Movie Zone
Here I will post movie reviews and recommendations, opinions and updates on the world of film, lists/rankings, and the occasional film essay/analysis if I am feeling brave enough
There are countless different aspects that make a film great, each just as important as the last. But one of the most memorable parts of any amazing movie is an amazing acting performance. Whether it is a truly groundbreaking, Oscar-worthy performance, or simply a fun and charismatic chewing of scenery, actors can often make or break a film and have a big hand in deciding the overall tone of a story. Creating a list of simply my favorite actors of all time would be way too long and difficult, so instead, I’ve decided to share my top ten favorite actors to follow in this generation. Later on this year, I plan on sharing a list of my favorite classic, Old Hollywood actors as well, but for today, let’s take a look at some of my absolute favorite actors working today. This list is in no particular order, simply who came to mind first. WARNING: Personal favorites list ahead. Not a list of objectively best actors. 1) Adam DriverYou all saw this one coming. Star Wars fanaticism aside, Adam Driver remains such an interesting actor to watch because of the variety of odd projects he chooses and the immersive performances he gives. I’ve never not seen him go in 100% on any performance, whether it is for a feature-length film, or a simple bit on a talk show. From Marriage Story and Hungry Hearts, to Annette and The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, there is no shortage of unique films and performances to watch him go all in for, physically and mentally. It is interesting to see just how intense and emotional (and at times, insane) he can get given his personality beyond the camera, which seems very quiet and incredibly non-attention seeking (which is unusual when it comes to performers). Unless this is yet another flawless performance he is giving for his image, it proves further how great of an actor he is, that he can be completely shameless and bizarre when in character. An Oscar win is hopefully in the future! 2) Diane LaneOk, so this is sort of cheating. Diane Lane is of course still working today, but she makes this list because of her older movies that I am forever obsessed with. To me, Diane Lane is a starlet of the 80s. From classics such as The Outsiders and Rumble Fish, to lesser known films like Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains, The Big Town, and Lady Beware, she can pretty much flawlessly toe the line between groundbreaking dramas and movies that are just a cheesy, great time. Of course, one of her most memorable performances was in the gut-wrenching film Unfaithful, which rightfully earned her an Oscar nomination, and she continues to appear in great films as of recent years, such as 2020’s Let Him Go, which was a phenomenal film that she was fantastic in as a badass grandmother who fights through Hell to get her grandson out of the hands of psychopaths. I am always down to see any new work she does. 3) Daisy RidleyAgain, biased from my Star Wars heart, but in just the past year alone, I think many more people are finally starting to realize the true star power Miss Daisy Ridley has always possessed. Sequel trilogy story issues aside, Daisy was able to give an outstanding performance as Rey, her natural charm and personality providing much of the charisma that makes Rey at least a likable character, again, regardless of some writing issues that prevented her story from being as interesting and deep as it could have been. In her ventures outside of Star Wars, she proved she could be a strong ensemble member in Murder on the Orient Express, a talented voice actress with roles in Peter Rabbit or The Inventor, and with films such as Ophelia, Sometimes I Think About Dying, The Marsh King’s Daughter, and this year’s Young Woman and the Sea, Daisy is proving time and time again how capable she is not only as a leading lady, but in diverse roles. I think she’s a powerhouse and seems to have a gorgeous personality to match, which makes me excited to see where she will go next. She has even begun self-producing her own work, with Magpie that was released at SXSW earlier this year, and I am dying to see it! 4) Marion CotillardMarion just feels like an Old Hollywood actress. Everything about her in every role is pure grace and elegance. After Annette became my favorite film of 2021, I decided to seek out more of her films and found Marion’s immense talent for both drama and comedic timing, whether in her French or American work. Whether it is her small, but memorably funny part in the Taxi series, her gorgeous musical talent in Nine and Annette, her badass character in A Very Long Engagement, or her Oscar winning performance as Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose, Marion is able to encompass a wide variety of characters and emotions. But one of my absolute favorite performances from her is from a small movie called Two Days, One Night, in which she plays a relatable, blue-collar woman who is about to lose her job and must convince her colleagues to elect not to get a raise in order for her to keep her job. Her minimalistic performance in this extremely underrated film was both heartbreaking and hopeful, and a role that proved how beautiful of a job she can do with something simple, yet identifiable for most of us. 5) Hugh JackmanWolverine will always be my favorite X-Men character. As with most actors on this list, what is so fascinating to watch with Hugh Jackman is the wide variety of roles he can take on. Whether it is the action/superhero vibe in the X-Men franchise and Van Helsing, musical roles in Les Miserables and The Greatest Showman, a charming comedic side in Scoop and Kate and Leopold, or a darker side in roles such as The Prestige and Deception, he is always endlessly entertaining to watch on screen. His range is phenomenal, and definitely deserving of every bit of praise he receives. Seeming like a genuine person in real life certainly helps as well. I can’t imagine the boom that Deadpool & Wolverine is going to bring later this summer. 6) oscar IsaacOscar Isaac is an actor who feels like a refreshing mix between character actor and leading man. From big budget projects like Star Wars and Moon Knight, villainous roles in Sucker Punch and X-Men: Apocalypse, to dark and dramatic films like Ex-Machina and Scenes from a Marriage, he can easily slip between subdued and animated performances, fitting in perfectly with almost every genre and tone. There is no question of buying his embodiment of heroic, morally gray, or straight up terrifyingly evil characters. While most might say a movie such as Inside Llewyn Davis is some of his best work, I often turn to a 2016 film called The Promise, which I believe is one of his best films and performances. It is an emotional, difficult story, and Oscar Isaac is fantastic in the tragic, yet triumphant role. It seems there are many more diverse projects in the works for him right now, and I can’t wait to see what he brings next. 7) Emma StoneEmma Stone can give wildly different performances, playing a slew of different characters, while simultaneously pulling off a whole batch of different looks. I love how she can play in all different kinds of genres, from teen comedy, to superhero, to dark adult drama, and most recently, gothic horror parody. I’ve always admired Emma’s charm she brings to her wide variety of roles, but she’s honestly on this list mostly because of Poor Things. Her natural charisma that she brought to this amazingly funny and likable character helped to bring an already beautifully unique film to life. Much like with films such as Easy A, and The Amazing Spider-Man duology, she is able to always get the audience completely on her side with her shining personality and surprising comedic timing. I am always curious to see her taking on new roles and am intrigued to see where the two-time-Oscar-winner will go in the future. 8) Nicholas GalitzineHow could I not? Nicholas quite recently started appearing in… well, everything. He’s famous for appearing in some of the best movies of our generation, and some of the worst. Which is quite the legacy, if you ask me. But no matter the role, he is able to give a surprisingly immersive performance. From his very first role in the incredibly underrated The Beat Beneath My Feet, Nicholas was able to showcase the emotional, comedic, and musically talented performance he would offer to many more future roles. And even despite misfires such as The Craft: Legacy, Cinderella, and Purple Hearts, his performance can often make the films at least watchable when he’s on screen. But he shines tremendously in two of the best films of 2023: the hilarious bizarre-comedy Bottoms, and the greatest modern-day romcom, Red, White, and Royal Blue. Whether it is impeccable comedic timing, or a tear-jerking monologue, he is captivating. His recent performance showcasing an Anakin Skywalker/Dorian Grey fall from innocence and into villainy in Mary & George proved he has range and appeal as well, so I am ecstatic to see what he does in future projects. 9) Saoirse RonanSaoirse Ronan is another who gives off a lovely, classic Hollywood actress vibe. I really fell in love with her after her role in the amazing film Brooklyn back in 2015. Since then, she continued to give powerful performances as an everyday teen in Lady Bird, the powerful historical monarch in Mary, Queen of Scots, and the hilarious constable in See How They Run. She brings a refreshing mixture of innocence and cunningness to every character. Though she often brings the same wit and charm to each of her films, the tones of the stories could be vastly different and she still manages to find a way to make her brand of charisma shine through believably with every character, making her always easily likable and sympathetic in every story. And while I’ve regretfully yet to explore her earlier films, it seems she has done her share of horror as well, which is always admirable in my eyes. 10) Zac EfronFinally, the man most women my age thought they were going to marry when we were nine.
It has been such a joy to watch Zac Efron’s career grow pretty much non-stop since High School Musical. He proved early on he had the dramatic, comedic, and charismatic talent that helped skyrocket the series into wider fame, and eventually launched him into films such as 17 Again and Neighbors. He proved further musical talent in The Greatest Showman, and surprisingly took on the role as real-life serial killer Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, in which his reputation for playing a good-looking good guy came in handy with almost convincing the audience (much as many people in the world were tricked into believing at the time) that maybe he really didn’t do it… until we are hit with a chilling guy-punch in the final scene. But his greatest work in my opinion comes from the recent film The Iron Claw, a heart-wrenching film in which he gives a devastating performance that was absolutely snubbed of an Oscar nomination, in my opinion. He proves his talent and range with every project, and it is always exciting to see what comes next for him.
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Summer of 2024 is upon us! It’s time for warm weather, sunny beach days, and long movie nights. Looking for a good variety of movies to escape the heat with? These are some of my absolute favorite movies to watch when the weather is warm! Sorority RowWho doesn’t love a good college/summer-slasher? If you’re looking for a popcorn, spooky movie night this summer, I always recommend one of my favorite slasher movies ever. Great kills, fun characters, and a really unique vibe. I’m a sucker for college/graduation slashers, and I’m sure this movie is to blame. A great vibe for a fun summer movie night with friends. AnnetteThis modern gothic tragedy is NOT for everyone, but if you somehow align with the weird vibe, it is a strange, wondrous, and breathtaking experience. I do think it is something you will be able to immediately tell if you will be into or not, and if you do decide to give it a try, I highly recommend listening to the soundtrack before watching the movie. Already knowing the story through the music somehow enhances the entire experience. This is a great one to take in alone on a relaxing summer night and revel in the bizarre, beautiful story. VoyagersThis gives the appearance of a typical PG-13, dystopian YA film, but I found it had a bit more edge and a very different atmosphere than most other teen sci-fi films. Yes it’s not the smartest film on the block, but I found it really intriguing how they went in a Lord of the Flies direction where the fellow teens were their own worst enemies, instead of the Evil Adults, as is the case in most films like this. Bit of a different twist, and a fun movie to pop in on a summer movie night with friends or family. Friday the 13thAnd how could I not recommend a camp slasher! There are tons of camp slashers that are great to watch when the sun is out, but I decided to go with a classic. This is a great first slasher if you are new to the sub-genre and want to get a start on checking out the Big 3 of slasher movies… even though Jason does not make his official appearance as the killer in this one. It’s still an iconic movie with fun characters, crazy cool kills, and of course, a good ol’ summer camp vibe. Relax after a refreshing splash in the pool and settle in with some popcorn and ice cream sandwiches for this one. Back to the Future TrilogyWhat would summer be without a classic dose of the 80's? I’m sure we’ve all seen these by now, and if not, you’ve got quite an entertaining ride ahead of you. I adore going back to these movies and this crazy world over and over again because the characters are so colorful and iconic, and the humor never disappoints even after watching it seventy times or so. Spend a day or two traveling back to these timeless movies on a lazy summer day. The Man Who Killed Don QuixoteAnd now, for the second obligatory Adam Driver movie. Yes again, I’m a bit scared to recommend this because a lot of people will not connect with it at all. It is one of those films where if you get it, you’ll have a hell of a ride, and if you don’t, then it will probably just be very confusing. I completely understand why people wouldn’t get into this one, but if you are a fan of film and the art of story-telling in general, then I do believe this one is worth checking out. It’s a loopy, fantastical, adventurous movie with humor, action, romance, and very energetic performances. A fun adventure film to possibly add to the summer night movie docket. TarzanAnd, the obligatory Disney movie! This is by far my favorite version of the Tarzan story, just for the epicness, the music, and the cinematic animation alone. It is such a beautiful love story as well, and has produced one of my favorite Disney couples of all time. Any Disney movie is good to watch any time of the year, but I decided to highlight this one for your possible summer movie consideration this time around. A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy’s RevengeAnd now, for a more controversial one. I’ve always enjoyed this movie for what it is, even though it is a very strange departure from the story and atmosphere of the original. I’ve always liked Jesse as a lead and I do think the movie has some genuinely cool and fun moments. Perhaps it’s because the movie takes place in summer and focuses a lot on the maddening effects of the heat, but I always tend to gravitate towards this one when I’m looking for a fun movie on a hot summer night. This is one you can laugh along with on a fun night with a couple of friends who get it. The Mask of ZorroAnother awesome adventure film in the same vein as The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, although this one is undoubtedly much more conventional and resonated with a larger number of people. This is a fantastic, classic tale of rags to riches, revenge, and romance. I adore swashbuckling, old-school stories like this that have the modern grandiose of a blockbuster film. This is a timeless one for me and a great pick for a summer movie night out in the backyard with a barbecue. Star Wars MarathonAnd finally, the movies that will always be on every single recommendation list of mine. I am completely biased being that this franchise is my heart and soul, but I am a firm believer that one must have at least a couple Star Wars marathons every year. There is the near-Christmastime viewing, and then your obligatory marathon on May the 4th and/or Revenge of the 5th and 6th. And personally, I like to have my summer SW marathon around the 4th of July, but you can get together any time with friends and family and top off a fantastic movie-filled summer with a series of films that will always be as exciting as they were the first time around.
Hopefully this list gives you some ideas if you were previously lost on what to put on for your summer movie night. Here’s to a fun and relaxing summer! What a journey it’s been. Over the last few months, I’ve dove into some of the biggest topics in modern cinema and how each is affecting current films: comic book movies, legacy sequels, and TV series. We’ve looked at the good, the bad, and the ugly within every topic and what they mean for the future of film. In today’s article, I will give a brief summary and my overall thoughts on the current state of film and what the future may hold for our beloved movies. The COVID courseOne theme that was undeniably common amongst the trends we went over in this series was the effect of the pandemic. Being put on complete lockdown for months with no immediate solution in sight was detrimental to thousands of industries, including film. Movie theaters, already on their way out of popularity with streaming on the rise, were completely dead, productions were halted, and money was lost. Meanwhile, streaming dominated, cementing the popularity of TV series over film that had already been growing. As a scramble to recover money and to get theaters popular again, it seems this was an even bigger reason why comic book films and remake/reboot/sequels doubled down. Already proven to be financially and oftentimes critically successful, these types of films and even TV shows were greenlit and multiplied by the dozen, pushing original films to streaming while they dominated the theater. There is even an argument to be made about the current climate, political- and economic-wise, influencing what films are most popular. Would you rather spend an exciting Friday night at the movies watching an indie drama about the downfall of humanity, or see your favorite superhero kicking ass towards a happily ever after? To be fair, there was somewhat of an attempt at drawing people back to theaters after lockdown with original films as well. Probably the first big-budget theater movie to be released post-lockdown was Chaos Walking in March of 2021, starring Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley, the faces of an enormous superhero and legacy sequel franchise respectively. And… no one went to see it, resulting in one of the most yikes-box-office-bombs of recent years. The not so hopefulOne of the biggest travesties with the current status that film is in is the erasure of original and independent films. Either not given any substantial marketing or dumped onto a streaming service, any film that isn’t big blockbuster bait is essentially pushed aside. Unique films like Late Night With the Devil, The Marsh King’s Daughter, or Abigail get the most minimal (and sometimes zero) marketing. It is to the point where they are released as if in secret, and surviving from word of mouth is their only hope, which won’t often bring in booming theater revenue alone any longer. Not against the superhero and reboot juggernauts. The numbers don’t lie. Superhero and reboot movies have higher box office numbers most of the time, and any money spent to try and promote a completely original film not tied to any previous franchise, character, or property, is usually money lost. Much as we demand more original content in film, we don’t go out and see it. This is most likely from one of two reasons. The first is what I previously mentioned: in this economy, people don’t want to pay to take a risk. They want to take their family or their date to something familiar, something they know will at least be of some interest since it is a property they are already a fan of. With prices booming in every direction, throwing out money for tickets and snacks for multiple people is a very different kind of investment than it was in the past. People want to spend their free time and hard-earned money on Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya in the gigantic space epic a second and third time rather than with a bunch of character actors in a small hour-and-a-half found footage horror film, awesome as anyone who has seen it will tell you it is. (And no shade. I get it. This is coming from someone who saw The Rise of Skywalker six times in the theater.) The second reason is that original movies get no big-budget marketing, and are being released in fewer and fewer theaters, especially as more theaters begin to go out of business. No one will go see that found footage horror movie if they don’t even know it’s coming out. Nobody will be in the theater to see Daisy Ridley being a gorgeous badass in movies where her character’s name isn’t Rey if there isn’t a theater with a showtime for it. Or my favorite: when there is only one showtime at 10pm. These films are essentially set up to fail in the theater. The hopefulObviously, that is not the end of the story. In recent years especially, we have seen a rise in theater attendance and support for more original films. Last year’s Oppenheimer, Barbie, and even Poor Things showed that audiences will turn out in droves for movies that don’t come from Marvel. In fact, the past number of comic book film releases have been mostly flops, both financial- and critical-wise. Hopefully, studios will begin to hear this loud and clear, and us audience members will continue to stick to our guns on this. As far as legacy sequels go, for every Halloween Ends and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, we get a Doctor Sleep, or Top Gun: Maverick. Though there are a fair amount of reboots shoved out that are only gracing us with the hope of making some fast cash, there are also a fair amount that have genuine creative ideas and that take the existing story in an expanded direction. Reboots, sequels, and remakes will never vanish, and while the volume is certainly far too overwhelming at the moment, we all love to see our favorite stories and characters continuing on. There is opportunity for so much within so many different universes. Going more in the re-imagining route rather than the straight up remake route seems to be the most interesting way to go if we do want to keep making/seeing these reboots. And while I have my problems with streaming and TV Series, this area of entertainment has no doubt brought its share of positive impacts on the industry. Streaming services have offered a second life to forgotten films, or films that otherwise would not have gotten any recognition or proper theatrical release. It has attempted to widen the reach of films for people unable to attend theaters of purchase physical media (while ironically then closing off access to groups of people by eradicating physical media and sending movie theaters scrambling for business). Movies get a second chance to land with audiences on streaming, as they used to do with physical media releases. Apart from that, the rise in popularity of TV series allows for fresh, original content to be greenlit and given the spotlight. Tons of stories get to be told and enjoyed that usually wouldn’t get any kind of release or attention as films. TV shows also give the opportunity of expanding character and story to depths movies are unable to get into, making them ideal for adapting certain source material to the screen. It has opened the door to more creative ideas and people to be brought forth into the industry and receive recognition. Will film survive?If you ask most people, from the highest caliber film critic to a person off the street, they will most likely tell you how unimpressed they are by the state of film at the moment, mostly concerning the onslaught of superheroes and remakes. Most will admit that TV and streaming has much more of their attention. But film has gone through these phases before. As I discussed in my previous article, a time of struggle in film has often led to a creative rebirth. The movie industry goes through phases of all kinds, and like any other business, there are ups and down continuously. I always have faith in film continuing to bring joy, hope, and power to those who need it. In the past five years alone, I’ve seen a great amount of tremendous films that I will keep with me for the rest of my life, even if the general public forgets about them. Movies are meant to be magic. They essentially began as a magic trick, a funny and fantastical escape from reality. Creatives will always find a way to get their work out there, and we as audiences have the power to choose what we want to spend our time on. Beautiful, powerful, magical things will continue to find their way to us so long as we remain open to them. So, here’s to many more glorious movie years and movie criticisms. Best of recent yearsSince hope for film seems to be low, I thought I’d end this article going over some of my favorite movies released within the past couple of years that are not reboots or superhero franchise films. 65 (2023) My favorite film of last year, biased as I am. This was just an exciting, action-packed throwback to action adventure movies of the 80s and 90s, going back to a basic storytelling formula with likable leads and a fun, heartwarming story. Check out my review for my full thoughts. Poor Things (2023) An incredibly trippy, creative parody on gothic horror with gorgeous visuals. Bella Baxter is a hilarious and relatable lead that is probably one of the best characters in recent cinema. The colorful side characters around her and the beautiful journey she goes on makes for a fantastic sci-fi odyssey. Megan (2023) Okay, technically a goof on Chucky, but still original in its own right. This is a throwback-type horror movie with a brand-new potential horror icon. Truly a breath of fun and ridiculous fresh air, despite the unfortunate PG-13 rating, that livened a usually dry season of January and February horror releases. Late Night With the Devil (2024) A unique take on the found footage horror flick with a fun and gory edge. A cast made up of super entertaining character actors, and a perfect late-night 70s television vibe that makes it feel as if you are watching an insane documentary of a TV airing gone horribly wrong. Seeing David Dastmalchian get his leading role debut in a film like this was immensely satisfying for us horror fans. Red, White, and Royal Blue (2023) What more is there to say? The best romance film in recent years, showcasing an entertaining, healthy, passionate relationship between characters that have become such an important staple already in so many people's lives. A triumphant step for LGBT+ love stories, so impactful that we have a sequel well on the way! Annette (2021) Ok, last Adam Driver movie, I promise. This is a bizarre, gorgeous, haunting fable with gut-wrenching characters and performances. The soundtrack is absolutely beautiful, and though the surface story and visuals are odd, it stands unashamedly as a modern romantic gothic tragedy that has endless layers you can discover with each viewing. They Cloned Tyrone (2023) A hilarious throwback to Blaxploitation films of the 70s, as well as sci-fi horror comedies. The characters are unique and incredibly likable, and the production design is utterly gorgeous, with fantastic colors and lighting, and great set pieces. It definitely deserved a theatrical release. Bottoms (2023) Yet another throwback movie, this time to bizarre high school comedies from the 80s. The over-the-top nature of the film makes it immensely enjoyable to watch, and the characters are a blast. The comedic timing is perfect in nearly every scene, making this one of the funniest movies I’ve had the joy of seeing at the theater. Oppenheimer (2023) How can I praise this any more than it has been? It more than deserved the best picture win in a year filled with amazing films. The scale, the music, the visuals, the acting… everything is top-notch filmmaking. Truly an emotional experience on so many different levels, and a film that proved that there are some movies that need the theaters to remain alive so that we can experience these visual masterpieces the way they were meant to be viewed. Malignant (2021) By far one of the best horror films in the past few years. Atmospheric, gory, f-cked up, and reminiscent of old exploitation and giallo horror films mixed with a break-neck pace and sleek edge. This was truly a masterpiece of modern horror and an entry that was desperately needed in the genre. Willy’s Wonderland (2021)
Managed to outdo the Five Nights at Freddy’s film before it even came out. Nicolas Cage vs. Possessed Animatronics is already the best movie ever in concept, but with genuinely freaky practical animatronics, a fantastic setting and soundtrack, gory kills, and a gorgeous color palette, this movie was way better than it had any right being. Obviously not a big release, but deserving of attention nonetheless with its personality and unashamed weirdness. From Fargo to Bates Motel, turning popular films into ongoing TV series is a trend in entertainment that has been around for a while and has managed to remain in stark popularity. It is safe to say, especially after the film-centered examinations of my previous two articles in this series, that television continues to surpass film in popularity, content diversity, and oftentimes, quality. But why is this? How did this switch happen? And how has it remained so prevalent? In the third chapter of this series taking a look at the current state of film, we will dive into the TV series obsession and how the small screen has come to dominate entertainment, leading to one of the driest and most desperate stages in film history. The 2020 declineAmong the many businesses and markets that suffered during the pandemic, television was not one of them. Though the outlet had indeed been seeing a new golden age in the recent years past with shows such as Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones receiving endless accolades, COVID forced us all to remain locked indoors with little options for entertainment and escapism apart from the screens in our homes. If a majority was not already turning towards the structure of television, this essentially sealed the deal for everyone else. With platforms such as TikTok and Instagram reels exploding with popularity, it is clear that attention spans have been plateauing, to the point where settling into a two-hour film sounds tedious as opposed to consuming “bite-sized” stories in the episodic style, where you can get a full satisfying story in half-hour increments. It is convenient to stay at home and pop on your favorite channel or streaming site to watch all your favorite content that has been around for a long enough period to feel a strong connection to, rather than going out to the movies for a two-hour film you know little about and are not sure if you’re going to enjoy or not. Beyond that, many feel it is easier to get invested in stories that have massive room for character development, universe expansion, and deep explorations of a story that could not be fully done in a single movie. People return to Stranger Things and Bridgerton because they love the characters and the world that has been created that they feel is a regular part of their life. And after lockdown, that pretty much became a reality. Out of (creative) controlA common route that happens with filmmakers is that they leave the movie world to work in TV, particularly writers. The reason for that is the lack of creative control in film, and the comparative free reign in television. Films are very much controlled by the director and/or big studios, while TV is more dictated by the writer and producers. This is proven easily just by looking at the films being given the highest budgets and studio backing today, compared with the most successful television series’. While the big screen is busy shoving reboots and superheroes down our throats, we have seen a vastly more diverse selection of content when it comes to the small screen. Budgets will typically be much lower for TV than big Hollywood films, so risk can be a lot lower. There is also a much wider market for television, with thousands of channels dedicated to specific audiences, so there is pretty much a place for any kind of show to be made. And now, with multiple streaming platforms (a number that seems to grow every day) on top of the number of cable channels, television has been seeing an even more massive growth in varied content that films haven’t been able to keep up with. All of these components together have easily continued to carry television along in its glory years. But do films even have a chance at making a comeback? And why have they seemed to only double down on the same formulas that audiences are repeatedly ridiculing and turning away from? TV vs Film - when movies triumphedThere was a time before when television was gaining traction over the big screen — back when television was first popularized. Beginning in the late 40s, entertainment was being brought into people’s living rooms for the first time, and shows like The Twilight Zone, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and I Love Lucy were overshadowing the big Hollywood releases everyone used to flock to the theater to see. Why go out and spend money for a movie every weekend when you could get quality entertainment right there within the comfort of your home? In response, Hollywood had to entice audiences to get back out to the theater, with tactics such as the 3D boom of the 50s, that offered an immersive experience you could only get in the theater. Funny enough, or perhaps just because it’s the genre I’m the most knowledgeable in, horror played a big part in this, partly with the 3D craze, and also with things like William Castle films which always promised to have a fun gimmick to go along with every theatrically released movie. Think the shockers in the seats for The Tingler or the skeleton flying across the theater for House On Haunted Hill. Even the classic Alfred Hitchcock-intrigue marketing buzz created around the release of Psycho was a carefully crafted tactic to bring audiences out to see the film. While horror movies weren’t single handedly responsible for getting audiences back on the movies’ side again, these are just some examples of what films and theaters did to try and draw excitement back to the movies. The real turning point was more in the 70s and 80s, when creativity in the movies was probably at its greatest. Dispensing with the gimmicks, it was time to get back to good old classic storytelling. And so we saw the very beginning of the age of the blockbuster. As well as the age of some of the greatest films of all time that cemented audiences’ favor with the movies once more, and for decades to come. Jaws, Star Wars, Halloween, E.T., Batman, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Rocky, Back to the Future, and the list goes on and on. People were reminded not only of the magic of the movies, but of the joy and adrenaline of seeing them in a theater. Even the 80s slasher boom brought a resurgence of the drive-in movie theater. The circumstances of the time forced this resurrection period of film that is probably the most beloved in all of movie history. However, what is vital to remember here, and what the film industry must take from this today, is that this stage in filmmaking took off because of the wide range of creative and original ideas given attention and space to shine. Battle tactics of today — not so hotIn today’s Hollywood sphere, we’re seeing the same desperate call to get eyes turned back towards the movies… only with exceedingly low achievement. One odd turn that has been rampant is the fact that movies nowadays have grown amazingly longer in average length. It’s rare to catch a film in the theater nowadays that won’t take up two hours, at the very minimum, of your time. This, I’m sure, is meant to keep up with the fact that TV shows are so revered for their time spent on character and story development. So that three-hour stretch you have to sit through at the movies now is an attempt to recreate that, with varying success depending on the film. (Curse you, Dune: Part 2 for testing not only my mind but my physical capacity to sit still for that long!) The biggest sin we can most likely all agree on however, is the type of films Hollywood picks and chooses to be given a chance in the spotlight. As we’ve discussed in articles past, superheroes and reboots/legacy sequels have gotten the biggest studio backing when it comes to film releases, including budget, marketing, width of theatrical release, etc. Indie films hardly even get a glance from studio execs, and original story ideas, unless they are intentional Oscar-bait, are released with hardly a word, in a handful of lucky theaters, obscured by Marvel or Disney mania (The Marsh King’s Daughter, anyone?) Even movies that are prime Oscar nominees and/or winners are showered in praise for a few months before being completely forgotten by both mainstream audiences and Hollywood as they move on their reboot slate for the next year. (Anyone remember that really cool movie Parasite? Ex Machina?) With the complete downfall of physical media, the most amount of money movies can make now is in a theater. Therefore, they just go with what worked before. Star Wars and Rocky and Halloween saved cinema once before, right? Why not again? And again… and again… Shows such as Succession and The Bear would never see the success that they have if they were movies. At best, they’d get that brief Oscar nod, but likely, they’d get a low effort release and no spotlight or care from studios until they faded into obscurity. As shows, they are able to be repeatedly in our face and have been able to find audiences looking for something original and different, as well as something with more depth than a movie-length story can offer. It’s just now that Hollywood is finally figuring out their beloved superhero subgenre is not bringing in the financial security it once did, and with the recent theatrical phenomenon of Barbie, Oppenheimer, and Poor Things, it is hopeful that we will see a steady decline of reboots next. Because as stated, it was not rejuvenating old properties that led film into its heyday of the 70s and 80s. It was original and creative ideas getting the time, budget, and attention from studios to introduce to the world with a bang. War of the streamingHow does TV fight back? With growing budgets of their own.
We’re seeing episode lengths stretch out to feature film lengths as of late. And we are talking today’s average feature film lengths (ahem, Stranger Things). There are mixed thoughts on this as of now, and I would be surprised if they get a little too ambitious and begin to lead to TV’s downward slope. No one’s tuning into a TV episode to settle in for a two and a half hour commitment. This combined with the ever growing budget that make certain TV episodes feel no different than a theatrical film are what TV has seemed to be using to combat the superhero and reboot extravaganza of theaters, as well as to compete amongst themselves. Also, the mass production of television series based on films. Cobra Kai, From Dusk Till Dawn, Training Day, and so on, are all attempts at utilizing recognizable properties for the TV platform before a blockbuster reboot can steal the spotlight. This is especially prevalent with the rise of streaming services. Streaming used to be a place to watch all your favorite TV shows whenever you wanted, before becoming an alternative to purchasing physical media, and then being a place where original content was created exclusively for that streaming service. But now with a new platform seemingly being created every week, streaming services have to compete with each other to be one of perhaps three to five platforms that a customer will pay monthly to access. Competition is high, and with movies now being released as streaming platform originals, it has created a new place for film to grow outside of theaters. Now we have theaters competing with streaming, and streaming services and their content competing with each other. Marvel has dipped its toe into this phenomenon by turning properties like Moon Knight, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Loki, that were definitely meant to be movies, into these overly long, stretched out stories that have interesting enough concepts, but are ultimately shot in the foot by the episodic style. A case where elongated story and character exploration is not necessarily so successful. Though these shows have pretty ok audience success, so what do I know? It’s hard to say whether all of this manic streaming will eventually cave in on itself, but there are only so many more (Insert Channel Name)+ accounts we can all sign up for. As a dedicated movie fan, my preference is always going to be with the movies (much as I do love me some Mandalorian and Stranger Things). As good as expanding story and character arcs can be, there are far too many times where I end up bored by the slow-burn nature of a series. I am far more willing and less intimidated by a two-hour film than a collection of twenty-two-hour episodes. But that doesn’t mean I can’t see why people are turning more towards TV as of late. I'm the first to roll my eyes at endless Marvel drivel, and rebooting the last piece of media you think anyone would even think to redo. It is clear that Hollywood needs to wise-up, and I’m glad the success of TV is hopefully forcing them to think of more original and creative tactics. We are seeing a bit of fatigue with the TV series-ification of every piece of media being released, which is hopeful as well. As with any trend, everything needs to jump on the bandwagon, and having to spend six or ten plus hours on one story is getting a little silly. Lastly, we are seeing movie theaters create some fun gimmicks as they did way back in the day to get people excited about theaters, though this time doing it with social media trends. Think of the Megan TikTok dance, the hype around the absurdity of Cocaine Bear, the made-for-theaters-only experience of Top Gun: Maverick, and of course, the record breaking Barbenheimer phenomenon that will go down in film history. It’s been slow, but gradually catching on and softening people’s feelings towards theaters. And as always, all we can do is speak with our time and money to show what we want to see be made and released. 65 is my favorite movie of 2023, and I am completely biased. WARNING: REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS Released on March 2nd of 2023, 65 is a sci-fi action film that follows transport pilot Mills after he has crash landed on an alien planet devoid of human life and inhabited by monstrous creatures. He and a young girl named Koa, the only other survivor of the crash, must outrun death at every turn as they attempt to escape the planet before a catastrophic asteroid makes its way to them: Mills and Koa have landed on Earth, 65 million years ago. Dinosaurs roam the planet, and they have hours before the asteroid wipes them all out. The film was written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, and stars Adam Driver and Ariana Greenblatt. I figured, since my last review was on my second favorite film of last year, I might as well cover my favorite film of last year as well. As an Adam Driver stan, I was doomed to be biased from the start, and the moment I saw this in the theater last year, I was pretty positive nothing was going to knock it out of my number one spot. And here we are. For me, this was a fantastic return to old-school cinema, a blast in the theater, and an awesome concept for a sci-fi monster action movie. Tale as old as timeOne of the biggest factors that makes this movie work, and what delightfully made many movies of 2023 work so well, is the throwback style. This is a story and type of movie that feels like it could have easily been made in the 80s or 90s. A lone-ranger-type has to protect a child from crazy monsters and outrun a cataclysmic explosion that will blow up the planet. It is classic, epic, sci-fi fun. Much like movies such as Megan, Thanksgiving, Bottoms, and Cocaine Bear, it goes back to basics, when movies were just about being over-the-top, out of this world, kind of silly, but so confident in their craziness that you can’t really question it. We get a lot of specific influences coming together for this movie, most obviously from Jurassic Park with all of the dinosaur chases, fights, and suspense scenes; most notably in the cave scene with the awesome shot of the T-Rex hovering in the background behind our two heroes. There were also many King Kong moments, with the characters being on unfamiliar terrain with a different murderous creature at every corner. Also, the great moment of Adam Driver finding the huge dinosaur claw print in the ground, hinting at what he’s in for the rest of the running time, was a very big King Kong moment. And yes, we also of course have Star Wars vibes with all the space stuff, the sci-fi gear, Earth looking a little bit like Dagobah when they first land, and… well, the fact that Ben Solo is our main character. I was relieved that this got a theatrical release, and I think the theater experience really did add so much to this, again, because it is such throwback cinema. Thankfully, this did do decent enough at the box office, and I can say, having gone two times to see it, the theater was full each time and both audiences seemed very into it. So it definitely made for one of the best theater experiences of the year as well. It’s nice to be able to enjoy something with a room of faceless strangers that isn’t another awkwardly comedic Marvel movie. Which brings me to the last point I want to make here… this movie’s blessed run time: an hour and a half. No more, no less, and no more or less needed. I cannot tell you what a relief it is to just watch a movie and not have to dedicate a whole afternoon to it. There is a time and place for that of course, but most of the time, especially when it comes to a movie like this, all we need is likable actors, some exciting action sequences that move along briskly, an epic-feel-good ending, and that’s all. Leave the deep stuff to Oppenheimer. Sci-fi styleI thought this movie had a great look throughout, from the practical sets, to the few sci-fi/space scenes. The green and blue tint is very classic sci-fi, and I also really enjoyed the use of smoke/steam they would use in a lot of the shots to build suspense, whether it was fog, or the steam from the geysers. It created a great look whenever Adam Driver’s character would slowly walk through, making it not only feel epic, but also making you wonder if there was anything hiding somewhere near him. I actually think they could have utilized that a bit more. Speaking of which, the horror vibes were also super fun. Obviously, in any creature feature/monster movie, there are going to be horror influences even if the film is more in the action or sci-fi genre. There are some genuinely creepy shots, like the T-Rex one I mentioned, and when the (velociraptors? I don’t know my dinos) follow Mills and Koa deeper into the cave, shown only to the audience, so that we know they are going to jump out at some point soon. You also get some space-horror vibes in the beginning when the ship crashes and all the passengers are basically slaughtered in their cryo chambers. It had some Alien and Pandorum vibes which was awesome, especially with all the dark lighting that made the dismantled ship look very creepy and awesome. Something I absolutely loved in this was all the space gear that Adam’s character uses. I thought the huge guns were cool and how we the audience could see whenever he was running out of power, making the later action scenes incredibly suspenseful. There is a scene where he sets up this little circle of alarms while he and Koa sleep that start beeping whenever something is near, again, creating a great hair-raising scene as we wait for whatever is nearby to reveal itself. You also have these cool little bombs, that I refer to as the marble bombs, which cause some real damage to the dinosaurs. There is a great moment where Koa outsmarts one of the dinosaurs chasing her by trapping it in a log and pouring these things down with him to blow him to smithereens, which is very fun. Also… I don’t know why, but I love the shoulder flashlight. I’m not even sure if this is a sci-fi thing or just a regular thing that we humans use in this day and age that I’m not even aware of. But it’s so practical and I want one. |
AuthorCertified non-professional who just enjoys giving her random thoughts on movies and books. Archives
June 2024
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