Commentary: Looking a Little Harder for Great Movies

Does it seem like every movie that comes out is either part of a big franchise or the superhero universe? You can probably relate if you are like me and live in a not-so-big city where the only movies that come through are typically said franchise films.

Maybe I’m jaded and it’s not like I don’t watch them, but I just don’t get that excited to see yet another franchise/Marvel/DC flick … unless it’s part of the “Mission Impossible” family. I mean, let’s be honest, great movie making is great movie making! 

So, if you feel the same as me, what do you do? Independent or art house films are always an option, but if you don’t live in a city big enough to support a well-run indie theater, you can either road trip to a bigger city, which is fine sometimes. Or, you’re left with rolling the dice on an unknown and most likely unreviewed movie on a streaming platform.

It’s not like good films aren’t being made, it’s just that way too often Hollywood doesn’t get behind them like they used to, opting instead to promote movies with established brands.

But I have good news! There are filmmakers still making good movies and even at the studio level, which do show up in megaplexes and even multiplexes in smaller areas. If you do your homework, you will realize that yes, there are still true artists that want to make something that hasn’t been seen before or that is totally different from what you are used to seeing.

There are filmmakers that have the power to get their project through the system and avoid going direct-to-video — movies that will reach a big multiplex in a smaller town. But you have to pay attention and pounce because oftentimes they are only there for about a week or two.

Let’s take a look at a few recent examples:

Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” 

Filmmaker Ryan Coogler has the Midas touch. Every film he has made at the studio level has made money and sometimes insane amounts.

To be upfront, he has been part of the Marvel Universe with “Black Panther” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” which together have pulled in about $2 billion bucks worldwide. He was also part of the “Rocky” franchise and made “Creed,” which some people think is the best of all the “Rocky” films.

But I digress, those were great films and he is truly a gifted filmmaker, but in my opinion, his best film just came out recently and it was his own creation. 

“Sinners” is a vampire period piece that has not only broken records at the box office, it’s averaging 97% on Rotten Tomatoes when it comes to both critics and audience scores, incredibly rare. It’s a beautiful movie that is an absolute clinic in filmmaking execution – great script, cast, direction, music and set design. And it’s all Coogler — written, directed and produced by. Check out anything he puts out!

Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” 

Then, there is last summer’s “Challengers.” The film stars Zendaya opposite two more obscure actors in Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist. The film is an intense love triangle drama based in the world of professional tennis.

That one-line concept on its own was probably not an easy sell to studios. It’s got a young cast, great dialogue and a few racy scenes. It also has incredible action scenes on the tennis court. Director Luca Guadagnino keeps an incredible pace in this story, so, even if you’re not a fan of tennis or young attractive actors in a love triangle, it totally keeps your attention and keeps you guessing. The music is almost like a character in the movie, emphatic but complementary and not overbearing, especially in the tennis scenes. 

Almost anything from A24 Studios

This is more of a general category but A24 makes movies that look like they could be from a different time when Hollywood made much cooler, edgier films at the studio level. They often have a retro aesthetic and look more cinematic, visually.

But with A24 it is also about the script and direction which are usually spot on. Just in the last few years, the studio has put out films like “Past Lives,” “Aftersun,” “The Zone of Interest,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “The Iron Claw” and most recently “Warfare,” which is the best war film I’ve ever seen. They’ve also put out horror films like “Longlegs,” “Midsommer” and Best Picture winner “Moonlight.”

Every film they do might not be your cup of tea, but they’re all masterfully executed and solid works you just don’t see from other bigger name studios very often. 

Don’t give up, there are still excellent movies available that might even make it to your local theater if you look for them.

Editor’s note: For more movie and entertainment talk, join Pete Schwaba weeknights from 6 p.m. to 8 p .m. for “Nite Lite” on the Civic Media radio network.