So I thought The Creator was brilliant. I watched it in the cinema, thoroughly enjoyed it and was gobsmacked when I learned it’s budget was only $79 million. It looks better than some films I’ve seen that cost three times that.
But apparently, while it may make that back, it’s unlikely to even earn $100 million globally.
So the answer to the question of why Hollywood churns out the same shite over and over is that, currently, tragically, that is what the masses want to spend their money on.
And that makes me sad.
It’s always been lowest common denominator content that’s made the most money. I always ask people about movie preferences and an ever increasing common theme “Life is already tough, I don’t want a serious movie, I just want mindless entertainment.” Sequels provide that, you know the characters, you know the stakes, sprinkle in jokes and you have a mindless money maker.
And I say… is it too much to ask for both?
Look, I don’t want to give the impression that I’m a film snob with my head up my ass or anything. I enjoy a good comic book movie, a mindless action film, all sorts of stuff. Hell, depending on what day you ask, I’d say Rogue One is the best Star Wars film (on the other days, it’s Empire). Unpopular opinion - I think 2001 is overrated. It might be art, but I don’t find it entertaining. And I agree with M500 - I loved San Andreas. It knew what it was, I could switch my brain off for a couple of hours and quietly snark at it with a friend. Good times.
I just don’t want that to be all there is. And the more films like this fail to make hundreds of billions of dollars, the less the lawyers in charge of the studios are going to risk on them in the future. That’s the tragedy for me.
Just the other night I watched San Andreas with my wife.
It’s a mindless action movie, but I loved that moment. It was great just watching some over the top movie and laugh about it/ comment on it.
Serious movies need attention and silence. There is time for that, but nothing is better than joking around with my wife about some movie.