I created a post months ago, 1930-70s vs. 1980s-present, and older movies won. I was surprised because I know the average age in here is probably much younger than anyone born in the 1930s, but an overwhelming majority chose older movies.
Why do YOU think the older movies were better?
The movies were more original, and the screenplay and acting could hold them together. Nowadays, the movies are just not believable or enjoyable. Very formulaic. I also notice that movies have become franchises. "Well if Part 7 made 70 billion, a Part 8 with Leonardo will bring in more money".
Even the "dinosaurs" in the old movie system actually loved movies, and didn't mind losing money at times if the movie was important. Once "jaws" made a ton of money, studios thought they'd make 10% of the movies, take no chances, and try to make only blockbusters.
The movies back then had HEART. I think talent plays a large role, too. The blacklist didn't help, but despite a threat of prison, you could have directors in the center (Capra) while using left-winged writers and right-winged actors and make it all work.
Nowadays, they'll have a 100 million dollar budget, but no substance. The few movies I've liked were made by guys who are retiring.
That's an important point. Hollywood used to be run by movie people, now it's run by business people, same as the music industry. They don't care and pump this stuff out like it's just another case of cola.
They have also made it all too scientific knowing what plots, devices etc to use rather than taking chances.
Exactly. Algorithms. They think "Why make Coca-Cola when we can make RC Cola for cheap" - as opposed to making something entirely new.
I can't believe "movie franchise" is a term used openly. Months ago, I asked people for their favorite movies of all-time. An overwhelming majority were from the 1930-70s. Its pretty fucked up that movies made before our births speak closer to us than shit being made right now.
Add identity politics. "Ooooh, a gay character. Let me go on 'social media' and start a campaign to make sure every gay person goes and sees Brokeback Mountain'". There's more attention to everything EXCEPT the movies (oscarsowhite, etc etc). There's too much to even remember. The writer isn't respected. They take a brand name and try to reproduce, change a few things, and if you make money, you are considered a good director (instead of a good businessman like spielberg)
I was born in '73 and I would much prefer watch a film from the 30's than even the blockbuster films from my youth. I can't believe Franchise is so accepted now too. You almost expect a film to finish in a way that leaves room for the next installment. To me when they start doing that, especially Marvel style it cheapens it all. Or when they start rebooting films that are only a few years old.
The PC shit is really killing creativity. When you have to build a movie in terms of "X" amount of white people, "X" amount of blacks, Asians etc oh some have to be gay or bi, better make one this or that. Interracial!! Yes, better include that. That isn't story telling anymore.
If anything, Artists are supposed to defy norms! In the least, they need to have their own vision and not even think about "rules".
Its just like the commercials on TV. Mixed couples. I would be offended that I was exploited. It's almost like "Here's your meaningless bone, let's go back to ripping you off after we've fooled you with this bullshit"
I was born in the 80s, but 99% of what I love (music, movies, comedy) was made before I was born.
Agreed and it is an assembly line approach. Look at a TV show like Supergirl completely flooded with SJW propaganda. You can see the checklist...
Tough lesbian character: CHECK!
Wussy, effeminate, straight, white guy: CHECK!
Tough black guy playing part of white guy with Swedish name: Check!
Interracial relationship: CHECK!
Copious amount of preaching: THE WHOLE SCRIPT, CHECK!
Bisexual/Trans/Homosexuality: CHECK!
Smart Asian: CHECK!
Well ok then, lets roll!
Oh, what's that? The producer? He is? What, really? No.... but, he's Jewish... oh... #metoo, ok.. but he's Jewish..ok... he's fired.
Let's roll!
"pound me too" movement -- movement from one millionaire's bank account to another
(Notice they never ever talk about women's shelters, or things that affect 99% of the problem -- no its a Hollywood thing
Nope. It's like Ghostbuster's 2016 cast complaining about sexism. These women got paid millions to make a crap film. Paid millions to play pretend and yet they still cry victim.
Your comment also makes me think of the stats we were told down here a while ago "1 out of 4 homeless is a woman" hmmmm that would make 3 out of 4 a man, right?
No one cares about that.
The PC shit is really killing creativity. When you have to build a movie in terms of "X" amount of white people, "X" amount of blacks, Asians etc oh some have to be gay or bi, better make one this or that. Interracial!! Yes, better include that. That isn't story telling anymore.
What a load of Alt Right crap. Case in point:
Add identity politics. "Ooooh, a gay character. Let me go on 'social media' and start a campaign to make sure every gay person goes and sees Brokeback Mountain'".
The Wiz was awful!
Tootsie was actually intelligent and balanced. If they made it now it would be far more skewed.
I think you are going overboard trying to denigrate us here just because you disagree. The films you mention aren't even good examples.
By the way I never liked comic books.
"Right-wing"? - go fuck yourself, bitch.
shareOld people will always praise the 1930-60s movies. A bit younger say that the 1970-90s are the greatest. To each their own. Personally I prefer the ones from the 70s/80s/90s and I hate modern-day trashy films but that's just me
shareThe older movies were better because of the studio system. It's kind of strange to say that, I know, because the studio system had this reputation of being oh, so tyrannical and evil. But you know what? The studios made sure that everything was made according to the highest standards and recruited the best people (directors, writers, etc.) to work in the industry.
There are two more reasons why movies were better, too. Most movies were based on preexisting material (novels, plays, etc.) that was extremely well written, but there are no more good novelists, playwrights and broadway show to base movies around. Of course, Hollywood could return to the classics, but so many people working in the industry now are morons who only grew up on comic books, animated series and video games). They're not going to pick up The Three Musketeers, The Prince and the Pauper or Romeo and Juliet any time soon.
And no one is writing great books as Steinbeck, Hemingway, etc.
shareArt vs Profit. Older movies were more about art therefore you had more creativity, quality and originality. Movies today are so expensive that studios fear losing their money so they look for formulas and duplication of past success which means less risk AKA: creativity.
BTW, old films starred women much more like Bette Davis and Katharine Hepburn, but as more profit was made and it moved from being "art" to "business", women in front of and behind the camera were pushed aside. Afterwards, movies were very male-dominated. Now, it's begun to swing the other way with more women starring in movies again. Women writers and directors are still in short supply though.
Very true.
I surprised someone when I mentioned many women were directors 100 years ago.
I watched Machine Gun Kelly (1958) yesterday it looks like a fairly cheap film, has a very simple plot and there are subtle elements of exploitation cinema in it. I would not call it a good film by any stretch but it was actually fun in it's own way. I sat there and watched the whole way through.
I tend to turn off modern films that would be equally as bad. I think that says something right there. In fact the reason I put MGK on was because I had started watching the Deadwood movie and turned that one off.