Dammit! Demand more from film people!

Rating: 1/10 (28 December 2001)

I've been a Tolkien fan for many years and a lover of film for more years than that. Here's what I have to say about it.
Stop accepting another's interpretation of a literary work and start demanding originality and quality in all media. Things shouldn't have to be wrapped up in a nice neat 'film-book-music-fast food promo-fan mag-toy' package to be enjoyed. Adaptations should be spurned, not praised. Enjoy a good film, enjoy a good book, but don't require or allow them to be homogenized.
Stop accepting eye-candy as cinematic genius. Stop identifying special effects as good film on it's own. Demand character and plot development. Demand intelligent dialogue and exposition instead of silly taglines and "here's what's happening" lines. Demand acting above just smiling, crying, and scowling. How about some complex emotions?
I'm not saying there is not room for a cheesy movie now and then, but don't champion them as pinnacles of the medium.
Remember or imagine what a film could be. Don't pay $9 to go sit in front of the television for 2-3 hours. Demand to be challenged even a little bit. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! For those of us who care! If you keep paying to go see mediocrity, they'll keep making it!