Is The Love of Movies Dying? - General Discussion Discussion

[–] ShogunofYonkers (72942) 22 days ago

I think really good movies are still being made. It’s all subjective anyway. I recently watched Napoleon and Killers Of The Flower Moon, both of which were terrific imo and I enjoy a lot of low budget stuff streaming. There will be no end of fine movies in the future, there is always a story to be written by a good writer.

I believe people will always love movies for a reprieve from the everyday doldrums of life, for a bit of escapism. Same thing with streaming TV shows.

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[–] BillHicksFan (10204) 22 days ago

I have over a thousand on my IMDB watch-list, and I'm most are available, but nothing that makes me feel, "I gotta see that!"

I hope movies don't become more "background noise".. I know some people who will "watch" a movie, but look at their phone every other second and when it's over, "I didn't get it"

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[–] AndyKing1967 (34621) 22 days ago

but nothing that makes me feel, "I gotta see that!"

Whenever I feel like that I roll my sleeves up and go, ‘Right then! Let’s just pick a classic I’ve not seen before and get it over and done with.’

You’ll be surprised how often I enjoyed watching them and was glad that I ‘forced’ myself to do it.

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[–] BlackChristmas (615) 22 days ago

Cinema attending and movie appreciation will never recover to previous levels.

Back in 'the good old days' going to see a movie at the cinema was an event. Once upon a time home media wasn't a thing and even when it became a thing it was often a case of renting a VHS (480p) to watch on your 4:3 (worth noting as many movies were recropped to incorrect aspect ratios for the home market) 20 inch television at home. It didn't stand a chance at matching the cinematic experience. Movies often took forever to get a home media release. Also if you were lucky enough to catch a movie on television it would often be a tv-edit and heavily censored!

Nowadays home theatre systems are great. A lot of people have 50-60 inch 4K televisions and they can watch new releases in 4K via a digital purchase within 3-8 weeks of it being in theatres.

Movie backlog build up. There are more movies to choose from than ever before and it's ever increasing week on week. They're also easier to get your hands on than before. I know many diehard movie fans who aren't that interested in new releases or going to the cinema, rather they love searching for unseen movies from previous decades that they prefer (60s, 80s, etc). Back in the 80s you had the 20s-80s to watch from, now it's the 20s-20s. Four more decades of movies.

On that topic it was a lot easier to do something innovative back in the 60s-80s. Year on year it becomes harder to do something new. A lot of early innovations were due to technology advancements (silent to sound, black and white to color) or loosening censorship (the hays code to the MPAA). Aside from CGI advancements I don't think there's been a break through in years. Cinema is a bit stagnant.

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[–] BlackChristmas (615) 22 days ago

Other reasons;
- Nowadays television shows have bigger budgets and face less censorship. They do a much better job at competing with movies.
- With the advent of the internet people have so much more to do in their free time. Many people are addicted to their smart phones.
- Gaming is way more advanced in this day and age. Internet multiplayer was a huge break through.

Movies just don't have that grip on people that they used to.

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[–] Kowalski (61907) 22 days ago

ALL THAT.^

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[–] MaximRecoil (4192) 20 days ago

"Once upon a time home media wasn't a thing and even when it became a thing it was often a case of renting a VHS (480p) to watch on your 4:3 (worth noting as many movies were recropped to incorrect aspect ratios for the home market) 20 inch television at home."

VHS is 480i. Standard resolution CRT TVs can't even sync to 480p because that's a ~31 KHz resolution (AKA: "VGA"), and those TVs could only sync to ~15 KHz, which is 480i or 240p (classic video game consoles were 240p).

In digital terminology, VHS translates to approximately 320 × 480i, with a 2:1 pixel aspect ratio.

DVD was the first home video format capable of 480p, but only under the following conditions:

1. The DVD content was film-source
2. The DVD player was capable of "progressive scan"
3. The TV could sync to ~31 KHz

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[–] Vastuntitled (5647) 22 days ago

Maybe. I know my love for the new is being stretched with some of the offerings, but some of my issues are my time constraints. But I like to think if there were movies that struck a chord I’d make the time. I just don’t see a lot. There’s some out there, enough to keep me content, but I’m thinking of what’s arguably the last golden age, the 90s. A bunch to choose from in that decade.

I think good movies are still being made but the proliferation of content and the mediums chosen to bring it to the masses are overwhelming. I’ll go into an app and see so many new movies I never knew existed. So much to sift through . Makes it feel like a crapshoot. I do value this site for the posters that make good recommendations because it saves time. (Not a new movie but I think it was you that rec’d “The Killing of a Chinese Bookie” and I liked it, so there’s folks here that still like to discuss film despite the MovieSpat threads)

Cheers…

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[–] Kowalski (61907) 22 days ago

I GO BY MOVIECHAT RECOMMENDATIONS AND BY ACTORS...I AM ALWAYS ON IMDN SEARCHING ACTORS I LOVE AND RUNNING THROUGH THEIR RESUMES FOR ONES I MISSED OR HAVEN'T SEEN YET TO ADD TO MY WATCHLIST.

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[–] BillHicksFan (10204) 22 days ago

Cassavetes is one of my favorite directors, but that was one movie I didn't like of his :)

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[–] Vastuntitled (5647) 21 days ago

Maybe it was A Woman Under the Influence- at times a tough watch but Gena Rowlands nails it there…dark, emotional, scary, yet I couldn’t stop watching…it’s one of those films I tell myself needs a repeat viewing, but it’s such an emotional trip I keep putting it off— same with Requiem of a Dream and Room (2015)

Back to your original topic; the attention span thing is obvious, but also the way media/content is presented and consumed is ever-changing. Apps can be clunky so sometimes I just give up and watch a game or do something else. Also contributing to less movie watching for me— my favorite theater closed down a few years back and I just haven’t found a suitable alternative. It was gem of place: easy access, great seating, excellent customer service, two bars, great popcorn….and clean restrooms, which is a notable thing in my town — damn I miss that place….

But I’m fortunate to live in a town where theaters can still be supported , for now. Movie houses are my preference for film viewing even though I have a nice setup at home. I feel bad for smaller towns where it appears the cinematic experience will go by the wayside…..

From the totally random files, Billy hicks- totally looking forward to game 4 tonight , DEN@MIN….

Cheers…

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[–] BillHicksFan (10204) 20 days ago

I think Gena Rowlands performance is the best on film. One of my Top 10 movies, and it gets better with every viewing, but after a handful, it's probably enough.

Too bad another blow-out. It was a 15-pt game most of the way through. The night before, there was a 44-pt lead.

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[–] mikethemartian (6197) 22 days ago

In the RedLetterMedia review of the latest Ghostbusters movie Mike was saying that the movie should have been 700 short TikTok videos because young people today are losing interest in movies.

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[–] Kowalski (61907) 22 days ago

IT'S A FAIR STATEMENT...JUST THE BASIC WAY MOST PEOPLE DIGEST MEDIA IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT NOW.

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[–] Melton (2604) 22 days ago

Yes, mainly because Hollywood churns out endless garbage, typically infused with putrid woke messaging.

Combine that with younger generations becoming phone-addicted dopamine junkies with rotted attention spans and it’s not looking good.

I believe there’s still a market for quality movies, not least because long-form podcasts and quality TV shows are doing well. Hollywood just needs to return to making good stuff, and start respecting the audience instead of talking down to us.

Hopefully the box office figures will push studios in the right direction…

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[–] BillHicksFan (10204) 22 days ago

I think the money people keep thinking, "Well, they can't focus, so let's dumb it down even more... with a star... Show some big boobies - extra 3 million!"

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[–] Melton (2604) 22 days ago

True, except for the ‘big boobies’, if anything they seemed to have dialled back on that cos woke feminism.

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[–] KiwiJim (288) 21 days ago

Challenge for you Smelton, write a post without using the word “woke”…

Aaaaaaaaaand…. GO!!

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[–] robocat893 (13998) 21 days ago

He has no clue as to what woke means. It's just something he heard on the right wing press so he regurgitates it here.

Ask 10 different conservatives what woke means and you will receive 10 different answers.

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[–] Melton (2604) 21 days ago

Pathetic attempt at obfuscating the meaning of woke so that you can prevent criticism of it, and your woke cult.

You’re too dumb to pull off the sophistry you’re attempting. Fail.

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[–] Melton (2604) 21 days ago

You wokists are really shit at shutting down discussion of your cult.

Now, project your insecurity about being the victim of a cult onto others. Go…

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[–] robocat893 (13998) 21 days ago

What is a wokist? Can you define it? Speaking of cults check out my comment I made earlier.

What Is a Cult? 10 Warning Signs...

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-cult-5078234

According to the Cult Education Institute, there are specific warning signs to look out for when considering whether a group might be a cult. Cults are characterized by:

1. Absolute authoritarianism without accountability
2. Zero tolerance for criticism or questions
3. Lack of meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget
4. Unreasonable fears about the outside world that often involve evil conspiracies and persecutions
5. A belief that former followers are always wrong for leaving and there is never a legitimate reason for anyone else to leave
6. Abuse of members
7. Records, books, articles, or programs documenting the abuses of the leader or group
8. Followers feeling they are never able to be “good enough”
9. A belief that the leader is right at all times
10. A belief that the leader is the exclusive means of knowing “truth” or giving validation

I hope this helps you recognize that you're in a cult and you seek help to leave the cult of Trump. Pay special attention to #9 because Trump rarely tells the truth. Get past that and there may be hope for you.

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[–] KiwiJim (288) 21 days ago

That’s a fail, kiddo.

Better luck woke time. Oh damn, it’s contagious!!

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[–] nyctc7 (41678) 21 days ago

I will say yes, for the reasons mentioned above. And who experiences a double feature anymore?

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[–] robocat893 (13998) 21 days ago

Grindhouse (2007) would be the last time I've seen a double feature but that doesn't really count as it's really just one movie. When I was growing up in the 70s most theaters showed double features and with a ticket purchase you can stay in the theater as long as you want. This was really nice during the Summer heat.

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[–] DMT (3945) 21 days ago

sjw political correctness ruined modern films, I find myself watching only old school movies these days, youtube has some funny edgy content but modern mainstream cinema seems to only churn out propaganda that the jew approves

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[–] Thaistickers (1160) 21 days ago

^ Racist Dimwit.

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[–] Skavau (10286) 21 days ago

Didn't you regard Beauty and the Beast "jewish propaganda" because it depicted a cross-racial relationship?

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[–] capuchin (2748) 21 days ago

Almost half of Americans went to the movies in 1946.

There weren't nearly as many entertainment options in 1946. Television hadn't even taken off yet. There were no video games. No internet. Etc.

Oh, and you had to see movies in cinemas in 1946, otherwise you simply didn't see them. No home entertainment market at all.

So you're never going to see anything like those numbers again, because the potential audience is spread out over multiple different media.

Most people like films just fine as part of their whole leisure time activities, but are fairly casual fans. It's all the same to them if it's a film or a series or a game. It's just something to relax with on Netflix for a few hours in an evening after work.

But cinephilia has always been a niche thing. You know this. I know the kinds of films you watch and enjoy. How often do you meet people in regular life who give a crap about the kind of 'arthouse' and classic movies you spend your time watching?

Rarely, I'd venture. That's probably why you started using film forums in the first place -- a way to find a few like-minded folk. The normies like films, sure. Everyone does. But they're not that interested.

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[–] BillHicksFan (10204) 20 days ago

Yeah, there were only 3 channels when I was born.

I had handfuls of friends who were into "artsy" movies, but they seemed to have stopped watching movies. I talked to one (who was a neighbor, too) last year, and he said, "I can't find anything anymore". I used to talk movies all the time with people 'in real life' but that's over, and yes, it's why I spend more time online on forums, but even this kind of chat is less prevalent.

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[–] capuchin (2748) 20 days ago

I have a friend who is like that! 'I can't find the good stuff any more.' I don't really understand it, as I seem to find things just fine, but it's clearly a legitimate issue -- probably due to the way streaming services are at the moment.

I keep trying to get him on Letterboxd. It's a good film discovery tool. But I think it's not so much that he can't find anything good as he's just not as interested in finding things any more. So he's turned into a more casual type who just watches what Netflix serves him. Which is fine. People change.

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[–] BillHicksFan (10204) 20 days ago

I've been in a large movie drought for 3-5 years, where I only see a couple of good movies each year, and maybe a couple of very good movies. The problem is that TCM got rid of their best series (Underground -- independent, foreign, low-budge, out-of-print premieres).

But because of YouTube, etc., one can see so many movies (I've rated/reviewed over 2,500) in such a short amount of time. I also think after 25 years of "studying" movies, you become more self-aware, which is another way to ensure I have the highest probability to watch a good movie. But when I do see a good movie, it feels so cathartic, such a relief. Soul nutrition I guess.

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