It’s a shame Netflix, and the others, want to make movies for the lamest constituency
Matt Damon claims Netflix wants movies to repeat plots in scenes because ‘people are on their phones’
Actor Matt Damon claimed that Netflix requests that its films reiterate the plot “three or four times” in scenes to accommodate viewers on their phones.
Damon and his longtime friend and fellow actor Ben Affleck joined the “Joe Rogan Experience” on Friday to promote their new film “The Rip,” which premiered on Netflix that same day.
While discussing the film, Damon remarked on how viewers have a “very different level of attention” to Netflix movies they can watch at home compared to other films released in theaters. He added that Netflix has begun changing the filmmaking process to appease these distracted viewers.
“The standard way to make an action movie that we learned was, you usually have three set pieces,” Damon said. “One in the first act, one in the second, one in the third. You spend most of your money on that one in the third act. That’s your finale. And now they’re like, ‘Can we get a big one in the first five minutes? We want people to stay. And it wouldn’t be terrible if you reiterated the plot three or four times in the dialogue because people are on their phones while they’re watching.’”
This is just one of the many issues with today’s movies and TV shows. Adding in the whole meaning of the movie instead of “letting the music do the talking.” There are certainly times when explanations work in, but, they literally want explanations where they are speaking to the audience constantly as to what is going on, rather than showing it. We knew that aliens had invaded Earth and were doing well in Edge Of Tomorrow, but, then, it is mostly action and the characters discussing, but, they are talking to each other, not directly to the audience. Especially when the yutes have the attention span of a puppy.
Consider
Would anyone in the future give a fuck if they are a lesbian couple? No. But, the show will use the opportunity to yammer, discuss, berate anyone who doesn’t hold the same view, virtue signal, spend too much time, and lecture to the viewing audience. Remember the kiss between Kirk and Uhura, the first interracial kiss on TV? There was no discussing the significance, no yapping. Show, don’t tell. It was basically “there is no deal with this, it’s normal”. Modern Hollywood doesn’t get this. No one wants a lecture. You normalize things like this, not hold forth, essentially breaking the 4th wall. It’s tedious. It destroys the entertainment value. If you want to make an art movie or show, do it, but, in big budget it sucks and loses viewers. Grey’s Anatomy flirted with that edge of the wall many times, but, pulled back, hence why it continues (well, I tuned out, but, mostly because the new characters are boring and 1 dimensional. Also, a stupid plot about having an open marriage, and, while I like the Owen character, I’ve disliked Teddie for a long time).
Then there is all the grooming stuff, but, you’ve certainly read tons on that.
Another big problem is that so many of the young actors and actresses are stone faced. You read that article about the “Gen Z Stare“? I call it the Gen Z Glaze, because there is no emotion on their faces. Or in their body language. Or in their voices. Without emotional cuse there is no connection (unless it is on purpose, like Jake in Animal Kingdom). Almost everyone young in the newest Dune was dull. Robotic. I turned off Final Destination: Bloodlines right after her arms came off because there was really no emotional content (also, because the garbage truck scene was so dumb I could no longer suspend disbelief). “Hey, dad got killed by a lawnmower to the face, it’s terrible….swipe swipe swipe tap tap tap” in the voice of a robot. Holding arms of a friend and no screams, no anything. I just don’t feel it.
Have you seen the 1973 Westworld? Yul Brynner has only 9 lines of dialogue throughout the movie, only 32 words. It’s all about his facial expression and body language, which was terrifying. Menacing. That’s acting.
In fairness, I do think Millie Bobbi Brown is good. Perhaps overacts like an 80s action movie star at times, but, she provides emotion. Otherwise, so many of the modern movies I cannot even make it through for one reason or another. Same with TV, where they jam too much into too few episodes and the character connection gets lost. Game of Thrones was great at focusing on the people, either loving them or hating them. I really have no idea what happened in Alien: Earth, and still haven’t bothered with the final episode. I felt no connection to any character. Or any idea what was going on. A Quiet Place Day One? I didn’t care when a main character sacrificed herself or that the other main escaped. I felt more for the dog.
Anyhow, I could probably rant more about girl bosses and such being a problem (it’s also guys who no one believes could be the badass), maybe another time.
Read: Netflix Wants The Plot Of Movies Repeated Multiple Times Now »
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