The Theater

Movies are often put into two categories: entertaining, and not entertaining. Movies are also looked at, and maybe more fairly, as either deep or transparent. Ironically, 3-D movies frequently contain less actual depth than movies without this level of technical sophistication. The Tree of Life, a movie written and directed by Terrence Malick, has been reviewed as a movie fitting into the "deep" category (watch trailer here)]. Unfortunately, the high level of depth of this movie seems to link it to the "not entertaining" category by some critics. It's a movie thought to potentially be difficult to sell to an audience, even with its star power of Brad Pitt and Sean Penn. The LA Times says that, "Few prominent releases in recent years present the marketing challenges of 'Tree of Life'".  A critic from Slam Magazine slams the movie by saying that it, "belongs more in the abstract section of an art museum than a movie theater". This brings up the key point, what should be shown at movie theaters? Why is it only appropriate to show movies that are transparent or broadly and obviously entertaining at theaters, and not allow the audiences to see movies with more depth, that involve serious thought? The answer really lies with the consumer. When people do not show their support by buying tickets to a movie, many believe the movie should not be in theaters in the first place. This movie should be considered to be a good movie because it won the highest prize at the Cannes Film Festival, but without winning at the box office it is deemed a failure. It is hard to believe that a movie with this star power, and actual success at Cannes, would not be popular with an American audience. But even if it is not, the movie must still be shown in theaters.

Going to the movies should not be just about kicking back, relaxing, or having a laugh. People should occasionally go to movies to expand their minds. Although one must pay attention for around two hours, it hardly seems like an enormously difficult task. We need to treat some movies in the same way people treat some books - pay attention to every line of dialogue, and look at the movie critically. Although this could seem challenging to some, it's just for a couple of hours, and for many it can actually be an enjoyable experience to think. 

Finally, movies can be shown at movie theaters that are not just comedies everyone can understand. People will go to movies that involve thinking, and enjoy them, even if the bulk of the audience is at "The Hangover 2". Movies are, after all, works of art, and although some really could be shown at the abstract art section at  a museum, all of them should be shown at the movie theater. The movie theater draws  mass audiences to see these works of art, and just like real art, occasionally pushes the viewer to think.