Today on the 5: Amazon is reportedly getting set to unveil an upgraded version of the Alexa voice assistant. Just like everything else on the planet, this new version will be augmented by AI. Most interestingly, Amazon is apparently planning to charge for it, and the price being bounced around is $20 a month. That feels...ambitious.

This week we're talking about male grooming, X Of Swords, Shardlake, Mars Express, and Nomads. Show music by HeartBeatHero and OGRE. Support the show!

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Today on the 5: After seeing a lot of good reviews for the Sony INZONE Buds, I kept an eye out for a good deal on them and when one came up I grabbed them. So far, a lot of my time with the INZONE Buds has been great, but in one area they are a big step down from my Arctis headset.

Today on the 5: News and discussion about AI is basically inescapable right now, and it often ends being awed anticipation or fiery fearmongering. No matter which side of the fence you end up on in regards to the technology itself, the real areas of concern are the humans in control of it.

Today on the 5: Listening to the John McTiernan series that the podcast Blank Check recently did reminded me that I had never seen the 1986 film Nomads. Luckily, it's easy to see for free pretty much anywhere so I made it a priority to watch it. It definitely has some flaws, but I really liked it.

Today on the 5: Mars Express has been on my radar for a while now, and I finally got a chance to see it. While I wouldn't draw the same comparisons a lot of reviews have, I would absolutely agree that it is a stellar piece of French cyberpunk.

This week we're talking about Apple ads, cliodyanmics, and The World's Greatest Sinner. Show music by HeartBeatHero and OGRE. Support the show!

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Today on the 5: Thanks to Andy Last over at Beyond Synth, I was reminded that a cartoon had been made based on the movie Beetlejuice. I picked up the complete run on DVD and have been watching it. It is way wilder than I could have expected!

Today on the 5: In the last few days both OpenAI and Google have made major announcements about their generative models. They both spent a lot of time demonstrating uses of their products that are clearly aimed at projecting more "human" aspects. I think this is a mistake for a couple of reasons. 

Today on the 5: Thanks to the wonderful Criterion Channel, I got to watch a movie I never thought I'd see. It's titled The World's Greatest Sinner, and it's a bizarre and (I think) hearftelt expression of a man's struggle with his faith in God.