If you didn't know, Steven Spielberg (whom I have called the G.O.A.T. in a previous blog post) was labeled widely by his critics on the internet as "Old man shakes his fist at cloud" for his comments regarding the popular streaming platform, Netflix, and the following comment:
"Once you commit to a television format, you're a TV movie. You certainly, if it's a good show, deserve an Emmy, but not an Oscar." Of course he has his reasons, but I'm not going to post them here, relying instead upon your ability to google them if you are interested. What I am going to post is my own opinion, which I think is relevant in the realm of public discourse.
Personally, he's making a lot of sense. Netflix original movies are definitely TV films. I personally applaud Spielberg's effort to keep the cinema experience alive. It's something I legitimately enjoy, and his heart is definitely in the right place. Netflix is gaming the system by releasing movies in Los Angeles just long enough to make them eligible for the Oscars before they are available for America to watch in their pajamas. While many people see this as "the wave of the future" I would like to borrow a quote from Jeff Goldblum in a Spielberg movie called Jurassic Park: "Everybody was in such a hurry to see if they could that no one bothered to even ask if they should." If film makers want the prestige of an Oscar, they should have to jump through the hoops to get it. The bonus is that those of us out here who are interested will have the opportunity to view the work as intended in a theater with the latest sound hardware and four-story screens.
/end rant.
I will let you know how I enjoyed Ready Player One on Monday :).
I can see both sides. I understand times are different, mediums are changing, and all that - and the need for Oscar movies to remain big-screen movies. But not something I feel strongly enough about to argue either way.
ReplyDeleteDid you see the film last night? We're hitting it today.
I did, and I REALLY enjoyed it. I think Spielberg was the perfect choice for the show. There are noticeable changes from the book, but they had to do it because it took 8 years for Spielberg just to be able to bring the book to fruition. Legalities and film rights aside, the script from Ernest Cline left out parts of the book that the author thought were too expensive to produce, and Spielberg requested in a meeting with the author that he wanted those included because "they may be expensive but I can get it done." Additionally, they had to change Ultraman out because of a lawsuit so instead we get Gundam fighting mechagodzilla, and the novel was too long for a movie adaptation, so they started a little further into the plot and changed the challenges to what audiences could identify with on a broader scale. The spirit of the movie though is totally intact, and I think Spielberg was the perfect choice
DeleteSo a movie that plays on 2 screens in NYC and LA can get an Oscar but not a movie seen by millions on Netflix?
ReplyDeleteRight now, that's how the rules are set. You can show a movie on two screens and be eligible for an Oscar. Spielberg says that the academy needs to revamp its rules so that a movie has to have a wider more prolonged release in theaters before it is eligible for an Oscar.
DeleteThat favors big studio movies. Like, say, DreamWorks?
DeleteYes, it totally favors big studio movies. However, there can be said of a lot of other similar things. For example, despite the fact that I can have everything automatically paid, I insist on receiving paper forms of my bills because it keeps a postal worker employed. I rather enjoy the services the post office provides. I'm also not a supporter of Uber and Lyft. I think that they rob proper taxi drivers who have to go through hoops and regulations to be able to drive people around of money. My position is no different with Netflix. People who are making movies (if they are made eligible for Oscars) will see an easier path and have the Netflix or other streaming service take their movie and make it a reality in exchange for a one week run in L.A. or New York in a single theater. This is bullshit, and in my opinion threatens an industry that I love quite a bit.
DeleteIt's like saying that a book can't win a Pulitzer unless it's been published in paperback and on the shelves of B&N. Ideally I'd like them to choose the best movies and the best books regardless of distribution platforms.
DeleteI see your point. You're probably right. But, they're probably going to keep letting Netflix's films be eligible for Oscars.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment but I do think cinema owners are being short sighted by not showing Netflix movies. Insist on a 4 week time period before they are put on Netflix and insist on 50% of the box office. Considering they get much less from the studios, it would be a win/win for both sides.
ReplyDeleteAll Netflix cares about subscription rates and the prestige from getting an Oscar. The theaters should use that instead of running from it. In the long run I think we are going to see the major studios go a similar route as Netflix as DVD sales disappear completely and it's best for cinemas to get out ahead of it.