This one's thesis is the revolution going on in the late sixties and early seventies in other aspects of American culture began to affect the films being made too. Biskind dates the changes from the year 1971 and begins with Martin Scorsese. The body of work dating from that period is undeniably some of the greatest films to ever be made. They employed a new group of young directors, young actors, young editors, young musicians. And this changed movies almost overnight.
Anyone who loves movies has probably read this book but just in case, here it is. It is a long, dense book--the kind of book I don't seem to have the concentration for anymore. Apparently there is a film but it doesn't seem to be streaming anywhere. Too bad.
13 comments:
I've not read it yet, though it's been on the shortlist to Get To for decades...some of the films it seems to laud were self-indulgent as hell, along with the one that were ingenious and incredibly innovative, and, of course, there were those that were a bit of each...
But in seeing a fair amount of the late (as in '60s, mostly) "typical Hollywood" product over the decade or so we've been discussing a/v, I could increasingly see what you were noting about how arid the (alaS) Product tended to be in the decade that killed the studio system...as rote as much of the television was in that decade, and often even more hidebound and dull.
This does sound fascinating, Patti. And it sounds like one of those books you digest, rather than gobble up - the really rich sort of read.
I've read a lot of these books, but not this one.
I read EASY RIDERS, RAGING BULL and you're right: it's a classic. But, it describes a movie industry that has utterly changed because of streaming services and the decline of movie theaters.
So right, George. It has changed again and not for the better. Beside the impact of streaming services, the impact of MU has been huge. Who would have expected dozens of movies about superheroes where very few stand out.
Disney is now struggling because the MU has run out of gas. The same with STAR WARS., Movie franchises don't last forever. Classic Hollywood was built on movie stars. We have very few of them today...
You batting way out of my knuckle-dragging league here, Patti. I have read Joe Bob Brigss, though.
Well, bubble-gum films' explosion in the latter '70s put paid to the US auteurism breakout, except when the "creators" were bubble gum-crafters themselves...the Spielbergs, Lucases. Camerons and the like, on through the (even worse) Nolans and Snyders.
An aside--the edge of the hurricane has given us a welcome light rain and 75F around here...we're to expect 100 degrees on Wednesday, however.
We are so screwed climate-wise. Every day is different here.
Glen read DOWN AND DIRTY PICTURES by Biskind, about independent film, nearly twenty years ago. But he does not remember this one.
We have a fire nearby (relatively, we are just getting smoke and bad air right now) and the stories I have read about California fires mention that fires are burning hotter now. Where we are closer to the coast it is cool, but in the area of the fire they predict temperatures around 100. Although the fire is increasing in size, they seem to be handling it well for now.
Indeed. And I didn't look far enough ahead, as the rains here are being watched for potential flooding. Though now, maybe, it Won't break into three digits F next Wednesday.
Didn't see your comment till now, Tracy...best of luck getting no worse, and the air improving soon.
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