I’ve had enough!

Just a few weeks ago, I watched Scent of a Woman with my wife for the first time. Somehow, the film passed me by over the years and I never saw it.  My wife had recommended it to me simply for the brilliant acting job of Al Pacino.  18 years later — the film holds up masterfully. Al Pacino was incredible in his role as Lt. Col Frank Slade.  Unfortunately, watching it reiterated the sadness I have for the current state of film. While there are brilliant minds coming from the independent and foreign film scene, Hollywood is turning to a 3D, brand name (such as board games), reboot hack machine. Acting is irrelevant. Writing is all but forgotten. It’s all about taking the money from your pocket (check out those current 3D ticket prices).  Film as art is in the I.C.U.  When Ridley Scott is in negotiations to direct Monopoly: The Movie, we all lose.

I’m aware that I recommend a lot of movies that fall under the category of “dumb fun”.  Hot Tub Time Machine, Avatar, A-Team – these are all popcorn fare.  I’m open to any and all movies made.  C’mon, I’ve seen Pootie Tang and Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot IN THE MOVIE THEATER! The issue I have is the current dumb to creative ratio. Why do we need to reboot every known film from the 80s? Why are there so few creative minds compared to our predecessors? This summer: comic book sequels, comic book adaptations, and the 80′s will be shoved down your throat. Wash it down with a predictably bad romantic comedy and you have modern day Hollywood.

When I think of great acting in great films, I always look to the big leaguers such as Jimmy Stewart, Marlon Brando all the way to Meryl Streep, De Niro and Pacino.   This stems directly from films that warranted great praise. Many of the greatest films ever made starred these actors. When you say the word “Actor” or “Actress”, you don’t think of Taylor Lautner (aka Beaverface) or Miley Cyrus (a walking joke). Most people immediately think back to the films of Brando, Streep, DeNiro, and Pacino. There are brilliant modern day actors (Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Daniel Day-Lewis, Leo DiCaprio) who choose films by the creativity, not for the paycheck. But they are becoming the extreme minority.

Some of you hate black and white films. Some people I know refuse to watch anything that isn’t modern (pre-1980′s). Because of this, you are missing some of the most breathtaking, haunting, terrific acting and stories known to the art form.  If you continue watching Clash of the Titans remake or Jennifer Anniston/Gerard Butler comedies, you will become more lobotomized each day. Watch these clips and try your best not to laugh at our current crop of “actors.” I’m talking to you, Sam Worthington.  Below is acting. Below are classic films. Classic does not mean “old” — classic means “better than the rest.”

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