Timeless Camp Highlight: Madame Web's Memorable Showing
In the chilly confines of a cinema, Will Donahue '24 sat down to watch "Madame Web," the latest addition to the superhero cinematic universe. The movie, directed by S.J. Clarkson, has been met with mixed reviews, and unfortunately, Donahue found it to be one of the worst films he's ever seen.
The year 2023 has been a challenging one for the box office, with movies like "The Flash" and "Indiana Jones" failing to capture audiences' hearts. "Madame Web" seems to follow suit, falling short of expectations.
Donahue, a film enthusiast, believes that the movie's state isn't solely the director's or the cast's fault. Instead, he places the blame on the executives, who he thinks have been rushing productions and compromising quality.
Despite the poor performance of Dakota Johnson as the titular character, Donahue found the earnestness of "Madame Web" remarkable. The movie, he says, is a camp classic, with its serious and wholehearted attempt to cash in on the trend of superhero cinematic universes.
In a surprising twist, Donahue finds "Madame Web" an unforgettable viewing experience, despite numerous theater peeves. The movie was made with extensive reshoots, and many lines of dialogue were dubbed in post-production. To make matters worse, some kids in front of him were vaping during the movie.
The theater itself was freezing cold, a common complaint for cinema-goers. However, Donahue's resolution to see one movie in theaters every week in 2024 kept him from letting these minor inconveniences deter him.
Interestingly, Donahue believes that the movie "Wonka," the only film he's seen in theaters so far this year, is also a mistake. This year, he's only been to theaters once, and the disappointing "Wonka" was the reason for his absence.
Looking back at cinema's history, it's clear that the genre supreme in Hollywood has changed multiple times. In the 1940s, Westerns and movie musicals reigned, followed by a short-lived boom of fantasy movies in the 1980s. Today, it seems that superhero movies have taken the crown.
However, Donahue thinks that another genre is in need of a comeback: Gothic horror. With its dark themes and eerie atmosphere, he believes that this genre has the potential to captivate audiences once again.
As for his drink, Donahue's Diet Coke tasted like water, a small disappointment in an otherwise unforgettable cinematic journey.
