[DanHulton]

Maybe you should try expanding your cinematic repertoire, if that's the impression you have of movies?

I'm saying this genuinely, not to make a snide point or anything. There are some really good movies out there that aren't just "the same beats over and over again." If, say, you're only watching big studio blockbusters, try branching out into smaller dramas, that kind of thing.

[gspencley]

I think what the person you are replying to might be alluding to is "The Seven Basic Plots" theory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven_Basic_Plots

"Beat for beat" might be a bit unfair but even then there are traditional structures such as "The Hero's Journey" that are commonly used by writer's both in and out of Hollywood.

That said, even if structure and a finite number of plots is true, there is still a wide variety of artistic potential from characterization to setting to art style.

I will say, however, that the older I get the more "familiar" things feel. Even when I'm watching non-blockbuster stuff. I'm pretty sure this is just the result of having watched more movies throughout my life. My standards are getting higher and my pattern recognition toolset is widening. And since I have dabbled in writing myself, I tend to recognize formulas when they are being applied ... even if the movie is not a cookie-cutter Hollywood factory-produced summer blockbuster.

[diplodinkus]

The last movie I thoroughly enjoyed was (you're going to laugh and I'm OK with that):

Hardcore Henry

Frenetic, insane, indulgent, madness. Loved it. Can stand most blockbusters, can't stand most dramas.

[kbelder]

I agree. It had serious flaws, and yet joyfully held my attention. Not because of the action, but because it had novelty. It wasn't a bland reshuffling of the same 12 approved characters in the 6 approved plots in the same 3 styles that most movies and shows seem to be permutations of.

A lot of rough edges can be forgiven for just a little bit of mad creativity.