NEW BOOK: The Slow Dissolve - The Deterioration of the Mainstream Hollywood Movie

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"They just don't make 'em like they used to" has been a common refrain among cinephiles for years, but the phrase seems even more relevant when applied to the top-grossing films of the last few years. Why exactly is that? Where did the breakdown between classic cinema and our blockbuster-centric culture take place? Why are legendary directors expressing their displeasure at mainstream blockbusters? How have the methods and motivations of moviemaking changed over the past century? How has the language of cinema changed? And why do mainstream movies seem so much less personal, impactful and meaningful than ever? How have movie genres evolved? Almost every recent major blockbuster movie is some mixture of action, fantasy, and/or science fiction. Whatever happened to the mainstream drama? The mature adult romantic comedy? The high-grossing western? The musical? Is there any hope for a return to the days of meaningful, personal, challenging mainstream films? And most importantly, what is the impact that our blockbuster-buying, franchise-obsessed movie culture is having on the coming generation of movie fans and filmmakers? By comparing the movies of the past with those of the present, The Slow Dissolve addresses these questions by looking at the evolution of genre, plot, message, and the director's role over the course of the past hundred years of moviemaking. Everyone, from classic movie buffs to film history newbies, will find this book both thought-provoking and inspiring, forever challenging what you see when you sit down to watch a movie.