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I used to like to
go to movies, especially in high school. I liked
the food, the atmosphere, and the thrill of seeing
something new. I went to the Two Towers this
weekend, and was so disgusted I almost walked out.
Not at the two women who sat behind me and had to
discuss every scene. Not at the overpriced and
dreadful food. Not at LOTR:TTT. At the previews.
Before the amazing and spectacular movie there
were 6, and 5 were sequels: Dumb and Dumberer,
Terminator 3, Bad Boyz II, Final Destination 2.
X-men 2. Same characters, bigger explosions, same,
same, same.
Apparently a wave of conservatism is sweeping
through Hollywood. No, not political conservatism,
which is as welcome in the entertainment industry
as a priest at an orgy. Wait, bad analogy. Suffice
it to say that Hollywood's liberal bent is well
known. What is ironic is that for such a liberal
town there is not much incentive to do anything
new.
Without doubt, there are many brilliant artists in
the industry today, from the actors and directors
to the sound guys, electricians, and gophers.
Riding on their coattails is a host of fakers,
wanna-bes, and parasites who have little talent of
their own but can talk the talk, hiding their lack
of substance behind facades of pseudo-artistic
lingo and fake boobs.
Both the artists and the fakers who call
themselves so tend to glorify Ars Gratia Artis,
Art for the sake of Art. I think that is fine, but
they live on the money of the investors in the
film. The fundamental contradiction is that their
livelihoods are supplied by investors who don't
want to lose money. Filmmaking has become so
risk-averse that studios don't play to win
anymore, they play not to lose. They want to stick
with what has worked in the past. We, the
audience, are treated to sequel after drab sequel.
The artists in the industry are forced to whore
their art for crap projects that are virtually
guaranteed to break even while showing nothing
new.
Special effects technology has made anything
possible in the movies. Lord of the Rings: The Two
Towers is a great film not because of the special
effects but rather in spite of them. The story was
a great story fifty years ago when it was written.
It took some real artistry and a kajillion dollars
to bring it to the screen. When it comes down to
it, the appeal of the story comes from a mature
(for a fantasy book) analysis of some fundamental
human questions: Fight v. submit, personal needs
v. duty, free will v. destiny, just war v.
mindless bloodshed. It rings loudly with us in the
U.S. as we face an existential war against
modern-day orcs whilst every Grima Wormtongue
whispers "Why do they hate us? Let's find out what
they want. We can have peace in our time." Good
movies ask the questions. They don't have to
spoon-feed the answers.
I want to see a good movie with no explosions that
shows an interesting story (which eliminates the
nauseating remakes of Pretty Woman we are flooded
with lately.) I want to see a cerebral script that
a grown-up can enjoy because of the complex
themes. I want to see good actors delivering good
performances that delve deep into characters. I
want to see filmmakers risk their money on
something new and creative. I want to see
something that an average person can relate to. I
don't need to be shown some desperate depravity
that lies thinly vieled underneath normal life a
la American Beauty. (Yeah Hollywood we know: Rich
people suck, heterosexual marriages are miserable
for the woman, businessmen are all scheming
cutthroats who barely have time to oppress
minorities, and the world really needs another
"teenager comes of age in the Village, discovering
his sexuality and escaping the tyranny of his
castrating mother and absentee dad" movie.) I
can't bear to see another serial killer movie, cop
buddy movie, Pretty Woman clone movie, and so on.
They have all been done, redone, and dug up and
used again with all the glamor of a recycled
diaper. There are no new ways to kill people on
screen. There are no boundiaries to push with
nudity, language, or violence. Frankly, when a
film tries to push nonexistent boundiaries it
looks pathetic and stupid, not risque or
disturbing.
For the sake of Art, Hollywood, give us something
new. Break out of your conservative prison. Or
people like me will happily spend our money
elsewhere.
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