The Death of Film?

In this era of endless Netflix series and vast online media, it is becoming frequent that films are being overlooked and lost among our shelves at home, in favour of the latest season release. No longer do we discuss or reference the classics of the movie genre, but instead choose to converse about the drama occurring in episodes that dominate the free time of so many. Personally, I often get the impression that people feel that there is necessity to be up to date with a series, purely so that they can participate in conversations and not be excluded. I want to urge you to sit down and watch more movies from time to time, good movies with good actors and carefully crafted soundtracks.

Films can be hugely relevant and impactful in comparison to some of the abysmal series of the modern day, and also frequently portray genuine events of significance and weight. Of course, when coming back from lessons or when languishing in your after lunch free, the invite of your laptop, bed, and a cup of tea for an hour is a wonderful thought, but why not instead watch something of true worth and quality?

We have adopted a tendency to concentrate our time hugely into a small and specific set of characters, seemingly more complex and remarkable than cinematic counterparts, and currently the numbers, particularly among our generation, that are watching movies is gradually diminishing at the hands of Netflix, Amazon and co. We fall into a cycle of needing to have something casually playing in the background while working, instead of fully focusing as we should on what we are watching, a cycle in which we repeatedly turn to despairingly poor television. Series can become a huge commitment and I myself am guilty of becoming absorbed in a certain show, however there are thousands of movies available everywhere (despite the joys of school internet censorship) that are of momentous importance and eminence. Long live the film.

(Disclaimer: I myself watch Narcos among otherwise televised and online series, and condone the watching of TV series to an extent, but would like to advocate the watching of films as a better alternative.)

Some suggestions:

The Royal Tenenbaums

Fight Club

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Little Miss Sunshine

The Breakfast Club

The Graduate