Hollywood stars say “capitalism is destroying films”. What’s their solution? Movies produced by the US government?

Photo above - Hollywood producers accuse "capitalism" when they can't get investors to pony up for bad film ideas. However, I blame these CGI rendered "stars", and their $500 million atrocity.

This was probably inevitable. A mashup of CGI/AI, hyper wealthy entitled "talent", and Covid 19 depopulation of the Octoplex. People can’t find a good reason to drive 30 minutes to the mall, spend $20 on a ticket and $10 more on snacks, and sit through a bad film. The last time I did that it was for "Deadpool and Wolverine". Some moron convinced me was a must-see big screen experience. Instead, as rotten tomatoes put it: “a dreary distillation of the worst excesses of the MCU and its apparently endless offshoots.” THIS is the movie that made me vow NEVER to set foot in a theater again.

The problem with movies is NOT “capitalism”, despite what Kristen Stewart (Twilight Saga) believes (see ilnk below). It’s stupid plotlines, crappy dialogue, and over the top cartoonish action. That fact that millionaire actors who have become wanna-be producers can’t find investors to bankroll their fantasies is a simply shout-out to the derivative and repetitive nature of those ideas.

Related news - PBS is apparently about to be defunded by the US government. I don’t know how to feel about this. I haven’t been a fan of Elmo and Miss Piggy (sesame street) since my daughter was in diapers, some time ago. In any case, Sesame Street is a high profit property, with all sorts of merchandising. PBS is also the home to all things BBC, including the endless nature documentaries by 100 year old British biologist David Attenborough. What happened to first rate American made PBS content like Ken Burns “The Civil War”? How many reruns of “Downtown Abbey", and those aging/obese culinary show hosts do I need to see on PBS?

I get it, Kristin Stewart – you scraped together funding for your latest cinematic inspiration: “Flesh of the Gods”. A tale of hedonistic vampires set in the 1980;s. But we’ve seen that movie already. Don’t blame “capitalists” that viewer interest is minimal. Blame writers and producers like you.

Hollywood - please don’t count on government funding for vampires, dragons, zombies, and space operas. We already have a $39 billion national debt, and you guys (and ladies) are already multi-millionaires. Stop banging aspiring teen actresses on the casting couch. Why not read a book (a real one, not Sci Fi) if you want to find inspiration for a film project.

I’m just sayin’ . . .

(full disclosure - this writer is currently binge watching "For all Mankind" on cable. An Apple TV series spanning 5 seasons)

Capitalism is destroying film world, says millionaire Kristen Stewart

https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/capitalism-is-destroying-film-world-says-millionaire-kristen-stewart/ar-AA23vjjk?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=6a10377941e44153b74a8a59a4435f84&ei=79

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SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

The problem with movies is NOT “capitalism”, despite what Kristen Stewart (Twilight Saga) believes (see ilnk below). It’s stupid plotlines, crappy dialogue, and over the top cartoonish action.

Capitalism begets creative mediocrity by effectively delegating commisioning control to risk-averse investors.

The film-making industry is addicted to public subsidy, often making decisions on where to film on the basis of the most lucrative tax incentives on offer. The public who fund this are major stakeholders who might expect a bit better for their "investment".

Ontheroad · M

Interesting... Hollywood, one of the most capitalistics endeavors of all time is now complaining about capitalism ruining filming and Hollywood.

FloorGenAdm · 51-55, M

@Ontheroad Seems to me they've always been addicted to biting the hand that feeds them.

Ontheroad · M

@FloorGenAdm which is not unlike most capitalistic enterprises. They, or most of them, eventually get bit by their own greed.

ArishMell · 70-79, M

Rather ironical of Hollowood people to moan about capitalism.....

If I understand you correctly you point to dimininishing talent. I wonder if what talent there is, being spread more and more thinly, but also allowed less and less freedom, constrained by purely commercial imperatives?

Umpteen sequels and "prequels" (ghastly word!), and attempts to write new stories beyond the original works of source novellists, suggest to me less and less original creativity; either within the industry or in literature. Or fewer novellists willing to sell film rights, through not trusting the film trade's artistic and perhaps commercial integrity? I don't know the answers to these, but if really good films are becoming rarer then perhaps these are among the questions to ask.

Holloywood was always intensely capitalist, and exploitative of both the "stars" and the audiences, though.

Pretzel · 70-79, M

Remember when actors would say lines and not blow up a city?

SusanInFlorida · 31-35, F

@Pretzel my favorite low budget film was "winters bone"

Pretzel · 70-79, M

@SusanInFlorida haven't seen it - I'll look for it!
Thanks!

1490wayb · 56-60, M

npr and pbs have had decades to build up an enormous list of billionaire endowment fund contributors. just like the university system also with mega billions. what the gov't gave them is a pittance and really wont be missed. encourage your local library to stock the british show you enjoy!!

Crazywaterspring · 61-69, M

Hollywood pumps out lame movies. Anything interesting will be offensive to someone.

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