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Lost in the Stream: How Algorithms Redefined the Way Movies Are Made and Watched
Explore Cinema History, Stream Your FavoritesThis engaging book by Jeff Rauseo blends film history with a modern guide to streaming, helping you navigate the complex history of movie making and ultimately how to know what to watch in the vast ocean of content. From the golden age of Hollywood to the best new movies to stream, Rauseo breaks down the ever-evolving movie watching experience to help us understand the good, the bad, and the ugly of streaming.
Ever feel overwhelmed by endless streaming choices? Jeff Rauseo's Lost in the Stream is your ultimate roadmap, combining movie history insights with an in-depth breakdown of how streaming influences the movies that are made and the ones that we are shown. Whether you're searching for the best new movies to stream, hidden Amazon Prime movies, or fun movies to watch on Netflix, this book has you covered.
Blending nostalgia with today's streaming hits, Lost in the Stream dives deep into the iconic history of film that shaped the art while helping you discover new favorites. It's the perfect companion for movie buffs and casual viewers alike.
Inside, you'll
A breakdown of the evolution of film watching, from drive-ins to Blockbuster nights and beyondEngaging insights into the impact finances and algorithms have on the movies that are madeA guide to discovering the best films for youNever Wonder What to Watch Again.
If you liked The New York Times Book of Movies, The Science of Interstellar, or Oscar Wars, you'll love Lost in the Stream.
Ever feel overwhelmed by endless streaming choices? Jeff Rauseo's Lost in the Stream is your ultimate roadmap, combining movie history insights with an in-depth breakdown of how streaming influences the movies that are made and the ones that we are shown. Whether you're searching for the best new movies to stream, hidden Amazon Prime movies, or fun movies to watch on Netflix, this book has you covered.
Blending nostalgia with today's streaming hits, Lost in the Stream dives deep into the iconic history of film that shaped the art while helping you discover new favorites. It's the perfect companion for movie buffs and casual viewers alike.
Inside, you'll
A breakdown of the evolution of film watching, from drive-ins to Blockbuster nights and beyondEngaging insights into the impact finances and algorithms have on the movies that are madeA guide to discovering the best films for youNever Wonder What to Watch Again.
If you liked The New York Times Book of Movies, The Science of Interstellar, or Oscar Wars, you'll love Lost in the Stream.
- GenresNonfiction
218 pages, Paperback
Published August 12, 2025
25 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 11, 2025
Jeff Rauseo has put together such an interesting and enjoyable read. His love for movies shines through from start to finish, and it makes you want to keep turning the pages.
He takes you from Hollywood's golden age to the streaming world we know today, showing how algorithms quietly shape what gets made and what ends up on our screens. It's written in a way that's easy to follow and full of little insights that make you stop and think. By the end, you will want to share what you learned with every film lover you know!
He takes you from Hollywood's golden age to the streaming world we know today, showing how algorithms quietly shape what gets made and what ends up on our screens. It's written in a way that's easy to follow and full of little insights that make you stop and think. By the end, you will want to share what you learned with every film lover you know!
October 6, 2025
Consider replacing some of your monthly streaming services with physical media or going to the theater. Control the algorithm, don’t let it control you.
August 24, 2025
I found this book fascinating. Its author has an old soul, like me. But while he waxes poetic about the nostalgia of renting movies or seeing movies or just talking to friends in person about movies, he doesn't come across as an old man yelling at you to get your dern mechanical devices off his yard. You can tell he has a passion for films. He gives a great history of how films were viewed and how the advent of television affected the movie industry. He goes on to explain how movie rentals have changed and how movies are now streaming sometimes less than a month after they are released. It's well-researched and just full of loads of information that I found rather enlightening. If you are a fan of films and curious about the theater experience and how streaming and algorithms have changed the movie industry, this is a must read.
One note on the introduction, which was not written by the author. It's good! Don't get me wrong. It's written by a director, and he shows the same passion as the author. But he mentions seeing "Back To The Future" in the theater when it came out and how enraptured he was. The climax of the story is seeing the words 'To Be Continued' at the end of the film. I'm pretty sure that wasn't added until the film came out on VHS because at the time the film was released, the producers had no intention for a sequel. As Zemeckis put it, he said if he knew they were going to make a sequel, he wouldn't have put Jennifer (Marty's girlfriend) in the car with Doc and Marty. Maybe it was a bit of the Mandela Effect. Or maybe I'm wrong. Haha. But if you read that on page one and get a little nervous, don't be. The book is amazing. If you have a friend who loves film, this would be an excellent gift.
One note on the introduction, which was not written by the author. It's good! Don't get me wrong. It's written by a director, and he shows the same passion as the author. But he mentions seeing "Back To The Future" in the theater when it came out and how enraptured he was. The climax of the story is seeing the words 'To Be Continued' at the end of the film. I'm pretty sure that wasn't added until the film came out on VHS because at the time the film was released, the producers had no intention for a sequel. As Zemeckis put it, he said if he knew they were going to make a sequel, he wouldn't have put Jennifer (Marty's girlfriend) in the car with Doc and Marty. Maybe it was a bit of the Mandela Effect. Or maybe I'm wrong. Haha. But if you read that on page one and get a little nervous, don't be. The book is amazing. If you have a friend who loves film, this would be an excellent gift.
August 4, 2025
Anyone concerned about the future of movies should read Jeff Rauseo’s ‘Lost in the Stream’ (Mango Publishing) a lucid and passionate look at the way that streaming has impacted theaters and film culture in general - especially since the COVID 19 shutdown.
Longtime movie lovers know that something is wrong with the current situation in which theaters are declining and streaming service algorithms are a poor substitute for the word of mouth and reviews that, in past eras, steered us in the direction of pictures we might never have heard of.
Rauseo reminds us that the brief-lived video store experience of the 1980s and 1990s put us in touch with a wide variety of movies we weren’t familiar with, as well as knowledgeable store staffers who got to know our tastes and could make good recommendations.
The author lays out the sad decline of old-fashioned movie love in recent years - the passivity of home viewing replacing the active lifestyle of going out to movie theaters and video stores. We ‘watch’ movies now rather than go to them.
‘Lost in the Stream’ is not a downer, though, as Rauseo shows us how to rekindle a more personal approach to movies through more selective use of social media (including his own accounts) and making the effort to support the independent theaters in our communities. The book is an excellent combination of reporting and criticism.
Longtime movie lovers know that something is wrong with the current situation in which theaters are declining and streaming service algorithms are a poor substitute for the word of mouth and reviews that, in past eras, steered us in the direction of pictures we might never have heard of.
Rauseo reminds us that the brief-lived video store experience of the 1980s and 1990s put us in touch with a wide variety of movies we weren’t familiar with, as well as knowledgeable store staffers who got to know our tastes and could make good recommendations.
The author lays out the sad decline of old-fashioned movie love in recent years - the passivity of home viewing replacing the active lifestyle of going out to movie theaters and video stores. We ‘watch’ movies now rather than go to them.
‘Lost in the Stream’ is not a downer, though, as Rauseo shows us how to rekindle a more personal approach to movies through more selective use of social media (including his own accounts) and making the effort to support the independent theaters in our communities. The book is an excellent combination of reporting and criticism.
September 17, 2025
If you are wondering how it's possible, that you have access to seemingly every movie ever made at your fingertips, and yet, you are less "Entertained" now than you have ever been, than this is the book for you.
If you are like me, and have gotten off the stream, and are getting back into the physical, then this is the book for you.
I found myself nodding in agreement with Jeff as I read this book, which made it a "page-turner" for me.
I stumbled onto Jeff's youtube channel after I found myself frustrated by the rising costs, and dipping return on investment, of today's streaming media. I remember the "good 'ol days" of film and the excitement that went along with it. How fun it was to venture out into the world to find entertainment.
Jeff is no Luddite, and neither am I. We both love tech and what it can do, as a tool. But when it's used as entertainment, it's not so much a tool for our benefit, as much as it is for the ones who make it for us.
If you are like me, and have gotten off the stream, and are getting back into the physical, then this is the book for you.
I found myself nodding in agreement with Jeff as I read this book, which made it a "page-turner" for me.
I stumbled onto Jeff's youtube channel after I found myself frustrated by the rising costs, and dipping return on investment, of today's streaming media. I remember the "good 'ol days" of film and the excitement that went along with it. How fun it was to venture out into the world to find entertainment.
Jeff is no Luddite, and neither am I. We both love tech and what it can do, as a tool. But when it's used as entertainment, it's not so much a tool for our benefit, as much as it is for the ones who make it for us.
August 18, 2025
This is an excellent book for anyone who fancies themselves a cinephile or movie lover. Especially if you miss the days of chatting with video store clerks trying to find that next great unsung gem or classic that wasn’t on your radar.
Movies, like just about everything, has been taken over my algorithms, machine learning, and targeted ads. In this book, author Jeff Rauseo breaks down the history of film culture, where we started from, and how we got here. He also provides easily digestible ways to reclaim your movie watching habits from the algorithms, and find ways both virtually and in-person to contribute to the film culture that has faded over time.
Written in a breezy, conversational style, this book was fun to take in, and gave me a lot of hope for the future of film culture. A must read for movie lovers!
Movies, like just about everything, has been taken over my algorithms, machine learning, and targeted ads. In this book, author Jeff Rauseo breaks down the history of film culture, where we started from, and how we got here. He also provides easily digestible ways to reclaim your movie watching habits from the algorithms, and find ways both virtually and in-person to contribute to the film culture that has faded over time.
Written in a breezy, conversational style, this book was fun to take in, and gave me a lot of hope for the future of film culture. A must read for movie lovers!
October 25, 2025
Essential reading for cinephiles
Insightful writing from a true movie fan, Jeff Rauseo provides a fun, entertaining and critical look at how streaming has impacted our experiences as movie fans. I read it in one sitting because, frankly, I couldn't put it down. Whether you're a Criterion collector, an Arrow Video customer or a Netflix subscriber, this book has something for you. Highly recommend!
Insightful writing from a true movie fan, Jeff Rauseo provides a fun, entertaining and critical look at how streaming has impacted our experiences as movie fans. I read it in one sitting because, frankly, I couldn't put it down. Whether you're a Criterion collector, an Arrow Video customer or a Netflix subscriber, this book has something for you. Highly recommend!
October 24, 2025
An insightful and engaging read! Jeff really dives into not just streaming and their business model, but the Hollywood machine and how their interconnectedness has truly changed filmmaking and movie watching. Read this asap, and then go see a movie in theaters when you're done, buying a bluray on the way home! Train your algorithm, don't give into it!
September 10, 2025
I just finished this book and thought it was excellent. The author does a great job exploring the evolution of movie theaters and offering sharp insights into the current state of streaming. Highly recommend for anyone who loves films!
September 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Easy read that doesn’t really go over anything new. I’m a big fan of physical media for movies so the author was preaching to the choir with me.
Easy read that doesn’t really go over anything new. I’m a big fan of physical media for movies so the author was preaching to the choir with me.
September 20, 2025
Such a fun read. If you’re a movie fan and/or curious about algorithms, web marketing, etc., you’ll like this one!
October 25, 2025
I wanted more from this book. It was fine. It didn’t feel like there was enough for a real book
August 17, 2025
Overall a great read as someone preaching physical media and theater experiences (mainly the Alamo) from the rooftops. Helps that I’m a contemporary to Jeff so the beginning really resonated.
Some hollow, trite critiques of capitalism that seem to be inserted because it’s the cool thing to do, but I got past that to ultimately converge with the author here.
It really is worth our time to reject streaming as our default activity. Physical copies are cheaper in the long run, more fun, and shareable. Give it a try!
Some hollow, trite critiques of capitalism that seem to be inserted because it’s the cool thing to do, but I got past that to ultimately converge with the author here.
It really is worth our time to reject streaming as our default activity. Physical copies are cheaper in the long run, more fun, and shareable. Give it a try!
August 11, 2025
Jeff Rauseo has put together such an interesting and enjoyable read. His love for movies shines through from start to finish, and it makes you want to keep turning the pages.
He takes you from Hollywood’s golden age to the streaming world we know today, showing how algorithms quietly shape what gets made and what ends up on our screens. It’s written in a way that’s easy to follow and full of little insights that make you stop and think. By the end, you will want to share what you learned with every film lover you know!
He takes you from Hollywood’s golden age to the streaming world we know today, showing how algorithms quietly shape what gets made and what ends up on our screens. It’s written in a way that’s easy to follow and full of little insights that make you stop and think. By the end, you will want to share what you learned with every film lover you know!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews