Here’s the latest from the crossroads of faith, media & culture: 04/28/21

Oscar stumbles to lowest-rated telecast EVER. Hollywood’s in denial – blaming COVID, general audience fracturing and whatever else they can throw out there to explain the debacle – but, while barely ten-million viewers might be pretty good these days for, say, an episode of NCIS, it’s undeniably pretty dire for what’s billed as a once-a-year cultural event that as recently 2014 drew over 40-million viewers. It’s not COVID that’s killing Oscar.

Bill Maher astutely foreshadowed the disaster in his New Rule commentary a few weeks ago on Real Time.

Bill is certainly right that this year’s Best Picture nominees can only be considered “feel-good films” if by “feel-good” you mean they’re created to make Hollywood’s virtue signalers feel good about themselves – and by extension better than you or me.

I did actually see and give good reviews to The Father and Minari in this space because they are, IMHO, good movies. I was particularly impressed by how Minari refreshingly told its story about the struggles of a South Korean immigrant family attempting to start a farm in Arkansas without pinning their problems on racist rural rubes. It portrayed the white southern townspeople as decent folks also struggling to get by. I can’t help but wonder it that (unfortunately) novel approach worked against its odds of winning. Anyway, nobody would call either The Father or Minari lighthearted fare.  Every movie doesn’t have to be – but, come on. Enough with storytelling that, by all appearances, is designed to demoralize us, shame us and pit us against each other. Remember how the Star Wars and Marvel franchises use to thrill (and inspire us) us with swashbuckling tales of good conquering evil. Those days are gone – as oh so dark and supposedly deep storytelling prevails. And, oh yeah, Captain America is now a bad guy.

Wokism is just a new spin on toxic religion. Like any bad religion, Wokism eschews the power of storytelling to lift us up and move forward with kindness, forgiveness and confidence. Instead, like a toxic religion, Wokism plants seeds of shame and/or helplessness for some, intoxicating moral superiority for others and a general fear of the future for everyone. While positive faith focuses on merciful and eternal grace and a brighter future, toxic religion and Wokism constantly talks of original sin (i.e. racism) and a so-called reckoning that without mercy and grace would, ultimately, doom everyone.

If Hollywood really wants to reestablish its connection with the general public, let me make it easy for them. First, don’t hold yourself up as above the people you serve. Go easy on the preaching. Second, we – the audience – want stories that celebrate diversity and show people, in general, working and living together in peace. Stop stoking anger. And stop the America shaming. Our past certainly is far from perfect – but that’s a fact that applies to the entire world. We’re no worse than anyone else and we have a Constitution that is a light for the world. We’re a good country built on sound principles with an historical arc that is in many ways heroic and continuously bends toward tolerance and justice. So, how about producing movies and TV shows that promote a sense of sense of optimism about the future. And, while you’re at it, make healthy comedies that are funny without being mean. Of course, pointed political satire is good – and even important – but human beings know when the line between sharp commentary and viciousness is crossed.

That said, there’s a real market for a wholesome pushback against the judgmental Cancel Culture/censorship and disdain for the general public that is embodied by the current power-hungry nexus of Big Tech, the corporate news media, Hollywood, global corporations, elite “educators”, know-it-all government bureaucrats and opportunistic politicians. It’s a market that was actually created by them – and represents a real financial opportunity for anyone bold enough to seize it. More than that though, gently and without malice pricking the pompous balloons of the powerful is a genuine service to society.

If the legacy media doesn’t snap out of it and start serving the public rather than spitting at it, there is a movement afoot to put more decision-making power regarding what movie and TV shows are into the hands of the audience. More on that next time.
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One big company that seems to be getting it is Netflix. The streamer has been producing a significant amount of material that is actually broad-based and inspiring – offering up a healthy slate of reality shows, scripted series and movies that are both diverse and positive. So, it can done.

Yet another promising entry drops next month, May 27th to be precise. Based on a true story, Blue Miracle stars Dennis Quaid as Wade Malloy, a washed-up sea captain who in 2014 was reluctantly teamed with idealistic Cabo San Lucas orphanage caretaker Omar Venegas (Jimmy Gonzales) and his young charges who are determined win a lucrative fishing competition to save their Hurricane Odile-devastated home.

Reach Records has signed on to be the executive producers for the movie’s soundtrack. The recording will feature original Urbano Latino music from such artists as Lecrae, GAWVI, WHATUPRG, 1K Phew and others. It will release the same day as the film.

Till then, check out the trailer for the film below.