Maybe you’ve noticed. The current cinema seems to be stuck in a rut of remakes, inane superhero sagas, and mostly nothing NEW. How many more Batman films do we need? How many more versions of Agatha Christie mysteries can we bear? Did anyone else notice that Black Panther is very similar to The Phantom?
So, as a public service, I present seven ready-to-use high concept ideas. And, all of them are “based on a true story.”
1. Noted American female athlete gets arrested in a belligerent foreign country for alleged drug possession. Will she regret her anti-American statements? Will diplomacy save her?
2. A worldwide pandemic is traced back to a shadowy Asian country, and this same country also supplies the requisite face masks. Meanwhile, top American health officials dither and suppress presumably cheap and effective therapies. But, essentially all mention of the disease stops when a European country is invaded.
3. A career politician for almost fifty years, with no significant accomplishments—and a penchant for being wrong—becomes president. However, even though his failing cognitive abilities are obvious to everyone, this is hardly mentioned in the elite media. As one crisis follows another, what will happen to America?
4. A female politician with no discernible talents and a sketchy personal history becomes vice-president. She continues to embarrass herself and the country everywhere she goes. Despite a non-critical media, something’s got to give. What will be her final mistake?
5. In the wake of quickly-rising energy prices, no thought is given to increasing domestic energy production. How high can gas prices go before the public demands action? Will a new superstar politician emerge from all of this?
6. Political correctness and woke sensibilities have crippled free speech, with academia being among the worst offenders. What will inspire students to remove their self-imposed shackles?
7. “Educators” seem unduly interested in matters of sexual identity, even trying to introduce these concepts to the youngest students. Worse, they want to fight off any objections by parents, and have engaged the federal government to help them. Will parents rebel?
Okay…These ideas may not be as high concept as “Snakes on a Plane,” but you’ve got to admit that some of them would be more interesting than the umpteenth iteration of Batman.