I think that part of the reason this is happening is the move to digital cinematography, which makes this kind of adjustment from raw video files much easier.
Also, moving to digital allows you to basically configure your own "film look" rather than relying on the filmstock that you're feeding into your cameras.
Digital also tends to look a bit more flat and desaturated than film in general. So to make up for that, they make use of strongly direct lighting to cast shadows all over the actors (it's really noticeable on the face) to give depth to the image.
Also, moving to digital allows you to basically configure your own "film look" rather than relying on the filmstock that you're feeding into your cameras.
Digital also tends to look a bit more flat and desaturated than film in general. So to make up for that, they make use of strongly direct lighting to cast shadows all over the actors (it's really noticeable on the face) to give depth to the image.
This Star Trek example is a good one of this: http://www.ramascreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Star-Tr...
There's a massive stage light sitting right off to the left of him.