What to do about Hollywood

[lucretia]

Okay, army of my Peers, there is this conspiracy theory brewing in my head, that Hollywood (denizen of global social consciousness and card-carrying conglomerate of the Bush administration) is pursuing a rampant, not very discreet and very global, thought-policing policy with regards to the plethora of sci-fi/fantasy/remakes/teen candyfloss movie themes released at present and I’d appreciate views to the contrary or whatever.

I am well aware that throughout movie history these themes have been more popular at certain times than at others and it may well just be a trend – but in light of current world events and the undeniable involvement of Bush party-pushers sitting in highly influential positions on the Film Boards, I wonder if this is not some kind of conditioning. There are very few films released on mainstream circuit (with the exception of Fahrenheit 9/11 and let’s remember that this was originally an “indie�) that have dared to tackle what’s really going on in the world today. For space constraints, I can’t list every bleeding title but this is just a quick overview:

Examples of very recent releases:
Spidey II
Catwoman
I, Robot
The Chronicles of Riddick
The Village
The Day After Tomorrow
AVP
Hellboy
Shrek II
Kill Bill
Van Helsing
Troy
Harry Spotter
Around the World in 80 Days
King Arthur
Thunderbirds
The Manchurian Candidate
The Bourne Supremacy
The Stepford Wives


If you look back – especially from mid to end of 2003, you can see the trend starting to develop and now it’s just complete overkill.

[Quiff Boy]

they're preparing us for when they reveal the alien landings

[markfiend]

...Catwoman...

clicky

Although there are undoubtedly elements within Hollywood which are pro-Bush Republicans, I think a more realistic scenario is that in a time of greater uncertainty in the "world situation", many people don't want to be confronted with it; they'd rather just forget about it all and watch a no-brainer action movie.

[andymackem]

Isn't Manchurian Candidate quite a politically relevant up-dating of an earlier film?

[lucretia]

Isn't Manchurian Candidate quite a politically relevant up-dating of an earlier film?

Yes but also a remake ... so doesn't count in my book.

[christophe]

Actually, I think allot of the newer movies/books that are comming out are about conspiracies. Both by the authority or by other elements.
And isn’t that what you mean with it?
Another something I noticed was the fact there are a lot of Revenge movies coming out, either it’s the main plot or a subplot.
So I don’t really think there’s a conspiracy going on. I don’t have a real opinion about the whole Bush campaign. He stinks and he’s probably too stupid to be mayor of the town I live in but how far “they� will go I don’t dare to say.

[Padstar]

To be honest i think are a lot of parrallels with the music industry here. I have to say, im less inclined to think thet there is some machiavelian think-tank trying to condition our minds as there is a machiavelian think-tank trying to make a lot of money. The result is a slurry of remakes and sequels which they know are bankable irrespective of being rubbish!!!!

I just yearn for more character pieces like Dogville, Lost In Translation or Whale Rider. A good film for not towing the party line.... check ot buffalo soldiers !!

Paddy.

[Quiff Boy]

im less inclined to think thet there is some machiavelian think-tank trying to condition our minds as there is a machiavelian think-tank trying to make a lot of money

yup, on the money!

[CorpPunk]

Although there are undoubtedly elements within Hollywood which are pro-Bush Republicans, I think a more realistic scenario is that in a time of greater uncertainty in the "world situation", many people don't want to be confronted with it; they'd rather just forget about it all and watch a no-brainer action movie.

I agree with the forgetting bit, but I'd not say we don't want to be confronted with it full stop; rather, at least in the US, it's because we are contantly being confronted--even bombarded--with the world situation: on TV, in every newspaper, and even in the general feeling with the rhythmic changing of the terror alert level. The fear culture is being kept consistently immediate. With all that, when I go to a movie, I want to see fluff so I can escape for at least two hours, you know?

Oh, and MF: As someone who obviously likes The Onion, you might wanna check out Fafblog, if you haven't already. The Medium Lobster is a genius, but Giblets is my favourite.

[andymackem]

Isn't Manchurian Candidate quite a politically relevant up-dating of an earlier film?

Yes but also a remake ... so doesn't count in my book.

Though it does make your list

Pedantry aside (I know, no-one likes a smart-arse ... but then few people like me, so there you go), is this unusual?

When has the Hollywood blockbuster ever been interested in tapping the political zeitgeist and prompting lively debate?

You get the odd political film, but they tend to stand out because of their rarity. And summer films have always been dumb. It's brain-candy season, where the popcorn is usually the most sentient item in the cinema.

[lucretia]

Isn't Manchurian Candidate quite a politically relevant up-dating of an earlier film?

Yes but also a remake ... so doesn't count in my book.

Though it does make your list

Pedantry aside (I know, no-one likes a smart-arse ... but then few people like me, so there you go), is this unusual?

When has the Hollywood blockbuster ever been interested in tapping the political zeitgeist and prompting lively debate?

You get the odd political film, but they tend to stand out because of their rarity. And summer films have always been dumb. It's brain-candy season, where the popcorn is usually the most sentient item in the cinema.

There are several sub-issues in this thread that actually I should have taken the time and consideration to post as separate threads ... it's interesting to see all the different opinions though and I agree with just about everything so far - definitely find that Hollywood is also keeping the "fear" level up - I don't know I just got the impression that there was something sinister afoot, something just doesn't sit right to me - maybe it IS that time of the year (summer everywhere else on the goddamn planet) and that's why there is so much crap but I saw a succession of SuperHero trailers the other night at movies, the like of which I have never seen before ... it's like we are being told somehow that we will never get it right, only a super hero can. Possibly all muddled thinking here on my part ...

[lucretia]

...Catwoman...

clicky

Although there are undoubtedly elements within Hollywood which are pro-Bush Republicans, I think a more realistic scenario is that in a time of greater uncertainty in the "world situation", many people don't want to be confronted with it; they'd rather just forget about it all and watch a no-brainer action movie.

Good point - it's also interesting I discovered that after the Great Depression in the Thirties - all people wanted to see was horror films (at that time just coming to the fore) ... you'd think they'd had enough.

[markfiend]

Basically, to sum it all up then:

Hollywood in "tries to make money" shock!

[straylight]

Well, anything's better than romantic comedies...

[straylight]

Well, anything's better than romantic comedies...

[randdebiel²]

Well, anything's better than romantic comedies...

boah except if Jack nicholson plays in them