To all movie lovers and future directors,

Have you ever noticed the dramatic evolution of movies over the course of the past century? Now if I were to start this conversation by talking about one of the most iconic silent films such as Le Voyage Dans la Lun (A Trip To The Moon) directed by George Méliès in 1902, or the silent film era, then this would certainly be a long piece. Lucky for you, I'm here to remind you of some of the more recent classics, and how movies have evolved.

Movies dating back to around the 1940s when colored films had just begun to be released were all about dialogue and plot in my opinion. Although these movies were colorful and eye appealing, the main priority was clearly to entertain the audience as if they were at a Broadway show. There would almost always be a scene where a young woman dressed in a lavish outfit, covered in jewels would sing a song to make you fall under her spell. Now if you're an old soul like some consider me to be, than you should definitely know about Abbott and Costello's hilarious routines where the main culprit that steals the show is the dialogue between the two main characters. These movies were not romantic dramas, but instead were comedies, where the two partners in crime focused on silly and clever conversations in short skits. You may even remember Doris Day and her memorable song "Que Sera Sera." Here Doris Day makes you feel as if you’re sitting in the audience right before the Broadway stage as she brings her sweet songs at the center of attention. Did I forget to mention The Sound of Music which takes place where the luscious green mountains of Austria collide, or Mary Poppins where there is no limit to imagination as the main star, Julie Andrews uses her umbrella as a flying device and Dick Van Dyke dances with his entourage of enthusiastic cartoon penguins? And lets not forget North by Northwest starring Cary Grant, a sleek and handsome young man who gets sucked into something much bigger than anticipated. Although the movie has a bit of action in it, it still focuses primarily on the captivating plot which can be most recognized in the intense scene where a crop duster swoops over a corn field in an attempt to take Grant's life.

Back then, there was also a greater emphasis on the credits. Movie credits were introduced in the very beginning of the film, not like today, where though there are some credits in the beginning, they are dwarfed by the constant scroll afterwards, while people are filing out of the theater. Back in the earlier days of motion pictures, the credits before the movies really seemed to set the mood for the show that was to come afterwards. A good example of this can be seen in the famous Pink Panther movies. Not the ones with Steve Martin, but the original series from the 1960s and 70s, starring Peter Sellers in the comedic role of Inspector Jacques Clouseau. In these bright, exciting, whimsical movies, the credits too are exciting and whimsical, and feature an eye-catching pink panther cartoon prancing around the actors’ names in big, vibrant fonts with vociferous Henry Mancini music in the background. Similarly, in the 1969 comedy, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, features an introduction containing gaudy colors and a nice catchy song to get stuck in everyone's head. The way movies were presented, to such an extent that they can be associated with Broadway shows and the fact that they permitted for the credits to be at the very beginning of the movie definitely displays an interesting transition of how the presentation of movies have evolved over time.

Today, movies seem more concerned with the amazing visual effects created with expensive computer generated technology, rather than a concentration on the actors and dialogue. An example most recognizable for this would be in the Journey to the Center of the Earth, first released in 1959 starring David Niven, and then remade again in 2008 starring Brendan Fraser and Josh Hutchinson. The 1959 version reveals the depth of the plot, while the 2008 version consists of multiple scenes with detailed computer affects made to make everything look more realistic. This can be observed in many instances throughout the movie. For example, in one notable scene in the 2008 version, a giant Venus fly trap plant's roots almost strangles one of the main characters. The detail is so clear that you can almost even make out every single sharp ridge on the teeth of the plant. Even though the 1959 version did have some great scenes, the effects weren't nearly as detailed. The plot on the other hand was much more developed, having a clearer and concise ending. Another great example would be The Great Gatsby. The Great Gatsby first released in 1974 with Robert Redford as Jay Gatsby is definitely an interesting film. It does have an intriguing plot that ends dramatically. The plot was well though out, as well as the cast for certain roles. The film was then remade and released again in 2013 with Leonardo DiCaprio as the leading role for Mr. Gatsby. The second times around the effects were much sharper and detailed. It's not the same as watching it on any regular TV at home, it must be seen first at the theatre on a big screen to truly appreciate all of its glory in precise detail. However, the credits were placed at the very end of the movie, on a large slide in a size twelve font, making one feel as if they need to purchase eyeglasses. After everyone had worked so hard to create a movie, their names get posted on a single slide, scroll through a list, and skipped over in the course of five seconds so that the next movie can play in the theatre as well.

There is a distinct transition in the way movies have developed over time. In the early days, they were more fixated on the dialogue and plot while now it's more about the appearance of things with the assistance of a computer and its high-tech affects. The cheery music with a Broadway-like feel that swept viewers off their feet and transported them into another land is now long gone. As technology has increased, the special effects have too. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing is merely up to you, but don't forget that it’s only a matter of time before movies again, change too.