Past, Present, and Future of Movies
With more advanced technology and more experienced actors and directors, the film industry is rapidly developing. From new cameras and special effects, to new sources for film viewing such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, the film industry is evolving to better the viewing experience for all.
More stories from Lauren Ponzetti
PAST
In the golden age of Audrey Hepburn, John Wayne and Judy Garland, movies held a special place in the hearts of Americans. There just seems to be something about older movies that make them favorites. According to Rotten Tomatoes, a movie critique company, the top three on their list of classic movies are as follows:
“The Wizard of Oz” (1939)
“Citizen Kane” (1941)
“Casablanca” (1943)
These movies are not considered better than any others. What makes these movies classics is that when the United States was at war, movies were something Americans could rely on to take their minds of the stress in society. According to Film Site, sponsored by AMC, “The world was headed toward rearmament and warfare in the early to mid-1940s, and the movie industry, like every other aspect of life, responded to the national war effort by making movies, producing many war-time favorites, and having stars (and film industry employees) enlist or report for duty.”
Using movies as a crutch to fall back on during hard times brought movies that are held close in the heart of many Americans. Although the top classic movies were mostly filmed around the 1940s, the “Top 100 Greatest Movies of All Time,” were not. According to the Internet Movie Database, the first three movies on the list of the “Top 100 Greatest Movies of All Time” are “The Godfather,” “The Shawshank Redemption” and “Schindler’s List.”
Movies that are seen as classics or even the greatest movies of all time can change at the drop of a hat, because it is not the quality of the movie that makes it popular, but the affect it has on the hearts of Americans.
PRESENT
At drive-ins, home-theaters and regular cinemas, movies offer fun and relaxing entertainment for all ages. Movies are a popular source of entertainment, but technology, such as Netflix, Redbox and even YouTube, made it easier to watch movies whenever people please. The ability to watch a movie is at a person’s fingertips. The viewing experience is not the only improvement from the films of the past. Now, films provide a unique environment for technology to thrive and change the storyline for the viewer.
The graphics, acting and story all add to the quality of movies. These effects improved greatly from the past and is becoming more spectacular with each film being made with new technology, such as the Dolby Atmos Sound System that brings a more personal sound experience to viewing. According to 4DTV.org, technology even offers viewers a new dimension to experience, such as 4D movies that use physical effects like drops of rain, wind or fog.
“I remember when I was a little boy, always looking for the greatest movies and TV shows to watch. But back then it was very hard for me to achieve this goal, I would have to go to numerous TV and movie stores,” Antioch Community High School junior Jake Cloe said. “But then I heard of a magical thing called Netflix. All it took was one month… One month and I was hooked like a big bass floating down the Mississippi river on the biggest shiniest hook you ever seen!”
These new technologies also changed the way viewers experience film and television, especially Cloe.
“Netflix has changed my life. It has been a big part of my life and it will be for a long time. When I needed somebody or something, Netflix was there. When I was feeling down or blue, Netflix was there. When I was feeling like there was no one else to turn to, Netflix was there,” said Cloe. “Movies are definitely more easy to access using Netflix. All of the best movies are right in front of your eyes! It even shows the movies that are more suitable for your taste of interest! All it takes is a little loading time and WAZZOO! A nice HD movie right in front of your pearly eyes. Netflix is the real MVP and I think anyone can agree on that!”
FUTURE
The year 2015 is a big year for movies: sequels, movies based on novels, fantastic fiction movies, and comedies. According to IMDB, the following movies will be hitting theaters throughout next year.
January: “Selma,” “Taken 3,” “The Boy Next Door”
February: “Out of the Dark,” “Jupiter Ascending,” “Lazarus”
March: “Cinderella,” “Insurgent,” “Serena”
April: “Furious 7,” “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2,” “Child 44”
May: “The Avengers: Age if Ultron,” “Pitch Perfect 2,” “Spy”
June: “Ted 2,” “Paper Towns,” “Inside Out”
July: “Minions,” “Pixel,” “Pan”
August: “The Fantastic Four,” “Sinister 2,” “Goosebumps”
September: “The Visit,” “Triple 9,” “Everest”
October: “Vacation,” “Kidnap,” “The Walk”
November: “Silence,” “Peanuts,” “James Bond 24”
December: “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Inferno,” “The Nest”