Escapist Delights

Escapist Delights — Episode 6

Ben Ulansey and Walter Rhein explore 3 Body Problem and science fiction’s unsettling predictions, revisit Planet of the Apes and Hoosiers, and remember just how dark Donald Duck and other childhood cartoons could get.

Originally published March 13, 2025.

https://www.thegenzreport.com/p/escapist-delights-in-a-crumbling-2b6

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegenzreport.com/subscribe

Escapist Delights — Episode 5

Ben Ulansey and Walter Rhein debate Batman Begins and the problem with brooding superheroes, revisit the scares of 1408 and The Shining, and explore Wilfred’s surprisingly philosophical man-in-a-dog-suit premise. Also: A Bridge Too Far and the value of practical effects.

Originally published March 7, 2025.

https://www.thegenzreport.com/p/escapist-delights-in-a-crumbling-431

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegenzreport.com/subscribe

Escapist Delights — Episode 4

Ben Ulansey and Walter Rhein discuss The Boys and the politics of superheroes, Ben’s solo trip to Costa Rica, and why Bear Grylls can be funnier than a comedy show. Also: First Blood, Severance, and what travel does to our assumptions.

Originally published February 28, 2025.

https://www.thegenzreport.com/p/live-with-walter-rhein

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegenzreport.com/subscribe

Escapist Delights — Episode 3

Ben Ulansey and Walter Rhein discuss Into the Wild and the temptation to leave everything behind, Pixar’s Soul and finding a creative purpose, and how films change as we grow older. Along the way: Ronin, Severance, and the disastrous Last Airbender adaptation.

Originally published January 31, 2025.

https://www.thegenzreport.com/p/escapist-delights-in-a-crumbling

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegenzreport.com/subscribe

Escapist Delights — Episode 2

Ben Ulansey and Walter Rhein revisit Interstellar, the childhood nightmares of Return to Oz and Transformers, and Inside Out’s case for feeling sad. They also imagine a history class taught through South Park.

Originally published January 19, 2025.

https://www.thegenzreport.com/p/escapist-pleasures-in-a-crumbling

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegenzreport.com/subscribe

Escapist Delights — Episode 1

Ben Ulansey and Walter Rhein discuss Blade Runner, AI-generated writing and images, and whether Ashley Madison’s chatbots accidentally passed a very unusual Turing test. They also compare writing teachers, Substack Notes, and making a living on Medium.

Originally published January 16, 2025.

https://www.thegenzreport.com/p/writing-in-the-age-of-ai

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegenzreport.com/subscribe