“The Burbs, Industry, Undercard & Good Luck, Have Fun & Dont Die | episode 5

This week: 1 missed audition 1 audition lined up Human Rights Film Festival screening Industry headlines shaking things up Topics covered: The passing of Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek Agency reverberations tied to Wasserman and the Olympics Apple acquiring a Severance spinoff and what that means for territory and streaming power Warner Bros. talks reopening Spider-Noir releasing in both black and white and color, with Nicolas Cage doing what only Nicolas Cage can do The bigger question: how do these corporate shifts affect working actors who are not at the top of the call sheet? 📺 Series Spotlight: The Burbs Owen breaks down The Burbs, an 8-episode vehicle led by Keke Palmer. Cast highlights: RJ Cyler Paula Pell of SNL and AP Bio Mark Proksch from Better Call Saul Jack Whitehall Corey Feldman cameo Why it works: Smart social commentary wrapped in suburban absurdity Strong ensemble chemistry Weekend binge energy Twists that land Clear runway for Season 2 Owen breaks down why it feels like a “good hang” show that still has something to say. 📺 What I’m Watching Stumble – S1E10 “Finals Week” Daytona stakes. Public relationships. False info plays. Momentum building. Will Trent – S4E7 In Will Trent: Mark-Paul Gosselaar returns Ghosts from Will’s past Clear Dexter-coded dark passenger energy Emotional tension building toward something bigger Hijack – Season 2 In Hijack: Explosions Train car destruction Video evidence smuggled to police Above-ground chess games Rising passenger tension The question: did Jess get shot? Industry – S4E7 “Points of Emphasis” In Industry: Whitney’s gambit collapses Yas sells out Henry to secure her exit Harper and Yas hook up Eric’s final episode Renewed for a final season Owen speculates on what the endgame looks like and whether redemption is even possible in this world. 🧠 Cartoon Corner Primal: Zombie chaos Darwin: School shooter storyline, Lucy Homo erectus arc Discussion on how animation often takes bigger narrative risks than live action. 🎬 Undercard Film Spotlight A sports drama starring Wanda Sykes. What works: Beautifully shot Thoughtful lighting for Black skin tones Shot in Puerto Rico Strong mother-son dynamic Woman trainer representation Standout: William Stanford Davis delivers the strongest performance Notes: Fight choreography could have been tighter Wanda’s voice occasionally pulls you out of the illusion Bentley Green as Mayhem brings emotional grounding Roselyn Sánchez as love interest adds polish 🎭 Box Office Breakdown This week: GOAT – $16M Wuthering Heights How to Make a Killing – #6 Good Luck Have Fun Don't Die – $1.5M wide release AI as the big bad. Owen discusses: The cult appeal of Sam Rockwell Ensemble echoes of The White Lotus Michael Peña, Zazie Beetz, Haley Lu Richardson, Juno Temple A standout child performance as the AI boy The slow build into the “loop” concept Surreal final act choices The big takeaway: when does topical commentary elevate a thriller, and when does it overwhelm it? 🔥 Themes of the Episode Industry instability and what it means for working actors Prestige ensemble storytelling The power of suburban satire Representation in sports dramas AI as a narrative antagonist What the final season of Industry could mean 🔗 Follow & ConnectInstagram: @checkinthegateX (Twitter): @checkinthegateTIKTOK: @checkinthegatepodEmail : [email protected] Have recommendations for shows, films, or Black-created projects to spotlight? Reach out on social. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.