So here we go again. A piece from IMDB where they once again suggest that movies are getting worse. Worse than what a reasonable person must ask? Worse than John Wayne westerns and Charles Bronson shoot'em ups? Worse than the movies that Hollywood used to churn out once a week in the old days when the studios owned the actors? Is this taking into account that movies like Casablanca were one in a million, or that the reason there can be an American Movie Classics channel is because there's only a select number of classics that they'd be willing to show? Is it taking into account the fact that many of the movies that played in past wouldn't play today without some re-writing?
Is this really about Hollywood at all or this is this just a part of a larger mistaken belief that times are getting worse, whether you're referring to ordinary life, international politics or whatever? Might not it simply be that people who were born in the "Golden Age" aka the 50s where everything was just hunky dory (assuming you were white, male, and at least middle class and you were willing to look the other way when problems did arise)simply don't see the reality? That, in fact, times are getting better not worse because we're finally addressing the problems that were ignored for decades in the hopes they would go away. Drugs, abuse, society's ills all existed in the "good old days" mixed with lavish amounts of racism, sexism and other forms of prejudice. But worst of all, people's unwillingness to face the problems, instead passing them down for future generations to deal with.
So okay, were educating people about drugs, teen pregnancy, etc. We're combatting abuse in all its forms. We're slowing but surely eroding prejudice. In fact, we're dealing with all the major issues. But still they (mostly old timers) complain about the rap lyrics, about videogames, about music videos, whatever catches their attention at the moment. They weren't worried about it when Capone was killing people and left and right, but when minorities do it, it's a whole different story. They aren't bothered by a drunk laying in the gutter, but a hype laying in the gutter they find distressing (even though they share the disease of addiction). I could go on and on and on. People need to open their eyes, look at the big picture and especially look at all the progress that has been make, not just gripe about the things they don't like. And if they're really bold and adventurous, they could be asking themselves, "What am I doing about it? How am I helping? Am I helping?" Because if they're spending so much time complaining on the internet, they're probably not helping.
So it is with movies as well. Look at the advances made in cinematography, set design, special effect, sound, etc. Look at an amazing work like the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and then tell us again that movies are getting worse. Because in addition to everything else, there's a greater variety of movies out there as well. You don't like a particular movie out there, you can rest assured that another one will be along that you probably will like. And if you can't stand any of the movies out there, then maybe you ought to consider making your own. Because this is also the age of the Indy filmmaker. It's never been so inexpensive or easy to make your own movie. You think you know a lot about movies and moviemaking, show us. Are you afraid to try?
Note: Yes, 9/11 was terrible, but guess what? The American Civil War was worse. It's bad enough when they kill us, but it's far worse when we kill each other.
Are you making a social commentary or talking about Hollywood? Movies ARE getting worse. Compare the Lord of the Rings trilogy to the Godfather trilogy and see how even well done epics in this day and age are inferior to previous classics. Part of the problem is in your commentary. Movies today get too preachy. I want to be entertained, not lectured when I go to a movie.
What about Citizen Kane (the only "perfect movie" ever made), Casablanca, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Gone With the Wind, etc? You can't find anything like those movies today.
The decline of the quality of motion pictures has nothing to do with the times. It has to do with the instant gratification of studio heads. Star Wars, which was at one time the highest grossing movie of all-time, made $6 million in its opening weekend. It ended its run with $307 million. Movies years ago were made for staying power, showing in theaters for months. Word of mouth was very important. Today, a studio tries to make all of its money in the first two to four weeks. Rarely do you see a movie in a theater for more than a two or three months.
Back in the "golden age" of cinema, actors were artists. Today they are business men and women. While there are a few fabulous actors, most only have jobs because of their looks, not their talent. And the public eats them up. You mentioned Lord of the Rings, but can you seriously say Elijah Wood did an amazing acting job in that movie? Sean Astin carried him through every scene.
Even indy filmmaking costs money. And it take up much of your time. Then you have to find a studio to distribute it. The internet has helped, but for many, it just isn't a practical alternative.
Perhaps, the variety of movies is what is causing the decline of quality. The market is saturated. Studios are rushing movies to the screen as quickly as they can. Budgets get bigger, but the amount of time to produce a motion picture has shrunk. Quality has suffered.
Thats all true Oswald but I dont think movies are any worse these days than they have ever been. There are MORE movies which means the good to bad ratio is off, but good movies are made every year, you just have to weed out the shitty ones
I am saying the overall quality of movies is worse than they ever have been. This is more from a technical point of view. Sure there are good movies each year, but even the good ones are not great. Every so often an original idea comes along and there are great movies, but they are few and far between.
KMC Community Forums
Aug 8th, 2005 10:27 PM
