When viewing most of the major motion pictures out of Hollywood lately, I am faced with the question of are they making less than amazing movies on purpose? The fun aspect of most Hollywood films is not in question, from Star Trek and Star Wars films of late to most comic book films Batman or XMen to The Disaster Artist, the fun is there. However, are any of them really great films? Probably not. That unfortunate answer is more a function of money overpowering true artistic filmmaking than it is a lack of talent by the filmmakers. After all, Steven Spielberg has made a number of amazing films from Jaws and Munich to Jurassic Park and Bridge of Spies but has also put out a few that were not so great. Sure, it happens but most directors under fifty seem to have many more in the later category than in the former. No, I am not saying the younger generation cannot make good films. Rather, I am asking if they are making films for the same reasons as those before them did? Charles Chaplin made films to be amusing, like so many are today, but also to hold the amazement of the audience. His films made people laugh but also made them wonder how any of it was possible. Of course, this adds the idea of people's suspension of disbelief is much different. Have we come so far that nothing will truly amaze us any longer? I think not. After all, Logan and Wonder Woman were both extremely well received with only one or two moments of eye rolling or what not both films got us suspending our disbelief rather well. I just wonder if too many filmmakers today are just in the process for the money. Please don't misunderstand me, I am not opposed to filmmakers making money or even focussing on it. I'm just missing the days of wonderment that a little film like The Gods Must be Crazy held. I don't see a film like that making the same dent in our conscience like it did in the 1980s.
Always interested in other people's thoughts on this issue.
Cheers,
EH HEH!