A Society that Revolves Around Nothing But Money
Here’s one of those wonderful graphics that show how records are broken over time, in this case, top box-office grossing movies over the last 35 years. Those who look through the list will notice that virtually all the protagonists are either made of ice, wear capes, or have super-powers, and then realize that movies like Gone with the Wind or Casablanca or To Kill a Mockingbird will never again be made. (Note: that’s different than saying that such movies “won’t be popular”; they literally will not be made in the first place.)
At that point, they’ll draw one of two conclusions:
Money makes the world go ’round, and if you don’t like it, go to work for GreenPeace, or
Maybe a society that revolves around nothing but money has some serious flaws that should be addressed.
Craig,
Gone with the Wind was an romantic melodrama, such movies are still made. Movies such as Casablanca and To Kill a Mockingbird, are still made.
Hollywood was always about making money. Today’s movie goer is very different from before the advent of TV, internet, etc.
There’s a tendency as people get older to yearn for values that never really existed, but we like to think existed when we were young, to stop us feeling old and irrelevant.
Casablanca, was not a high grossing film when released in 1942, Bambi and Mrs Miver, whereas in late 1963.
To Kill a Mockingbird, depite winning three Oscars and critical acclaim, couldn’t equal the appeal Lawrence of Arabia, The Longest Day, and the “Cinerama” film, How the West was Won. 1963 was the year “From Russia with Love” dominated the box office.
People vote with their entertainment dollars. A lot of “message” or “art movies” are made, they just play to smaller audiences.
Nothing sinister, or “evil money obsessed” society needing some sanctimonious correction, just the simple fact that more people like happy escapist entertainment for the price of a movie ticket.