Can a Netflix Movie Be Considered a "Real" Movie?

Discussion in 'Visual Arts' started by Vidiot, Mar 1, 2019.

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  1. Vidiot

    Vidiot Now in 4K HDR! Thread Starter

    Location:
    Hollywood, USA
    Can a Netflix Movie Be Considered a "Real" Movie? Well, Steven Spielberg doesn't think so...

    Says the famed director:

    “Steven feels strongly about the difference between the streaming and theatrical situation,” says a spokesperson for Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment (via the outlet). “He’ll be happy if the others will join [his campaign] when that comes up [at the Academy Board of Governors meeting]. He will see what happens.”

    This article states:

    Steven Spielberg is not a fan of Netflix, at least when it comes to placing the streaming service’s films in the same playing field as traditional theatrical releases. Last year, he argued that Netflix movies should not be eligible for Academy Awards, even going so far as to label the company a “clear and present danger to filmgoers.”

    And it seems he’s not letting the issue go anytime soon. IndieWire reports that the legendary director is set to make his case at the upcoming Academy Board of Governors meeting in April. Many would argue that for such a groundbreaking and boundary-pushing filmmaker, Spielberg certainly seems to be on the wrong side of history for this one.


    I'm torn on the issue, but while I love the theatrical experience, I also recognize that there are paradigm shifts in the way things are -- like the massive shift from shooting movies on film to shooting movies digitally -- and there's a point where you just have to go with the streaming flow and let it happen.

    Netflix has stated they are obeying the letter of the Academy rules, and even if their films are only released theatrically in a few dozen theaters, they still "technically" qualify as real theatrical films. My take is yes, streaming films that have a limited theatrical release do qualify, and even though high quality, big-budget Netflix & Amazon films will ultimately have a negative effect on the existence of real theaters, I think it's inevitable and it's gonna happen eventually... if not now, then 5 or 10 years from now. As the great novelist Victor Hugo said: "Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come."

    Steven Spielberg Is Still Pissed at Netflix, and Plans to Tell the Academy Why Next Month
     
  2. audiomixer

    audiomixer As Bald As The Beatles

    Yes is the correct answer.
    Life is about evolution & the rules in constant flux.
     
  3. audiomixer

    audiomixer As Bald As The Beatles

    Plus, Spielberg is acting like a grumpy, rich old man who once was a brilliant, engaging young director.
     
  4. will_b_free

    will_b_free Forum Resident

    Location:
    Boulder, CO
    Didn’t he make a film about a newspaper, called The Post or something, that was a made for TV movie but was nominated for awards anyway?
     
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  5. googlymoogly

    googlymoogly Forum Resident

    Yeah, there may be an in-theater viewing revival at some point, but it will likely be a fairly niche viewership. The whole industry has been turned upside down by streaming technology. As much as I enjoy the movie theater experience, I must admit that the reasons for going just haven't been that compelling to me for a decade or more.
     
  6. jojopuppyfish

    jojopuppyfish Senior Member

    Location:
    Maryland
    Almost every oscar nominated documentary film plays 1 night in a theater in LA to qualify.
    So he's be ridiculous.
    He wants everyone to go to a movie theater to watch his movies.
    I love theaters......but I hardly see what's special about Multiplex vs sitting and watching them on my 60 inch tv with blu ray
     
  7. audiomixer

    audiomixer As Bald As The Beatles

    ^^THIS^^
     
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  8. audiomixer

    audiomixer As Bald As The Beatles

    ^^AND THIS^^
     
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  9. McLover

    McLover Senior Member

    Unless it is a theatrical release, or gets one (and I count Film Festivals and Art House as legit cinema). I don't count it as Oscar material or should it be nominated. I consider a Netflix movie a Made For Pay TV type of motion picture.
     
  10. Gaslight

    Gaslight ⎧⚍⎫⚑

    Location:
    Northeast USA
  11. Vidiot

    Vidiot Now in 4K HDR! Thread Starter

    Location:
    Hollywood, USA
    I wouldn't go that far, but I just made the argument on Facebook that he's sounding like the 1927 Hollywood execs who insisted, "sound is just a fad! Nobody wants to see talking pictures! They're vulgar!"
     
  12. Deesky

    Deesky Forum Resident

    Get offa my lawn you kids!

    More like a clear and present danger to the studios (and theater chains).
     
  13. Squealy

    Squealy Forum Hall Of Fame

    Location:
    Vancouver
    A film made for HBO wouldn’t be eligible for the Oscars. I don’t think it’s crazy to ask what the difference is between that and a Netflix movie that never sees the inside of a theatre. The film and TV awards may need to be separated now on the basis of form rather than medium.
     
  14. Abbagold

    Abbagold Working class hero

    Location:
    Natchitoches, LA
    Isn’t this kinda like the porn industry in the 80’s when VHS was the new thing? Some directors didn’t like the idea considering it wasn’t shown in theatres and not considered “film” or, dare I say “art”. The times they are a changing.
     
  15. Myke

    Myke Trying Not To Spook The Horse

    I saw his grumblings online weeks ago, and I just blew it off as another old fart who gets grumpy without a nap (I know as I cherish my naps....and love Netflix in my retirement ).
     
  16. Alphonso Cuaron thinks differently and he won the same amount of Best Director Oscars as Spielberg.
     
  17. Vidiot

    Vidiot Now in 4K HDR! Thread Starter

    Location:
    Hollywood, USA
    Note that Martin Scorsese is just now finishing up his epic $140 million Mafia film The Irishman, which will be premiering on Netflix in October 2019. You think they're not gonna work around the clock to get this film some Oscar noms? To me, Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Hulu, and so on are just alternative mediums for filmmakers, and it doesn't make the film any less. As long as they obey the letter of the Academy rules and it shows in "some" theaters, it's legit. Note that there are obscure documentaries that are lucky to play in five theaters (anywhere), and they get nominated for Oscars. This is a slippery slope.

    That's like the 1980s scene in Boogie Nights where porn director Burt Reynolds scoffs at video and says, "I'm making a film here! I refuse to shoot on videotape!" :laugh:
     
  18. TheVU

    TheVU Forum Resident

    I think he’s absolutely right. Movies are for theaters. Home videos are for home. I don’t care how much money they have, they’re just a high end Troma.
    Bird box is a Troma movie, without any style.

    I think there are a lot of movies that only work in the theater, because they need your undivided attention.
     
  19. Deesky

    Deesky Forum Resident

    What about movies that later get released on home video? What difference does it make to a person that never goes out to see a movie theatrically, but just waits to see it on home video/streaming service? There is no difference.

    Seriously? Most movie theaters are a source of distraction, not contemplation!
     
  20. Michael

    Michael I LOVE WIDE S-T-E-R-E-O!

    YES, of course...
     
  21. Michael

    Michael I LOVE WIDE S-T-E-R-E-O!

    disagree... the only reason for him to back that is due to the loss of finances...Netflix 10.00 plus per month...Movie theater? over $10.00 per movie.
     
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  22. Michael

    Michael I LOVE WIDE S-T-E-R-E-O!

    so glad this will be on netflix!
     
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  23. Michael

    Michael I LOVE WIDE S-T-E-R-E-O!

    he's more than rich he's filthy rich! ; )
     
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  24. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host

    That's why ROMA didn't get Best Picture. I don't understand why Netflix didn't release it to some theaters. Makes no friggin' sense. They could have had it all..
     
  25. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host

    There IS no difference. You are right.
     
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