Books, Movies, Music & Entertainment - Hollywood Films ARE The Best

Forgive the provocative subject line. My thesis is that, taken as a whole, the body of work of American film is not only second to none, but forms the central canon of film history. (See most any critical list of the greatest movies). Even fully acknowledging the preponderance of crapola you see coming out of Tinseltown, it is so. Even fully acknowledging the greatness of the many foreign films mentioned in the "foreign film thread", it is so. Even ignoring classics like Citizen Kane and Dr. Strangelove, you could spend many hours remembering forgotten B-movies like "The Friends of Eddie Coyle", "Charlie Varrick", or "Seconds" that would have been hailed as masterpieces had they been independent foreign film productions!

Hollywood doesn't form the "central cannon" of film history. That sounds plain ignorant.

If you consider box office reciepts to make a good film (I don't) than you're right.
Hollywood has also done alot in the realm of technology.

If you are talking about artistic strength, Hollywood films are no more influential than many other international productions.

Well, I'm trying to be provocative, of course. And I'm not some sort of Hollywood or America apologist. Far from it. Still, the challenge stands: consider any list of the best and most critically acclaimed movies...or make up your own. How many of those were produced in the U.S. within the Hollywood studio system (or its descendants after the studio/theater monopolies were broken up)? Be objective.

The most influential directors and film movements have been foriegn.
The area hollywood has been influential is in visual effects and budget.

I havent seen a movie in 8 months. anything good come out?

I find that most hollywood films are mediocre, and it amazes me how much money is spent to make them. Often, movies that get a lot of positive press turn out to be disappointing, or even just terrible (of course, it's all subjective). And the ones that get so-so reviews or bad ones are just absolute dreck!

I'd have to say that maybe 1 in 20 Hollywood films that have come out in the past few years are actually worth watching. The rest is useless dreck... With the amount of money they are spending on production.. they should really have a good story, and quality writing... the best actors in the world can't fix a bad script

jeff

That is so true. SPecial effects are fine, but maybe a script or a story would be a good idea too.

poppaspoke,
How is your thesis holding up?

I might buy it, you would have to do some research to back it up though. What about Polanski or indy films? Are they considered Hollywood? We do have Kubrick and Sellers and Wilder and there are so many movies like American Movie and American Splendor that do not get thier due. Also we only get the best foreign films.

Forgive the provocative subject line. My thesis is that, taken as a whole, the body of work of American film is not only second to none, but forms the central canon of film history. (See most any critical list of the greatest movies). Even fully acknowledging the preponderance of crapola you see coming out of Tinseltown, it is so. Even fully acknowledging the greatness of the many foreign films mentioned in the "foreign film thread", it is so. Even ignoring classics like Citizen Kane and Dr. Strangelove, you could spend many hours remembering forgotten B-movies like "The Friends of Eddie Coyle", "Charlie Varrick", or "Seconds" that would have been hailed as masterpieces had they been independent foreign film productions!
Charlie varrick has to be one of Walter Mathaus's best.Blowout with John Travolta and Karen Allen is classic Film Noir ,and The Doc Savage movie with Ron Ely is so bad it is good.

Ohmygosh, I saw probably one of the most disturbing, but good movies that I've seen in a long time. It's Swedish- called "Evil". It puts most hollywood movies to shame. Mainstream hollywood is mostly mindless entertainment, but those foreign movies that roll through sometimes are the ones I remember the most.

Koffee

Ohmygosh, I saw probably one of the most disturbing, but good movies that I've seen in a long time. It's Swedish- called "Evil". It puts most hollywood movies to shame. Mainstream hollywood is mostly mindless entertainment, but those foreign movies that roll through sometimes are the ones I remember the most.

Koffee

I have never heard of Evil; but I will rent it, if possible. But disturbing? Nothing will ever compare to the most disturbing film ever made: Irreversible, with Monica Bellucci. (Recently released.) Recommended by a movie critic friend, who lives in LA, it was every bit the thought-provoker she suggested. But PLEASE DO NOT WATCH this film if you are only an occasional French foreign film viewer. If you do dare to tread that disturbing ground, watch first, then read the critic's reviews. Under not circumstances is this a movie for children.

Dawn of the Dead is freeking awesome, it scores Hollywood big points.

Dawn of the Dead is freeking awesome, it scores Hollywood big points.

Isn't this just a feble attempt to capitalize once again from the ground breaking efforts of George Romero? Ok, so we've replaced the 70's FX with those of a new century... but brains is brains.

Want to see something cool? Try "The Delicatesen"... a bizzare French canibal movie!