iCritic LIVE

Send us Fan Mail Sony’s latest business decisions have sent shockwaves through collectors and gamers alike — but is Grand Theft Auto VI the real culprit behind the death of discs? In this episode of iCritic LIVE, Kevin T. Rodriguez dives deep into how Rockstar’s digital-first juggernaut may have accelerated Sony’s retreat from physical media. From the economics of digital distribution to the cultu...

Send us Fan Mail This week, The New York Times dropped a bombshell story about Netflix’s new film chief, Dan Lin , and the internal chaos surrounding his leadership. What was meant to be a fresh era of creative collaboration has instead turned into a public relations nightmare — one that’s shaking Hollywood’s confidence in the streamer’s talent relations. In this episode of iCritic LIVE , we break...

Send us Fan Mail For years, film lovers have been waiting for the lights to come back on at the legendary Cinerama Dome. Closed since the start of the pandemic, the Dome has become a symbol of both Hollywood nostalgia and the uncertain future of theatrical exhibition. One passionate fan launched a grassroots campaign to save it—rallying supporters, raising awareness, and pushing for answers. But i...

Send us Fan Mail The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has become the latest battleground in the never‑ending war between film critics and passionate fandoms. Critics—myself included—have been largely unimpressed with the film’s storytelling, pacing, and creative choices. Fans, on the other hand, have embraced it wholeheartedly, defending it with the kind of intensity usually reserved for console wars and...

Send us Fan Mail Netflix once treated theaters like an afterthought—but in 2026, the story is more complicated. In this episode of iCritic LIVE , Kevin breaks down the streamer’s latest moves: from investing in theatrical comedies to promising 45-day windows for premium VOD, and even experimenting with IMAX releases for select titles. Is this a genuine pivot toward theatrical respect, or just stra...

Send us Fan Mail 🎬 What this livestream is all about   I’m teaming up with Rachel’s Reviews for a full, category‑by‑category breakdown of the 2025 Academy Awards—but with a twist. Instead of predicting what the Oscars will do, we’re deciding what the Oscars *should* do. Expect passionate debates, surprising agreements, and a few “how did the Academy miss this?” moments along the way. 🏆 Categorie...

Send us Fan Mail  This episode digs into the uncomfortable truth behind Pixar’s newest film: Hopper was never a candidate for hand‑drawn animation—not because the story demanded 3D, but because Disney and Pixar no longer have the infrastructure, workforce, or corporate will to make a 2D feature at all. What looks like a creative choice is really the result of two decades of strategic decisions tha...

Send us Fan Mail As Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle opened to massive box office and critical fan reaction, fans wondered whether this could break into the Oscars. But the reality is far simpler—and far less dramatic. The Academy was never going to nominate a movie that functions as a direct, late‑series continuation of an ongoing storyline. In this episode of iCritic LIVE , Kevin unpacks why Infini...

Send us Fan Mail We’re kicking off the new year with a special live episode! 🎉 Join us as we look back on last year’s highlights, talk about what’s next for the podcast, and unveil some exciting updates—yes, including our brand-new website! We’ll chat about upcoming content, community plans, and how you can get involved in shaping what’s ahead. It’s a casual, interactive hangout to celebrate a fr...

Send us Fan Mail In this explosive episode of iCritic LIVE , we tackle the shocking news: Netflix is set to buy Warner Bros. Discovery. What does this mean for Hollywood, streaming dominance, and the future of movie theaters? Are theaters doomed—or is there still hope for the big screen experience? Join us as we break down the deal, the industry shake-up, and what it means for audiences everywhere...

Send us Fan Mail Dive into the controversial new documentary God & Country in this episode of Discussing the Donald Trump Documentary Christians Don’t Want You to See. With guest co-host Pat Kahnke, we unpack how faith, politics, and power collide in America, exploring why this film challenges narratives some would rather keep hidden. Expect sharp insights, candid conversation, and a deeper lo...

Send us Fan Mail Draco. Hermione. Abuse as romance. Alchemised didn’t just spark controversy — it invited it. On this episode of iCritic LIVE , we unpack how a toxic ship became a publishing spectacle, why fandom backlash was inevitable, and what it says about the line between fantasy and harm. Support the show ►Want a question answered on iCritic Live? Send a question here and we'll answer i...

Send us Fan Mail Xbox is making moves—but are they the right ones? In this episode of iCritic LIVE , Kevin breaks down the latest shifts in Microsoft’s gaming strategy, from studio acquisitions and Game Pass evolution to the uncertain fate of physical media and platform exclusivity. It’s not all green lights: we’ll explore the risks, the promises, and why cautious optimism might be the most honest...

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Is Taylor Swift’s fan devotion a heartfelt connection—or a billion-dollar strategy? In this episode, we unpack the calculated brilliance behind Swift’s empire, from surprise drops to merch rollouts, and ask whether her relationship with fans is more transactional than emotional. 💸 Why does every Swiftie era feel like a marketing masterclass?  🎤 How does Taylor balance authent...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of iCritic LIVE, we dive into the surprising reversal by Sinclair Broadcast Group, which has decided to bring Jimmy Kimmel back to its affiliate lineup after previously sidelining the late-night host. What changed—and what does this say about the shifting dynamics between content, controversy, and corporate strategy? We unpack the behind-the-scenes pressures that l...

Send us Fan Mail Charlie Kirk died. Despite not liking the man, his death has been weighing on me. Support the show ►Want a question answered on iCritic Live? Send a question here and we'll answer it (if it's a reasonable question): https://streamelements.com/kevintrod/tip ►Get free money just from buying gas!  Download GetUpside to start making an average of $50 a day: https://upside.ap...

Send us Fan Mail Netflix has officially dropped its first comprehensive guidelines for using generative AI in content production—and the timing couldn’t be more loaded. In this iCritic LIVE episode, we unpack the streaming giant’s attempt to balance innovation with ethics, union pressure, and audience trust. From The Eternaut’s AI-generated VFX to the controversy surrounding What Jennifer Did , Ne...

Send us Fan Mail Netflix just scored its first major box office win with KPop Demon Hunters —a surprise theatrical smash that grossed $18 million in just one weekend across 1,700 screens. But will the streaming giant treat this as a fluke, a fan-service stunt, or a blueprint for future releases? In this episode, we dissect the cultural phenomenon behind KPop Demon Hunters , from its viral soundtra...

Send us Fan Mail In this eyebrow-raising episode of iCritic LIVE , Kevin dives into the unexpected drama involving Emmy-winning animator Jorge R. Gutierrez—best known for The Book of Life , Maya and the Three , and El Tigre . What started as admiration turned into digital exile when Gutierrez hit the block button... but why? Was it a misunderstood critique? A clash of creative philosophies? Or som...

Send us Fan Mail The title says it all. Support the show ►Want a question answered on iCritic Live? Send a question here and we'll answer it (if it's a reasonable question): https://streamelements.com/kevintrod/tip ►Get free money just from buying gas!  Download GetUpside to start making an average of $50 a day: https://upside.app.link/5TMVT ►Want to invest in stocks commission-free?  Us...

Send us Fan Mail 🧤 Is the 2020s Fantastic Four film secretly brilliant... or just fantastically flawed? In this episode of iCritic LIVE, our panel of middle-aged cinephiles takes a nostalgic stroll back to the superhero origin that dared to predate the MCU boom. With decades of movie-watching wisdom and a dash of generational sass, the crew dissects The Fantastic Four: First Steps —exploring its...

Send us Fan Mail The gloves are off and the satire is on. In this charged episode of iCritic LIVE , Kevin breaks down the political chaos and cultural absurdity surrounding the Trump-inspired South Park storyline. Is it biting satire or bloated spectacle? A comedic masterpiece or a missed opportunity? We dig deep into the episode’s commentary, its character portrayals, and the wider ripple effects...

Send us Fan Mail 🔍 The sleuthing gets serious as (AKA: iCritic) examine the bold, if enigmatic, attempt to reintroduce Detective Conan to American audiences. From name changes and cultural localization to shifts in tone and marketing, this episode unpacks the strategy behind the soft reboot and questions whether the series truly found its footing stateside. 🎭 Expect critical analysis, franchise...

Send us Fan Mail In this fiery episode of iCritic LIVE , we dive deep into the branding bombshell dropped by TMS Entertainment: the retirement of the Case Closed name in English-speaking markets in favor of the original Detective Conan . What does this shift mean for the franchise’s global identity, and why now, after two decades of Case Closed branding? Host Kevin peels back the layers—from marke...

Send us Fan Mail Step into the forgotten pages of Disney history with iCritic LIVE! In this special episode, "Disney Classics the World Has Forgotten," we dive deep into the hidden gems and long-lost treasures of Disney’s vast catalog. From underrated animated films to theme park attractions lost to time, we’ll uncover the stories behind these forgotten classics and explore what made the...