Don't Encourage Us

Join our hosts on a mind-bending journey from post-apocalyptic America to the outer reaches of the Universe as they discuss racist zombies, satanic AI, alien genocide, and sewing. Listen and be amused as they discuss episodes 3 and 4 of HBO's The Last of Us, the plus and minus of Artificial Intelligence, and the audio drama "Chrysalis" by SH Serrano, which ChatGPT described as "an underground audio drama gem where a sentient burrito takes on the role of vigilante detective." Seriously.

This week our hosts offer a look ahead at future episodes of Don't Encourage Us that will cover Remo Williams (1985), Columbus Day (2017), Chrysalis (2020), One Cut of the Dead (2019), and Invincible (2021), and then they delve into the two launch episodes of the widely-praised HBO series, The Last of Us (2023-), starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey...

In this genre-spanning episode, the hosts delve into the fascinating origins of creative ideas and everyday choices; they explore the ever-evolving landscape of the restaurant business; they dissect the hilarious world of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"; and they reflect on the tragic murder of comedy legend Phil Hartman...

In a sci-fi cinematic journey for the ages, our hosts and their guest hostage, multidisciplinary artist A. Mert Erdem, come together to explore the captivating realms of Isaac Asimov's Foundation series and the thought-provoking Swedish film Aniara (2018). Through lively discussions and deep analysis, they delve into the intricacies of these visionary works, examining their rich themes, complex narratives, and profound philosophical underpinnings...

In a very special episode, our hosts delve into the fascinating topic of how competition between streaming services is reshaping viewer preferences. They examine the effects of this fierce competition, such as the growing division between short- and long-form content, emerging monetization strategies, and the resulting impact on the quality and diversity of content available...

Someone screwed up and encouraged them so now our hosts are fired up and ready to discuss the latest Daniel Silva novel, Portrait of a Woman, and delve into the fascinating world of provenance - the history of ownership and custody of a piece of art. They also explore the steps required to build a business around artistic products, from creating unique pieces to marketing and branding...

No longer in their primes, our hosts return to active duty for one last harrowing discussion of the 2022 movie Top Gun: Maverick, starring Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, and Jon Hamm. The hosts fall all over themselves praising the breathtaking flying scenes and top-notch cinematography, then dig deep to think up unfair criticisms and worse endings. ---------SPOILERS AHEAD---------

In this gripping story break episode, the hosts embark on an enthralling exploration of an original story idea about a power struggle between a menacing drug cartel and an international terrorist organization. Come immerse yourself in a world teetering on the brink of chaos, intricate plot threads, multifaceted characters, and heart-stopping action...

This week, the guys review "The Lost City," the 2022 Netflix romantic comedy starring Channing Tatum and Sandra Bullock. Listen and be amazed as they get lost in the dense, disorienting jungle of performances, writing, and wardrobe choices. Was it a worthy addition to the rom-com genre or did it remind them a little too much of better films...??? The answer is the second one.

In a cautionary tale to podcasters everywhere, the hosts of Don't Encourage Us survive just long enough to review the depressing 2001 Japanese horror film Pulse, directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, along with the 2006 American PG-13 remake, and the two direct-to-DVD sequels. They discuss the differences among the films, including the changes in tone, message, and target audience, and then make unhelpful recommendations as to who should watch these movies, all while our hosts gradually fade into ash...