As Inception slowly approaches, the buzz has become slightly more patronizing than exciting: fans across the world are being told that they might not understand the film. But this really is an absurd sentiment, and is one that I feel has caused big-budget films to – in general – get dumber and shallower.
But it’s not your fault – and don’t let Hollywood tell you otherwise. It’s not your fault that Transformers 2 made $836 million worldwide, while Blade Runner only made $33 million domestically when it was released. It’s just the nature of the Hollywood business.
There are 52 weekends in a year. Across the world, millions seek entertainment for escape and the intrigue of visual stimulation. But when a malnourished public craves something a little more meaty, Hollywood continues to throw bread crumbs. And people eat it up, because often it’s all they have to choose from.
However, the most discerning moviegoers dig for those gems that sit buried beneath the piles of Hollywood coal – those films that stretch the mind and cure the soul, rather than milk the cow. But it shouldn’t be such an arduous effort; is it really too much to ask Hollywood for $100+ million movies that are not digestible in a single two-hour sitting?
Audiences are a hungry breed. They want to have something to eat every single weekend and studios spend months preparing those meals. Yet, often there is nothing to “digest” at all – there is no substance to the meal, i.e. nothing for an audience member to contemplate later. It simply is what it is: filler, a snack, empty calories. Yet, as much as we complain about fluff films – as most summer blockbusters are – we all flock to the next big blockbuster. Maybe we just don’t know any better?
Personally I don’t believe the fault lies with people who go to see every big action blockbuster. Those films are churned out of filmmaking machines that have little train of thought, yet, our eyes are not bigger than our stomachs. Once we leave the theater, there is an emptiness, we all feel it, even if there is a lingering “wow” factor.
So, when a film like Inception comes around and combines brain with brawn, many viewers are not sure what to do. We are being presented with a film that is not only visually appealing, but might actually cause the brain to do some work. People often say they want these films, but Hollywood just doesn’t quite understand that – Hollywood forgets about films that have become staples of the industry – masterpieces like Blade Runner or Shawkshank Redemption. None of those films turned heads at the box office – but maybe they could have, with the right marketing scheme and intentions behind them. Maybe the would have, if Hollywood valued the “smart blockbuster” as a legitimate blockbuster – the very strategy Warner Bros. seems to have for Inception.
We live in an age where many executives know only how to fumble around your pocket, with no interest in anything else besides the bottom line. Hollywood has brainwashed the public into thinking they can’t comprehend anything beyond a MacGuffin device that will end the world (see: Knight and Day). That formula has worked for decades (thanks in large part to Alfred Hitchcock, the master of brainy spectacle), but the industry has fallen in love with the formula, while taking audiences for granted.
Hitchcock made big movies with brains
By offering the same tired formulas, Hollywood has helped create the faux perception that people don’t like anything they don’t understand upon first viewing – that is to say if it doesn’t fit the formula, it simply doesn’t fit. Yet, look at forums on Websites just like ours: the films people talk about the most are ones that sprouted new ideas in their minds upon repeat viewings, continued analysis and extensive discussions – exactly what smart films do.
It is a valid argument to say that Hollywood simply adjusted to the trends of audiences. If more people went to see a small indie film over a big-budget action romp, then maybe the entertainment world would be following another path. But audiences don’t generally have that option – there are only a fraction of arthouse offerings that get wide exposure, as opposed to the crowd of popcorn blockbusters that fill every theater at your local multiplex. And because of that disparity, choices are limited (hopefully the increased interest in first-run movies offered on demand will reverse this trend).
Despite what some people think, I don’t necessarily believe the industry would be a better place if the tables were simply turned. I still love the big action epics that utilize CGI and strange humor. But just like everybody else, a huge part of me craves the intellectual possibilities of film. I want to have my knowledge tested – I want to leave a theater with the idea that I might be wrong. Instead, I am hypnotized by bright lights, big explosions and beautiful people who act in a world that doesn’t require me to think for two hours – and, ironically enough, in large part those are the same films which will be forgotten (or rebooted) in a decade or less.
I should point out that Leonardo DiCaprio has mentioned that Inception shouldn’t be that difficult to comprehend as they talk about the concepts and the actions at length within the film. The characters are experiencing this newfound journey with the audience in real-time.
My bottom line is: we are smarter than Hollywood often wants treat us. Bring on Inception and give my brain the same workout my eyes and ears will get; I’ll be showing my support with my wallet, and if you too would like your big movies to be more meat than fluff going forward, perhaps you should too.
What do you think about the industry’s focus these days? Do you want more movies that make you think? Share your opinions in the comments section below.
Inception hits theaters on July 16th.
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Mike I still blame the public. You may be tallking to us been in the end we don’t matter our numbers are not strong enough to make one bit of differance at the box office. The public that watches Transformers decides what we get to see.
I like emily she helps my point. Blame the public.
Completely agree
Aknot I’ve not given a dime to transformers. Didn’t see it in theaters didn’t buy the DVD didn’t rent it either. I also didn’t buy merch either.
There is a rule in my mind that people who went to see transformers and actually liked probably wouldn’t understand inception.
Leave your brain at the door enough and you probably won’t get it back. When you actually do get don’t count on all of it still being there.
Wow thats an absurd statement you just made there. I’m sure there individuals who liked Transformers that can run circles around you in a game of intellect.
Why do you say that? Total in transformers, I’ve seen the tiniest vestige of a plot, whitle 19/20 of it was meagan fox + bad acting + cgi robots punching eachother. Doesn’t take any brains to be entertained by that.
It may not have taken brains to enjoy it, but many people like to shut their brain off sometimes and just enjoy a spectacle. It’s like fireworks; lots of smart people go and watch the show, and you don’t have to lack a brain to appreciate the beauty of an explosion.
This isn’t a defense of Transformers, it’s a defense of smart people that think it’s okay to stop thinking every once in a while and stop taking life so seriously.
I agree to a certain level, I can turn off my brain and enjoy brute violence, explosions and improbable sci-fi. I mean I can even take a leap and accept that the touch of some special rock changes the entire inside of a car or a mobile, etc. I also can enjoy films about wizards and magic and other unreal things. But it dies at bad acting, putting a so-called babe in it, just to make us forget how crap the actual spectacle is.
That’s the difference Batman Begins or the Daywatch triology on one hand and Transformers on the other, all “no-brainer” films.
Doesnt take any brains to be a culo either. Refer to prior statement for rebuttle.
Ok then you are one person that never supported Transformers in anyway to include talking about it or watching it as a kid or buying something from the Fast Food place that sponsored it etc.
However I knew that of you.
Define like. Did I enjoy the movie? Was it $6.50 well spent? Did my son (11 at the time) enjoy it? Then it was a success and yes I liked it.
Would I consider the acting “Great”? The storyline intellectual? Something that made me delve deep into my mind and ponder the meaning of life? Nope.
No but see I knew what it was BEFORE I went into it. I knew what to expect and I LIKED the movie and got from it what I expected from it.
Maybe people need to take their expectations of a movie and apply it to a movie that aspire to those expectations? Im sure there are tons of independents out there that fit that bill.
Hey pat sorry to tell you but you can blame Hollywood all you want the joke isn’t on them it’s on you. They couldn’t possibly care less about what your watching films like Transformers do just fine with out you. Know why? Because despite your blame Hollywood attitude the brainless film loving masses still flock to see the crap films. Blame Hollywood all you want but as long as the masses flock to see these crap films Hollywood is going to make. At the end of the day they will make what gets them the most money.
Tim hope you realize I never once said Observe and Report was good. I pointed out your flawed logic of proving a film is bad because of it’s box office. I used the argument made here to point out your poor logic. However I never said that film was good. Nice try though.
By the way you talked about bad acting in another post but you seem to enjoy mr bill and Ted. I mean you can’t claim to hate bad acting and enjoy films by mr lake house. He’s so bad I can’t even watch a film with mr point break attached to it.
Danny Boy…you crack me up….however never once did I say Reeves was a good actor, did I enjoy him in Constantine or TDTESS and dare I say The Matrix, Hell yes and not afraid to admit that, but he was born to play those roles. Do I cringe when Cage, or Stiller or Rogen take the screen….Hell f-ing yes. But remember, my “flawed logic” has never once been related to a box office receipt. I am in show business, I understand how it works and due to that understanding, I have been more that reasonably successful. It is not flawed logic, it is the truth. My distain for Rogen and what he does in Observe and Report II: The Green Hornet is a perfect example of this article. But in regard to box office……if you despise an actor, a director, etc….you simply do not go and spend your jake.
Daniel F, as usual I think you make good points – just with too much hyperbole attached to them.
All I know about movie audiences today is this: When I went to see Nightmare on Elm Street at the IMAX theater next door to me (this is in NYC – alleged cultural sophisticado capitol of the world) it was a packed house. I sat next to two young teens, BF&GF, obviously from one of the outlying boroughs (BK, BX, Queens). The girl talked throughout the whole film, every minute of it – she was waving her hands and narrating the film to her BF, much to the chagrin of every one of us sitting around them.
My GF was ready to punch this girl in the face (she said as much to me) so I leaned over and kindly asked them “Hey guys, can you keep it down?” to avoid possible assault charges. The BF looked at me with sad puppy dog eyes and responded “She’s just trying to explain the movie to me…” He was totally genuine in his response, too. And this is ANOES we’re talking about.
As a part-time educator of literary analysis and writing, my heart sank to my knees. It dawned on me that while people are not that stupid in general, they are (for the most part) absolutely RE-TAR-DED when it comes to narrative analysis and interpretation. People don’t really read enough, and then, don’t understand that the same techniques used for “figuring out” books and stories applies to movies too – another form of storytelling.
That’s why we have big flashy dumb films that a ten-year-old could figure out – because on the level of figuring out stories and themes, most people these days ARE ten-year-olds. Doesn’t mean they’re stupid people, just lacking in a particular skill.
HOWEVER, a great story (as I tell students) is multi-layered and offers something for the dummies as well as many layers of hidden wealth for those who are able to dig deeper. So that is model we should be aiming for, IMHO. Films (like good books) should be multi-layered.
Example: Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn – great adventure story, also a complex allegory about the American South. Gulliver’s Travels – fun-filled adventure story, also a complex allegory about the absurdity of old European governing practices and religious divisions. Lord of the Flies – great survivalist adventure, also an allegory about society and the components that make it up and how thin the veil of “civilization” is. Animal Farm, Brave New World, Invisible Man (I could go on). MULTI LAYERS THAT OFFER SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.
Pixar is studio that has mastered this practice.
Actually, it’s not so difficult to understand. Great, good, average, etc. filmmakers from D.W. Griffith, Cecil B. DeMille, John Ford, Hitchcock, all the way up to Scorcese and James Cameron understood/stand it well.
Pictures worth a thousand words. Ignore the words; watch the picture.
You wanna become educated? READ. BOOKS. DUH.
Wanna eat take out fast food for the brain? WATCH MOVIES.
Always fascinating and interesting to hear teachers and critics go on and on about how this film or that film was such a wonderfully constructed “masterpiece” etc. How do the great ones, the masterpieces, measure up to the greatest books of world history? Very low on the scale. Books win, 30 times to 1. Every single time.
Please. It’s eye candy. PURE. AND. SIMPLE.
Film does not equal intellectual level of Books. Doesnt even approach it. Never have, never will.
Wanna Think? READ.
Wanna Learn? READ.
Wanna expand your intellectual capacity for science? For Math? READ.
There is not a single film in 100 yrs that has taught anyone how to become more proficient in mathematics, geometry, algebra, calculus. Nor a film in a century that has taught folks how to become better at science; at physics, at chemistry. Name one, but it is impossible ’cause there isnt any.
Wanna veg out? WATCH.
Wanna not think for a spell-time? WATCH.
Wanna become “brain-dead”? WATCH.
Watching = passivity; the brain is basically on auto pilot.
READING BOOKS = active; actively engages the brain to LEARN the meaning and concept of the textwhat the text says.
Film: Message is overly mixed with Images, which dull the brain, thus no learning of substance occurs.
Words engage the brain to learn. Einstein. Never watched TV or saw a film before he was about 55.
Funny that up to last decade in school, we didnt watch films or TV. We READ BOOKS in school.
Not rocket science, just common sense. READ = LEARNING and expanded mind.
WATCH = Passive auto-piloting non-thinking.
That’s funny Kofi I usually think the same about you. Hell half the time I read something from you it’s a struggle to keep up with the snarky hyperbole standard that you set.
That sad are you as upset as me about the Jack Black adaptation of Travels?
I think your missing Catcher in the rye, Brave new world and The Crucible from your list.
I unveil my snark only to keep up with the many, many, many many many many, snarky and/or combative comments I get on the site, Danny-boy mein freund.
Can’t let you guys’ snark outshine mine!
BTW I think you mean “That said” rather than “That sad.” I think.
LOL, when you consider the average adult taking their kid to see a movie, get two drinks and a popcorn to share spends FIFTY DOLLARS a pop, yeah, they must be pretty dumb!
Lou
http://www.real-anonymity.se.tc
I agree, hollywood has really dumbed down the average viewer by creating movies that all follow that same plotline – or atleast a very similar base plot. It’s hard for me to watch a movie from beginning to end cause I already know what is going to happen. I think HWood is getting lazy. On a side note – Shutter Mountain was excellent.
Obsessed with Blade Runner much????
Listen, I’m a diehard Nolan fan. The Prestige is my favorite movie of all time and I can’t wait for Inception, but Blade Runner is the most overrated piece of garbage I’ve ever seen. Putting it in the same category with Shawshank Redemption is just laughable.
Did any of you actually watch Transformers 2? Man, talk about an un-understandable plot!
I can’t wait for Inception. I’ve been complaining for years about how dumb films have been. It looks like what I was always hoping Matrix 2 was going to be. Been waiting for a smart trippy film for a while. Coincidentally I think Shutter Island was the last one of these I saw, and even then my wife and I figured out the ending by the second reel.
Blade runner did get trashed. You’re right there. You pose valid questions about our nurtured intellect, but I think Inception might just prove contrary. You’re right about the point that W.Bros have pulled off an interesting marketing campaign here and it might very well succeed. But if there’s one problem I have with article, it’s just that you haven’t seen the movie, while your perspective is seemingly factual, whereas it ought to be speculative.
Good points nevertheless.
Cheers
Mike, it might help you to understand the innerworkings of Hollywood before you go blaming it on the lack of “smart” films. Studios are under pressure to make money; people like action films and film adaptations of popular books (which, by the way, aren’t going into the classics section anytime soon). You just have to accept that the public en masse doesn’t like to have to use their brain at the movies. And every year, the Academy Awards try to bring the smart films out into the limelight and middle America complains that it’s not a real representation of the good films that year… So wait, whose fault is that?
Well in that case aknot I’d like to thank you from being a part of the problem.
I know what to expect from these movies to think lowering your expectations sudddenly makes a film enjoyable is absord my expectations for films like Transformers couldn’t be lower. I know what to expect the problem is that it’s not something I want to watch. I like good films I don’t just accept crap as watchable just because I expected crap.
No problem Danny as Im sure you have never “lowered” yourself to seeing a movie just for fun.
Its a wonder you hang out at a movie site at all.
And make sure you dotn put words in my mouth. I didnt say it was crap nor did I reference it as crap.
I refrenced it as a movie that the acting wasnt very good nor was the story, however since my 11 year old enjoyed I accepted it for what it was worth.
Just because you THINK it is crap (not that it isnt) does not mean it is crap.
Also would you like to thank my son for it also? Apparently you didnt read that part… I went cause he wanted to see it.
You must not see many movies…
Memento and 12 Monkeys come to mind first as “tough to follow” movies and Subject Zero because of the little known phenomena of remote viewing
Gosh a lot of comments! I have not read any yet.
All I know is that in my own personal experience, most people don’t ‘get’ intelligent or even complex films. I remember so many people saying ‘I don’t get Mission Impossible’. And I was flabbergasted. I totally got it and I don’t understand why you can’t.
Same thing with Vanilla Sky. I walked out of the theater hearing folks around me complaining that they didn’t get it. When to me it was very clear and a great film.
Thank god The Matrix had a lot of shoot-em’-up to go with the brainy part of it so the masses flocked to it is all I can say.
I am very much looking forward to Inception.
You make a valid point Mike. Sometimes I just watch movies one time and dont watch it again because its easy to understand in the movie(transformers 2). Now movies like Inception has a lot going in it and you might understand every single thing that goes on in it just seeing it once. Like the first matrix, i had to watch that movie a couple to times to understand how they did some of the things they did even though I was eight when it came out. Im tired of watching movies with big explosions and big name actors with no substance to the movies. Inception looks like its going to make America think again. Dreams is a very complex subject on its own and to Nolan to make a movie out of this,its great. Cant wait for this movie to come out. Look out hollywood, The Dream is Real
Its funny that you mentioned “Moon” Vic. I recall hearing a few people walking out of that one wondering if the main character was a robot…
“Do you remember where we parked?”
790, please tell me you’re joking about the robot thing in “Moon.”
Vic
Lol yea Kofi that’s what I meant guess I missed the I
What’s kinda funny about the Matrix is if you had to step out during the scene where Morphius explains to Neo that he’s a battery in a virtual reality simulation you wouldn’t get the film.
I remember hearing some real funny comments during the Architect scene in “Reloaded”
“I think that’s Neo’s dad?”
I wonder if it has occurred to Hollywood that us dumb citizens are just showing our disdain for their superior/elitist attitudes by not going to see their films. Why spend our money supporting people that hold us in disregard.
I thought everyone knew this, but obviously there are some people here who weren’t informed. Virtually all Hollywood greenlighting decisions are made by spinning 2 wheels, one listing approximately 24 potential antagonists, and the other listing approximately 24 potential settings. Don’t believe it?
SNAKES ON A PLANE, ANYONE?
@UDidntKnow, I always thought it was the Manatees and the Idea Ball tank?
@790, the sexy robot love slave head
The manatees were horribly ashamed after knowledge of them got out, and people realized that they had been being fleeced for years by a tank full of “dumb” aquatic mammals. They subsequently drowned themselves, but in honor of their substantial contribution to the American film industry, they were commemorated with their very own slot on the antagonists wheel. Luckily, the wheel hasn’t landed on that slot just yet.
MANATEES ON A FREIGHT TRAIN, ANYONE?
I agree with Kofi. People dont read enough anymore especially the younger generation.
And the law says: Bust a deal and face the wheel!
I actually heard that the Manatees were relocated to a secret base in Utah.
I happen to prefer more cerebral films, but will not see Inception for reasons that have nothing to do with its heady content. I decided some time ago that if Hollywood makes a decision to politicize their art with anti-American views, then I will choose to politicize my movie-viewing habits. Mr. DiCaprio, along with many others, will never see a dime of my hard earned money at the box office.
Besides, can’t we all admit Leo is a TERRIBAD actor? I mean, come on, how many times has he lost and gained a cheap accent in a single movie? Sheez, it’s so bad that my friends and I created a drinking game counting the lapses. And believe me, we all got HAMMERED when I was forced to watch a pirated version of Shutter Island.
Actually aknot every movie I watch is for fun I just don’t find bad movies fun. Nothing fun about movies like transformers or gi Joe.
Also for your information I see plenty of movies. In fact I see the vast majority of films released throughout each year. I can’t exactly call a movie dumb or crap unless I see it. I rarely base my opinion of a film based on someone elses review. If I expect a movie to suck I won’t pay for it I’ll still watch it though mostly so I can see what’s wrong with it or so I can be proven wrong sometimes I expect it to suck and it turns out decent. Trailers can be mis leading.
Well see thats the problem. What you find fun and or bad in a movie is just yours, mine and everyone elses opinion.
What you (and everyone else) cant do is judge someone just because they like the fun/bad movie. Well I guess you can but I would venture to guess your judgment of said person would be incorrect most times.
People (for the most part?) go to a movie to be entertained. Not to have to think. There is to much in real life now adays to not be able to get away for an hour or so.
If you break it down even sporting events could be clumped into the “why do we watch as it makes no sense/insults our intelligence/we get nothing out of it etc.”
Yet we do for the most part.
The bad thing I find in some thinking movies is I end up trying hard to find holes in the story. I mean if you want me to think about it you better have an iron clad closer.
Once you have something (speculation on my part) like Inception that is a playground in the mind, etc. you throw (again my opinion) its credibility of being a “thinking” movie out the window as any mistakes can be covered by some unrealistic dream sequence or power of the mind. Unlike the below mentioned movie which delves into the very real psyche of people..
Im surprised no one has mentioned The Machinist. To me that trumped Moon as one of the latest intelligent movies.
@Fuddy,
What anti-American views, are you talking about?