Movies: comparing old and new

Benjamin Dzialdowski lists on BuzzFeed 24 Things We Miss About Old Movies, And What We Can’t Stand About Modern Films. He writes:

“A lot has changed in cinema over the years. While, in some aspects, there have been significant steps forwards, there’s plenty people miss about old films and a fair amount of gripes they have about modern films too.”

His List of Pet Peeves:

  1. Movies that are product advertisements
  2. Remake after remake
  3. The use of big names over voice actors
  4. Animal deaths and jump scares in horror movies
  5. Movies being excessively crude just for the sake of being edgy
  6. Unequal marketing for movies
  7. Splitting up a movie into multiple parts
  8. The enemies to lovers trope
  9. Shaky cameras
  10. Barely being able to hear the dialogue
  11. The prequel, sequel, remake cycle
  12. Excessive and pointless vomiting…

What He Says We Miss:

  1. Good ole rom-coms
  2. Hand-drawn animation
  3. Non-spoilery trailers
  4. Old, less fidgety fight scenes
  5. Simple storylines
  6. The lighting (where you could actually see the film)
  7. Intermissions – we all need a break
  8. Practical effects
  9. Good erotic movies
  10. Campy action movies
  11. Joke credits at the end
  12. ???

However, I think these are folks’ top three pet peeves with today’s Hollywood movies:

  1. Lack of originality: Many films are either remakes, sequels, or adaptations of popular books or comics, which can leave audiences feeling like they’ve seen it all before. Some people feel that studios are playing it safe by relying on familiar franchises instead of taking creative risks and developing new ideas.
  2. Overreliance on special effects: While impressive visuals can be exciting, some people feel that they can overshadow the story and characters. Additionally, some people feel that films are becoming too reliant on CGI and other effects, which can make them feel artificial and disconnected from reality.
  3. Lack of diversity and representation: From the lack of roles for people of color to the underrepresentation of women and LGBTQ+ characters, some people feel that Hollywood films are not reflective of the diversity of the real world. This can make it difficult for some people to connect with the characters and storylines, and can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and biases.

And these are the top three things I think folks miss most about movies from Hollywood’s Golden Age:

  1. Glamour and Style: The Golden Age of Hollywood was known for its glamorous stars and stylish films. Audiences were captivated by the fashion, elegance, and sophistication of films from this era, which offered a sense of escapism from the realities of everyday life. Some people miss the glamour and style of this period, as it represented a time of classic Hollywood magic and sophistication.
  2. Storytelling and Character Development: Films from the Golden Age of Hollywood often had well-crafted plots, memorable characters, and witty dialogue that were carefully crafted to engage and entertain audiences. Some people miss the sophistication and complexity of the storytelling from this era, which often provided more depth and substance than modern Hollywood films.
  3. Iconic Stars: Finally, many people miss the iconic stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Actors like Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, and Marilyn Monroe were larger-than-life figures who embodied a sense of glamour and charisma that is often associated with the era. Some people feel that modern actors lack the same level of star power and charisma as their predecessors, and that Hollywood has lost some of its magic as a result.

My take: my biggest pet peeve is barely being able to hear the dialogue. And I do miss rom-coms.

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