Lost in the Stream

Jeff Rauseo was born in Massachusetts and now lives in southern New Hampshire with his wife, Coryana, and their two children, Sam and Hannah. A lifelong movie enthusiast, he has been creating content online about his passion for film and physical media since 2015. Lost in the Stream is his debut book. He has a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. When he isn’t watching movies or creating content, he works in digital marketing.

“Movies are to Jeff Rauseo what water is to Aquaman.”—Brian Levant, director of The Flintstones and Jingle All the Way“A mesmerizing deep dive into the history of cinema. Jeff Rauseo unpacks the politics, finances, and creative battles behind the movies we love. From silent films to streaming, it’s a must-read for cinephiles. A fascinating, well-researched triumph that captures Hollywood’s ever-evolving landscape.”—Adnan Virk, film critic and host of Cinephile“Jeff loves movies. Like, every single aspect of them, from how they are made to how we consume them. So, if you love movies that much, too, you'll enjoy this book!”—Brandon Dermer, director“Film shapes culture, challenges perspectives, and inspires change. Jeff Rauseo explores cinema’s profound impact on society, art, and the human experience. Movies aren’t just entertainment—they’re a reflection of who we are.”—Hunter Rebner, film studies educator at Albert Einstein Academy“The best thing to read besides subtitles on a movie.”—Chris Collins, host of There Are Too Many Movies“From latchkey kids raised in the local video store to modern youth who have never known life without the constant deluge of screens, content, and the almighty algorithm, Lost in the Stream is a fascinating exploration of the film industry’s ongoing evolution. With eloquence and passion, Rauseo speaks directly to the heart of cinephiles.”—Alex DiVincenzo, Bloody Disgusting“Jeff is the best voice in the enthusiast community, and his book shows that in spades. His understanding and appreciation of the human and communal aspects of film, pushing the medium beyond just being referred to as ‘content’, is refreshing. His love and respect for the art form, from technical aspects to filmmaking, is passionate and relatable. Every collector and enthusiast needs to give this a read!”—Damon Weathers, physical production manager at Legacy Effects“Just when I needed another reason to fan out about Jeff Rauseo and his enviably encyclopedic movie mind, Lost in the Stream comes along…”—Josh Ruben, filmmaker“A blast from beginning to end, Jeff Rauseo’s book is nostalgic and funny and sad in equal measures as it recalls a time of VHS and Blockbusters and days spent lost at the local cinema (all subjects near and dear to my own heart). Jeff writes in the best way possible: honestly and with a clear passion for the world of film, filmmakers, and film lovers. I devoured everything he had to say. Pauline Kael famously ‘lost it’ at the movies but Jeff Rauseo ‘found it’ at the movies, and I’ve now found an author worth watching out for. Looking forward to seeing where he takes us next.”—Neil LaBute, director of Death at a Funeral

• Foreword by Chris Stuckmann or Alicia Malone IntroductionThe 15 to 30 movies that will help highlight or reinforce the concepts of each partPart 1: A Brief History of Movies and How We Watched ThemHow movies are consumed today, with the pros and consWhy we see movies the way we do, and when the shift happenedThe impact on movies, genres, and the industry over the last 25 yearsPart 2: The Algorithms and the Streaming RevolutionQuick history of movies from the '50s to the start of streaming/NetflixThe rise and fall of Blockbuster and video storesPhysical media, DVDs, Blu RayConvenience over choice or the illusion of choicePart 3: How to Watch Movies Outside of the Algorithm and Adapt to the FutureThe biggest studios and indie studios that have snowballed this problemMarvel, Dune, and Star Wars: the good, bad, and uglyThe PandemicThe FutureConclusion