With digital services such as streaming and downloading becoming more popular, I've been thinking about what the future of film may be.
In the near future, theaters may be phased out in favor of streaming straight to a persons living room. We won't even need to leave our house to see the newest flick. It'll be right on our TV.
This would cause a massive change, of course. Theaters would become obsolete, and people would lose jobs, but it would be more convenient, and production studios may make more money as a result of people not needing to leave their homes to see their movies.
Just an interesting idea. There's also the notion of virtual reality, and the idea that we may one day be able to "enter" movies, but I foresee that being much further off than streaming.
Friday, May 3, 2013
The demand for sequels
Many films that hit theaters these days are sequels (or prequels, but same basic idea.). Plots building on existing stories, using established characters. Some view this as lazy and easy, while others seem to be chomping at the bit for new sequels.
I think, if warranted, sequels are fine. I do, however, also believe that many sequels are made simply to cash in on the popularity of films.
Take the movie Waiting, about a group of disgruntled restaurant workers. The film acquired a bit of a cult following, and a sequel was made, which had barely any of the original cast returning, and was quite a bit of a let down after the first. It fell short, because the creators were simply trying to make money from fans of a film.
That's the wrong approach. Make a sequel because it's needed, not because you want more money, or the fans may want a sequel. If a story is wrapped up, leave it wrapped up.
I think, if warranted, sequels are fine. I do, however, also believe that many sequels are made simply to cash in on the popularity of films.
Take the movie Waiting, about a group of disgruntled restaurant workers. The film acquired a bit of a cult following, and a sequel was made, which had barely any of the original cast returning, and was quite a bit of a let down after the first. It fell short, because the creators were simply trying to make money from fans of a film.
That's the wrong approach. Make a sequel because it's needed, not because you want more money, or the fans may want a sequel. If a story is wrapped up, leave it wrapped up.
Films: Who should get the credit?
When many of us consider the work that goes into movies, we generally stop at the actors involved. Upon thinking about, partly on my own, and partly due to another class, I don't think that's fair.
So much work goes into all movies. Sound, lighting, writing, directing, prop making, etc. So many of the people responsible for these things go completely unrecognized. When is the last time that you heard two people talking about their favorite sound engineers?
I think, when discussing movies, at least from an analytical standpoint, we really should take all aspects of the film into account. To overlook one part of what makes a film great is to minimize the over all work, I think.
So much work goes into all movies. Sound, lighting, writing, directing, prop making, etc. So many of the people responsible for these things go completely unrecognized. When is the last time that you heard two people talking about their favorite sound engineers?
I think, when discussing movies, at least from an analytical standpoint, we really should take all aspects of the film into account. To overlook one part of what makes a film great is to minimize the over all work, I think.
Movies based on true events
Oft times, movies based on true stories pop up. Generally, they appear somewhat close to the time that the even happened. The movie based on Seal Team 6, for instance, and now movies about Whitey Bulger are in the works. But, is that a good thing?
Many of these events that people would want to make movies about are somewhat sensitive issues. The Whitey Bulger case, for instance, carries a lot of weight for the families of his victims. Seeing a film about this may just upset them, especially so close to the time that he was captured.
Then, there are movies that may not be based on true events, but reference them, such as Remember Me. For 90% of the film, it's a normal romance movie. At the end, however, the main male character is killed in the 9/11 attacks. This could be even worse for people who had family and friends involved in the attacks, because they had no warning about it.
Ultimately, I think movie studios need to walk a fine line with this. There is obviously interest for films about real events, but they need to be handled carefully or else they may cause an upset with the people who were impacted by them.
Many of these events that people would want to make movies about are somewhat sensitive issues. The Whitey Bulger case, for instance, carries a lot of weight for the families of his victims. Seeing a film about this may just upset them, especially so close to the time that he was captured.
Then, there are movies that may not be based on true events, but reference them, such as Remember Me. For 90% of the film, it's a normal romance movie. At the end, however, the main male character is killed in the 9/11 attacks. This could be even worse for people who had family and friends involved in the attacks, because they had no warning about it.
Ultimately, I think movie studios need to walk a fine line with this. There is obviously interest for films about real events, but they need to be handled carefully or else they may cause an upset with the people who were impacted by them.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
The Superhero Movie craze
I just saw Iron Man 3, and feel that it was a pretty phenomenal movie. The craze behind Superhero movies in the last few years is really interesting, to me.
Movies had been made based on a number of superheroes before, Batman and Superman mainly. In the last few years, however, many more heroes have seen the big screen. It probably began with Spiderman, and the popularity of that movie catapulted other adaptations.
When done well, these movies can be real works of art. Take the recent Marvel films. All of them tie into each other, and create and overarching story. They are masterfully done, and are clearly created by people who care about the franchises.
I think this is actually a pretty good trend. Maybe when people see these movies being made, it will spur on more well done adaptations.
Movies had been made based on a number of superheroes before, Batman and Superman mainly. In the last few years, however, many more heroes have seen the big screen. It probably began with Spiderman, and the popularity of that movie catapulted other adaptations.
When done well, these movies can be real works of art. Take the recent Marvel films. All of them tie into each other, and create and overarching story. They are masterfully done, and are clearly created by people who care about the franchises.
I think this is actually a pretty good trend. Maybe when people see these movies being made, it will spur on more well done adaptations.
Adaptations, good or bad?
In this day and age, it's common for movies to be created based on a number of things. TV shows, books, video games, etc...
Oft times, these adaptations stray from the source material. Sometimes, they do this out of necessity, and it works (Lord of the Rings, for instance.). Other times, however, it simply doesn't work out too well (Doom, based on the game of the same name.).
I don't really see film adaptations ending any time soon. The ideas are already there, and many people will go to see adaptations of other media regardless of if they are good or not. I think they can work out if the director is fan of the source material, but I believe that sometimes they are made simply to cash in on an existing fandom.
Oft times, these adaptations stray from the source material. Sometimes, they do this out of necessity, and it works (Lord of the Rings, for instance.). Other times, however, it simply doesn't work out too well (Doom, based on the game of the same name.).
I don't really see film adaptations ending any time soon. The ideas are already there, and many people will go to see adaptations of other media regardless of if they are good or not. I think they can work out if the director is fan of the source material, but I believe that sometimes they are made simply to cash in on an existing fandom.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Building suspense
Recently, I've been thinking a lot about suspenseful situations in movies and other media. I feel that many movies and films go for a suspenseful angle, but fall a bit short.
Movies like the Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm St. films, which are intended to instill horror, fall somewhat short on the suspense scale. They reveal their villains/monsters somewhat early on, which removes some of the mystery.
When left up to their own imaginations, people will fill in the blanks themselves. Almost without fail, this will illicit more of a reaction than what Hollywood could do.
The movie Cloverfield, for example, does a great job of building suspense. The viewer sees nothing of the monster for 95% of the film, which allows them to build it up in their mind. When the creature is finally seen, it has a greater impact.
I feel that more movies should adapt that style. One may have created a truly terrifying monster, but why not amp up the effect by letting it stew in mystery for a while?
Movies like the Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm St. films, which are intended to instill horror, fall somewhat short on the suspense scale. They reveal their villains/monsters somewhat early on, which removes some of the mystery.
When left up to their own imaginations, people will fill in the blanks themselves. Almost without fail, this will illicit more of a reaction than what Hollywood could do.
The movie Cloverfield, for example, does a great job of building suspense. The viewer sees nothing of the monster for 95% of the film, which allows them to build it up in their mind. When the creature is finally seen, it has a greater impact.
I feel that more movies should adapt that style. One may have created a truly terrifying monster, but why not amp up the effect by letting it stew in mystery for a while?
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