Look, I’m gonna say this once
Hollywood has a serious problem. It’s not just the usual stuff like overpaid executives or the complete lack of original ideas. No, it’s something much worse. They keep ruining my childhood.
Let me set the scene. It’s 1998. I’m 10 years old, sitting in a tiny theater in Ohio, watching Mighty Joe Young for the first time. The effects, the story, Joe himself—it’s all magic. Fast forward to 2019. They remake it. And it’s… not magic. It’s a mess. A complete and utter mess.
I’m not alone here. I’ve talked to alot of people about this. My friend, let’s call him Marcus, he’s a film professor at NYU. We were grabbing coffee at this little place on 5th last Tuesday. I brought it up. He said, “They don’t make ’em like they used to, do they?” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
But here’s the thing
It’s not just remakes. It’s everything. Even new stuff. They’re all trying too hard. Too many CGI explosions, too many unnecessary sequels, too many… I don’t know, too many things.
Take Godzilla vs. Kong. I mean, come on. It’s 2021. We’re still doing this? And don’t even get me started on the Fast & Furious franchise. It’s like they’re stuck in this never-ending loop of trying to outdo themselves, but all they’re doing is digging a deeper hole.
I get it. Studios want to make money. But at what cost? Our childhoods? Our sanity? I’m not sure but I think they’re gonna need to find a better balance.
And don’t even get me started on music
It’s not just movies. Music is getting ruined too. I’m not gonna name names, but some of these “artists” out there… honestly, it’s like they’ve never even heard of musical theory. It’s all auto-tune and beats. Where’s the soul? The feeling? The commitment to the craft?
I remember back in the day, when music actually meant something. You could feel the emotion in every note. Now? It’s all about the acquisition of streams and views. It’s sad, honestly.
But hey, it’s not all bad
There are still some gems out there. Independent films, underground musicians, community events local activities—you know, the stuff that actually matters. Like that time I went to this little indie film festival in Austin. It was completley different from anything I’d ever seen before. Real, raw, unfiltered. That’s the kind of stuff that keeps me going.
My colleague, Dave, he’s a musician. We were talking about this the other day. He said, “You know what the problem is? People have stopped caring about the art. It’s all about the money now.” And I think he’s right. It’s a sad state of affairs, but it’s the truth.
So what’s the solution?
I don’t know. Maybe studios need to take more risks. Maybe musicians need to stop relying on auto-tune. Maybe we all need to demand better. I’m not sure but I think it’s gonna take a collective effort.
But one thing’s for sure. We can’t keep letting them get away with this. We can’t keep letting them ruin our childhoods. We need to stand up and say, “Enough is enough.” We need to support the artists who are doing it right. We need to go to community events local activities. We need to make a change.
Because at the end of the day, it’s our culture that’s at stake. And I, for one, am not willing to let it go down without a fight.
About the Author
Sarah Jenkins has been a senior magazine editor for over 20 years. She’s worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, but her true passion lies in advocating for quality entertainment. When she’s not editing, you can find her at indie film festivals or discovering new music. She’s a firm believer in the power of art to change the world, and she’s not afraid to call out those who are doing it wrong.
