ain't right

If you are going into a movie with low expectations, then I have to wonder why?  If you're going into a movie with high expectations, then you're more likely to be disappointed if your cinematic taste buds have developed at all, and for the crop of folks who were born after 9/11, I guess those cinematic taste buds may take awhile longer to develop if they ever do at all since so much of what's come out has been plastic.  The nice thing about movies -- the good ones -- is their ability to entertain you despite the cruelty they depict.  I guess as this nation/culture adapts an attitude of "there's nothing wrong with me", the more they embrace what further wrongs lurk deep inside of themselves, and thus can accept that in other people.  I don't think it's gotten to that point as of yet.  There's still an army of God-fearing people in this world to provide a glimmer of The Holy Spirit within society as a whole.
Films like BOOGIE NIGHTS --- even though the writer didn't seem to have any message to convey, I found large parts of it to be rather disturbing, but nonetheless the pretty visuals and the storybook feel of it all kept me hooked.  It's not until the film gets to wrapping up that you finally realize the film had no message.  In a way, I suppose that's not such a bad thing.  The fact that the film came out when it did I think gives it the perfect time test.  You can feel the spiritual pulse of society by seeing how it reacts to watching BOOGIE NIGHTS.  Does the film still disturb people today?  How will people react to it 50 years from now?
Thankfully Martin Scorsese is still making movies.  He's one of the few genuine talents who hasn't lost his touch.  I wasn't impressed with SHUTTER ISLAND, but on the other hand, not every movie he's made was a sensational hit.  He's made several movies that barely made a blip on the radar.  THE KING OF COMEDY, KUNDUN...I personally didn't think much of AFTER HOURS, although many people feel that way about BRINGING OUT THE DEAD, which is one of my favorite movies ever.  And then he's got "Just okay" movies that were kinda overhyped.  CASINO, GANGS OF NEW YORK, etc.but I truly did enjoy THE DEPARTED...I haven't seen THE WOLF OF WALL STREET, but I might give it a try one of these days.  I'm greatly looking forward to that movie about missionaries in Japan with Liam Neeson...I do wonder if that's still moving forward...gotta check on that I guess.
Anyway...Just got me thinking b/c I have to wonder about the standards of people who have so much fundamental criticism of a movie like 2016's GHOSTBUSTERS and then try and defend it like "It's not terrible."  BATMAN & ROBIN isn't terrible.  No movie that costs $100M+ is going to be terrible.  That still doesn't excuse the lack of greatness that Hollywood is providing us.  The talent is there.  If Hollywood had an application process, I'd say they're not hiring.  But that's not the case.  They are hiring.  They're just being very lazy in who they hire.  They aren't looking for people who will get the job done right.  They're just looking to get the job done and the end result is Hollywood being a con artistry...how many times does one get fooled before they start sharing the blame?