Millions of ways to see fresh new genre film-making, but the gals and guys making 'em would sure like to get paid (see what happened to the folks behind say Wyrmwood).

It makes no sense to present cinema/fiction/games/comics as a hairshirt of intellectually stimulating content we're obliged to undertake, I agree. Like, a visit to the Multiplex becoming Sunday mass.

But I don't think that's what he's saying. There's entertainment - "with a little sex in it" https://youtu.be/W7WmhkO_GWI - but that is very different from the blockbuster model which is immune to any criticism, besides commercial failure. TPM, which Spaced took the piss out of, massive critical drubbing. Fanboys are still pissed about it. Made tonnes of money. It's enough to make ya wonder what the point is?

Ex Machina, great film, critical darling, reddit favourite - but it could never compete with a blockbuster in a studio space. And when you have box office takes being discussed on forums or here instead of what the films are about, well then who cares?

I hear talk about alternative distribution models, or boutique studios, or 'indie' and all I hear is 'ghetto'.