iCritic LIVE
The official podcast for iCritic.net! Here, your host Kevin T. Rodriguez discusses movies, pop culture, and life in-between!
Episodes
99 episodes
Does Netflix Still Have Theatrical Ambitions?
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 wi...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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15:20
If We Picked the Oscar Winners 2025 (with Rachel's Reviews)
🎬 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 Os...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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50:43
Why Pixar Couldn’t Make Hopper in 2D (Even If they Wanted to)
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, w...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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21:43
🎙️ Why the Academy was NEVER Going to Nominate Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle for an Oscar
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 nomin...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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16:56
Happy New Year - Time for a Channel Update (Also: New Website)
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 upc...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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38:15
Netflix to Buy Warner Bros. Discovery (Are Theaters Screwed?)
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 t...
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Season 4
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Episode 37
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27:48
Discussing the Donald Trump Documentary Christians Don't Want You to See
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 Americ...
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Season 4
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Episode 36
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1:22:43
Toxic by Design: Why "Alchemised" Was Doomed to Divide
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 35
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24:15
Why I'm (Cautiously) Excited About the Future of Xbox 🎮
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 m...
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Season 4
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Episode 34
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20:04
Does Taylor Swift See Her Fans as $ Signs (Hint: Yes, She Does)
🎙️ 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...
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Season 4
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Episode 33
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19:16
Sinclair Caves and Brings Back Jimmy Kimmel (Nexstar May Be a Different Story Though)
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 ...
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Season 4
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Episode 32
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20:18
Why Charlie Kirks Death Bothers Me...
Charlie Kirk died. Despite not liking the man, his death has been weighing on me.
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Season 4
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Episode 31
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17:06
Netflix Unveils “Ethical” Rules for Implementing AI in Productions
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 in...
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Season 4
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Episode 30
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22:49
What Lessons (If Any) Will Netflix Learn from "KPop Demon Hunters" Theatrical Success?
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 29
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28:27
Acclaimed Animator Blocks Me for Crazy Reason
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 ...
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Season 4
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Episode 28
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17:05
Middle Aged Adults Discuss "The Fantastic Four: First Steps"
🧤 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...
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Season 4
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Episode 26
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1:06:58
Yes...We Need to Talk About Trump'S "South Park" Episode (And Why it is/isn't Great)
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 s...
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Season 4
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Episode 25
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20:05
Was the American Soft Reboot of Detective Conan Successful?
🔍 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 unpack...
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Season 4
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Episode 24
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17:05
TMS Entertainment Kills "Case Closed" Brand; Long Live "Detective Conan"
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. ...
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Season 4
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Episode 23
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22:56
Disney Classics the World Has Forgotten (with The Girly Nerd)
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 ...
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Season 4
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Episode 22
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1:35:36
Stacy Spikes Answers the Question: What IS Mogul by MoviePass?!
On this episode of iCritic LIVE, we sit down with the visionary behind MoviePass, founder and CEO Stacy Spikes, for an exclusive discussion about "Mogul by MoviePass." What is Mogul, and how is it set to revolutionize the film industry f...
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Season 4
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Episode 21
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56:39
Is Encore the Future of Anime/Video Game Ecommerce?
The anime and gaming industries have always been at the forefront of digital innovation, but could Encore be the next game-changer in ecommerce? In this episode, we dive deep into how Encore is reshaping the way fans purchase their favorite ani...
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Season 4
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Episode 20
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48:59
Why Does Hollywood Keep Hiring (Alledged) Abuser David O. Russell?
Hollywood has a long history of overlooking controversy when it comes to powerful directors. In this episode of iCritic LIVE, we dive into the ongoing debate surrounding filmmaker David O. Russell—a director known for acclaimed ...
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Season 4
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Episode 19
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23:50
Why the Disney Abu Dhabi Park Announcement Angered LGBTQA+ Fans
Disney’s latest theme park announcement has sparked controversy among LGBTQ+ fans. In this episode of iCritic LIVE, we dive into the backlash surrounding Disney’s decision to build a new resort in Abu Dhabi—a region where LGBTQ+ rights...
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Season 4
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Episode 18
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26:23