There has been an ongoing debate in the art world surrounding originality. Some claim that nothing is truly original and that even inspiration is a minor form of plagiarism. Others disagree, arguing that any inspiration can be built upon and transformed.
Well, relatively, it’s safe to say whatever is going on in Hollywood is unoriginal.
It seems that the biggest joke about entertainment is that no piece of art can satisfy anyone. Ever. But, movies can at least try.
So now, the big question: how do we bring back originality? The solution is far from simple, but the industry should strive to avoid the trends. A significant one for the past two years appears to be biopics: this includes those covering Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana, Lucille Ball, The Gucci Family, and so on.
The trend for shows? Anything supernatural. If one has a character with powers, it’s a hit: Stranger Things, The Umbrella Academy, Wandavision, anything Star Wars, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, etc.
The magic of a new, fresh story quickly fades once that story is overdone. Viewers begin to resent a story after seeing versions of that same story completely miss the mark.
So, here is a plea from an avid movie-watcher: don’t bring back the golden era of Hollywood, create a new one.
And don’t worry, as I have some ideas for you.
The most prominent genre of movies that has gone extinct, it seems, is musicals. For reasons that I will never understand. As a society, we are in a bit of a rut, with the whole world ending and all. So, what better genre to escape to than a realm of the creative? A place where any character, at any time, can break out into song and dance. The resurrection of such a genre would not only provide an incredible cinematic experience but would bring back actors with the triple threat (Acting, Singing, and Dancing).
The next biggest thing? Bring back long movies. Epics. Movies you WANT to see in a theatre, with audience reactions, loud music, and dark lights. Allow them to be historical, allow them to have overtures, allow them to have intermissions.
Suspense. Yet another drama that has gone missing (pun wholeheartedly intended). Stop with the ‘thrillers’ where one girl goes missing, or where one of the characters has to piece together a disappearance. Think big. Go for the developing stories, the have-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat plot twists. It doesn’t have to be realistic, it just has to be entertaining.
I am just a lowly movie watcher, with some strong opinions. One of which is that the entertainment we have currently must change. Entertainment must turn a new leaf, have a cultural reset, and start with a clean slate, all of the cliches.
If the media loses its sparkle, it loses its audience and its value.
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