Why movies (sequels especially) suck...

Stormrider

Well-Known Hunter
This is one of the best explanations as to why movies suck. I thought id share it. One line. bolded I think sums it all up....


Here's something unpleasant: Art comes from demons. Not real demons, in most cases, but demons of angst and horrible memories and sexual frustration. You get beat up in school because, while the cool kids are putting bruises on each other on the football field, you were sitting on the steps writing your science-fiction stories. That fear and tension that winds itself around your soul like steel wire as you try nervously to sneak out of the locker room before the big kids give you a Wedgie and a T$ttie-Twister and a Dirty Sanchez, all that builds up into adulthood. Art is how you let it out.
It was an angsty bastard who introduced Han Solo to the world by showing him ruthlessly blowing the face off a mafia bill collector, shooting him from under the table and then cooly walking away and paying his tab. Lucas introduced Obi-Wan Kenobi by having him end a bar fight by slicing a guy's arm off.
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Lucas didn't flinch at the thought of blowing up the peaceful planet of Alderaan and killing billions. None of this was gratuitous; it told us the story and what the stakes were.
Angst drives it. Now, if the artist is lucky, that angst goes away. If the audience is lucky, it doesn't. The art dies with the angst, you see. By middle age the artist finds himself watching his old films and trying to make ones that sort of look the same, or trying to make films his children can watch. It gets bland. It's not just with movies, you can start to see this happening with Eminem. As he gets his life together his songs sound more and more like remixes and covers of the old ones. He'll never do Bonnie & Clyde again.
 
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Brother this is so true!!!! I have done my absolute best artwork, during times of major distress, depression, and sadness in my life. You nailed it bro! How ya healing, BTW?
 
Nope. Not buying it when it comes to movies. Movies are collaborative works that take months/years to make. There are many good films made by people who were perfectly happy and in totally comfortable situations.
 
My ONLY objection to this idea is that "making movies kids can watch" is seen as a bad thing. I just want to say that some of the most enjoyable movies I've seen were suitable for kids to watch. There is a stigma in our society that puts a barrier up between adult movies and kid movies. I think this is a mistake, as it divides the population on a level that should unite them - entertainment.
 
Plus, if I may
Terminator = great film
Terminator 2 Judgment Day = even better film!!

Star Wars ANH = great film
Empire Strikes Back = need I even go there?

Alien = great film
Aliens = ok this is getting silly

its swings and roundabouts, some are great some are terrible
 
This is off a post on cinescape.com (mania.com) about best 10 movies never made.

Now, in reference to some of the objections above:

1. Rich doesnt mean the angst is gone. Or what they were dealing with. I think its especially important to realize that movies are usually a part of a story, and the whole story can be hashed at any time.

2. I think the reference is to coming back to a set of movies, once your a 50 year old father. Though I suppose it could be a blanket statement.

Personally I like the article, and thought id sare it, but I personally believe that there is a much bigger problem. Accountability. When a director is trying to make marks, and needs a studios backing, they tend to push harder.

I think that in a case, like say lucas, and as of recent, spielburg, they have too much pull. They dont need to make something thats great to get financial backing. They cant fund it themselves. Meaning that when george made starwars he had to say 'heres what i have, heres what I can do, lets make this great'.

When he made ep123 he said 'I dont need your money, nor your approval, im making itmy way'.

Like ive said before, technically starwars is perfect. It is exactly as the creator has invisioned. You cant argue that young darth vader wasnt perfect, or that jar jar wasnt perfect. If lucas says 'perfect' its perfect. It just so happens that we dont agree. But we can only dissagree with his vision:)

Dont get me wrong, i think 'meh' about the prequels. Some parts great, some terrible. But in all, i have to respect that george took it where he wanted it, and its up to us to accept or reject it.
 
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