Perhaps it's indeed the anonymity, but something about the internet attracts cynics--especially in terms of film culture. If it's not the stereotypical internet film critic disregarding the "Hollywood Machine" it's their readers who try to out-hate each other in the message boards.
Obviously this isn't the case for every film fan on the internet, but the cynical voice is most often the loudest, because it exists as an extreme, and the extreme are noisy.
Despite my best efforts, the cynics and their cries of "Fuck Michael Bay" are hard to ignore and I'm growing very weary of their dominant presence online.
Yes, it often appears as though Hollywood is disinterested quality, artful productions, but ultimately it's a business. When teenagers are the ones going to the movies, it's easy to make dumb shit with gratuitous explosions and remakes to make a quick, guaranteed buck.
I dislike remakes as much as the next guy, but they sell. I too want more mature, original content from Hollywood, but at the same time, originality is hard to sell, and maturity more so.
Adults really don't go to the movies anymore, and therefore, a huge market has been lost. It doesn't make sense for Hollywood to do anything but to play it safe for the most part.
For the most part.
After everything I just wrote, it's easy to see why people are disenfranchised with Hollywood these days. It's fucking frustrating. I get it.
Still, cynicism is easy. It's easy to criticize Hollywood for what it doesn't do, but it's important to take a step back and recognize the fact that Hollywood still unleashes some great movies.
Look at 2009 for instance: Up, Inglourious Basterds, Up in the Air, A Single Man, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, District 9, Drag Me to Hell, The Informant!, Where the Wild Things Are, A Serious Man, Star Trek, and Avatar.
Now, all of these films may not be your cup of tea, but they are all undeniably interesting, or innovative. Some are based on books, others are original creations. Some of them are masterworks.
The point is: Hollywood doesn't suck. All of the time.
Anyone who looks at that list of films and doesn't find something to like just doesn't like movies, I'm sorry to say. Often, it seems like the cynics I'm talking about love trashing movies more than they actually love watching them.
Don't be a contrarian for the sake of it. Don't mistrust Hollywood because they are "mainstream" and allow Michael Bay to make movies. And don't worry, you're not a conformist if Hollywood makes a movie you like. Thank them for it.
I'd like to see more positivity among film fans. If you don't like something, there's no need to be negative and decry hate for the machine--there are enough people doing that already.
I'm a fond believer that if you don't have anything to say, shut up. I realize the internet has given everybody a voice, which is great, but often that voice is reduced to negative ramblings and hateful remarks. At this point, you're not impressing anybody with your smart-ass, facetious, pseudo-clever comments blaming the system for why your love of movies has dissipated.
Don't blame the system, blame yourself. Cynicism only allows you to see the worse in things. If you're not enjoying anything Hollywood puts out, perhaps your perception has been impaired. I'm just saying.
Next time you come across someone online (or in person) being cynical, try to tip the scales by saying something positive. I'm not saying we should let Hollywood off the hook (fuck no) but the Hollywood Hate is getting old.
Sorry, it got old. Ten years ago. Let's try to tip the scales and not let the cynical voice be the dominant one any longer.
--Alex
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