Hey guys, it’s Chloë, and today we’re diving deep into something that’s not just a hobby, but a true passion of mine—movies! Whether you’re a casual viewer who just loves a good flick after a long day or a full-on cinephile who analyzes every frame and explores film theory like it’s your job (hey, no judgment here), it’s hard to ignore just how much movies have shaped the way we think, feel, and experience the world.
From the very first moving pictures that captured our imaginations in the late 19th century, to the Hollywood blockbusters that have become global phenomena, movies have come a long way. And in that time, they’ve evolved from tiny experiments into full-blown cultural forces that spark conversation, challenge societal ideas, and sometimes, just give us that much-needed fun escape from reality.
Movies are more than just entertainment. They reflect who we are as individuals and as a society. They’ve opened up worlds of possibility, introducing us to characters and places that have become part of our collective identity. Think of all the iconic lines, the unforgettable soundtracks, the moments that made us laugh, cry, or jump out of our seats in awe. They bring people together, whether it’s watching a film with family on a Sunday afternoon or debating your favorite movie with friends over dinner.
On this blog, Chloe Does Stuff, I explore all the ways movies connect to life, from the big screen to our daily lives. From their impact on pop culture to their role in shaping social movements, movies are so much more than just a pastime. Today, I want to take you on a journey through their incredible history, so buckle up! It’s going to be a wild ride through time, filled with all the magic, drama, and history that cinema has to offer.
The Birth of Cinema
It all started in the late 1800s when two French innovators, Auguste and Louis Lumière, made history with a film that was as simple as it was revolutionary. The film, Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory in 1895, is often regarded as the first true motion picture in the history of cinema. Now, when you watch it, it’s hard to imagine that something as simple as a group of workers casually strolling out of a factory could be the spark that ignited an entire industry. But, this brief, yet iconic scene, marked the birth of cinema as we know it today. Here’s a link by the Science and Media Museum with a more in-depth article about the Lumière Brothers for those of you who want to dive deeper into their story.
At first glance, Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory may seem trivial or even mundane. It’s nothing more than a few seconds of everyday life—a simple, unremarkable moment in time. But that’s precisely what made it so groundbreaking. This was the moment when we first witnessed life through the lens of a camera, captured and projected in motion. And it wasn’t just about recording a slice of life for the sake of it; it was about creating something entirely new—a new form of human expression that would allow people to see and experience the world in a way they never had before.
Not long after the Lumière Brothers captured the first moving images of everyday life, another visionary filmmaker, Georges Méliès, completely transformed the potential of cinema. In 1902, Méliès released A Trip to the Moon (Le Voyage dans la Lune), and with that, he opened up a whole new dimension of storytelling. While early films were focused on documenting the world around us, Méliès’s creation proved that movies weren’t just about reflecting reality—they could take us to entirely new realms, allowing us to travel to the farthest reaches of the imagination. With its whimsical narrative and innovative visual techniques, A Trip to the Moon was an invitation to dream, offering audiences a fantastical journey that had never been seen before on film.
What made Méliès’s film truly groundbreaking wasn’t just the story itself—it was the way he brought it to life. Méliès was one of the first filmmakers to experiment with special effects, using techniques like stop-motion, double exposure, and trick photography to create a world that defied the laws of nature. He was able to make things disappear, transform, and appear out of thin air, all with a level of creativity that had never been seen before in cinema.
Silent Films and Big Emotions
From the 1900s through the 1920s, silent films took center stage, marking a defining era in the history of cinema. Without sound, filmmakers had to get incredibly creative, relying on visuals to tell their stories. They leaned heavily on exaggerated physical acting, expressive gestures, and inventive camera techniques to convey emotions and plot. This period was a golden age for visual storytelling, as directors and actors experimented with how to communicate meaning without the aid of dialogue. It was during this time that some of the most iconic silent films were born, many of which continue to inspire filmmakers today.
One of the standout films of this era is The Kid (1921) by the legendary Charlie Chaplin. Blending slapstick comedy with deeply emotional moments, Chaplin showcased his unique ability to evoke laughter and tears without a single spoken word. His portrayal of a lovable
At the same time, filmmakers like F.W. Murnau and Robert Wiene were crafting eerie, atmospheric films like Nosferatu (1922) and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920), which would go on to define the horror and psychological thriller genres. These films were groundbreaking for their ability to evoke fear and unease through minimal dialogue, relying instead on mood, lighting, and visual metaphors to convey the stories. The haunting, otherworldly visuals in Nosferatu and the unsettling, distorted set designs of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari created immersive, nightmarish worlds that stuck with audiences long after the credits rolled. This period gave rise to the psychological horror and supernatural thrillers that are still highly influential in the genre today.
Enter Sound: A Game-Changer
When The Jazz Singer was released in 1927, featuring synchronized sound for both music and vocals, the film industry was transformed overnight. The introduction of sound to cinema marked a monumental shift, allowing movies to carry not just images, but voices, music, and even the ambient sounds of a bustling street. The arrival of the “talkies” made storytelling far more immersive and emotionally engaging, adding layers of depth to the cinematic experience. Suddenly, characters’ voices could carry the nuances of dialogue, music could enhance the mood of a scene, and the soundscape could transport audiences directly into the world of the film.
The power of sound and dialogue quickly became an essential tool for filmmakers, offering new ways to convey mood, character, and emotional depth that silent films could never achieve. With sound, filmmakers could explore more complex narratives, and actors could fully express their characters in a way that was previously impossible. The Jazz Singer didn’t just break technical barriers—it opened the door for a new era of filmmaking, where sound became as crucial to storytelling as visuals. If you’d like to dive deeper into the significance of this film, here’s a blog with more information on The Jazz Singer: Alan Crosland The Jazz Singer 1927.
Soon after, Hollywood entered its Golden Age, filling screens with iconic films like Gone with the Wind (1939), Casablanca (1942), and Citizen Kane (1941). Citizen Kane is often called one of the greatest films ever made, not just for its groundbreaking cinematography, but also for its innovative narrative structure and layered storytelling. These movies helped define what cinema could be—big emotions, groundbreaking visuals, and unforgettable stories that stick with us long after the credits roll, becoming cultural touchstones that continue to influence filmmakers today.
Movies in a Changing World
During World War II, movies played a powerful role in boosting morale and spreading ideas. Documentaries like Frank Capra’s Why We Fight series informed and inspired audiences, providing essential context for the war effort. Simultaneously, films like Chaplin’s The Great Dictator (1940) fearlessly tackled global politics through satire. Chaplin’s iconic performance as both a dictator and a Jewish barber demonstrated the power of film to challenge oppressive ideologies, while still providing audiences with entertainment. These moments highlight the dual role of movies—both as a tool for propaganda and as a medium for resistance.
In the post-war years, films took on a darker edge with the rise of film noir. These films, like Double Indemnity (1944) and The Big Sleep (1946), explored crime, betrayal, and the gray areas of morality. Film noir wasn’t just about the shady dealings of detectives and criminals—it was also a reflection of the anxious, post-war society grappling with trust, power, and corruption. This shift showed how movies reflect the anxieties and mood of their time—and still do today.
For more on how movies impacted things during these hard times, here’s a great read: An Unknown Ally: Hollywood’s Role in World War II.
Technicolor and the Spectacle of the 50s
The 1950s ushered in a new era of bold colors and sweeping epics. Movies began to look more vibrant, with Technicolor adding a richness that dazzled audiences. Musicals like Singin’ in the Rain (1952) became a beloved staple, with their catchy tunes and vibrant performances. Meanwhile, epic adventure films like Ben-Hur (1959) set new standards for scale and spectacle, winning multiple Oscars and cementing the role of cinema as a place for grand stories.
At the same time, attitudes were shifting. Movies like Rebel Without a Cause (1955) captured youthful rebellion, addressing the struggles of teenagers in a way that was groundbreaking at the time. These films spoke to the tension between generations, offering a voice to the youth culture that was emerging across the globe. Hitchcock’s suspenseful thrillers—Rear Window (1954) and Vertigo (1958)—kept viewers on edge with psychological twists and innovative camera work, solidifying Hitchcock as the master of tension and thrill.
Breaking the Mold: The 60s and 70s
As the 60s and 70s rolled in, the old studio system gave way to bolder, more personal filmmaking. Directors like Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather), Martin Scorsese (Taxi Driver), and Stanley Kubrick (A Clockwork Orange) broke the rules, telling darker and more complex stories that reflected the times. The 60s and 70s were defined by a sense of experimentation—films were no longer just for entertainment, but for social commentary, self-exploration, and pushing boundaries.
The Rise of the Blockbuster
The Rise of the Blockbuster
The 80s and 90s were defined by larger-than-life movies that became pop culture staples. Films like E.T. (1982), Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park (1993), and Titanic (1997) were not just box office hits—they became defining cultural moments. These movies weren’t just successful in their time—they helped define entire generations.
But it wasn’t just spectacle—John Hughes gave us heartfelt teen stories like The Breakfast Club (1985), while horror legends like Wes Craven and Stanley Kubrick were creating unforgettable nightmares, shaping the way we think about terror on the big screen.
And on the indie scene? Directors like Quentin Tarantino and Kevin Smith were shaking things up with films like Pulp Fiction (1994) and Clerks (1994), proving there was room for fresh, unconventional voices. These indie films resonated with audiences who were tired of the formulaic blockbusters, giving rise to a new wave of cinematic creativity that could still pack a punch at the box office.
A Global Perspective
By the late 90s and 2000s, international cinema began to gain wider recognition. Films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) and Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) brought global storytelling to mainstream audiences. These films showed that great stories could come from anywhere in the world, breaking through barriers of language, culture, and geography.mainstream audiences.
That trend continued, leading to groundbreaking moments like Parasite (2019) winning the Best Picture Oscar, highlighting the growing influence of non-Hollywood films on the global stage. This shift signaled the importance of diverse voices and stories in shaping the future of cinema, encouraging filmmakers to look beyond traditional Hollywood conventions.
The Streaming Revolution
Today, the way we watch movies has completely shifted. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ have changed everything, allowing indie films, international cinema, and blockbusters to reach audiences at home. Streaming services not only made films more accessible but also gave smaller, more niche films a chance to find an audience they might not have reached in the theater.
While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has become the modern-day blockbuster factory, creating a shared universe of superhero films that continues to break box office records, smaller films and streaming originals like Roma and The Irishman are proving that artistry and spectacle can coexist. Streaming has made it possible for films to be more experimental, more diverse, and more accessible, democratizing the filmmaking process in ways we’ve never seen before.
Why This Still Matters to Me
Movies have always been there for me—comfort on tough days, inspiration when I’m feeling stuck, or just a great way to share laughs and tears with friends and family. The magic of cinema lies in how it reflects life but also helps us escape it for a while. Whether it’s the joyful exuberance of a musical, the gritty realism of a drama, or the thrills of a good action movie, film allows us to experience emotions and stories that might feel out of reach in everyday life.
I started Chloe Does Stuff because I wanted a space to share that love with others who feel the same way. Whether you’re geeking out over the technical brilliance of Citizen Kane or just rewatching Mean Girls for the hundredth time, movies matter because they connect us. They allow us to feel things we might not normally experience, and they give us a shared language through which we can communicate with each other.
If this glimpse into movie history has you curious for more, I’d love for you to check out the rest of my reviews! I cover everything from films and TV shows to books and music—so whether you’re hunting for your next favorite binge, a must-read novel, or a playlist to vibe to, you’ll find plenty to explore. To check out all my reviews click down below and see where your next obsession might come from.
If you’ve enjoyed hanging out here and want to keep reading more about my thoughts, feelings, and general movie musings, I’d love for you to stick around. for my next blog post where I dive into movie genres and chat about the kinds of films I’m most likely to review next. Click down below to check it out.