Kim's Blog

The Quality of Our Content: What Happened to Serious American Movies?

[This is part four of a continuing series in response to an article by Stephen King.]
Stephen King wants to know where all the serious movies are—and why aren’t studios releasing them wider? I agree and disagree with the decisions studios are making.

You see, I like all different types of movies. I like the dramas, I like the chick flicks, I like the popcorn blockbusters like Iron Man or Lord of the Rings, but I also like the quirky movies (in fact that’s where I find great music very often—500 Days of Summer, anyone?). But I know what I like, and when I hear, see, taste or touch it and its quality, I am happy.

Here’s where Stephen King and I might diverge in thought—I like going to the movies right now for the thrillers, the blockbusters and the comedies. All of these types of movies are an “experience.” A late showing of a Judd Apatow movie has an energy you wouldn’t believe. Seeing Lord of the Rings with a huge fanbase is exciting!  But the serious films I like to watch in the comfort of my own home. I like to cry, sniffle, and yell at the movie in my own cave. I would like the option to watch my chick flicks, the tragedies and the character studies at home for even the same price as a movie theater. 

I think if I could watch many more newly-released movies on my television at home and eat my popcorn, I would be content and I wouldn’t have to pay for a babysitter—paying a sitter means I get cranky if it’s a bad movie. In some ways, this economy and the savings people are looking for may transform the way we view deeper movies.

I haven’t watched The Reader, for instance, because I am waiting to watch it on my own and have my own experience. I read the book and loved it. It has become a personal experience for me and frankly, I don’t want to watch the person in the first row text messaging or listening to the people behind me try to explain everything to their companion.

The rude audience argument outweighs some people’s need to see movies. I can totally understand how casual a movie experience has become for some and that leads to dissatisfied customers.  It still does not solve the intimate setting I reserve for serious movies.  At the end of the day, we might see the deeper movies move into our homes—a niche audience who seeks a certain comfort level. Content is still important but the space changes.

So I get why these movies aren’t gaining traction, at least in my book. I save my “night out” ticket for the experience, not the content!

Check back next week when I’ll dive into television.