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An Open Letter to Hollywood

Dear Hollywood,

We write this letter out of love for the magic you bring to screens both big and small. For decades, your films have offered us escapism, joy, laughter, and a shared sense of wonder. However, in recent years, a noticeable shift has taken place. Increasingly, movies are being used as platforms for political agendas, often overshadowing the core of storytelling that makes cinema so impactful. We urge you to reconsider this path and return to creating feel-good entertainment that unites rather than divides.

Movies have always had the power to influence and reflect society, but their greatest strength lies in their ability to tell stories that resonate universally. Classic films, from "It's a Wonderful Life" to "The Wizard of Oz," weren't just beloved because of their technical brilliance or compelling narratives; they were cherished because they made us feel connected to each other and to the characters on screen. These movies provided an escape from daily life, offering hope and happiness even in the darkest of times.

Today, too many films prioritize "woke" political messaging over cohesive storytelling. While it's essential to address social issues and foster inclusive narratives, the current approach often feels forced and heavy-handed, alienating audiences rather than engaging them. When political agendas take precedence, the result is frequently a film that preaches rather than entertains, leaving viewers feeling lectured instead of uplifted.

We believe there is a middle ground. Films can be both socially conscious and immensely entertaining without being overbearing. Consider the timeless success of movies like "Forrest Gump" or "The Pursuit of Happyness"—stories that subtly addressed important issues while primarily focusing on inspiring, human experiences. These films didn’t shy away from reality but embraced storytelling that left audiences with a sense of hope and joy.

As we navigate a world filled with uncertainties and challenges, the need for feel-good entertainment has never been greater. People seek solace, laughter, and a temporary escape from their everyday struggles. They crave stories that inspire, bring joy, and foster a sense of community. By prioritizing heartfelt narratives and genuine character development over political agendas, you can recapture the essence of what makes cinema a universal language of hope and happiness.

In closing, we urge you, Hollywood, to remember the magic of feel-good entertainment. Create movies that bring us together, remind us of our shared humanity, and leave us with a smile. In doing so, you'll not only honor the legacy of cinema but also provide a much-needed respite for audiences around the world.

by Anonymousreply 47May 30, 2024 1:28 PM

Dear Holllywood,

Please stop putting the unfortunate looking and mediocre Timothee Chalamet in all your movies.

by Anonymousreply 1May 29, 2024 9:29 PM

You lost me at the word “woke”. I get the general sentiment, but back in the day things like Frank Capra movies were probably considered whatever equivalent term there was for “woke”. Wasn’t he even blacklisted for being a supposed “commie”?

I don’t disagree that Hollywood is kind of dead. Now more than ever it’s run by bean-counters terrified of any actual real creativity or risk, hence the massive over reliance on IPs and the endless diminishing returns thereof.

I’ve come to the conclusion I just don’t like modern filmmaking. I don't even like the current cinematography trends. I’m finding films generally quite ugly to look at and devoid of heart, soul and creativity. I don’t care about “woke”, I just think Hollywood has become incapable of consistently producing good films.

by Anonymousreply 2May 29, 2024 9:32 PM

You shouldn’t give so much gravitas to a single word.

But you and I are in complete agreement, films are absolutely hideous nowadays. The decline in cinematography has been catastrophic.

by Anonymousreply 3May 29, 2024 9:36 PM

Dear OP,

tl:dr

Hollywood

by Anonymousreply 4May 29, 2024 9:36 PM

R4 too busy working on new Marvel prequel. TTYL

by Anonymousreply 5May 29, 2024 9:37 PM

No, R2 Capra was not blacklisted as commie, he was conservative Republican.

And blacklisted Hollywood "commies" were anti establishment creativrs, unlike modern wokes that are cheap corporate product pushing the agenda in their low quality work.

by Anonymousreply 6May 29, 2024 9:38 PM

That long, long letter and not one example of a movie ruined by its philosophy.

by Anonymousreply 7May 29, 2024 9:40 PM

We get a lousy return on investment. The movies are woke, recycled, and garbage. Going to the theater has gotten too expensive and the patrons are rude and entitled now more than ever.

by Anonymousreply 8May 29, 2024 9:41 PM

R7

**"Ghostbusters (2016)"** is a prime example of a movie overshadowed by its overt focus on being "woke." While the original Ghostbusters films were beloved for their witty humor, innovative special effects, and engaging characters, the 2016 reboot seemed more concerned with making a political statement about gender roles than delivering a cohesive, enjoyable story. The film's marketing and narrative leaned heavily into the backlash against its all-female cast, making the issue of gender central to its identity rather than focusing on the humor, charm, and supernatural adventure that made the original a classic. This approach alienated many fans and detracted from the film’s potential to be a fun, entertaining reboot in its own right.

by Anonymousreply 9May 29, 2024 9:43 PM

Have your chatbot reach out to my chatbot, R5

by Anonymousreply 10May 29, 2024 9:45 PM

Well, at least you're earnest in your baseless and naive execution, OP.

by Anonymousreply 11May 29, 2024 9:53 PM

[quote] Consider the timeless success of movies like "Forrest Gump" or "The Pursuit of Happyness"—stories that subtly addressed important issues while primarily focusing on inspiring, human experiences. These films didn’t shy away from reality but embraced storytelling that left audiences with a sense of hope and joy.

Who wrote this shit? The ghost of Bob Hope (before he started drinking at 09.30)?

by Anonymousreply 12May 29, 2024 9:59 PM

I had ChatGPT summarize this, but in a tone of voice as if the OP is an idiot:

Oh, isn't this just precious? Someone's decided to grace Hollywood with their oh-so-enlightened wisdom, dripping with "love" for the industry's magic. For decades, movies have been our little escape, serving up joy, laughter, and wonder. But now, they're whining that political agendas have taken over, as if the very fabric of cinema is unraveling. Heaven forbid films actually address anything meaningful beyond the usual feel-good fluff. They're pining for the golden days of "It's a Wonderful Life" and "The Wizard of Oz," as if those were the last decent films ever made. How original.

With all the grace of a self-appointed savior, they condescendingly plead for Hollywood to drop the so-called "woke" messaging and return to making simplistic, feel-good entertainment that unites us all. Because, of course, the public can't handle movies that tackle real-world issues. Their dazzling solution? More films like "Forrest Gump" and "The Pursuit of Happyness," as if these alone could solve all of cinema's woes. They wrap up their sanctimonious diatribe by urging Hollywood to remember the magic and just make everyone smile again, blissfully ignorant of the complexities of modern storytelling. Oh, Hollywood, do take note of this groundbreaking, utterly profound advice. What would we ever do without such keen insights?

by Anonymousreply 13May 29, 2024 9:59 PM

There are many things wrong with Hollywood and the motion picture machine but "woke" isn't part of it. Politics have always had a positive and impactful role in film.

PS, OP you have dismal taste in movies.

by Anonymousreply 14May 29, 2024 10:08 PM

This stinks of Defuckto.

by Anonymousreply 15May 29, 2024 10:13 PM

It sounds like OP wants every movie to be a Hallmark Channel holiday movie. Better not have any black characters though.

by Anonymousreply 16May 29, 2024 11:43 PM

It’s the sexuality politics that aren’t working in stories. Focusing on sexuality and specifically gender is why movies are stale. Hedwig and the Angry Inch a story inspired by Ovid’s creation is one of the few successful but niche films. I’d go so far as to say the kids having watched Hedwig are being reductive if this is their totem.

by Anonymousreply 17May 30, 2024 12:05 AM

You make it sound like it's normal for a modern movies to bring the story to a screeching halt to lecture people about gender, r17. What movies are you watching?

by Anonymousreply 18May 30, 2024 12:19 AM

Dear OP,

Have your people call our people so we can hang up on them.

Hollywood

by Anonymousreply 19May 30, 2024 12:24 AM

To today's hyper-sensitve, anti-woke KKKlan Grannies, even "Schindler's List" is probably way too woke.

by Anonymousreply 20May 30, 2024 12:29 AM

No one likes a pretentious scold, OP.

by Anonymousreply 21May 30, 2024 1:58 AM

[quote]Today, too many films prioritize "woke" political messaging over cohesive storytelling.

Tell us that you're racist, homophobic, sexist, and xenophobic without telling us that you're racist, homophobic, sexist, and xenophobic.

by Anonymousreply 22May 30, 2024 2:06 AM

I could have done with a little less preaching in Barbie.

by Anonymousreply 23May 30, 2024 2:06 AM

Anything that has such a hamfisted attempt at "messaging" is not great filmmaking. Maybe great propaganda making.

by Anonymousreply 24May 30, 2024 2:07 AM

The Yasss Kweens think they’re benefiting from all the 1984 Orwellian bullshit, but 1. It’s hurting our cause, 2. It will cannibalize itself… everyone will get a turn on the chopping block, unless you somehow align yourself with the right combination of victimhood statuses.

by Anonymousreply 25May 30, 2024 2:12 AM

"If you want to send a message, use Western Union."

--Sam Goldwyn

by Anonymousreply 26May 30, 2024 2:32 AM

How is this a thread on a GAY site? Did OP get bored on Twitter?

by Anonymousreply 27May 30, 2024 4:24 AM

I stopped reading at woke.

OP there's room for both stories and for messages. The rule of thumb is that no-one is forcing to to watch something you don't want to watch. The films you mentioned like "It's a Wonderful Life" and "The Wizard of Oz, were made nearly 100 years ago. So they are as old as you are and you are all from a different time.

by Anonymousreply 28May 30, 2024 4:36 AM

OP Have Austin wake me when you're done.

by Anonymousreply 29May 30, 2024 4:43 AM

I have to agree with OP. Lightyear ruined Chris Evans career and he is now nothing but a lavender marriage addict (Similar to Caprio). The thang iz, in Lightyear the lesbian kiss was so forced and boring. It was awkward. I felt ashamed as an LGBT-person but in comparison, Dreamworks made the gay guy in "How to train your dragon 2" way better. Like when he revealed that he was gay, it was such a funny and organic moment. Not forced at all. I think this is what OP means with woke. When you write gay characters because of representation, rather than entertainment. Hollywood can learn a lot from anime in terms of gay representation.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 30May 30, 2024 4:52 AM

R24 See 2004 Best Picture Winner, [italic]Crash[/italic]. It was probably worse than anything released lately. Of course, I haven't seen anything released lately.

by Anonymousreply 31May 30, 2024 4:53 AM

I concur!

But first, the radical 'woke' Marxists who usurped control of Hollywood in the past decade need to be deposed.

Moderates need to take charge again and stop being pushovers.

by Anonymousreply 32May 30, 2024 4:59 AM

[quote] Consider the timeless success of movies like "Forrest Gump" or "The Pursuit of Happyness"—stories that subtly addressed important issues while primarily focusing on inspiring, human experiences.

We're considering them, Jada. And we consider them pretty awful.

by Anonymousreply 33May 30, 2024 5:09 AM

Why can't we have rousing feel-good classics anymore like "Gone with the Wind" or "Birth of a Nation"?

by Anonymousreply 34May 30, 2024 5:11 AM

How about that 1995 classic The Last Supper?

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 35May 30, 2024 5:20 AM

[quote]We write this letter out of love for the magic you bring to screens both big and small. For decades, your films have offered us escapism, joy, laughter, and a shared sense of wonder.

MARY!

MAAARY!

MAAAAAAAARY!

by Anonymousreply 36May 30, 2024 5:36 AM

R34 Or the feel good film of 1993 “Schindler's List”.

by Anonymousreply 37May 30, 2024 5:58 AM

OP came all the way thru with his grievances. Tell em how you feel OP.

by Anonymousreply 38May 30, 2024 5:58 AM

So many countries with thriving film industries producing interesting stuff, all easily available. The NY Times (hardly an arbiter, I know, but still) published a list of the best films released so far this year: a good mix of American and non-American productions.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 39May 30, 2024 6:12 AM

R39 Is Klenn Powerll half-Asian?

by Anonymousreply 40May 30, 2024 6:14 AM

R40 What in the uncanny Wonder app hell?

by Anonymousreply 41May 30, 2024 6:18 AM

R28 we wish you stopped typing at woke too.

by Anonymousreply 42May 30, 2024 12:13 PM

Dear Hollywood:

I have the decency to write this type of message correctly with a colon.

Unless the OP thought that she was displaying enough of her colon with that "written from 1957" thread opener.

Oh, dear, anyway.

by Anonymousreply 43May 30, 2024 12:25 PM

An unsigned letter from "we."

More like wee-wee.

by Anonymousreply 44May 30, 2024 12:26 PM

MARY! OP

by Anonymousreply 45May 30, 2024 12:28 PM

NO MORE J LO. WE’VE HAD SUFFICIENT.

by Anonymousreply 46May 30, 2024 12:29 PM

Milo and Clayton can’t get off this schtick. They’ve been wanking on this for decades. So tiresome

by Anonymousreply 47May 30, 2024 1:28 PM
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