Did Movie Studio Executives and Producers Ruin Summer Movies ?

[BAYLOR]

In terms movie going the Happy times for me was The Late 1977's to about the late 1980's when in the summer I had science fiction, fantasy, Horror and adventure films to look forward to . Yes summer was the domain of those kinds movies, And thens suddenly or not so suddenly and for me , Summer stopped being a fun time for movies.

 

[CupofJoe]

I think we grew up.
Arguably the first summer blockbuster was Jaws [1975] and then Star Wars [1977] and even Jaws was a bit of a surprise. After that they realised the Studios realised they could make a lot of money.
The list rolls on

Biggest Summer Blockbusters of All Time by Year since 1975

(The Movie must be the worldwide highest grossing Film of the Summer Season)

www.imdb.com

They are all pretty much exciting/action films with a few exceptions [Finding Nemo].

 

[KiraAnn]

Before the 70's, summer movies were mostly "B" films for teenagers to neck by in drive-ins.

 

[Rodders]

like everything now, it’s more about money than passion.

When Lucas, Spielberg, Coppola et al first started, their movies were passionate. Now Hollywood turns out movies made by a committee hoping they’ll be a money making machine. I dont blame them, our society is obsessed with money.

For a good movies, you’re either going abroad or low budget Indi. There are exceptions to every rule, of course.

 

[CupofJoe]

Whenever I see 4 or more writer listed in the credits I get a sinking feeling. The same for the list of Executive Produces that seems to get long with every film.

 

[Droflet]

Yes, Joe, I agree. Occasionally I'll try a movie from a writer/director. Sometimes great sometimes not. Usually, the suits will demand changes that ruin a great possibility.

 

[BAYLOR]

Any thought on the summers latest crop of films?

 

[therapist]

I don't agree with these pessamistic takes on the current state of movies. There always has been and always will be big money making studios that churn out commitee driven soulless crap. That's nothing new. But if you look beyond, there are so many extremely talented artists working today, making excellent films. I think we are lucky to be alive at this time when so many works of art are being made.

Just recently Martin McDonagh wrote and directed 'The Banshees of Inisherin', which was superb. He's also writen and directed '3 billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri' (one of my favourite films of all time) and 'In Bruges' another excellent film.

Darren Aronofsky, one of the greatest directors of our time, just released 'The Whale'. Which was excellent, and on par with his other stellar films Requiem for a Dream, The Wrestler, Black Swan.

The film 'Tár' was another film that came out over summer that was enormously impressive.

Writer/Director Park Chan-wook, known for 'Oldboy' and 'The Handmaiden' is still working and just released 'Decision to Leave'.

Also, we are living in the time of Paul Thomas Anderson, Denis Villeneuve, Damien Chazelle, Michael Haneke, Bong Joon-Ho,
The Safdie Brothers, Robert Eggers, Gasper Noe, Bong Joon-ho, Charlie Kaufman, Wes Anderson, Tarantino, Christopher Nolan, Luca Guadagnino, Ari Aster. These are just some of the greatest film makers and writers of all time, working right now. How is this not enough?

There are even studios such as A24 who clearly respect the artists and shell out a lot of money for them to make passion projects (look at 'Beau is Afraid' a 3 hour long very innaccessable yet hugely ambitious film).

I could go on. The amount of talent there is working today, making great films, is overwhelming.

 

[KiraAnn]

Just recently Martin McDonagh wrote and directed 'The Banshees of Inisherin', which was superb. He's also writen and directed '3 billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri' (one of my favourite films of all time) and 'In Bruges' another excellent film.

To each their own. I personally found Banshees quite boring. Didn't finish it. Same for Gone with the Wind.

 

[paranoid marvin]

I liked Banshees and also 3 Billboards, but I wouldn't want every movie to be like them. I have quite a low threshold for what I consider to be an enjoyable movie. I actually quite enjoy the Star Wars sequels (although I hate the prequels), even though I am aware that they are pretty much by-the-numbers, seen-it-all-before types of movies.

Sometimes it's good to watch a thought provoking drama, whilst other times it's equally as good to switch the brain off and enjoy two hours of action. It's good (sometimes) to have the ability to overlook plot holes and contrived sequences, and just enjoy the show for what it is.

The last two movies I eagerly awaited the release of at the cinema were Phantom Menace and Crystal Skull. They both happened to be Summer movies. Needless to say, I was bitterly disappointed with both of them. Although I have watched movies at the cinema since, there was nothing I was particularly looking forward to, and nowadays I tend to wait for the Sky or Blu Ray release.

I do think that there is a case to be made for showing older classic movies such as Alien, Aliens, Close Encounters, Jaws, 2001, Star Wars and even more classic stuff like Wizard of Oz and Cleopatra at the movies. These movies were designed to be watched on the big screen, and the vast majority of people have only seen them in their homes, even if it is on 50 inch Dolby enhanced tvs. Until you've seen Star Wars at the movies, you simply can't get the true experience.