Films Most People Like or Love But Which I Hate...
Submitted by BuckGS71 on Wed, 06/20/2001 - 03:47
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- - Easy Rider: Maybe it's because I'm excrutiatingly cynical towards the whole peace/love/hippie thing, but this movie was an exercise in the kind of self-indulgence that burned out the hippie movement. I'm sure it was great then, but it's ridiculously outdated now.
- - Meet Joe Black (1998): Wow, one of the most BORING films I have ever seen. I saw it on a recommendation from my mother-in-law who swore this movie was profound. Yeah, profoundly dull!
- - The Talented Mr. Ripley: I take it back: this is the MOST BORING film ever made. Just when you think this film is taking off somewhere, it just stops and lurches onto a next scene. This is one of those films that has a world of promise but just doesn't deliver.
- - 9 1/2 Weeks: I just couldn't get into it at all. Mickey Rourke was just much toooooooo creepy, and Kim Basinger too vapid for me to find their sexual relationship fascinating. It tries too hard to be an 80's version of "Last Tango in Paris", and fails at that.
- - Titanic: Okay, I know this is going to sound like a cheap shot, but I have to admit that I liked it at first viewing, but the more I've seen it the more I realize this was a relentlessly silly film, with some of the most wooden acting this side of any film starring Keanu Reeves (oops, another cheap shot).
- - Natural Born Killers: Granted, most people I know really hate this film (this is the only film I have ever walked out on), but for the select few who think this is a deep, insightful look at the media's glorification of violence and the sensationalism of its' aftermath, I say it's a horribly irresponsible shoot-em-up poorly disguised as social commentary.
- - Singin' in the Rain: I just can't get why folks think this is one of the best films ever made. For starters, I can't stand musicals, and when you're breaking into song every few minutes, you lose me. I dunno, call me cynical, but feel-good movies make me feel anything but good. Abused, perhaps, but not good.
- - Fellini Satyricon: Every great director deserves a misstep (Scorsese:"Kundun", Hitchcock:"Torn Curtain"), but this psychotic mess Fellini got away with for the sake of "art" is completely inexcusable. This film is a mess, and don't let pseudo-arthouse post-modern free-think wannabee tell you there's hidden meaning to this piece of shit (which I still can't tell you what it's about). All I recall is it's neither visual stunning nor emotionally reaching, trademarks missing here which are usually found in Fellini's films. This film represented the end of Fellini as we know it.
Hey, Buck! Good thing you didn't slight anything I really liked or I'd be throwing off the gloves.
Re: Easy Rider. I think it's crazy to fault a film for accurately representing the time in which it was made. I don't know see it can be "great" at one time and then over the years lose it's "greatness" if nothing has been added or removed from the film.
Re: The Talented Mr. Ripley. I think this film delivered on everything that it promised. Based on Anthony Minghella's work in The English Patient I would have guessed this movie would be slow paced and ultimately not have much in the way of story.
Re: Natural Born Killers. I don't that the raves that this film received from some critics (e.g. Roger Ebert) were quite what it deserved but I do think this film had something to say and said it quite well within it's confines. By your reasoning are you saying that you hate a film that you didn't even finish watching? And what exactly was so irresponsible about this movie? Are you saying that filmmakers should self-censor themselves?
Re: Singin' in the Rain. "For starters, I can't stand musicals" and you couldn't stand this one either. So basically what you are saying that any musical that is considered good and that you would watch would end up on the list. Is that correct?
Thanks for contributing. I'll keep my eyes open for your future contributions.
Re: Easy Rider. I guess I was horribly disappointed by this film, hence the harsh tone I take with it. I suppose part of my dislike for the film has to do with the fact that it just doesn't translate very well 30 or so years after it was made.
Re: The Talented Mr. Ripley. I have read the novel many years before the film, and I know we're all supposed to accept the fact that most novels don't translate well onto the screen. But I must disagree with you on your suggestion that it delivers on its promise. I just felt that with every pivotal scene, I was left hanging. Of course the characters were all vain and shallow, but even the most vain and shallow characters can be compelling, and other than Jude Law's character, I felt absolutely nothing for any of them.
Re: Natural Born Killers. My mistake: I should have mentioned that I did end up watching the rest of the film later on video, and I felt the same as I did in the theater. I don't have a problem at all with violence even if its presented in a gratuitous manner (i.e., anything having to do with Ah-nold). I just felt Oliver Stone was trying to shock his audience, but his results left a really bad taste in my mouth.
Re: Singin' in the Rain. Yes, I do hate musicals. I hate the fact that some great B/W comedies from the 30's & 40's felt it necessary to break into a meaningless song and dance number at any given point. So, yes, I realize this may ruffle some people's feathers. Some people hate "Casablanca". Fair enough. I'm having those people rounded up and questioned...
I don't feel too strongly about most of the movies on this list. While I liked both Meet Joe Black and The Talented Mr. Ripley, I can easily see where they might have gone the other way depending on my mood. I haven't seen 9½ Weeks, but I've never liked Mickey Rourke, so I can't imagine I'd disagree with you on this one.
I guess the only one I do feel kinda strongly about is Singing in the Rain. Funny thing is that I generally agree with you about musicals. I often find it distracting when characters just burst into song (Disney movies would be an exception, I think because the animation already distances them from "real life"). One of the reasons I liked Singing in the Rain is because all that singing fits into the plot. If I recall correctly, the plot drives the singing. That, and I thought it was very funny, and I was impressed by the sheer athleticism of the actors. And c'mon, "Make 'em Laugh"! Great stuff!
I love lists like this because of the conversations they tend to spark. Welcome to Listology!
interesting list. I can not agree with a lot of your opinions, but I love the brashness and confidence in your delivery.
Hard to tell you are from the East Coast, cynicism runs oh so rampant up our way. "I dunno, call me cynical, but feel-good movies make me feel anything but good. Abused, perhaps, but not good." love the comment but cant agree as I am one of those who thinks Singin is one the best movies of all time.