<story><title>Visualization: Movies Are Getting Worse</title><url>http://moki.tv/blog/visual-evidence-movies-are-getting-worse</url></story><parent_chain><item><author>barrkel</author><text>Two things:&lt;p&gt;* I don&apos;t think polarization is a good signal for poor quality; I would rather suggest it means a more niche product, more highly focused. That the niche being served is largely adolescents is unfortunate.&lt;p&gt;* I think big-budget movies have been getting more conservative and predictable, but I would hazard a guess that it&apos;s due to financial industry turmoil and consequently less desire for risk taking.</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>SandB0x</author><text>&quot;That the niche being served is largely adolescents is unfortunate&quot;&lt;p&gt;Ever seen the Poochie episode of The Simpsons? The producers try to boost the ratings of Itchy and Scratchy by adding a ridiculous character designed to appeal to everyone. Near the start of the episode they hold a focus group (text from snpp.com):&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Man&lt;/i&gt;: How many of you kids would like Itchy &amp;#38; Scratchy to deal with real-life problems, like the ones you face every day?&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Kids&lt;/i&gt;: [clamoring] Oh, yeah!  I would!  Great idea!  Yeah, that&apos;s it!&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Man&lt;/i&gt;: And who would like to see them do just the opposite -- getting into far-out situations involving robots and magic powers?&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Kids&lt;/i&gt;: [clamoring] Me!  Yeah!  Oh, cool!  Yeah, that&apos;s what I want!&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Man&lt;/i&gt;: So, you want a realistic, down-to-earth show... that&apos;s completely off-the-wall and swarming with magic robots?&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Kids&lt;/i&gt;: [all agreeing, quieter this time] That&apos;s right. Oh yeah, good.</text></comment>
<story><title>Visualization: Movies Are Getting Worse</title><url>http://moki.tv/blog/visual-evidence-movies-are-getting-worse</url></story><parent_chain><item><author>barrkel</author><text>Two things:&lt;p&gt;* I don&apos;t think polarization is a good signal for poor quality; I would rather suggest it means a more niche product, more highly focused. That the niche being served is largely adolescents is unfortunate.&lt;p&gt;* I think big-budget movies have been getting more conservative and predictable, but I would hazard a guess that it&apos;s due to financial industry turmoil and consequently less desire for risk taking.</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>SoftwareMaven</author><text>&quot;That the niche being served is largely adolescents is unfortunate.&quot;&lt;p&gt;That is the power of the high school date movie crowd at work.</text></comment>