Many movie theaters have switched to “all-digital formats”, that is, film presented on video, which is not film at all.  In other words, what you are watching resembles your T.V. set at home.  Why bother?

Additionally, movies aren’t being “filmed”.  They’re HD-video.  The studios said this is done to save money.  Why do they need to save money if they already have billions of dollars in profit?  Some film directors (Christopher Nolan, for example) remain loyal to film.

Is there a difference?

What do you think Blu-ray is all about?  Because of the increase in resolution, you are able to see some film grain. Additionally, there’s more depth and detail.  DVD gives a smooth look.

Am I the only one who’s noticed that new movies all resemble sit-coms?  Too bright, no shadows, everything appears flat.  This is lazy film-making.

Examine old films.  Early James Bond.  The cinematography is deep and rich in color.  Almost like slide film.  What about the shadows in “Godfather” 1 and 2?  The first “Night of the Living Dead (1968?)  1950’s film noir?

If I’m expected to fork over ten bucks for a movie, I want an experience! And that experience is dying. Overpriced tickets and overpriced greasy fake-butter popcorn. There are no lines. There’s no sense of excitement. People can’t stop looking at their cellphones. Nobody laughs at the unfunny comedies. Where’s the talent? I can’t say much for many of the actors of today.  The women are loud, obnoxious and unattractive. The men are either weakling soy-boys or over-the-top maniacs.

In 2018, I saw Clint Eastwood in “The Mule” and Burt Reynolds in “The Last Movie Star”.  Both are worth seeing because they were and are real movie stars.  Yes, they’re old, Reynolds is dead now, but whatever it is that made them famous is still there.

Text (C) 2019 – ERN