There is an exciting narrative going around about TV replacing film in popular culture.
If there truly is such a thing as peak TV, then we must surely be nearing it.
In other words, we are undeniably in a golden age of serialized storytelling.
In fact,many have said it.For years.
Television is undeniably having a moment, a gilded age of success.
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After all, this is not the first time this sort of thing has happened.
The original golden age of television is roughly designated as the years between 1947 and 1960.
The upstart television medium was forced to make up for its obvious deficits in visual and production value.
Obviously, comparisons between popular entertainment in the mid-20th century and now is not one-to-one.
A film by its very nature is comprised of a beginning, middle, and end.
Even the newest most popular form of television consumption often places three hours as theminimumfor a binge.
Each has crossed $130 million in the U.S. alone based on glowing reviews and word of mouth.
This also will be those movies advantage to be discovered and rediscovered in the years to come.
Conversely, that means they must be all watched in order, from the beginning to the end.
Simply put, short-form storytelling will always be easier to consume than long-form.
The sum is always considered greater than its parts.
This could change the more focused, concise, and, well, cinematic television programs become.
Traditionally, the motion picture is considered to be the directors medium.
Lone filmic stories are thus most influenced by the impact of the moving eye.
Even the best TV shows are not planned by the episode, but usually by the season.
This gives TV its own advantages in developing characterization at a more nuanced pace.
One that is far less reliant on words and subtitles when the language can be purely cinematic.
The result is a nostalgic but singular look reflective of director Damien Chazelles own sensibility.
To take a step further in ambition, Alejandro G. Inarritu has won the two previous Best Director Oscars.
The following yearsThe Revenantis vastly different in subject and theme with its bloodthirsty, relentless primordial Western setting.
In the end, television is a wonderful medium that grows more sophisticated and richer by the day.
But not always, and nor do these ebbs and flows in studio systems last.
It also offers an experience still unique to its format.
