter: @MarkRadulichInstagram: markkind76RIBN Album Playlist: https://suno.com/playlist/91d704c9-d1ea-45a0-9ffe-5069497bad59 

Damn You Hollywood: Frankenstein (2025)

Frankenstein is a 2025 American Gothic science fiction film produced, written, and directed by Guillermo del Toro, based on the 1818 novel by Mary Shelley. The film stars Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the Creature, with Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz in supporting roles. The story follows the life of Frankenstein, an egotistical scientist whose experiment in creating new life results in dangerous consequences.Del Toro had long imagined a faithful Frankenstein film as a "dream project". This was initially in development for Universal Pictures, with del Toro casting frequent collaborator Doug Jones as the Creature, and Bernie Wrightson being considered for the monster's design. However, Universal suspended the project in relation to its planned Dark Universe franchise. Netflix revived the project in 2023, with Elordi instead portraying the Creature. Filming took place from February to September 2024. Wrightson had died in 2017, and the illustrated compilation Bernie Wrightson's Frankenstein was a key inspiration for the film's look.Frankenstein premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2025. It had a limited theatrical release in the United States from October 17 and was globally released on November 7 on Netflix. The film received generally positive reviews from critics. Both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute named it as one of the top ten films of 2025. It received five nominations at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama.Disclaimer: The following may contain offensive language, adult humor, and/or content that some viewers may find offensive – The views and opinions expressed by any one speaker does not explicitly or necessarily reflect or represent those of Mark Radulich or W2M Network.Mark Radulich and his wacky podcast on all the things:https://linktr.ee/markkind76alsohttps://www.teepublic.com/user/radulich-in-broadcasting-networkFB Messenger: Mark Radulich LCSWTiktok: @markradulichtwitter: @MarkRadulichInstagram: markkind76RIBN Album Playlist: https://suno.com/playlist/91d704c9-d1ea-45a0-9ffe-5069497bad59 

Metal Hammer of Doom: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Ghosts of Christmas Eve

The Ghosts of Christmas Eve is a 1999 made-for-television film showcasing a Christmas music performance by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, starring Ossie Davis and Allie Sheridan. Guest performers included Michael Crawford and Jewel. Other performers include Bob Kinkel, Al Pitrelli, Chris Caffery, Johnny Lee Middleton, Jeff Plate, Tony Gaynor, Daryl Pediford and Tommy Farese. The film premiered on Fox Family Channel on December 14, 1999.Disclaimer: The following may contain offensive language, adult humor, and/or content that some viewers may find offensive – The views and opinions expressed by any one speaker does not explicitly or necessarily reflect or represent those of Mark Radulich or W2M Network.Mark Radulich and his wacky podcast on all the things:https://linktr.ee/markkind76alsohttps://www.teepublic.com/user/radulich-in-broadcasting-networkFB Messenger: Mark Radulich LCSWTiktok: @markradulichtwitter: @MarkRadulichInstagram: markkind76RIBN Album Playlist: https://suno.com/playlist/91d704c9-d1ea-45a0-9ffe-5069497bad59