Entertainment
How Streaming Services Are Changing the Future of Hollywood
In 1977 with the introduction of VHS and twenty years later with the advent of DVDs, the first real alternatives to going out to watch a movie at the cinemas were presented to the consumers. Even though it was considered to be a game change at that time, years later it has become even more common as it allows for avoiding cinemas altogether.
Since YouTube exploded onto the scene in 2005, streaming services have been steady in how quickly they are being adopted, and over the last few years, the pace of that adoption has only gotten sharper. With the last decade’s trends, movie going became less and less appealing, with new streaming services popping up and joining the competition over the last few years becoming the trend.
The film industry is going through a profound transformation. For example, in 2018, 15% of consumers surveyed preferred the cinema having viewed a movie for the first time, while 28% said that they would prefer to stream it. But with the unfortunate events brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak, cinemas faced major business disruptions caused by lockdowns and the reluctance of people to return to cinemas after the end of the lockdown.
Whether that is a positive or negative development, there is no escaping the fact that streaming has completely changed the film business model including the aspects of movie creation and content consumption by viewers.
How Streaming Services Changing the Hollywood
On-Demand Viewing
In our day-to-day lives, many things seem to have changed, including the way we watch movies. For most of us, on-demand viewing seems to be the most intriguing feature of streaming, as it allows us to pause and fast-forward at any time. Unlike the old TV schedule or cinema release, streaming services let viewers consume content when it is most convenient for them. As more and more people start watching videos, the need to create time to watch movies or TV shows is no longer there.
Binge-Watching Culture
These days, extended watch times are popular thanks to streaming as they have taken root as a phenomenon. The so-called “westerns” have become a staple of how many entertain. Their new models help top-tier shows figure out how to lock entire audiences for countless hours.
Decline in Theater Attendance
The rise of video-on-demand services has caused a huge paradigm shift. Now, movie theatres can’t compete as much with the amount of at-home comfort viewers can find. Although most movies still attract large audiences, many filmmakers rely heavily on streaming services with COVID-19 being a major factor in this shift.
Increased Investment in Original Content
To attract customers, most streaming platforms invest in unique original content. Netflix, for instance, allocates billions of dollars every year to the creation of original movies and series. Such an inflow of finances has expanded the possibilities for filmmakers and brought a wide variation with regard to content.
Diversity and Inclusion
Possibly, streaming platforms are now viewing the inclusion and representation of various groups in the filmmaking arena as a prerequisite. They are known to take risks on projects that do not pass the test of mainstream studio appeal enabling more stories to be told. Consequently, those from minorities are no longer muted and the portrayal of culture within films is more varied.
Accessibility and Exposure
The emergence of streaming platforms has also improved the access of independent film directors to their audiences. The process of distributing films as it has generally been known, which often entails making a film available in cinemas, is different as streaming sites provide easy access to viewers all over the world. This has levelled the playing field and made the industry more inclusive.
The Future of the Film Industry
Continued Growth of Streaming Services
The growth of streaming services cannot be ignored, with many expecting disappointment. With the pace of technological development, users will receive better tools and interfaces. Surprisingly, one of the things that can take content consumption to the next level is virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
Challenges and Adaptations
But the adapting does not come easy. Movie industries operating in film factories have to find new ways to make the audience interested in visiting movie theatres again. They may resort to exclusive experiences that cannot be enjoyed anywhere else. Theatre and streaming releases will have to find some rhythm that will ensure they both turn in sizable profits.
Conclusion
The introduction of streaming services has disrupted, to say the least, the film industry. Not only have they affected the ways in which content is consumed, but they have also had an impact on filmmaking and management.
There certainly are obstacles, but the streaming services have opened up levels of possibility that continuity will provide an encouraging outlook for filmmakers and viewers both. The film industry continually progresses in the same way that society does, continuously adapting to advancements in technology and viewer wants.
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This week’s top new streaming movies include some of the most popular films today, the newest originals from leading streaming networks, as well as other less hyped-up films that many noticed came out in cinemas. There’s a variety of films spanning many genres up in Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Peacock, and Paramount+, many of which are just off their cinematic run. Some recently featured titles are also getting some recognition in the award season buzz.
This week still showcases some Christmas cheer to those impatient viewers who just cannot wait for the festive season. There are several Netflix productions such as Emilia Pérez that are starting to generate some anticipation due to the awards season. This is however the best week of the year for several people as it’s the release week for some of the most smashing blockbusters of the year: Transformers One, Twisters, and Deadpool & Wolverine.
#10 The Last Breath (2024)
Ever since Jaws showed us how interesting a shark movie can be, there has not really been a ‘good’ shark-related film after it which is universally appreciated and leaves a gap or potential like we saw in Under Paris’s recent effort. The Last Breath is an entertaining movie that makes viewers think thrice before entering the water but includes an interesting twist in how it tells its shark attack story. The Last Breath follows a group of college friends on a scuba diving trip in the Caribbean. All goes well until the group decides to investigate a WWII wrecked ship and unbeknownst to them, they are trapped and being stalked by sharks.
It is interesting to note that in The Last Breath, the ocean becomes as much a villain as the sharks in this narrative. The main characters have to make the horrible decision of either drowning in the sunken maze of the ship or getting eaten by the sharks in the confrontation. However, it does make for a suspenseful underwater thriller though still not able to match the Jaws.
#9 Hot Frosty (2024)
When it comes to the Christmas period, Netflix’s catalogue has several good and cozy options that I feel will find their way to people as the familiar annual collection of Christmas rom-coms has already begun in the year 2024. But no other film will probably ever beating the outrageous concept of Hot Frosty. One of the stars Lacey Chabert portrays a widow called Cathy who is not so much of a fan of Christmas and her problems are consistently solved by turning a magic snowman into a hot nice guy.
The movie goes headfirst in this merry premise with Dustin Milligan portraying Jack Snowman providing both humor and charm in the role. Some other comedic actors who feature in the film are also very notable; for example, Craig Robinson plays the sheriff who is trying to get to the root of Jack’s mysterious activities. This creates a wonderful and amusing approach to the festivities.
#8 Return Of The King: The Fall And Rise Of Elvis Presley (2024)
There are many amazing music documentaries in the world today, but there is something special about Elvis Presley that has lasted for several decades and therefore any film of him is worth watching. Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley is an account of an interesting and unique phase in Elvis’ career which transformed him into one of the biggest icons of world music.
The music-focused documentary looks at the era when Elvis’ music stopped resonating with the masses and he was slowly becoming well known as a family entertainer. But Elvis made an unforgettable comeback with an equally memorable television show which earned him the title ‘The King’. The interviews are interspersed with great footage of other legendary artists speaking about their love for Elvis, including Bruce Springsteen, and fans like Conan O’Brien.
#7 Close To You (2024)
After six years of absence from the big screen, Elliott Page comes back with a film called Close to You. Additionally, he made this film after transitioning into the character that he is today. Page returns home to celebrate his father’s birthday in Close to You. During the celebration, he encounters both his relatives and friends and learns how they feel about his decision to become a trans person.
The style of the film is intimate and very loose as if the viewer simply happens to be around the characters as they engage in highly spontaneous and unscripted chats. The page clearly portrays the private side of the ordeal in the film, answering many questions, criticisms or supportive comments which inevitably come in circumstances such as these.
#6 An Almost Christmas Story (2024)
For those still not prepared to settle down with the hour-and-a-half-long Christmas special can check out the shorter festive Christmas film which comes in the shape of An Almost Christmas Story. The animated movie depicts a young owl called Moon who is accidentally caught up in a tree chosen as the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree for the year. While finding his way around the big city, Moon meets and starts talking to a girl named Luna.
Although it is only a short film available on Disney+, there are some big names in the cast of An Almost Christmas Story. An and Two have co-written and directed the short film, David Lowery (The Green Knight) directed the film which was written in part by Alfonso Cuarón. It also features an incredible voice cast that includes Natasha Lyonne, John C. Reilly and Jim Gaffigan. It serves as a nice warm family Christmas collectible for viewers of all ages.
#5 Thelma (2024)
Thelma might be the most underappreciated film of the year; however, with it now streaming at home, new audiences should enjoy this delightful surprise. Oscar nominee June Squibb portrays Thelma, a widow who is swindled out of some money because of her goodness. Determined to show that she can function independently, she sets out to reclaim what was lost.
Although the movie may precisely be described as a revenge flick, it’s really about a woman who cherishes her life and aims to do all it takes to prove that she is not a liability. Squibb is wonderful in the lead role, and she manages to be funny, charming, and sweet all at the same time. Another great performance is given by the late Richard Roundtree as Thelma’s friend who is coerced into participating in the mission.
#4 Emilia Pérez (2024)
Every year, Netflix tries its level best to market one of its original films as an award-winning film during the award season. The film which seems to catch attention this time, and chances to sweep many nominations with it is the hyped musical titled Emilia Pérez. The main cast of the film Zoe Saldaña plays an unappreciated attorney bored of being at a dead-end and is approached by a powerful and dangerous drug kingpin named Emilia. The drug lord wants assistance in staging her death so that she can escape and fulfil her dreams.
The Emilia Pérez movie received a lot of positive reactions after its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival where it also took home the Jury Prize award and Best Actress award which was awarded to the four main actors of the film; Saldana, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz. Mixing music with crimes has never been done before and Emilia Pérez will undoubtedly not only be one of the most talked-about films of the Fall season but will also grab a lot of attention.
#3 Transformers One (2024)
Transformers has had its fair share of highs and lows over the decades as a franchise, but one thing that stood out about Transformers One was the fact that it catered to older fans and was animated. It is a prequel depicting the events behind Optimus Prime and Megatron in their prime friendship, on a planet named Cybertron, yet again, something goes haywire and the friends get all angry at each other and split up because they have got a ‘calling’.
Transformers movie fans have waited a long time for the action to be set in Cybertron and for the Transformers characters rather than the humans taking centre stage. Transformers One feels like accomplishing both and, oddly enough, seems like a good tale about two close friends growing apart. The voice cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry and Scarlett Johansson.
#2 Twisters (2024)
Fresh in the theatres across America, once a blockbuster this summer season is ‘Twisters.’ This movie comes after a long gap of 1996 and this movie was stuck because of the constant change of directors. This movie has a new generation of cast which features Daisy Edgar Jones, and Glen Powell amongst others which definitely excites the audience.
The film is interesting as it nicely ties in with the previous one but brings new levels of destruction as well. Nevertheless, the cast earns the highest praise – actors Edgar-Jones and Powell are among the brightest rising stars of Hollywood including Meryl Streep. They easily make Twisters exceed the expectations of the audience when it comes to storm disasters, which is the whole point of the franchise.
#1 Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
After an explosive performance at the box office which followed up with great audience reception, Deadpool & Wolverine is one of the most desirable streaming releases this year. This is the third movie in the Deadpool trilogy, but the first that puts the Merc with the Mouth voiced by Ryan Reynolds in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As expected, Deadpool did not come to Disney of his own accord, as the film is a multiverse tale with the perfect narrator, Deadpool, and his co-star Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine pursuing their dual motivations to not get wiped out.
It is amazing to watch Reynolds and Jackman bring their characters to life in such blood-filled and laughter-packed light. There are a lot of great action sequences where Deadpool and Wolverine exchange some truly funny lines. Along with Reynolds and Jackman, the movie features plenty of Wolverine and Deadpool & Wolverine cameos which are always guaranteed to be the best moments in the MCU.
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