I was disappointed when Netflix paid for Scorcese to make The Irishman. No actual real movie studio would give Martin Scorsese enough funds to make a mob epic? So one of the architects of the death of cinema bails out one of the greatest Directors of time. There was a time when studios made Art. Producer’s obviously want to make a profit or they will be back parking cars in LA. But studio’s used to take risks too. Every pile of popcorn movie was balanced by a Chinatown. Nowadays the fear of dropping a risk on something that reaches outside whatever is in this year’s zeitgeist paralyses the decision makers. Too much info all the time. Trends, offended people, what might be cool in six months? Cinema has always been two headed monster of contradiction. Art vs commerce. Two things that should never be next to each other. One is fed by internal conflict and sacrifice, the other by rage and shortsightedness. So we watch an endless array of similarities and remakes. The remakes? First you remove anything from the original idea that might be considered writing. Then you release it in 27 formats in the cinema for two weeks. Throw it on streaming in the highest definition possible so people will buy it but never actually own it. Finally you release overpriced physical media in steelbooks., collectors editions, here’s a small toy that looks vaguely like the main character in your film. If it shows a shiver of success we are bombarded with sequels that are the definition of diminishing returns. Of course there are some truly gifted Artists working in the movie business. Ari Aster & Robert Eggers with their breakthrough hits Hereditary and The Witch respectively. Their work is left untouched mostly thanx to A24 studios and Neon to name a couple. In a world where the talentless are famous for shopping, complaining and talking a load of shit for whoever is willing to give them money. True artistry is pushed down to art house definitions and limited releases. I love streaming and all the independent artists are able to show their efforts for all to see. Good or bad! But if an industry is no longer willing to finance the art and only think of the return, then you’re not a business anymore. You’re a leech to artistic endeavor!