Long-winded way of saying that current-day Paramount is a danger to art and to the world, and while a merger is going to be awful no matter what, WB selling to them out of the three options would be catastrophic.

I’m only one person, but I don’t know anyone who is like “let me put on RUSH HOUR.” No. They’re watching POLICE STORY. They’re watching DRUNKEN MASTER. RUSH HOUR was hitting diminishing returns at the B.O. by the third one in 2007. There’s not even capitalistic data to back this decision up.

It’s horribly dated and rancid in that way, but, RUSH HOUR did do ONE good thing: it introduced American audiences en masse to Jackie Chan. That’s not nothing. But with the accessibility of his Hong Kong films out from Criterion, Shout Factory, etc., and streaming, those are the films people watch.

There is no real generational nostalgia for RUSH HOUR, and it hasn’t aged as well as other buddy cop staples like BEVERLY HILLS COP and 48 HRS. Primarily because those films attempt to examine race relations in America while also being funny. RUSH HOUR treats race relations AS the punchline.

A mess that’s not without merit. I like the team-up element, Dominic Purcell as Dracula, and Posey and Oswalt. Editing unfortunately a mess, Whistler is done dirty, and Snipes’ disinterest shows early and often. I do think the movie is Overhated, but still a considerable step down from the first two

Have to credit my podcast co-host for this observation, but also a deep cut, he looks like this guy from Lumet’s PRINCE OF THE CITY in nearly every photo.

TRON may not be the best example because it’s never been a hot commodity, but they have no ability to launch anything but franchises and nostalgia (even on the 20th Century side). People will eventually tire, and it’s already happening.