Dear Film,

Hey, it’s me Nick. You remember? We’ve been friends for years, but this year I’ve been concerned. This year you have been different. I know you pretty well, and with a little help you’ll come out of this fine, but I’m getting anxious!

The reason I’m writing you today is because your younger brother, Emmy, had his award show last night, and it made me think. Over the last year I’ve seen television do a great job bringing original stories to life and I was wondering where you were. Now don’t get me wrong, no one loves to watch the Emmys, but I did it. Exceptional talent and writing winning made me happy, but also made me wonder.

The quality on television (if you know what to watch) is outstanding. Breaking Bad has to be one of the most compelling dramas I’ve ever seen, so it was nice to see its two leads, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul pick up Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series wins. Given the best show on television, Dexter, didn’t have its lead win, but John Lithgow won Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series which may have been the best acting in recent memory. (I cannot comment on either of the female winners for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama or Comedy Series because I have never seen The Closer or Nurse Jackie, but if you have positive things to say I’ll check them out.) I’m not a Glee fan, but I love seeing Jane Lynch win for anything. That woman is one of the funniest actresses out there, so Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series is great for her. The same goes for Jim Parsons who’s been amazing on The Big Bang Theory for the last few years, taking home Lead in a Comedy Series.

This brings me to the Outstanding Drama and Comedy Series, which went to Mad Men and Modern Family, respectively. Mad Men took home its third Emmy and it doesn’t look to be handing it over anytime soon; it’s a good show, but, man, it can be slow. But Modern Family!!!! It’s nice to see a truly original series take the cake on this one as well as Eric Stonestreet for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

But forget the awards for a minute, Film. Television has all these great shows; shows about killers, drugs dealers, unique families, detectives, lawyers, doctors… These are all things done a million times, yet television is the one that is giving them a unique spin. It’s the one showing fresh new faces.

Yes, I know TV is different, and what am I doing complaining to you. It’s not your problem. But Film, in a time of such creativity, I expect more from you. You know your potential and so do all of us. We’re not angry; we’re just disappointed. Hope to see you doing better soon.

Love,
Anyone who’s seen a movie this summer