Hollywood VS Streaming

So, last night all of Hollywood held its collective, elitist breath, as the unthinkable could happen—a movie produced by a streaming company could win the Oscar!  Well, as it turned out, that didn’t happen, so today the arses at the Academy are taking their victory lap as they have apparently staved off the unthinkable.  Well, I have news for them and definitely a different opinion.

I stopped watching the award show years ago, because I could not stand the pomp and arrogance that goes that whole scene.  Self-important, conceded individuals (union workers) strutting around as if they have just cured cancer, global warming or any other disastrous problem plaguing mankind.  And the droves of people pushing and shoving to get one glimpse at their favorite actor (for Christ sakes, they are just people).

With the streaming channels gaining popularity through the production of their own movies and shows, Hollywood and network television have been struggling.  And now, the prospect of the last bastion of dominance that the movie industry has controlled (the Oscar), being taken away is unthinkable.  What difference does it make who hires the best talent in the industry and makes the best movies?

The online world has changed many aspects of our lives, shopping, investing, news, medical and others.  What we watch has undergone an incredible transformation from the days of the family sitting around the television for the prime-time programming to the current generations watching movies on a cell phone.  Every tablet owner has their own library of movies to watch anywhere they are.

So, companies that stream movies (you know who they are) have built healthy budgets and can create content that rivals all traditional production companies.  Then there is the convenience factor of watching streaming programs from the comfort of your home, without having to wait for the movie or show to come out on video (the Hollywood thing).  The streaming companies charge a monthly fee which compared to the price of going theaters or buying DVDs is relatively small.

Have you been to a movie lately?  Back in the day, going to the theater was fun event, even glamorous in different times.  Today movie theaters are run down, dirty, the cost of any kind of snack or munchies is astronomical.  The screen quality and sound systems suck and the place resembles the old “inmates running the asylum”, with staff that are simply there to collect a paycheck.  Not to mention the fact that the admission fee is enough to pay for a streaming service for a year.

Then there is the arrogance of the Academy itself, who somehow has it figured out that they are more adept at telling us what the best movie of the year is than we the customers are.  You know what the best movie of the year is, the one that you really like, not the one some sniveling little simpleton tells you is the best.  It would be good to see these little piss-ants knocked off their pedestal.

Let me tell you straight up who will make the decision on the best movies in the future.  It will be us, the customer who settles the debate here.  If the current trend holds, it is very likely that the streaming companies will completely rule.  And surely these companies will hire someone with the artistic ability to create a great movie.  Hollywood has been propped up for years by the independent film makers and not the corporate masters that only produce marketing programs for fast food toys.

So, breathe a sigh of relief Hollywood, you have survived one more year without being outdone by streaming companies, but beware, that sound you hear at your door is the streaming monster coming to replace you!

Talk to Ya Later

The Grumpy Old Fart Customer @2019 All Rights Reserved