I personally think since about 2011 we have been treated to an incredible range of intelligent and offbeat Hollywood films. Ill cite some titles: Nebraska, Rampart, Mud, Arbitrage, All is Lost, Killer Joe, The Paperboy, The Place Beyond The Pines-- and a lot of these are by new-ish directors that I think could become the next greats-- Derek Cianfrance, Lee Daniels, Jeff Nichols, J.C. Chandor. Why has this happened? Not because Hollywood suddenly became more interested in art than money. No, I believe its because of the success of serious, story and character driven HBO series like Californication, Breaking Bad, The Wire, Weeds and so on-- while Hollywood was producing films like Battle: Los Angeles and Horrible Bosses.... But the 1990s was, for me, a nadir for Hollywood, one or two exceptions aside. It had to do largely with the stranglehold of the Jerry Bruckheimer production company, crude, give em what they want writers like Joe Ezterhaus (Basic Instinct, Jade), and a heartless, power-mad and flag-waving quality to the films (ironically made often by non-Americans like Tony Scott and Roland Emmerich). The issue of race relations wasnt handled very well either-- even a partly enjoyable and good-natured film like White Men Cant Jump (1992) was spoiled by too many ho-ho racial stereotypes-- black and poor-white-- bandied back and forth between our buddy heroes, courtesy of the scriptwriters. This is why Indie cinema was particularly important in the 1990s, as an alternative voice for world cinema and for film-lovers. Not every Indie film made was great, or intelligent, but there were some great ones made, and they shouldnt be forgotten... so, come on, cast your mind back... (pictured: Ione Skye in Allison Anders Gas, Food, Lodging, 1993.)
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 09:54:24 +0000
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