Movies have been an essential part of pop culture since the 1920s and for decades going to the movie theater has been an activity for people of all ages to enjoy. But how have movies changed since then? Have they gotten better? Worse?
Now that almost everyone carries a mini camera in their pocket every day, anyone can make a movie. Director Steven Soderbergh, who has worked on movies like “Erin Brockovich,” and “Ocean’s Eleven” has been using phones to shoot movie scenes. Soderbergh filmed the movie “High Flying Bird” which was released in 2019, entirely on an iPhone.
And technology is increasing at a rapid pace, and the way movies are filmed and produced is much different than it was a couple of decades ago. But audiences still love old classics from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. But what makes a film great?
Recently Disney has prioritized reboots and remakes of movies over original films, there are over a dozen that have been released, and many more that have been announced or are in production. This trend of classic movies turned live-action movies began in 1994 with “Walt Disney’s The Jungle Book”. Then years later Disney+, a streaming service for all movies by Disney which led to more live-action remakes during the pandemic.
These movies don’t tend to be shot-for-shot remakes, or exactly like the original movies they’re renewing. There’s more of a general inspiration, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A lot of “original” films are inspired by books, stories, or fairytales. For example “The Lion King,” takes inspiration from Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Hamlet.”
Marley Gulline, a Roosevelt student who works at the movie theater, comments on films taking inspiration from one another.
“My personal favorite movies are from the 80s-90s, just because classics are what has shaped films and what movies today take inspiration from.” She explains.
One thing people love is already familiar to them. Kirby Ferguson, a content creator, has created a YouTube series called “Everything is a Remix” in which he does a great job of explaining how music, movies, and all art forms are just a “remix” of someone else’s idea; so nothing can be considered entirely “original.”
Martin Scorsese a successful director responsible for many classic films expresses his feelings on modern Marvel movies in an interview with Vanity Fair, “Marvel films are not cinema”. In another interview, he refers to Marvel films as, “the amusement park films.”
When Video Production Teacher Jacob Fuller, was asked about opinions on Martin Scorsese’s comments about Marvel movies Fuller said he loves Scorsese’s movies and also enjoys Marvel Movies, and explained his viewpoint on Marvel films compared to other genres of movies.
“It’s two different things,” he explains, “one’s not better than the other.”
Fuller also inspires the idea that modern cinema is a lot different than the classics, as what cinema is today wasn’t cinema five or ten years ago.
Overcasting and Celebrity casting have also increased with movies coming out. With more casting directors employing celebrities like musicians and artists. This tactic has proven that familiar faces put butts in seats! When you see a celebrity that you know, you are more likely to go see that movie.
For instance, Dwayne “The Rock” John has appeared in three or more movies every other year. Although some celebrities do make good actors, their fame helps them land roles and skip the journey of achieving fame. They are immediately suggested and recommended for more roles that up-and-coming actors don’t have a fair chance of getting.
Overall film and cinema are all subjective and have no way of being judged fairly because everyone’s opinions are different. So watch movies and shows that you enjoy!
