A long time ago, before the time of the internet and the “nerd takeover”, the only people allowed to make shocking political statements were what people called “serious filmmakers”. Basically, only people the old-school Academy would even bother with. “The Godfather” is allowed to be biting socio-commentary on organized crime, “Citizen Kane” is allowed to change the face of film making forever, and “Dances with Wolves” was allowed to make observations about the relationship between us and the Native Americans circa… forever. Yes, serious films made serious statements. Serious films had serious themes. But has that time passed.
Today, I watched “District 9” for the very first time (more on that next Wednesday). Last January, I watched “Daybreakers”. I’ve seen “Fight Club” and “Watchmen” and “Spiderman”. All these movies were trying to say something, be it about their medium or the world that surrounded them. But they were panned by “traditional” critics. Why? Well, because of what they were. Yes, “District 9” and “Daybreakers” et cetera are all good movies, but they are so much more. “They” just didn’t see it.
With the nerd revolution of the early 21st century, things have begun to change. Serious themes and statements are no longer the domain of Academy films. Comic book movies are front-and-center in the box office, some of them even saying…stuff…about…stuff.
Ok, so not all movies made today say something about something. If that were true and Michael Bay is still making movies, then the implications would be terrifying. But apparently, there are a handful of directors out there who want to say something, but are dressing them up as badass action sci-fi comic movies. Or having Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman make the beast with two backs.
Yes, now the flashy Hollywood drivel isn’t all drivel these days. Take ‘District 9’ for example. Here we have a ridiculously action-packed, incredibly violent, viscerally gory movie that’s dressed up as a summer blockbuster. Nasty alien weapons are getting dragged out, military people are being flash-liquefied, and there are robots. Robots. Clearly this movie can’t say something, can it?
Nope... too easy.
Well, of course it does! I wouldn’t be mentioning it if it didn’t. It’s obviously a biting socio-commentary about racial tensions today. It’s relevant. That’s the point I’m trying to make here… Obviously, though, this movie has been praised up and down, and everyone knew the message. So let’s look at something different.
“Black Swan.” This movie can’t say anything, right? It’s a good movie, but in the end it’s just a movie about a ballerina who loses her marbles in a glorious way, right? Wrong. “Black Swan” is about the human condition, nature vs. nurture, the destruction of self and the creation of art… I could go on. It’s about love and living and whether to accept something at face value. It’s about more than Mila Kunis going down on Natalie Portman… but that’s the part that gets our butts in the seats
Finally, I get to my point—why we care. It’s about the almighty dollar, my friend. A badass movie about aliens and vampires and superheroes and yes, ballerinas (as long as they’re lesbian ballerinas… can you tell I really liked that part of the movie??) will get our butts in those seats and make us pay for the overpriced stale popcorn. Directors like Darren Aronofsky and Neil Blomkamp want to make these grand statements. They want us to stand up and take notice of what is surrounding us every day, but they have decided to make it all more palatable. Trust me—this is a good thing.
“Black Swan” and “District 9” were both big hits and both got nominated for Best Picture in their respective year. Neither of them won of course. “District 9” was too gory for the Academy and “Black Swan” and it’s horror iconography was probably just a little too much for our beloved Oscar, despite the fact they both deserved the prize than the 2009 and 2010 winners.
Colin Firth is bored by your Academy shenanigans...
I’ll leave you with this—I hear all the time that not every movie has to be about something. While it’s true, I find it depressing. Movies get better when they are engaging and making statements and are relevant. We already care, and when a movie channels that, there is a fantastic and unforgettable impact on us as viewers. Look at the classics, and tell me what you think.
All pictures belong to their respective owners and not to me. This is intended for information and fun, not for profit. I do not claim ANY pictures or licences used here. No copyright infringement is intended.
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