#918 - Critical Drinker - Why Do Modern Movies Suck So Much?

The conversation explores the future of some of the most beloved movie franchises under corporate ownership—with a focus on James Bond, Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars—and how the drive for expansion could dilute their core appeal.

Amazon "Corporatizes" James Bond Franchise, Planning Cinematic Universe With Spinoffs, Tv Shows, Diminishing Core Appeal

There’s a widespread belief that the character James Bond should remain at the center of his franchise, and concerns are mounting that expanding the universe with spinoffs could undermine his timeless appeal.

Broccoli Family Cedes Bond Control To Amazon, Aiming to Expand Ip and Profits

Upon feeling frustrated and tapping out, the Broccoli family ceded full creative control of the James Bond franchise to Amazon. The move aimed at expanding the intellectual property and profits but has raised serious concerns among fans and critics alike.

Expanding Bond Into a Larger Universe Risks Undermining the Enduring Elements of the Franchise

Critical Drinker, along with many others, contends that turning James Bond into a larger franchise with potential spin-offs would be detrimental. The suggestion that a series focusing on supporting characters like Moneypenny or the Q Department would compromise the character's core mystique and enduring elements that have captivated audiences for decades.

Corporate Expansion Dilutes Core of Lord of the Rings and Star Wars

The conversation extends beyond James Bond to include the impact of corporate expansion on other storied franchises.

Amazon Criticized For Prioritizing Corporate Interests Over Creative Integrity in the Rings of Power, Misaligning With Tolkien's Vision

Amazon's show "The Rings of Power" has faced criticism for destroying the core appeal of "Lord of the Rings." Accusations cir ...

Recent discussions in the film industry have focused on the noticeable decline of certain movie genres, with comedy and romantic comedy being particularly affected. Experts weigh in on contributing factors such as cultural shifts, industry trends, and technological changes.

Mainstream Film Comedy's Decline Linked To Political Correctness and Avoidance of Controversial Humor

Comedies Struggle as Studios Avoid Risk and Offensive Content

Critical Drinker pinpointed the decline of cinema comedies to a culture where offense is easily taken. Comedy films are struggling as studios avoid anything that might be deemed controversial or offensive to avoid alienating audiences. This aversion to risk has had a dampening effect on the production of comedies, as humor often involves treading close to the edges of what society finds acceptable. "Tropic Thunder," cited as the last great comedy to hit cinemas, is over a decade old and wouldn't be allowed in today's climate, illustrating a significant shift in what is considered acceptable content.

Stand-Up Specials on Streaming Fill Void Left by Fewer Comedy Films, Allowing Comedians More Freedom

Chris Williamson points out that the scarcity of comedy movies has paved the way for stand-up specials on streaming services. These platforms offer comedians more freedom, with fewer constraints from executives and stakeholders who traditionally steer away from potentially edgy material. Streaming services allow this genre to thrive outside the traditional movie theater setting, providing a haven for comedians to explore humor without the boundaries typically enforced by movie studios.

Romantic Comedy Genre Declines as Studios Fail to Replicate Past Success

The romantic comedy genre has also seen better days, with a decline in traditional cinematic success stories.

Celebrity Culture Erosion Challenges Romantic Pair Engagement

Factors contributing to this downturn have not been directly articulated in the provided content, but it could be inferred that shifts in celebrity culture might challenge the audience's investment in romantic pairings that typically drive the genre.

Strea ...

The entertainment industry is responding to a shift in public perception and engagement with award shows and political messaging in productions, as commentators like Chris Williamson and Critical Drinker analyze the industry's changing landscape.

Award Shows Like the Oscars Are Politicized and Out-of-touch, Causing Viewership and Relevance Declines

Award shows have long been platforms for celebrities to express their views on a host of social and political issues. However, it appears that this trend is contributing to a decline in viewership and the cultural relevance of events like the Oscars.

Oscars and Major Awards Struggle to Balance Art and Social-Political Issues, Often Alienating Audiences

Chris Williamson relates the current state of award shows to a "tower" of performative empathy that is starting to collapse, a metaphor for the instability caused by the industry's veneer of good intentions that often ring hollow to audiences. Critical Drinker adds to this point by describing the Oscars as "just boring," signaling a lack of engagement from the public. An actress's intention to pay tribute to sex workers during the Oscars exemplifies the disconnection between the ideologies celebrated at these events and mainstream interests.

Entertainment Industry Tones Down Politics in Award Shows

Critical Drinker points out that recent award seasons seem intentionally toned down and non-controversial, hinting at a memo that may have circulated advising against political commentary. This suggests an active effort by the industry to steer away from politics in response to declining interest from the general public, a sentiment echoed by Williamson, who observes Hollywood is recognizing the dwindling influence of celebrities in political matters.

Entertainment Industry Adapts to Cultural Shifts, Scales Back Overtly Progressive Messaging in High-Profile Productions

The entertainment industry is recognizing the backlash to what is sometimes labeled "wokeness" and appears to be adjusting its approach in high-profile productions to align better with audience preferences.

Executives Aware of Audience Backlash, Aim For Neutral, Entertainment-Focused Projects

Critical Drinker speaks on the industry's resistance to c ...