Ebert on his deathbed, makes a very pessimistic article

[Himu]

http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/08/the_gathering_dark_age.html

It's too damn long to post itt, sorry.

old people

film

lowest common denominator entertainment

Also, read the comments if you get the chance!

[The Fake Shemp]

Him and AO Scott on the same day.

[The Fake Shemp]

Ugh, again, another article from a critic that wonders why a multi-million dollar film with a huge, outlandish marketing budget and a large built-in fanbase accumulate over decades outperforms a legitimately great film that opened in four (count 'em - four!) screens.  And while The Hurt Locker continues to expand, it's still only 535 screens!

... I'd argue that Hollywood has gotten smarter about marketing spectacle over substance, but did modern film critics complain about the dumbing down of the youth back in the 70s when shit like Earthquake raked in a ton of cash (in context to the time period)?

[Himu]

Ugh, again, another article from a critic that wonders why a multi-million dollar film with a huge, outlandish marketing budget and a large built-in fanbase accumulate over decades outperforms a legitimately great film that opened in four (count 'em - four!) screens.  And while The Hurt Locker continues to expand, it's still only 535 screens!

... I'd argue that Hollywood has gotten smarter about marketing spectacle over substance, but did modern film critics complain about the dumbing down of the youth back in the 70s when shit like Earthquake raked in a ton of cash (in context to the time period)?

What about stuff like Jaws?

[The Fake Shemp]

Are you saying the 70s are exempt from criticism in spectacle blockbusters because of Jaws?

That's like saying this decade is forgiven because of The Dark Knight and Lord of the Rings.

There is mindless shit in every decade, Himuro.

[Himu]

Uh, you are looking too much into what I said. That's what I'm saying. Jaws is about a group of people getting eaten by sharks, I don't see how it's any less mindless than a movie about a guy dressing up as a bat fighting clowns who wear makeup.

I think that Ebert is over thinking this. That said, I generally agree with his article's premise. Show the average person our age something like Clockwork Orange and they'd think it's too weird; at least that's always the reaction I get.

[The Fake Shemp]

You act as if A Clockwork Oranger lit the box office on fire when it was released in 1972.  It didn't.  It did okay.

[Kestastrophe]

I read the article and I do agree with alot of what he was saying, but I don't know if it's endemic of only this generation. Younger people in general are more naive.

It is odd though, this is like the fifth time I've heard this topic discussed recently on podcasts and other articles, etc.

[Van Cruncheon]

on the other hand, these public condemnations of shitty pop culture contributions are very much needed. shame: it's the only weapon the elite have! (well, that and MONEY.)

[Himu]

I read the article and I do agree with alot of what he was saying, but I don't know if it's endemic of only this generation. Younger people in general are more naive.

It is odd though, this is like the fifth time I've heard this topic discussed recently on podcasts and other articles, etc.

I find it funny that all this hoopla is coming from a season when mindless movies are IN. For years. This is nothing new.

[Kestastrophe]

I would like to formally request this discussion topic for the next borecast please (whenever that is)

[Don Flamenco]

It's okay, there's no blog post in the world that can make you feel that finding value in a Final fantasy game's narrative past the age of 14 is weird.  or make you realize that being over 16 and excited about seeing G.I. Joe on opening night shows some sign of delayed adolescence. 
Just let it wash over.

[Himu]

It's okay, there's no blog post in the world that can make you feel that finding value in a Final fantasy game's narrative past the age of 14 is weird.  or make you realize that being over 16 and excited about seeing G.I. Joe on opening night shows some sign of delayed adolescence. 
Just let it wash over.

[Great Rumbler]

I really hope that The Hurt Locker makes it up to at least 1,200 screens so it has a chance of showing in my area.

[Mr. Gundam]

I used to care about stuff like this, but now as long as the film plays in Seattle I'm great. And seeing how 98% of all films screen here, I'm rarely left out in the cold on something I wanted to see.

It does suck for all the Great Rumblers in the world who aren't as close to large metropolitan areas where smaller films can't find an audience.

[Great Rumbler]

It does suck for all the Great Rumblers in the world who aren't as close to large metropolitan areas where smaller films can't find an audience.

I don't mind all the really bad Transformers-style movies, I just wish that local theaters would show the GOOD movies too.

[ToxicAdam]

While there is plenty of shit from every era, this one is particularly devoid of excellent, big budget fare. When Almost Famous and Dark Knight as among the best mainstream movies of the Aughts, you know it's a weak decade.


I blame the Sopranos and cable television. Anyone that is creative or talented seem to congregate there because of it's freedom and lack of pressure.  Leaving people like McG and Bay to shit up the silver screen.

[Mandark]

I blame the Sopranos and cable television. Anyone that is creative or talented seem to congregate there because of it's freedom and lack of pressure.  Leaving people like McG and Bay to shit up the silver screen.

Pretty much this.  The mature, creator-driven stuff didn't disappear so much as it migrated to cable.  You compare the last decade's television shows to any other time and it's a blowout.

But as film critics, Scott and Ebert are bound by professional oath to pretend that TV doesn't exist.

[The Fake Shemp]

I can somewhat agree on that. The first, real project I'm writing for is not film.

If I could, I'd probably stay away from film.  But there are a couple of low-budget theatrical concepts I want to do.