Why 90s Movies Feel More Alive Than Anything on Netflix – Andre Franca
Tags: #Blogging #ClassicCinema #ModernMovies #Netflix #Streaming
A recent rewatch of The Silence of the Lambs (1991) sparked a question: why do films from the 1980s and 90s frequently enough resonate more powerfully today than contemporary releases, even those readily available on platforms like Netflix?
The distinction, it truly seems, lies in the craft of filmmaking. Consider Martin scorsese’s Goodfellas (1990). The film doesn’t simply narrate a story about the mafia; it immerses the viewer in that world through techniques like the iconic tracking shot through the Copacabana, a conversational narration style, and the sudden, brutal depiction of violence. This creates a visceral experience,conveying both the allure and the paranoia inherent in that lifestyle. Each scene feels purposeful, meticulously building character. In contrast,Scorsese’s later work,The Irishman (2019),while a solid film,feels comparatively lengthy and relies heavily on digital de-aging technology that doesn’t fully convince.
Quentin tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994) offers another compelling example. The film’s fragmented narrative structure, while unconventional, works brilliantly, supported by sharp, memorable dialog and characters who feel genuinely lived-in. Vincent and Jules,the film’s hitmen,are not simply defined by their profession; they engage in philosophical debates,adding layers of complexity. Compare this to Bullet Train (2022), a more recent action film that, while visually stylish, feels overly concerned wiht being quirky. Its characters lean towards archetypes, and the dialogue frequently enough prioritizes cleverness over substance, resulting in a fleeting entertainment experience.
This difference extends to the thriller genre. the Silence of the Lambs excels in psychological tension, with every interaction between Clarice and Hannibal Lecter feeling like a calculated game. The horror stems from the characters’ internal struggles and manipulations, not from superficial jump scares. Modern thrillers like The Woman in the Window (2021), while offering twists and atmosphere, often lack the same depth of character advancement, diminishing the emotional investment.
The core of the issue, perhaps, is risk-taking. Films of the 80s and 90s often demonstrated a willingness to challenge audiences, trusting them to engage with complex narratives and nuanced characters.Directors like Scorsese and Tarantino were granted meaningful creative freedom, allowing them to pursue their artistic visions without excessive studio interference, unburdened by the pressures of demographic targeting or franchise building. They focused on creating films,not simply products.
Today, cinema frequently appears to be the result of committee decisions, optimized for streaming algorithms and box office returns rather than enduring artistic impact. While technological advancements have yielded larger budgets and more sophisticated effects, something essential has been lost: the ability to create films that truly move us, rather than merely filling the time between scrolling through our devices.
Perhaps a degree of nostalgia plays a role. Though, the lasting impression left by a truly grate film – the hours or days spent contemplating its themes and characters – stands in stark contrast to the immediate forgettability of many modern blockbusters, which frequently enough fade from memory shortly after the credits roll. And that difference, ultimately, speaks volumes.
