Amongst all the summer franchise blockbuster fare in the theaters there’s an indie movie or two. One of them takes place during the summer and features a water park, so we saw that one – The Way Way Back.
The Moviegoers
A podcast
Episode 15 – The Way Way Back
The Moviegoers 
In Response to “The Way Way Back” installment of The Moviegoers:
I concur. It is not a nostalgic notion to want to see films that have good stories and strong performances. Yes, many are referenced from the past, and so few grace the current big screen. Everyone knows the politics of making studio films, even those marketed as indie. But bottom line, what you are talking about it the quality of a product for consumption. But what about how that product is consumed? I’m not just talking about ticket price, or format. Let’s pause for a moment to think about the privilege that you guys possess just by living in L.A. You live in a city where you have not only your pick of the first run films (whether they are good, bad or ugly is not my point) in a variety of theatrical experiences (IMAX, Arc Light guest speaker series, historic movie palaces like the Chinese theater or the Egyptian), but also all of the revival houses (New Beverly, Aero), prestige screenings and societies (Silent Movie Theater, Royce Hall, LA Conservatory screenings around town, Skirball Center), and not to mention outdoor events like Cinespia and the movies on the Santa Monica pier. Whatever the price of the ticket, no matter the venue, the act of GOING TO THE MOVIES is an extremely advantageous one as Moviegoers. I agree with the thought, “Do I want to pay x amount to see this?” when it pertains to other cities, but in L.A., you can still see a great film or a terrible film (new or old) and still have a good time based on venue. The city has so many options (see above) that the last time I lived out there, I based my choice of which movie theater to go see a first run film in not by the ticket price, or proximity to good parking, but to which one sold the best popcorn! Again, I was choosing to GO TO the movies, and to have an EXPERIENCE. Whether or not I got my money’s worth became irrelevant if I’d have a good experience despite a film not being so great. I also completely agree that current films need to make a return to strong storytelling, well-rounded characters, and engaging scenarios. But as we all know, the product being churned out by studios (even those with stamps of supposed prestige or “indie cred” garnered by approval at Sundance or popularity on the festival circuit) is one that they expect to “put butts in seats.” There is a huge disconnect between quality on screen, and quantity of butts in seats. Sure, the big blockbuster films with big fx sell the promise of an experience, but maybe the actual experience, meaning, the GO TO part of this experience, and what a viewer walks away from that experience with, is what is truly lacking as a concept when films are being optioned, made, distributed, and exhibited to the masses. Instead, TV is winning the race in quality, not just format. Nowadays, more people are talking about TV shows that give them an experience that you want to have with films, but from the comfort of home for a lower price (as you mentioned). Yes, the TV format and flexibility of the TV narrative time line, often allow deeper subject explorations and character development. But the films shown on Netflix and cable are just the same terrible movies content-wise as the terrible films that could have been seen in the theater. In my opinion, both options are depressing ones. Yes, films of quality DO exist, but they need to be made at a more frequent rate as TV, or at least take a hint from that format as to what quality is expected. Again, I don’t think it’s nostalgic to acknowledge or complain about this matter, and I agree with everyone’s viewpoints on the quality of this film as a product-for-consumption in this intense installment of The Moviegoers. But for god’s sake y’all, at least you have options for HOW you get to see films, regardless of their quality. : )