This time of year, among other things, is the time when we watch and reflect upon Home Alone. Released in 1990, Home Alone is one of the best examples of a movie whose plot is no longer possible due to technological change—particularly due to the advent of mobile phones and the internet. The plot revolves around Kevin McCallister's inability to communicate with his family who accidentally leave him behind on their holiday vacation; all Kevin needed to do to fix his problems, in theory, was make a phone call, which he couldn't do because a storm had knocked out his house's land line (never mind that he was able to walk around the neighborhood and visit the grocery store). Imagine this premise even a decade later: Under any imaginable circumstances, Kevin would have been in near-constant communication with his family via multiple platforms, which may not have solved everything, but would have certainly reduced the tension that drives the movie and gives it dramatic weight.
#74: Separation Anxiety
#74: Separation Anxiety
#74: Separation Anxiety
This time of year, among other things, is the time when we watch and reflect upon Home Alone. Released in 1990, Home Alone is one of the best examples of a movie whose plot is no longer possible due to technological change—particularly due to the advent of mobile phones and the internet. The plot revolves around Kevin McCallister's inability to communicate with his family who accidentally leave him behind on their holiday vacation; all Kevin needed to do to fix his problems, in theory, was make a phone call, which he couldn't do because a storm had knocked out his house's land line (never mind that he was able to walk around the neighborhood and visit the grocery store). Imagine this premise even a decade later: Under any imaginable circumstances, Kevin would have been in near-constant communication with his family via multiple platforms, which may not have solved everything, but would have certainly reduced the tension that drives the movie and gives it dramatic weight.