Rebel Without a Cause is one of those films that gets glowingly praised whenever it’s mentioned. It’s one of those films that always lands somewhere on ‘Best.Films.Ever.’ But I thought the film was ridiculously silly, even given the time period it came from. James Dean is in an angry snit because his father happens to wear a frilly apron? GASP! And get this, Natalie Wood’s father objects to her…wearing makeup! OMG! It’s no wonder they became juvenile delinquents coming from the shockingly dysfunciional homes that they do!! These kids all come across as snotty overpriviledged brats and I couldn’t care less about their alienation from their parents. IMO, Dean was merely OK in this film, but I don’t see much evidence of the iconic blockbuster talent he was supposed to have. (I liked him much better in “Giant.”)
Another ‘great’ film is Intolerance. OK, yes some individual scenes are spectacular set-pieces, but the film as a whole is an often plodding, repetitious mess. The overlapping storylines just become redundant (the Hugenot massacre in particular seems superfluous), the cruxificition of Christ storyline is just plain pretentious, and there are far too many doe-eyed, hapless, waifish damsels in distress who need rescuing to care about (My favorite character by far is the very liberated Mountain Girl from the Mesopotamia story, who stands up for herself). Plus, it’s really hard to swallow the message of the film, the earnest pleading for tolerance & acceptance of our fellow man, given that it comes from the same director who just years earlier made one of the most blatantly bigoted, racist movies ever made.
So, what ‘Great Classics’ have you seen that IYHO don’t seem all that great?
While I thought the story was very good, Citizen Kane drove me crazy the few times I saw it. His use of deep focus — not a first in that film, by the way — was always calling attention to itself, his symbolism was heavy-handed (remember when a “shattered” CF Kane walked into a hallway filled with mirrors and we saw many Kanes?). I haven’t seen the film in decades so I can’t provide as many examples as I would like. Basically, great story, overdone storytelling.
I’d have to start with Dali & Buñels “L’age D’or” I figured that if it was banned for 50+ years that it must have some real disturbing images. Other than one scene with a deformed hand, it was pretty tame. The couple constantly interrupted while trying to get it on was kind of funny in its own way, but overall the movie lacked the weirdness of “Un Chien Andalou” and wasn’t as interesting as Buñels other films.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington – trite and completely unrealistic.
2001 – maybe I needed to watch this in the 60s and be on acid, but there were only a few parts that I liked.
Brokeback Mountain – I just didn’t give a damn about either of the characters, turned it off maybe an hour in.
Born on the Fourth of July – Left me feeling like I needed a mental Brillo pad.
Platoon – I know I wasn’t in the target audience for that movie, but still… meh. Just meh. I don’t remember anything about it; I still think “Full Metal Jacket” is a superior film.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think it’s a bad movie. The acting is fantastic. The dialog riveting.
But.
The whole story, the characters, the theme were so…alienating. I hated all of them. I couldn’t stand watching the movie. I wanted out. Once it was over, I was thrilled, because I would never have to watch it again.
I didn’t like:
-APOCALYPSE NOW-thought it was silly!
-HEAVEN’S GATE-thought it was stupid!
-DANCES WITH WOLVES-although I LOVE the score!
-ERASERHEAD-terrible!
Oddly enough, I find myself liking the late 50’s “studio disaster”-type films; stuff like BEN-HUR, and AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS
I’ll second the vote for 2001
Other titles that just never did it for me:
Fargo - it was a well done movie, but about as entertaining as watching paint dry.
Fiddler on the Roof. I love the soundtrack, but couldn’t get into the movie.
I sort of felt that way, too. The one character who I felt actually redeemed it for me was Al Paicno’s character, Ricky Roma. He’s as bad as the rest, but he’s actually engaging and doesn’t come off as pathetic or slimy or…well, creepy as the rest of them. The scene where Jack Lemmon comes to a man’s house and is trying to get him to buy property…it just makes my skin crawl to watch.
Another movie like that for me, but on a greater scale, is Welcome to the Dollhouse. I’m not sure it’s considered a great film, but a lot of people talk about it, it’s well known, etc. It’s not that I consider it a badly made movie, per se…it’s more the fact that there is literally nothing redeeming about it. It depressed me, and I was very glad I’d never have to see it again.
I recently saw Breakfast at Tiffany’s and wanted to slap both main characters, her for being a shallow, materialistic gold digger and him for putting up with her.
I couldn’t stand The Matrix. I have no problem suspending disbelief when there’s no belief expected, but when the film goes out of its way to try to explain something, only to explain it in a way that makes. no. goddamn. sense, it makes me want to go cry.
Another vote for The Godfather as enjoyable but not particularly great. Same for Goodfellas.
