Why are films so dark now? (low brightness)

I remembered watching batman last year and my eyes taking like a full 25 min to adapt and see what was actually going on, this led me to a rabbit hole about why are films nowadays so dark?

Many filmmakers have added this technique to obtain that true to life sensation or “getting the mood”, making the audience actually relate in a way to what the character is supposed to be sensing at the moment.

It also depends on the director’s or cinematographer’s vision for some its just more aesthetically pleasing that way, the lasts seasons on game of thrones got a lot of hate for this same reason and Fabian Wagner (cinematographer) basically said that was the vibe and that it was probably your own fault as a watcher because many people watch it on small screens like iPads or on their phones when its meant to be watched on a B I G screen , he was very silly about this :pp

Another reason can easily just be having a low budget, this economy is crazy

Even though this technique isn’t new as we have seen it on Harry Potter movies and even on the Godfather (1972), so this is HAS BEEN around yet it’s becoming even more popular and darker.

Some shows and movies that have opted for this style have been Euphoria, Blade Runner 2049, Batman, Game of Thrones, and Cruella.

I personally think it only fits the aesthetic of SOME films and shows, definitely it’s not one size fits all

What do you guys think? :p

Rest Energy ( Marina Abramovic & Ulay 1980)

[BACKGROUND: Marina and Ulay were a couple known for their incredible performative art, they were in a collaborative partnership from 1976 until 1988]

Rest Energy is one of their well-known artwork released in 1980. It shows both surrendering the arrow on the weight of their body and the arrow pointing to Marina's heart, they placed small microphones near their heart to record the heartbeat. This performance was on point on demonstrating complete trust.

The entire performance lasted 4 minutes and 10 seconds.

To me Marina Abramovic is one of the greatest and most passionate artists of all time, this is one of my favorite artwork pieces of hers (& Ulay's), I think it perfectly captured the definition of love by completely surrendering to the other person with vulnerability, trust & life.

Lunchtime by Charles H. Traub

Between 1977 & 1980 he traveled around cities like Chicago, New York & even some European cities to take pictures of their inhabitants during lunchtime.

It was also the first comprehensive publication of these striking color images, which were exhibited in the early 1980s in Chicago, New York and Milan.

Puppylove

It's a french film about two 14-year-old girls Diane & Julia. Diane becomes interested in exploring her sexuality so she tries to explore it with her boyfriend but that didn't quite work, she later on leaves him.

she meets Julia, her neighbor, and they become friends. Julia is completely different from Diane, she's open to her sexuality ( a little toooo open since she's 14), she's bold, confident & takes risks, Diane is more shy & fearful

WTV then Julia becomes like her "guide" for it to Diane and they start exploring their sexuality with random guys.

The end might be disappointing but I believe that it has a lesson and growth for Diane

also, I came up with an alternative theory about Diane, yes she could have been just shy but I think that she probably had fear a of intimacy

sadly rotten tomatoes does not have a Tomatometer for this movie but I'll bet it would be rotten

but I'll give it 7/10 fresh tomatoes

The Crush (1993)

This is a film by Alan Shapiro.

Is about a 14-year-old girl that develops a crush on her much older new neighbor. slowly she starts being more obsessive and it starts affecting his personal life and career as a writer.

(I also developed a crush on nick! 🤭)

A fun fact about this film is that this story is based on Alan Shapiro's experience.

He even got sued by the real girl because he used her real name in the film, they had to change the character's name from Darian to Adrian, and you can even hear a bit of the editing for the change of names at some scenes of the movie.

This was also Alicia Silverstone’s debut movie :)

Also, from the clues given in the film and through research, Adrian had BPD which by knowing some BPD characteristics and now being aware that she struggles with it makes the film make more sense and it gives you more of Adrian's point of view.

I wonder if that was added to the movie or did the real-life Adrian struggled with it too.

rotten tomatoes gave this film a ROTTEN 4/10 rating

I give this film a 9/10 :)