#918 - Critical Drinker - Why Do Modern Movies Suck So Much?
Mar 22, 2025
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In this engaging conversation, Critical Drinker, a sharp-witted movie critic and YouTuber, dissects the failures of modern cinema. He reveals how studios prioritize messaging over storytelling, leading to disappointing adaptations of cherished franchises like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. The discussion also covers the Oscar's decline in excitement, the evolving role of celebrity culture in film, and the ambitious future of smaller productions. Tune in for his candid insights on Hollywood's changing landscape and what it means for the future of storytelling.
The James Bond franchise faces a challenge as corporate interests under Amazon risk compromising its iconic character through overexposure in spinoffs.
Hollywood is experiencing a paradigm shift as studios prioritize contemporary social issues over compelling storytelling, alienating long-time fans in the process.
As audience fatigue sets in with superhero narratives, Hollywood may pivot towards adapting video games for fresh and engaging storytelling opportunities.
Deep dives
Corporate Control of the James Bond Franchise
The James Bond franchise is undergoing significant changes as it moves into a corporatized model under Amazon's control after their acquisition of MGM. The Broccoli family, who have maintained a level of creative oversight since the 1960s, have stepped back, leading to concerns about the future exploitation of the intellectual property. Amazon aims to expand the franchise into a cinematic universe with spinoffs featuring characters like Moneypenny, as well as exploring Bond's early years. This shift raises apprehensions about the integrity of the Bond character and the essence that has made him a cultural icon for over six decades.
The Risks of Overexposure and Spinoffs
There is a growing sentiment that the Bond franchise's essence may be compromised through excessive exploration of its characters and backstories. The core of the appeal lies in Bond's mysterious and aloof nature, which could be lost in a slew of spinoffs and prequels. Drawing parallels to past franchises, the dangers of overexposing iconic characters have been evidenced in projects that have diluted the original appeal. The importance of maintaining boundaries and using the character sparingly presents a challenge as corporate interests push for expanded narratives.
The Changing Landscape of Hollywood
The podcast highlights the shifting dynamics within Hollywood regarding storytelling and character development, particularly with iconic franchises. The notion of complex, morally ambiguous characters, like Loki and Bond, risks alienating fans when conventional traits like strength and seduction are minimized. This reflects a broader trend where studios may prioritize contemporary social issues over the core narratives and character arcs that initially endeared audiences. As the industries evolve, there is a pressing need for balance between progression and the preservation of compelling storytelling, or risk losing the engagement of long-time fans.
The Future of Superhero Movies and Pop Culture
The superhero genre is facing a potential decline as audiences grow weary of repetitive narratives and poor performances at the box office. The podcast notes that a failure of upcoming films may signify a turning point for the genre, leading studios to pivot towards more adaptable properties, such as video games, which hold promising financial potential. With the massive successes of video game adaptations emerging, Hollywood will likely explore this avenue more vigorously in the coming years. This shift reflects a broader cultural landscape where audience tastes are evolving and industry practices must adapt to stay relevant.
The Impact of Political Messaging in Entertainment
The conversation around increased political messaging in film has become a contentious topic, with many producers observing diminishing returns on projects that heavily lean towards specific ideologies. Executives are acknowledging that audiences are less receptive to overtly political films, suggesting a potential shift towards more neutral narratives that prioritize entertainment value. This trend could pave the way for comedy and other genres to revive by breaking free from constraints imposed by political correctness. As the backlash against excessive ideologies grows, there may be an opportunity for producers to craft stories that resonate more broadly with audiences.
Critical Drinker is a movie critic, an analyst of modern entertainment media and a YouTuber.
What happened to Hollywood? Despite bigger budgets than ever, shows and films are struggling to thrive. Thankfully, Critical Drinker points to some pretty obvious and some not-so-obvious key reasons for why there is such a disconnect.
Expect to learn all about what is happening with the new James Bond shows, if the woke message is really dead in Hollywood, Critical Drinker’s thoughts on the Oscars, if Star Wars is redeemable or if it is completely left in the past, if audiences hate strong female characters or if its bad writing, what the fuck George R.R. Martin is doing instead of writing the last book, and much more…
