Topic Of The Day: Movies Are Dead?

The other day, I read an article by Ty Burr from The Boston Globe where he asks whether movies have died this year because we're having such an underwhelming year for big movies.

In my opinion, even though it has been a poor year for blockbusters, it doesn't mean that movies overall have died and it definitely doesn't mean Hollywood movies have died. A lot of the best reviewed movies so far this year have been on a much smaller scale and were like diamonds that you had to dig for. It has worked on some level with films like Hell Or High Water and Love and Friendship breaking into the top 10 at the box office.

So there is an audience for original non-tentpole properties. It's just that Hollywood doesn't seem to be listening. Because it is always movies like Jason Bourne, Suicide Squad, and X-Men: Apocalypse that have big openings at number one, the message that Hollywood gets is go keep making more of them. They don't care that the formula is the same. All they want is to make their money back. They don't care if a movie is inventive. Just whether or not it makes a profit and tentpole movies are what really drive the box office.

But if you really are tired of redundant tentpole sequels, reboots, etc., my advice to you is to not see them. There is original and diverse content out there like jewels and you just have to enter the mine to dig them out. I know it can be hard sometimes because films like The Lobster and Eye In The Sky probably won't be heading to your local multiplex. But in the end, it'll be worth the search. Plus, if an original studio film does hit your local multiplex, go and see that.

In Hollywood, the top two languages are English and dollar bills. When we speak with the latter, we are sending a message of what movies we want to see. So let them know you want more original movies.

So I disagree with the notion that movies are dying just because it's mostly been a crap year for bigger Hollywood movies. Whether you agree or disagree, please feel free to write your thoughts in the comments section. Thanks for reading!