The Last King Podcast

There has been noticeable rhetoric about the state of the 'streaming wars", ever since Disney launched its streaming platform Disney+.

In this very special episode of the Last King podcast, Shafique has a conversation with a friend of the show, and industry expert, Dustin Lau @luminoir.

We look into the business models of content streaming companies like Netflix and Amazon with Prime Video. Now, we are very aware that Disney+ is officially not available in Asia, so take what we say with a grain of salt.

Either way, we hope this episode informs as well as start conversations about the future of how we as consumers will be paying for and receiving our content, With a little about the technology and infrastructure that moves it all. Do you enjoy this first part of a special miniseries we call, Netflix is Dead. Part One.

Useful Links:

https://screenrant.com/disney-plus-marvel-movies/

https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/5/20941540/disney-plus-starz-ads-star-wars-force-awakens-espn-streaming-wars-licensing/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2019/08/20/all-the-reasons-why-netflix-is-doomed/

It's purely videogames this episode as we review Activision's Modern Warfare and Obsidian's The Outer Worlds.

The Call of Duty franchise peaked early in the decade, but have been struggling to retain sales. Modern Warfare aims to rectify that brining back the single-player campaign, as well as a new take on the classic multiplayer mode. Sales have been stellar for the game, breaking 600million dollars within the first three days, We take the game for a spin and share our thoughts on the new entry to the COD series.

And in our main segment, we review The Outer Worlds, from the creators of the original Fallout games. There has been much hype, especially with the lineage of those involved. And with the ill reception of Fallout 76, gamers are looking to the Outer Worlds as the Fallout game they were denied. Though there have been some grumblings as well, due to the game being announced as an Epic Store exclusive. Does the game deliver, or will it fall out the airlock and fail to meet expectations?

This week we discuss the events at Blizzard's Blizzcon 2019 and also review the new Terminator sequel, Terminator: Dark Fate.

So with Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 officially in the release pipeline. Plus a new addition to the legendary MMORPG, World of Warcraft. It's nice to see Blizzard announce products fans have been waiting to see. But there is also that minor PR disaster that took place during this one Hearthstone tournament recently. With all that in the air, we ask where Blizzard as a company and a brand will be headed to in the future.

And in our main segment, it's the return of the OG Sarah Connor, in Terminator Dark Fate. The franchise has been struggling to retain audience enthusiasm, with sequels and a reboot that did nothing to inspire ticket sales. And very much like Halloween film last year, this film plans to retcon the entire series by spinning off directly from the second film, T2: Judgement Day. On top of that, comes the nostalgia injection of Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger appearing in the cast. Will, this spark new interest in the long-running franchise or is it doomed to a dark fate? Like the title suggest.

This week we review the Netflix film El Camino and the first episode of HBO's Watchmen, based on Alan Moore's legendary graphic novel.

First, we return to the Breaking Bad universe, following the exploits of Jesse Pinkman. Set after the events of the final episode of the show, fans have been clamouring for closure for Jesse. Vince Gilligan returns to write and direct, but we are split between the fan service and the need for this to exist.

Next, it's the first episode of HBO's Watchmen. This sequel series has been steadily garnering lots of attention. Primarily on the promise of expanding upon the universe of the seminal comics. HBO has been hit or miss with their programming, see Game of Thrones. However, it's still too early to tell on the fate of Watchmen. But, as an initial step with new characters and stories will the show live up to expectations?

Its...the 50th anniversary of one of our favourite television series of all time. Monty Python's Flying Circus. We discuss the surrealist comedy troupe's history and the various incarnations of the group.

Then, we trace their careers from the groundbreaking tv show up to the sidesplitting and equally essential film catalogue. So break out your dirty Hungarian phrasebooks as we pay tribute to the gods of comedy aka Graham Chapman, Micheal Palin. Terry Jones, Eric Idle, John Cleese and Terry Gilliam. #happybirthdayjohncleese

This week we review It Chapter 2 the follow up to the 2016 film, and the recently released Joker film. Halloween comes early as we discuss two scary clowns right here on the Last King podcast.

Pennywise the clown returns to terrorize the children again. Now the Losers Club have all grown up, but are unwilling to face up against the supernatural jester. But a promise was made, and lives are at stake. we ask if the second chapter lives up to the hype, or like the original TV movie, fail to stick the landing as well?

And in our main segment, we discuss the highly controversial and very polarising Joker film, from director Todd Phillips. The clown prince of crime finally gets the solo movie he deserves. While other recent DCEU films struggle to reach the levels of films like the Dark Knight. This retelling of the Joker's origin story aims to stand on its own, with no explicit allusions to other films? A brave decision from the suits at WB, can the film transcend expectations?

This week we're lancing through with another all videogames episode. This time we look back at the Gears of War franchise. With a new numbered entry out on Xbox One and PC, which also includes Steam finally! We felt it was high time we gave the series the old Last King retrospective treatment.

The first game was a certified hit back in 2006, and along with Halo, were equally responsible for the initial success of the Xbox 360. It was followed up by an impressive sequel soon after, but from the third entry onwards, general interest in the games began to see a steady decline.

Now with a new game and a new cast of characters to follow, we look back at every entry, including the one starring Baird. And ask the question; does the series still has what it takes to stay relevant in the gaming landscape of today.

Back with another all videogames episode as we discuss the Borderlands franchise from Gearbox Software. We start back with the very first game back in 2009, all the way up to the recently released third entry that dropped in 2019. So sit back and relax as we scour the wastelands of Pandora, searching for adventure, action and legendary loot.

It's finally here, our review of Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" and the start of our three-episode long retrospective of the director's works. We go through the first decade of the filmmaker's career, where we talk "Reservoir Dogs", "Pulp Fiction" and "Jackie Brown".

This week we review the latest Danny Boyle film "Yesterday" and the third season of Netflix's "Glow".

Yesterday tells the story of Jack Malik, a struggling musician who enters a strange alternate universe where the Beatles never existed. Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Richard Curtis, the film focuses on Jack's rise to popularity while coming to terms with claiming the work of others.

Next, we review the new season of Glow as we follow the gang's adventures in Las Vegas. The girls face brand new challenges, with a new focus on the stories of the supporting cast. We have been looking forward to this season, but will it still retain the title of the best ladies wrestling show on tv now?