# Films you love but others don't "get" in the same way **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 23, 2003, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579 "2003-12-23T02:26:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2003, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/101 "2003-12-27T18:28:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lawn Mower \* > \*\ ***Kung Pow** > Awesome movie. It is quite possibly the Stupidest movie ever made, but thats what makes it so funny. Most people would just turn this one off. If you liked **Monty Python and the Holy Grail** you would probably like this one too. \*\* Agreed. I didn’t think I would like it because it was so stupid. It was stupid, but quite funny, particulary the incredibly gratutious Taco Bell Product placement. ---
**Author:** ![labmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f19dbf/32.png) [@labmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/labmonkey)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2003, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/102 "2003-12-27T19:40:55Z")
**Buffalo '66** I thought this was a great film, most people I know just found it depressing, it probably dosent help that Vincent Gallo is also the director of **The Brown Bunny**. **Henry and June** My ex and I considered it our favorite “bad movie we love” I think my love of Miller’s writings probably shortcircuited my inner critic, even allowing me to ignore the medicore(and at times downright bad)acting, or maybe it was just the love scenes between Uma Thurman and the actress who played Anais Ninn… ---
**Author:** ![RNWebner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@RNWebner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RNWebner)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/103 "2003-12-27T20:05:19Z")
Waterworld. Great premise, great production value, and overall a great science-fiction story. ---
**Author:** ![Lawn\_Mower](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8dc957/32.png) [@Lawn\_Mower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lawn_Mower)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2003, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/104 "2003-12-27T20:22:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by HPL \* > \*\*Agreed. I didn’t think I would like it because it was so stupid. It was stupid, but quite funny, particulary the incredibly gratutious Taco Bell Product placement. \*\* By far that and the famous quote “Up and Over!” Bam :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Joan\_of\_Argghh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/58956e/32.png) [@Joan\_of\_Argghh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joan_of_Argghh)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/105 "2003-12-28T00:21:02Z")
**Don Juan DiMarco** 'nuff said. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/106 "2003-12-28T02:10:20Z")
**Number Six** , my take on the scenes you mention is that we are seeing the world from Halsey’s deluded perspective. Is he really on the ground talking to police while Ryder revs the truck engine? Or is he in the truck the whole time and just imagining the rest? Ryder’s “I want you to stop me” line says to me that the Halsey/Ryder character is contemplating suicide, but can’t go through with it. Anyway, the film is particularly appropriate for this thread. Nobody else “gets” the movie the same way I do (except maybe Leonard Maltin). ---
**Author:** ![Leechboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Leechboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leechboy)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/107 "2003-12-28T02:12:27Z")
I’ve spent a good deal of the last four years trying to tell the other students in my cinema class about the work of Hal Hartley. In particular his golden run from 88 to 96 which included The Unbelievable Truth, Trust, Simple Men & Amateur. But most people stall at the first step: getting used to the idea that his movie have a distinct acting style that doesn’t go for realism in any way shape or form. ---
**Author:** ![kallie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/77aa72/32.png) [@kallie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kallie)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/108 "2003-12-28T03:12:51Z")
I always have to watch Freeway and Evita alone. ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/109 "2003-12-28T05:17:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miaz \* > \*\*I too, know and love this movie. It was injected periodically into my childhood as I grew up, but I never could remember the title so my attempts to describe it made all within earshot disbelieve it could ever exist. > > **The Adventures of Baron Münchhausen** is mine. Many people I know hated it, but it was always dear to me, especially the surreal kingdom on the moon, which I absolutely fell in love with specifically because of how Gilliam handled it with the straining budget, which really made it better than other lavished sets, although they were still exceptionally done. The story of the Baron’s fantasy world in the midst of reality makes it one I’ll never grow tired of. \*\* I love that film. Actually, All of Terry Gilliam’s films have that certain wonderfulness about them, that sense of dark fantasy mixed with reality. I only wish “The Man who killed Don Quioxte” had come off… ---
**Author:** ![Kaitlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/73ab20/32.png) [@Kaitlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaitlyn)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/110 "2003-12-28T08:03:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by spoke- \* > \*\ ***Number Six** , my take on the scenes you mention is that we are seeing the world from Halsey’s deluded perspective. Is he really on the ground talking to police while Ryder revs the truck engine? Or is he in the truck the whole time and just imagining the rest? > > Ryder’s “I want you to stop me” line says to me that the Halsey/Ryder character is contemplating suicide, but can’t go through with it. > > Anyway, the film is particularly appropriate for this thread. Nobody else “gets” the movie the same way I do (except maybe Leonard Maltin). \*\* Rutger Hauer’s explanation of who/what Ryder is, from an internet chat transcript on his web site: > [@](#): > > Rutger The Hitcher, to me, is a phantom. Come to life out of the desert dust. He doesn’t know many things. He knows he is a sick man and wants one helping hand to eliminate him. Put him back where he belongs. Dust to dust. He prays&begs&pushes the kid, never contemplating that the kid is so “good”. And you know what? He wasn’t completely dead in the end and it just appears that way. Appearances. That’s so great in film. You only see what we allow you to see. Beyond the edges of the frame there is. This explanation along the same lines is the most satisfying one I’ve come across, and it’s a pretty good match for what Hauer says is going on: > [@](#): > > It’s the hitcher’s motives that provide the puzzle in this film. One possible explanation for his behavior is that he has totally divorced himself from his conscience, and by externalizing it in the form of Howell (who he may suspect is too weak to stop him), has passed on all responsibilities for his actions so that he can commit his violent acts with abandon. As he realizes that Howell is too soft a touch, he toughens up his campaign. Which turns out to be bad news for anyone Howell comes into contact with. But a more intriguing idea behind Hauer’s motives is that he is a latter-day Flying Dutchman, doomed to wander the hellish desert roads from one end to the other. When investigated by the police he is found to have no past record, driver’s license, or any means of identification whatsoever. He has seemingly come from nowhere. The name he gives Howell upon their first meeting is the obviously pseudonymous “John Ryder”. Has he found a way to end his curse - or worse, pass it on - by goading Howell to end his life? (When he places coins on Howell’s eyes, he is suggesting that he is damned). Significantly, during their final confrontation, Hauer drops a chain to the ground and smiles: he is free at last. Read the complete review [here.](http://estraven.silverday.net/hauer/reviews/extras/hitcherrev.html) ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/111 "2003-12-28T08:18:18Z")
I absolutely loved _Ishtar_. The writing is good, with some wonderfully funny lines (“Run, you smuck!”), and the acting is great. I think this got panned because, for the producers of the movie, the film was a huge financial loss. It went a zillion dollars over budget, and the modest–but not awful–ticket sales couldn’t offset the costs incurred in making the movie. I also loved _The In-Laws_ (“Serpentine, Shell!”) which few other people seem to have heard of, let alone like. ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/112 "2003-12-28T08:32:08Z")
Guess I have a thing for costumes… “ **Swashbuckler** ” c1976 " **Robin and Marion**"also '76 And shear stupidity, “ **Wayne’s World** ” 198? **Joe’s Apartment** 199? **Airplane!** 198? All of which my family pretty much refuses to watch. ---
**Author:** ![Chanteuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de053/32.png) [@Chanteuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chanteuse)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/113 "2003-12-28T15:32:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lawn Mower \* > \*\ ***Kung Pow** > Awesome movie. It is quite possibly the Stupidest movie ever made, but thats what makes it so funny. Most people would just turn this one off. If you liked **Monty Python and the Holy Grail** you would probably like this one too. \*\* I laughed myself sick over this movie! I also just LOVE _High Strung_, another Steve Oedekerk film! _Noises Off!_ and _The Full Monty_ are a couple of my faves that not everyone seems to like. ---
**Author:** ![Chanteuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de053/32.png) [@Chanteuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chanteuse)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/114 "2003-12-28T15:39:04Z")
Oh, and another “thumbs up” for these flicks: _Mars Attacks The Emperor’s New Groove Tremors Rustler’s Rhapsody The Big Hit Ishtar_ These were all terrific, IMO! ---
**Author:** ![Spoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c57346/32.png) [@Spoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoot)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/115 "2003-12-28T19:29:55Z")
I recently rented both “Breakin’” and “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo” on DVD. It’s only a matter of time before I get around to checking out “Beat Street”, “Krush Groove”, “Wild Style” and other classics in the breakdancin’/spray paintin’/pre-thug/early rap genre. “Rappin’…rappin’…this movie just had to happen…” Geez, I just get goosebumps thinking about how Turbo showed that uptight ballet guy Frank what real dancin’ was all about. “Ain’t no stoppin’ usssssssss!!!” ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/116 "2003-12-28T19:37:04Z")
**Number Six** , I would love to hear the director’s commentary on this movie. (Has a DVD even been issued with commentary?) Hauer’s comments are interesting, but not definitive. After all, Harrison Ford and Ridley Scott disagree about the correct interpretation of Blade Runner. I may be a minority of 1 in my reading of the film… ---
**Author:** ![Kaitlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/73ab20/32.png) [@Kaitlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaitlyn)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2004, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/117 "2004-01-01T06:49:08Z")
Yes, there is a version of _The Hitcher_ with a variety of commentaries on it, including the director and writer, which should lead to a definitive answer; however, this set is available only in region 2. I would say that Hauer’s comments are definitive as to how he played the character, but though you are correct that this is not a definitive answer to question of what the interpretation intended by the director/writer was, it is evidence. In any case, it’s clear we’ll just have to agree to disagree. I think you’re seeing something that isn’t there, but I’ve done the same thing, so I’ll leave you your pet theory. As for the Harrison Ford / Ridley Scott disagreement over _Blade Runner_: [spoiler]If you accept Scott’s explanation that Deckard is himself a blade runner, it would still make sense for Ford to believe that Deckard was human while playing him. If Deckard believes himself to be human, Ford believing this would lead to a more effective portrayal. My favored interpretation is that in the theatrical version, Deckard is human, in the Director’s cut, he’s a blade runner being covertly operated by Lt. Castillo.[/spoiler] And for the movie I “get” in a different way than most, I decided to use a play. Watch _Hamlet_, but go into it with the assumption that Prince Hamlet actually is crazy and his uncle an innocent victim of the Prince’s madness, and it’s almost a whole new story. ---
**Author:** ![Already\_in\_Use](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@Already\_in\_Use](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Already_in_Use)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2004, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/118 "2004-01-01T13:10:51Z")
The Beatles’ _Magical Mystery Tour_ has everything: the amazing “I Am the Walrus” sequence, hilarious absurdist comedy, a guest appearance by the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, and the best love scene ever committed to film (Buster Bloodvessel and Aunt Jessie). I don’t understand why it flopped so badly. ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2004, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/119 "2004-01-01T15:17:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Risha \* > > I laughed like crazy all through **A Mighty Wind** , but everyone I was with thought that I was nuts. Oh, I loved this movie! Mr. singular and I were even lucky enough to catch the cast on tour here in Seattle last month - it was wonderful! The DVD makes the best concert souvenier ever! Put me down for a huge fan of any Christopher Guest film. It’s one way I can judge someone’s character - you didn’t get **Waiting for Guffman**? Chances are, we won’t be going to the movies together… > [@](#): > > Movies I can watch over and over again: > > **Mystery Men** I was shocked to hear Ben Stiller and Artie Lang dissing this movie on a Howard Stern repeat this week. I get a huge kick out of it. Of course, I’m instantly drawn to any movie that has Tom Waits in it, especially with a Blame Thrower. ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2004, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579/120 "2004-01-01T15:52:47Z")
Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb… I personaly find the directing, acting, camerawork, pacing, comedy, etc etc of this film pure brilliance… but I think that what is commonly refered to as “MTV generation syndrom” has affected my family. I plan on setting my best friend down with it, and if she does not like it then it is settled… but I really do not know how a person could not like this movie! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/films-you-love-but-others-dont-get-in-the-same-way/220579.md?page=7)