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Before this crisis, we had another one: the global pandemic. If you recall, everything shut down pretty much everywhereā¦which gave a few film lovers the chance to become film programmers. Using under-the-radar streaming services (like Twitch, but dodgier), several collectives started running daily movie streams. It was a refreshing alternative to going on Netflix/Hulu/Criteria and weighing the options for an hour. Instead of having to pick a movie, you just go to the URL and feast your eyes on the stream.Ā The one I was most obsessed with was Cinephobe, but Cathode Cinema, Moviepassed and SpectacleNYC all gave me much-needed joy, as depression, despair and death colonized human consciousness. A few major discoveries were Golden Mouth, Brimstone and Treacle, Play Dirty and Scalpel. These programmers earn my gratitude and admiration. I think Cathode is the only one still going strong and I highly recommend you check it out.
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Hear me out. Twitch is synonymous with gaming - mainly advertiser friendly content targeted at teens and children. But for me, its real value lies in the illegal streaming of movies and television. No cable, no problem. Thereās Bobygamesdotcom whoās Calm Crazy About Movies series started my love affair with Jerry Lewis. An expert on pre-code Hollywood, and forgotten gems from the 50s, and 60s - a wealth of knowledge on everything from von Sternberg to slapstick. Who needs film school? If you like cult horror, sci-fi, and anime - look to Bakoon who streams almost every night. The real shit that got me through quarantine though? Non-stop Anthony Bourdain from my man Pedro from Brazil, who started this channel in March 2020. Itās fucking Tony, man. 24/7. What more is there to say?Ā RIP Moviepassed aka Hollywood Entertainment.
Aug 17, 2021
sometimes Iām in the mood to watch a movie but Iām not sure what to watch, then I check cathode and I end up watching movies till 5amā¦ free live streaming with different themes from time to time. If you pay you can join the chatroom. Highly recommend. Recent themes include Ā things like āDream Realities ā, āGritty Nordic Noirā and āAbsurd Mayhem 4everā
check out their instagram @cathodecinema to see whatās on air tonightā¦ I have definitely experienced some true bangers on there
Mar 20, 2024
using this platform has really made me appreciate the antiquated internet a lot more than i used to. iām sure a lot of users here feel the same way, so hereās a few streaming services that have a similar experience to this one in my opinion.
night flight specializes in bringing back the eighties feel of mtv and vh1, the service offers a more music oriented direction with a few odds and ends thrown into the mix. midnight pulp is a bit more generic as it features a good helping of b-movies, horror flicks, and offbeat animated films.
my favorite by far however, has got to be eternal family. while eternal family is similar to midnight pulp, i feel that itās a lot more curated than the latter. you can find everything from italian giallo to czech new wave to retro anime, and even some really interesting shorts and features that fall on the artistic side. midnight pulp specializes more into trash cinema while eternal family is more art house and experimental films, but still features classic b-movie fare and shitty vintage anime too. they even offer a handful of original programming from the likes of kerwin frost, mac demarco, and jerry paper. eternal family is my favorite because it goes out of itās way to create a specific identity that makes it stand out from the rest (also has very good brand identity from a graphic designerās pov). honestly, itās inspired me to try and start up my own public access style show somewhere down the line, where i showcase strange videos and weird films that iāve collected myself.
go check out all three if youāre looking for entertainment thatās outside the bounds of corporate entities like netflix or hulu.
Jan 20, 2025
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I guess this newsletter is partly about advising people on how to spend their money, which is not something I particularly love doingā¦but I will direct your attention to the war going on in Ukraine. Being from Ukraine, lots of people have asked me for context on whatās happening, but I donāt live there and donāt feel like an authority. Still what seems clear to me: Ukraine is the target of an aggressive invasion by the army of a madman who places no value on human life. The Ukrainian forces, including many civilians, are putting up an incredible fight from a defensive position. The country faces a terrible loss of life and infrastructure. The defenders will needĀ as much support as they can get and civilians welcome all humanitarian aid. Hereās aĀ good guideĀ with vetted orgs, if you can helpĀ šTHANK YOUšĀ IĀ hope with all my might this horror is over soon and that Ukrainians have peace for many generations.
Mar 10, 2022
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One of the reasons most of the DIY movie streamers died out is because the pandemic came to a closeā¦but Iām sure thereāll be a new one soon enough (depending on how long the war goes on for). So, when the new lockdown hits, I just want you to know you're now entering the best time to travel. I never really got a chance to travel before COVID, but since everyone was scared to fly, tickets became super cheap and every city thatās usually flooded with tourists was suddenly chill. I was thriving (read: trying to ignore my impending divorce) in a desolate, locals-only Venice, Italy circa June 2021 and it was absolutely awesome.
Mar 10, 2022