Scorsese Calls Blockbuster Films "Theme Park Films". Are Hollywood Putting Quantity over Quality ?

For a good while, People (Most notably film buffs) have complained over Hollywood's latest approach to business when it comes to cinema. It has invested more in franchises and box office, rather than the passion and  ideas. Of course, many people are oblivious to this and still stumble off to the cinema to get warped into the same old shit every week. But now one notorious filmmaker has made his voice known which has now drawn my concern back to Hollywood.

Martin Scorsese is arguably one of cinema's most beloved directors. From films like Taxi Driver to Shutter Island, he has created characters, stories and iconic moments and lines of cinema that will never be forgotten. His new film Hugo will be released in British Cinemas this Friday (I don't think I'll see it.) and during an interview with BBC News, he says that Hollywood needs to have an alternative to what he calls "Theme Park Films" that can dominate in the box office.

If you read the actual interview, Its not actually an attack against Hollywood, but in all fairness in honestly, you know that Hollywood these days are more greedy than they have been in yester years. Yet, the majority of people do not see that. Maybe its because they do not understand the industry, or buy in the lie ? As a film buff myself, I have been open to the fact that Hollywood's standard has swapped over. In the 80s & 90s, it seemed that the industries were more about impressing audiences and gaining the riches later, but now its 2011 and the roles have reversed. They want your money first and care less about impressing the audience, hence the stale franchises which require less thought than figuring out what one plus one is. Its not that I like these franchises, but its that when something becomes a runaway success, you get five other different versions of the same idea the years following which let's face it, aren't as good or popular as the original success.

For Example...Twilight.

When Twilight first hit our screens in 2008, it became huge and rival Hollywood studios were surprised and jealous of the possibility of a smaller studio with a mega money hit. So they took the vampire themed film and tried new things with it, but thus nothing became as successful without owing something to Twilight. Despite the fact that Twilight owes a lot to other vampire themed films and shows (Angel, Blade and Dracula himself.) it added a new twist to the genre of vampires. Twilight isn't universally loved as it has also gained a reputation of hate among st the male demographic.

Comic Book Franchises have also been big money makers, in exchange for little thought process. The Amazing Spiderman for example hasn't even been released yet and already has a sequel being written for 2014. Well, haven't Hollywood thought of the possibility of the film flopping. Well this is Spiderman we are talking about, so of course it won't flop. But the idea is now that Hollywood are planning ahead of time and believe that this film will make millions and millions and are green lighting endless sequels before even the first film makes it on screen, or is let alone finished.

Its also lazy doing sequels. Sequels really should only be done If A) audience really demand a sequel and aren't given one that don't want or B) One part of the story is told and there is still more of the overall arc left to be told. Think The Lord Of The Rings, Star Wars and Kill Bill. Sequels to them were necessarily to tell the whole story in multiple films.

Scorsese, Nolan, Spielberg, Tarentino as well as many others are directors who have fought or are fighting the system standard by doing other projects and not being dragged down or basing their career on franchises. Spielberg created franchises and with Nolan, despite his popularity as a filmmaker rising because of Batman, he had already gained a cult audience as did Tarentino with their early films. Zach Snyder is a filmmaker who relies on Comic Books and a Horror Remake to bring his film making career to life. Uwe Boll relies on video games and Michael Bay relies on his hollywood buddies.

My point being is that the backstage politics of Hollywood film-making has become sour and greedy. In the early years, Hollywood cared about its audience and made films for them instead of to them. Today, its the opposite. The audience are the sheep that continue to have their minds warped of the same lazy standard crap that Hollywood cannot be bothered to give them. Hollywood don't want to stand up and be original. It requires work. They want something for nothing these days.

Hopefully filmmakers can stand on their own two feet, resist the caves of Hollywood and be the future Scorseses, Nolans and Tarentinos of this generation.

Revival Post. My Views Return On A Weekly Basis

Yes nobody.

I am back, and for almost 2 years now, I have kept my radical views to my very own self. But fear no more, as I prepare to break out of my shell across the very known web and straight into superstardom. Or maybe just a few posts a week.

Regardless, Every week, I will post at least one post about any particular subject that raises my concern. Whether its politics, TV or anything else really. Looking back over my past posts, It was media related, so I'll stick with that, seeing as its something I relatively enjoy.

So, sit back and prepare for my views to explode in your face. Well...not literally obviously.

;)

WWE VS TNA - January 4th - So It Begins

On January 4th 2010 - It will begin. Well it wont really but yes on January 4th it will finally happen.TNA are going to do it. They are going to take on The WWE for the first time. For me this is good news. This is now proof that all the talk for 8 years is going to mean something now. Because for 8 years that is all TNA have been doing...talking...taunting the WWE to fight and now TNA is going to do it. Now we all know they are not going to acheive the same ratings let us be honest but 2.0 Rating will be decent enough for TNA fans to be whispering...talking...very soon challenging TNA to do it again.

TNA have Hulk Hogan. Hogan is massive in Wrestling. He was the guy that started it all. So with Hogan on TNA and TNA have one night against The WWE. Could this be the start of The Next Monday Night War ? That is going to happen most likely if January 4th goes down well. Maybe it will all start again. It could be the wake up call Vince needs to turn his company around. It could be the end of The WWE which i know a lot of people are wanting to see.

With Shane and Linda gone can the WWE get better or worse. Well on January 4th whether Vince will face up to it or not....a change in wrestling history may be beginning. TNA may get the push it needs and maybe just maybe Wrestling will undergo a new era once again.

Another Soap Bites The Dust

CBS has done it again. Last sometime in September Guiding Light had to close it doors because of the one thing that looms over the death of TV and that is ratings and because of low ratings Guiding Light was cancelled and is now in the vault of lost soaps. Now CBS has done it again and this time...its As The World Turns.

This was a soap that i did not and cannot possibly care for. Despite that 2 of the Cast Members have been there since the dawn of time i still cannot care for US Soaps. They are dead. They have been dead for a number of years and only a miricle can revive these soaps. Many things are killing the soaps. Talk Shows,Cable and Internet. It is sad that this genre here in America cannot be revived and the only alive soap is Desperate Housewives which isn`t as enjoyable back when it started.

So what now. What is the dim and dark future of US Daytime Soaps. Well it doesn`t look like there is going to be a big one. Like i said Judgement Day is picking these soaps out one by one and eventully...that`s it. None will be left and soon TV itself will disappear...slowly...and slowly...and slowly.

Miley Cyrus - Bright Young Star Or Disney Prop - You Decide

I have decided to talk about a figure that has had an up and down year this year and that is Miley Cyrus. For 2009 as a whole in music it has been great if i am honest. I am kind of in a way a fan of all music. I will like anything from pop to heavy metal. But one singer has stood out above them all and that is Miley Cyrus.

Now Miley has had some good points to her year and some bad points. They are mostly bad but i will start with the good points.

Miley is the daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus who is no doubt a talented country musician and one of the finest in America. Miley has doubled her father`s fame with her excellent voice and young charisma. Her recent song known as "The Climb" was enjoyable to listen to and tell somewhat of a story. She does have the passion to go futher than she is going.

That is where the bad comes in. Miley Cyrus is a prop of Disney. Now Disney were not and are not what they were once were. Back in the late 80s to 90s Disney were the family loving corperation and they would show that in there films like Aladdin , The Lion King and The Little Mermaid. Now its 2009 and that is all gone. They have appealed to the teenage girl audience who like to these days screem and shout at good looking hunks like most of The Twlight cast who prooceed to strip on camera and so on. Miley Cyrus is in that category and she has let it known that she does not want to go down that road anymore. Its a shame that i have to put her in the same group as the terrible and annoying band known as "The Jonas Brothers". Miley Cyrus stars in Hannah Montana, The TV Series i just want to stamp my foot into. Its quirky,bad and downright headachey. Hell even Billy Ray Cyrus has signed his soul to the show.

The one thing i want Miley to do so she doesn`t end up like Lohan,Spears and soon to be Lynn Spears is to be rebellous and lure herself to drink. Miley wants creative freedom over her work and a new image for herself. She wants to leave Disney (If i was under Disney i would have gone years ago) and move on to real music. Now if reading my past posts (Which you might not) you are somewhat confused. Well this blog is for stuff on my mind...and Miley is in the centre of my mind.

2009 In Film

ok this is the second time i have done this so i am going to keep it brief.

January

Bride Wars - Rubbish. One of the worst films of the year
The Unborn - Ok
Paul Blart:Mall Cop - Rubbish
Underworld 3 - Meh
Taken - Enjoyable

February

Friday The 13th - Rubbish
Jonas Brothers Concert in 3D - Wanted to rip my eyes out

March

Watchmen - Good
The Last House On The Left - Good
Race To Witch Mountain - Ok but ASR is great in anything
Knowing - Ok
12 Rounds - ZZZZZZZZZZ

April

Hannah Montana The Movie - Rubbish
17 Again - Good and Efron is better than he was in HSM
State Of Play - Good as the TV version
The Soloist - Very powerful

May

X Men Origins:Wolverine - Good but dont understand why people hate it
Star Trek - Hated it but didn`t understand why people liked it
Angels & Demons - Ok
Terminator Salvation - Pretty Good
Dance Flick - SO BAD IT REMINDS ME HOW BAD DISASTER MOVIE WAS
Drag Me To Hell - Good
Up - Good

June

The Taking Of Pelham 123 - Good
The Proposal - Rubbish
Transformers 2: Revenge Of The Fallen - SO BAD IT MAKES PLAN 9 LOOK GOOD
My Sister`s Keeper - Pretty Enjoyable

July

Public Enemies - Good
Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince - Great
500 Days Of Summer - Good
Adam - Good (I also have Aspergers Syndrome)

August

District 9 - Great
The Time Travellers Wife - Enjoyable
Inglourious Basterds - Ok
Post Grad - Ok

September

Jennifer`s Body - Good
Fame - OK
Paranormal Activity - Great


October

The Invention Of Lying - OK

November

2012 - Good
New Moon - Rubbish

TV Themes And How Long They Have

Whenever i watch a show i always look to the TV theme as sort of a sign as wether the following Drama or comedy will either be good or bad.Now however as Television continues to evolve into new and better things,it seems that Tv Theme Songs are starting to die out and just become 10 second flashes with the title fading in and out.

So why is it? i think its because of the economy.Thanks to Bush and The Repulicans TV has to now do this 10 second clip and then we head into the episode of a comedy or drama.However there are a few themes that stand out in history.

There`s the ER theme which just fits the programme with its medical theme.James Newton Howard conducts a peice of music which is just magnificant.Another great opening is Angel the hit WB Series starring David Boreanez.It just instantly captures the tone and emotion of what that show is going to be.

One more theme which i must mention which is HBO`s True Blood.True Blood is HBO`s new big hit since The Sopranos which many people regard it as The Greatest TV Series Ever Made.True Blood`s theme is both dark and catchy.

So to ask the question are TV Themes dying?...well yes.If you want catchy tv themes and memorable music again...go back to shows like Angel and ER and let your ears be filled.