Re-Porter Blog: The Porter Report #4 (Year -End Post)

 

    Hello followers!!! Congratulations on making it to the end of 2020. I think it's an understatement to say that everybody is very much relieved to be just about over and done with this year because...people are just about over and done with this year. Under normal circumstances, this would be the day that I would give you 5 top five movies of the year and get you prepped and ready for the new films coming next year. However, the way the world is right now has changed a lot of what would be thought a fun-filled year at the cinema. Even now, the amount of uncertainty in the air makes the possibility of getting that event type atmosphere back pretty scarce for the time being. Don't get me wrong, I will still try to get a 2021 top 10 list to you as per usual. But for this post, I wanted to take a look back at this year and how it fundamentally changed and or could change blockbuster filmmaking going forward. 

The amount of emotional baggage that has piled up over these past 365 days has been stressful, depressing, infuriating, and just downright tiring. Despite some progress being made to get us out of the hole we are in, which is pretty encouraging, it's obvious things could take a while to get back to a sense of calm and normalcy if that is even possible anymore. One of the big things that we lost this year was the theatrical experience. After 2019 brought us so many memorable films, I and a lot of other theater dwellers were eagerly anticipating what the next crop of theatrical blockbusters had in store. Thennnnn COVID-19 happened and any and all plans for seeing movies in theaters were all but lost.

Mulan and Tenet were once looked at as the  

tentpole releases that would get us back to the theaters. 

Ultimately, Mulan streamed exclusively on Disney + 

while Tenet released to theaters as

 intended with middling box office returns. 

The pandemic's chokehold on the movie theater industry this year is pretty staggering and quite depressing. With the chaos of an unraveling world enveloping our every waking hour, it can be damaging to the psyche and the spirit to be around all that negativity for an extended period of time. The theatrical experience offers a chance to escape in the literal sense and get lost in worlds on larger than life screens. Sadly, COVID-19 hit putting any and all plans for theatrical outings on indefinite hold. Its effects are still being felt even hours before the new year rings in. The year that saw three high-profile blockbusters that were headlined by women both behind and in front of the camera (Mulan, Wonder Woman 1984, Black Widow) being all but lost with one going to streaming, one releasing during the holiday season, and one ultimately pushed back to the still uncertain 2021 release calendar. Marvel Studios was depressingly MIA all year marking the first time since 2009 that the studio didn't release a tentpole film in the MCU series. In addition to that, Warner Bros Pictures sent shockwaves through the industry announcing that every film (and I mean EVERY FILM) in the studios 2021 lineup would release simultaneously on HBO Max and in theaters. It's a double-edged sword to be sure. One that could have positive and negative effects moving forward. On the one hand, this ensures that all the movies in WB's lineup for next year will release on time and in theaters that are operating. Conversely, this inevitably causes a rift between the studio and the filmmakers who intended to show their projects exclusively in theaters.

Wonder Woman 1984 and Soul found themselves indirect 

competition with each other over Christmas Day. The latter garnered critical acclaim despite 

being a Disney + exclusive and the former 

released to moderately mixed reviews while also

 being the official launching pad of a slew of Warner Bros Pictures 

releasing simultaneously in theaters and the HBO Max Streaming Service. 

I for one see it from both sides. From the filmmaker's standpoint, it's a pretty rough blow to know that you set out to make a film that most people could potentially choose to see a home when you really want them to see it on the biggest screen possible. That said, some of these films that are set to come out next year cost a pretty penny, and keeping it on the shelf and or pushing it back could mean trouble down the road. Especially in a time where the industry is in a serious financial drought. If theaters are not open, streaming is the last resort to get your project out there for the world to see. A ton of the films in Warner Bros lineup (some of which will be on the top 10 tomorrow) ranges from anticipated installments of established franchises to the launch of potential new ones. A lot is riding on these movies and if a simultaneous theatrical and streaming release is the way to go, then so be it. If the film is quality, then the format shouldn't matter. 

But just to be clear, there are a bunch of movies that will debut both in theaters and via streaming that I will automatically choose to see in theaters because of the scale of the film. As they say: some movies are meant to be seen on the big screen. But the fact of the matter is, we just don't know. Hell, all of my 2021 most anticipated movies could get pushed back or sent to the streaming in just a matter of a few months. This is what 2020 has given us the most. Uncertainty, confusion, anxiety, and a new landscape to adapt to. Overall, the future seems both bleak and bright at the same time. I'm optimistic that the theatrical experience can be salvaged but I'm not oblivious to the changes that have occurred just this year alone. 2021 certainly has questions around it but hopefully, it will be the beginning of a renewed sense of security and joy not seen since the early part of 2020. 

Before I close out this post, I actually did get to see some films this year. 4 to be exact. I wanted to give you my thoughts on the cinematic experiences I did have this year despite the limited visits to a cineplex.

Pete Doctor's first film since the incredible Inside Out is a movie that has really stuck with me long after viewing. The gorgeous animation aside, the film's message about not letting the passions you want to make a living off of keep you from actually living is poignant, layered, heartfelt, and complex. Pixar always excels at blending high-quality storytelling telling with engaging nuance and this movie is no exception. A treat to watch from start to finish. 

 

Christopher Nolan's latest film was one of the most thrilling and confusing blockbusters put to screen this year. A commanding performance from John David Washington made him a star on the rise I can wait to see him light up the screen this decade and the action was bombastic and pulse-pounding even if the script made you more confused than engaged. Overall, I'm happy to say I caught this one in IMAX making the experience all the more memorable. Tenet was a great reminder of why streaming services can't match the gravitas and ambiance of the cinematic experience. 

Ironically, Onward was the first and last film I saw before COVID-19 shut down the world. A fun and heartfelt film that had plenty of laughs and a ton of heart, the movie proved to be a solid addition to the Pixar portfolio despite not quite living up to the monumental standards of its studio predecessors. Overall, this was a vibrant road trip I thoroughly enjoyed and would never be against taking again.

Wonder Woman's latest endeavor has been marred with controversy over the past few days. Whether it's a genuine dislike for the overall product or people unfairly holding it up to the standard of its genre-breaking predecessor, I appreciate Wonder Woman 1984 for what it is: a fun, vibrant, and surprisingly emotional follow-up to the 2017 blockbuster. Gal Gadot continues to shine as the DC cinematic franchise's brightest star and exudes the swagger and confidence fit for a leading lady. It is in no way a perfect film or sequel. But it's the type of escapist outing that is both welcome and needed. 

Despite the difficult year it has been, I’m still thankful that we were able to get through it all. I've never been more ready to turn the page and start anew. Until we see each other in the new year, have a wonderful and safe NYE!!!