Why 99% Of Movies Today Are Garbage

[Riceball]

I've long argued that the shows and movies courtesy of streaming services have outpaced Hollywood by a decade now. They're so far behind the curve that it's only in the last few years that they've had to shift into creating their own streaming networks. The glaring difference is that the Netflix's, Hulu's, Amazon's, of the world are willing to tell different kinds of stories. Partly because they don't own the rights to most of the tentpole films and shows, and leaning into the market with more variety of content has set them apart from their counterparts in California.

Where Hollywood is being "risk averse" by creating endless sequels, reboots, and spin offs, a streaming movie or show is doing something that breaks that mold by telling genre stories, or offering content by lesser known film makers, or casting unknowns to tell new types of stories. I've seen more interesting and engaging content from those in the last few years than I've seen from the mainstream. It's refreshing. It's really the most innovation we've seen in a long time.

-Stranger Things
-Ted Lasso
-Sex Education
-9 Perfect Strangers
-What We do in the Shadows (granted this is on FX but we stream this show)
-Veep (we stream this on HBO too)

That's just some of the variety of content that we watch too.

True, but streaming services like Netflix have the advantage in that their releases typically cost less money than a major tent pole movie so they can afford to take risks. Plus, also being the new kids on the block, so to speak, these streaming services kind of have to take risks given the amount of competition they face from each other. They also have the advantage of simply cutting their losses and cancelling the show after just a season or two and greenlight another series if one doesn't do as well as they want. Just look at all of the complaints about Netflix never having shows going for more than 2 or seasons, they're obviously cranking out/buying shows left and right seeing what does well and getting rid of what doesn't.

 

[Bigdaddy]

It's still hyperbole.

 

[Halliwax]

This is gonna be a good watch, see ya in 19 minutes

 

[Halliwax]

Can’t say he’s wrong

 

[wayouteast]

The trouble is, though, that 99% of everything is garbage. Always has been. Always will be. And maybe if we all just accepted that as a fact of life, everyone would stop being so angry about everything all the time and simply enjoy the 1% that isn't garbage. One can but hope.

 

[Cephus]

The trouble is, though, that 99% of everything is garbage. Always has been. Always will be. And maybe if we all just accepted that as a fact of life, everyone would stop being so angry about everything all the time and simply enjoy the 1% that isn't garbage. One can but hope.

I'm still looking for the 1% that isn't garbage these days. So far, I'm coming up empty.

 

[robn1]

The problem with movies and TV is that old properties that weren't garbage are being dug up and turned into garbage.

 

[Halliwax]

The problem with movies and TV is that old properties that weren't garbage are being dug up and turned into garbage.

Exactly, seems like studios can’t make up new stuff and just reliving the past

 

[Mottrex]

Exactly, seems like studios can’t make up new stuff and just reliving the past

Looking forward to those good old movies with Flappers and Busby Berkley synchronised overhead swim numbers..

Its gonna happen i tell ya..
Its

 

[Halliwax]

Lol

 

[Psab keel]

Quantity has overtaken quality and corporate culture is trying to mold fan culture in its own image. Individuality is being suppressed when it's individuality that made celebrated properties successful.

 

[Mottrex]

Quantity has overtaken quality and corporate culture is trying to mold fan culture in its own image. Individuality is being suppressed when it's individuality that made celebrated properties successful.

Its always been that way, we just have a greater access to content these days..
There are some really good documentaries and books on film making back in the 20's (1920s) where studios like Hal Roach were churning out movies at an alarming rate to feed the publics taste with moving images.
And let's not forget as well as comedies there were lavish biblical size productions with enormous sets, Romance and War movies from the Get Go.
Georges Méliès SciFi classic was lavish in 1902 and Metropolis was just round the corner..

Its always been about the money, ask any aspiring filmmaker trying to get funding for a movie fro whoever wherever they can.

I personally think the greater the choice the more to watch.. although I have just spent half an hour trying to find a bing worthy series on Netflix..

 

[Cephus]

Its always been about the money, ask any aspiring filmmaker trying to get funding for a movie fro whoever wherever they can.

I personally think the greater the choice the more to watch.. although I have just spent half an hour trying to find a bing worthy series on Netflix..

There's a difference between being concerned with money, which any business is, and ONLY being about money, which seems to describe modern Hollywood. Making movies (and other forms of media) has always been about taking risks, but modern Hollywood seems adverse to even trying anything new. They just try redoing everything that's worked before.

 

[Mottrex]

There's a difference between being concerned with money, which any business is, and ONLY being about money, which seems to describe modern Hollywood. Making movies (and other forms of media) has always been about taking risks, but modern Hollywood seems adverse to even trying anything new. They just try redoing everything that's worked before.

Oh I totally agree with you..
I just watched a New version of a movie I loved as a Kid called The Amazing Mr Blunden. The OG had Ghosts Time travel and a slew of Famous British actors, it was exciting scary and had you in tears by the end but it gripped you well it did back in 72...
This new production added 15 to 20 minutes to the story but failed drastically IMO and looked like an episode of Dr Who.. which is ironic as Mark Gatiss(Sherlock UK) was in that too..

Luckily it was a free watch..

 

[batguy]

There's a difference between being concerned with money, which any business is, and ONLY being about money, which seems to describe modern Hollywood. Making movies (and other forms of media) has always been about taking risks, but modern Hollywood seems adverse to even trying anything new. They just try redoing everything that's worked before.

It's just the money involved. The more they are spending on a movie, the more they start wanting to follow tried-n-true formulas to reduce their risk.

The 1970s-80s were a different period. There was a generation of great filmmakers in charge. And that really only happened because the studios almost went under in the 1960s. In the 1970s they started giving big jobs to young film-school geeks out of sheer desperation. It was never not about the money.

 

[joberg]

I think that the public, in general, is more aware of what's going on in terms of different movies/genres, etc...The social Media/regular Media/Blogs/Vlogs, Podcast (with pros working in the Industry) has a lot to do with that part too. Lots of Web sites made for fans of a particular movie/franchise are available on every corner. Downloads, DVDs, affordable TVs and tech make the Movie World more consumable.

 

[PoopaPapaPalps]

This video isn't exactly related to this thread's topic but it does touch on something at the core of the problem: brand recognition and the consolidation of power in the ever-increasing reach of the corporate studio structure; one feeding and mimicking the success of the the other.

 

[Halliwax]

Interesting

 

[Mottrex]

I've long argued that the shows and movies courtesy of streaming services have outpaced Hollywood by a decade now. They're so far behind the curve that it's only in the last few years that they've had to shift into creating their own streaming networks. The glaring difference is that the Netflix's, Hulu's, Amazon's, of the world are willing to tell different kinds of stories. Partly because they don't own the rights to most of the tentpole films and shows, and leaning into the market with more variety of content has set them apart from their counterparts in California.

Where Hollywood is being "risk averse" by creating endless sequels, reboots, and spin offs, a streaming movie or show is doing something that breaks that mold by telling genre stories, or offering content by lesser known film makers, or casting unknowns to tell new types of stories. I've seen more interesting and engaging content from those in the last few years than I've seen from the mainstream. It's refreshing. It's really the most innovation we've seen in a long time.

-Stranger Things
-Ted Lasso
-Sex Education
-9 Perfect Strangers
-What We do in the Shadows (granted this is on FX but we stream this show)
-Veep (we stream this on HBO too)

That's just some of the variety of content that we watch too.

Preacher was Awesome too as is The Boys on Amazon..
And could never get past the Film censors complete due to the graphic content..
I hear they are trying to inforce some form of censorship akin to normal TV here EDIT : On streaming services here in the UK...

 

[Psab keel]

The Boys was a glaring omission on my part. That show is incredible.