Thursday, February 17, 2011
Going with the trends
Although I am not surprised that the aura of a more chaotic society during the 1970s affected the film world, it is interesting to hear Pauline Kael write that "One can't just take the new cult movies head on and relax, because they're too confused." I think what she is talking about is that movies became so rich with meaning, symbols, and intense topics that people could not simply go to the movies to "get away" and relax anymore. So while it is to be expected that the influences of the counterculture (the way they dress, the way they act, drugs, etc.) would be translated into film, I guess I never realized that it came to a point where, as Pauline describes, the movies became too intense to the point where movies in general became an alienating and cynical experience. Can the opposite be said of today? Are there too many "light" films that lack critical topics and just pride themselves on how humorous they are?
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I absolutely think that there are too many "humorous" films that are put out with the sole purpose to make people laugh; however, sometimes a good laugh, with a deeper meaning can be a valuable movie. I think the problem is when joke after joke is made and the movie ends having gotten nowhere--it has no lasting effect on the audience.
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ReplyDeleteI won't necessarily say that there are a lot of humorous films made, but I definitely feel like a lot of the movies that come out aren't made to be specifically intelligent or thought-provoking. It seems like a majority of the movies playing in big theater houses are mostly the "light" type though, whether they're romantic comedies, action movies, or thrillers, and only every once in a while you get something that explores something a little bit deeper. And I think that's because people still expect movies to be a kind of getaway experience. It's harder to watch artsy, angst-y films with the whole family or a group of friends, and I think that's a lot of the reason why artsy movies don't really play in the big theaters. That's not to say that artsy films aren't made anymore, because they definitely are. I feel like it's just that we notice the mainstream, easy-to-swallow type movies a lot more because they're easier to market, and a bigger portion of people want to see them/expect to see them at the theaters.
ReplyDeleteI would agree that 60s new hollywood marked the emergence of more daring films that in some cases alienated the silent majorit--as was the case with most of the art, music and culture of the 60s and 70s. I don't however, believe the opposite can be said of today, if anything, I feel like the trend towards bolder films has continued and gotten stronger. Despite the multitude of silly romantic comedies around today, I would argue that those movies that have dared to test boundaries and dig into unsettling, uncomfortable topics have done so in a bigger way. Also, when people look back on our generation years from now they certainly won't remember Snakes on a Plane or 27 Dresses--the impact bold, unconventional films make on modern thought and culture over time will ultimately immortalize them while light films will fade into the distance.
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