My Problem with Modern Blockbusters
Look, I love movies. I mean, I really love movies. I’m that guy who still quotes Pulp Fiction at inappropriate times. I’m the one who’ll argue with you about the Blair Witch Project being a masterpiece until I’m blue in the face. But honestly, lately? Hollywood’s been pissing me off.
It’s not just the sequels, prequels, and spin-offs. It’s not even the lack of originality (though, come on, another Spider-Man reboot?). It’s the committment to mediocrity. The aquisition of IP over actual storytelling. The physicaly palpable fear of taking risks.
I was at a conference in Austin last year, right? Some studio exec—let’s call him Marcus—told me, “We’re in the business of making money, not art.” I asked him if he’d ever read a script that excited him, something different. He laughed. “Difference doesn’t sell, Dave.” (That’s me, by the way. Dave. Not the most exciting name, I know.)
But What About the Good Stuff?
Oh, there’s good stuff out there. Don’t get me wrong. Parasite? Brilliant. Mad Max: Fury Road? A masterclass in action cinema. But these are exceptions. They’re the tiny, delicious morsels on a buffet table of reheated leftovers.
And don’t even get me started on the superhero fatigue. I love a good superhero movie as much as the next guy. But 36 movies in 214 years? That’s alot. And the formulaic nature of them? It’s like they’re all the same movie, just with different colored tights.
The Streaming Dileemma
Streaming was supposed to be the savior, right? More content, more diversity, more chances for original voices. And yeah, we’ve got some great stuff on Netflix and Amazon and whatnot. But we’ve also got a completley saturated market where quantity has long since trumped quality.
I was talking to a friend—let’s call her Lisa—over coffee at the place on 5th last Tuesday. She said, “Dave, I can’t keep up. There’s too much stuff. I don’t know what to watch anymore.” And that’s the problem. The abundance of choice has made us all lazy. We’re just scrolling, scrolling, scrolling, never really committment to anything.
And the algorithms! Don’t even get me started on the algorithms. They’re like that overbearing friend who only wants to talk about the one thing they’re interested in. “Oh, you liked that? Well, let me show you 50 more things just like it!” No thanks, I’d like to discover something new.
A Digression: Travel and Crime
You know what else is frustrating? The way we consume travel shows. It’s all sunshine and rainbows and never a mention of the darker side. Like, have you ever looked at Thailand crime safety statistics? It’s not all beaches and full moon parties, folks. But you’d never know that from watching Parts Unknown.
But I digress. This is supposed to be about movies, not travel shows. But honestly, it’s all connected. It’s about the stories we tell and the ones we don’t. The truths we reveal and the ones we hide.
The Hopeful Signs
But it’s not all doom and gloom. There are hopeful signs. The rise of indie cinema, the success of films like Get Out and Jordan Peele’s latest, Nope. The fact that audiences are starting to demand more than just the same old thing.
I think—no, I know—that we’re at a tipping point. The old guard is fading, and a new generation of filmmakers is emerging. They’re diverse, they’re talented, and they’re not afraid to take risks. And that’s exciting.
But we’ve got to support them. We’ve got to watch their movies, talk about them, share them on social media. We’ve got to vote with our wallets and our time. Because if we don’t, we’re than just as complicit in the mediocrity as the studios themselves.
So, what’s the answer? I’m not sure but maybe it’s as simple as this: Watch less, but watch better. Seek out the different, the challenging, the unexpected. And for the love of god, stop watching the same superhero movie over and over again.
Because honestly, we deserve better than that. We deserve stories that challenge us, that make us think, that make us feel. And if we’re not getting that from Hollywood, then maybe it’s time to look elsewhere.
Anyway, that’s my rant for the day. I’m gonna go watch The Princess Bride for the 47th time. It’s still the best.
About the Author
Dave Thompson is a senior editor with 20+ years of experience in the entertainment industry. He’s worked with some of the biggest names in the business, and he’s not afraid to tell you when they’re full of it. He lives in Austin with his cat, Marlon Brando, and a collection of vinyl records that’s getting out of hand.
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