Why Modern Movies Suck - They're Completely Forgettable

Overview

This episode explores the decline of cultural impact in modern movies, contrasting them with iconic films and characters of the past. It examines the stagnation of creativity in Hollywood, the reliance on reboots and sequels, and the broader cultural inertia affecting music, fashion, and technology. The discussion raises questions about whether we are on the brink of a creative renaissance or stuck in a loop of mediocrity.

Notable Quotes

- We're just rehashing stuff that's already been done before, making copies of copies that gradually degenerate into mediocrity and failure. – The Critical Drinker, on the repetitive nature of modern entertainment.

- Box office revenue isn't the same as cultural impact. – The Critical Drinker, highlighting the difference between financial success and lasting cultural significance.

- Maybe it's more like a cultural dam that's been holding back the flood for too long. The cracks are starting to appear, and sooner or later it's going to burst. – The Critical Drinker, on the potential for a creative resurgence.

🎥 The Power of Cultural Footprints

- Iconic movie quotes and characters from decades past, like May the force be with you or Indiana Jones, continue to resonate across generations.

- The Critical Drinker emphasizes how these moments transcend their original medium, becoming embedded in cultural memory.

- Modern films, by contrast, struggle to create similarly impactful quotes, characters, or scenes, with no significant contributions since 2005 according to multiple best quotes lists.

📉 The Decline of Originality in Modern Movies

- Hollywood increasingly relies on reboots, sequels, and adaptations of decades-old franchises, such as Jurassic World, Fantastic Four, and Superman.

- These films often prioritize financial gain over cultural impact, likened to fast food meals—quickly consumed and forgotten.

- Even massive blockbusters like Avatar and Avengers: Endgame fail to leave a lasting cultural footprint, offering spectacle without substance.

🌀 Cultural Stagnation Beyond Movies

- The stagnation extends to music, fashion, and technology, with pop culture becoming homogenized and iterative rather than revolutionary.

- Each decade of the 20th century had a distinct identity, but since the late 2000s, cultural progress seems to have stalled.

- The Critical Drinker describes this as butter scraped over too much bread, reflecting a lack of innovation and depth.

🌊 Hope for a Creative Renaissance

- Despite the bleak outlook, there’s optimism that the current era of reboots and corporate-driven mediocrity is nearing its end.

- The mismanagement of legacy franchises may accelerate their decline, paving the way for new ideas and creative breakthroughs.

- The metaphor of a cultural dam suggests that suppressed creativity could soon burst forth, leading to a new wave of cultural innovation.