Longtime film critic Ty Burr announced his departure from the Boston Globe this weekend after nearly two decades and 3,000 movie reviews. The announcement was printed in the Globe, where he also shared with readers that he will be writing a thrice-weekly newsletter on Substack with film recommendations.
Burr spoke with Sue O’Connell, in for Jim Braude, on Greater Boston to discuss his decision and how the entertainment landscape has shifted in his decades of writing.
He doesn’t think the classic two-hour movie is going anywhere fast — “You can say things there you can’t say anywhere else” — but he knows, as does the film industry, that audience’s attentions are changing.
And Burr is excited for the wingspan that Substack gives him, with a platform-provided editor. He won’t be limited to being timely with releases into theaters or on streaming services. After a few decades, he’s just less interested in writing about the latest blockbuster.
“It allows me a greater sense of freedom while still connecting, hopefully, to readers that are interested,” he said.
WATCH: Ty Burr on why he’s leaving his 19-year post as the Boston Globe film critic
