20 Vintage Movies Not Suited For TikTok Brains
The TikTok brain is a term used to refer to how our attention spans are becoming shorter and shorter. It’s reached a level where people can’t focus on a movie without also looking at their phone, or even bother to read the carefully made intros we make for all our articles. A true shame.
In a world without smartphones burning in our pockets/purses, we were able to give our full attention to the other, bigger screens. This is why we’ve gathered these vintage films, to remember a time when movies didn’t have to keep our smaller screens in mind when being developed.
2001: A Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick directed this 1968 epic science fiction film. The visual pacing is notoriously slow, demanding a level of focus that leaves modern audiences reaching for their phones during the lengthy silent sequences in space.
Once Upon a Time in America
Sergio Leone directed this 1984 crime epic starring Robert De Niro. With a runtime stretching for hours, the sprawling narrative requires a serious commitment that most fast scrolling viewers simply cannot muster today.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Clint Eastwood stars in this 1966 Italian epic spaghetti Western directed by Sergio Leone. The famous standoff builds tension at a glacial pace, testing the patience of anyone used to immediate action and quick cuts.
The Godfather Part II
If you sit a 20-year-old down to watch this classic crime film, most of them will be reaching for a screen just 20 minutes in. The methodical pacing requires real dedication to appreciate.
The Bridge on the River Kwai
David Lean directed this 1957 epic war film about the 1942 Burma Railway construction. The slow build of tension and character development demands an attention span that feels increasingly rare in modern moviegoers.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Steven Spielberg directed this 1977 science fiction drama starring Richard Dreyfuss. The gradual mystery surrounding the unidentified flying objects unfolds at a speed that feels entirely foreign to audiences accustomed to instant gratification.
It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
Stanley Kramer produced and directed this 1963 comedy starring Spencer Tracy. Following a colorful group chasing stolen cash, the epic length of this classic comedy is a serious hurdle for anyone wanting a quick laugh.
The Last Emperor
Bernardo Bertolucci directed this 1987 epic biographical drama about the life of Puyi. The sweeping historical narrative takes its time detailing the final days of the Chinese monarchy, requiring true viewer stamina to finish.
Dances with Wolves
Kevin Costner directed and starred in this 1990 epic revisionist Western. Adapted from the 1988 novel, the sprawling frontier story demands hours of your time, making it a tough sell for the highly distracted viewer.
The Right Stuff
Philip Kaufman directed this 1983 historical drama based on the 1979 book. Following the Mercury Seven astronauts, the detailed look at early spaceflight is a slow burn that requires serious viewing dedication to get through.
Fanny and Alexander
Ingmar Bergman wrote and directed this 1982 period drama. Set in Sweden during the first decade of the twentieth century, the heavy themes and deliberate pacing make this family saga a challenging watch today.
The Great Escape
Steve McQueen stars in this 1963 historical war adventure film. Following allied prisoners trying to break out, the meticulous planning scenes build tension slowly, requiring far more patience than modern action movies demand.
Fiddler on the Roof
Set in Imperial Russia around 1905, this musical adaptation follows Tevye the Dairyman. The extensive runtime and deliberate pacing of the traditional songs make it a very long journey for a modern attention span.
My Fair Lady
Following a flower girl taking speech lessons to pass as a lady, this musical is based on a 1913 play. The drawn out phonetic exercises and lengthy musical interludes test the patience of new viewers.
The Shawshank Redemption
Frank Darabont directed this 1994 drama based on a 1982 Stephen King novella. The story of Andy Dufresne takes years to unfold on screen, utilizing a slow narrative that modern audiences often struggle to handle.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Jack Nicholson stars in this 1975 psychological drama directed by Milos Forman. Based on the 1962 novel, the steady escalation of tension inside the mental institution demands a level of focus that is rare today.
All the President’s Men
Alan J. Pakula directed this 1976 political thriller about the Watergate scandal. The careful, step by step journalistic investigation moves at a realistic speed that leaves easily distracted viewers looking for an exit immediately.
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
John Huston wrote and directed this 1948 neo western starring Humphrey Bogart. The slow descent into greed and paranoia happens so gradually that viewers expecting a snappy adventure will be left checking the clock entirely.
The Man Who Would Be King
Based on an 1888 short story by Rudyard Kipling, this film follows two British adventurers. The long journey to a remote part of Afghanistan requires a serious attention span to appreciate the slowly unfolding drama.
A Clockwork Orange
Stanley Kubrick directed this 1971 dystopian crime film based on a 1962 novel. The unsettling atmosphere and bizarre dialogue create a challenging viewing experience that asks for total concentration from start to finish.