I agree with the assessment of almost every movie mentioned in this thread that I’ve seen (which does not include: The Hurt Locker, The Godfather, Citizen Kane, Philadelphia Story, His Girl Friday, Maltese Falcon, Apocalypse Now, The Graduate, Alien, or Treasure of the Sierra Madre)…but not Breakfast at Tiffany’s or the POTC movies. Those I can, and have, watched over and over again.
But most of these movies…I have trouble seeing what others love so much about then.
Let me add:
Lost in Translation
Broken Flowers
The Darjeeling Limited
Jesus God, why were those three even made? They barely have plots.
**Brokeback Mountain **- people describe this as if it’s some great love story. I saw very little romance or love in the movie at all. I saw two repressed people who hooked up once a year for some no-strings-attached sex. Yes, it was tragic that they felt they couldn’t be out and open about who they were all the time. But the movie showed virtually no intimacy between the charactes other than physical intimacy. It seemed to equate sex with love.
It was still better than Crash, but I would have chosen Good Night and Good Luck or *Munich *for best picture that year.
I think if you don’t find the base story of Charles Foster Kane’s life interesting, then you aren’t ever going to be able to do more than appreciate Citizen Kane. I think the movie is fascinating and have watched it a dozen or so times, but I get that it isn’t for everyone. I think watching the commentary is a great idea too.
My additions, Magnolia was self indulgent over long tripe, and every Darren Aronofsky film before Black Swan.
I don’t enjoy Boogie Nights. I would’ve been kicked out of film school had I admitted that. I just never get drawn in. It’s not a poorly made movie or anything, just don’t enjoy watching it.
I’ve also never managed to get through Gone With the Wind and I downright HATE Chicago.
Fargo: I found some parts of Fargo so distasteful. And I thought it was dull, to boot. I didn’t laugh at what I was supposed to laugh at, but that’s just me, a minority.
Pulp Fiction: Thought it was just appalling. (see above). I did laugh at the ‘watch story’, though!
The Godfather and Pretty Woman: I find neither the Mafia nor prostitutes appealing/comical, nor do I empathize with either.
Sleepless In Seattle: the deli scene was just idiotic and revolting and spoiled the whole movie. For me.
You all already got a few of them: Casablanca (not terrible, and my favorite decade for talkies is probably 1932-1942 [wash my mouth with soap, I forgot some Lubitsch in at the outset of the 1930s]), just not that great a picture IMHO. I never would have thought to mention Breakfast at Tiffany’s. But I agree. Love George Peppard. Love Patricia Neal. Horrible, horrible, horrible movie. I blame that hack writer, and also Mancini for that POS tune. Yes, I read the novel. It was also a POS.
Also, anything Gregory Peck was in. Not a good actor, didn’t make wise decisions concerning which movies in which he might have salvaged his career (in my eyes). Never understood why he was considered some kind of big wheel. A lot of shit, as far as I’m concerned, and I’ve seen more movies than just about anyone who isn’t a professional. He can go suck a donkey, for “Cape Fear,” and for “Moby Dick,” for starters.
If so, I agree; I never understood why Meg Ryan pretending to cum in her britches in the middle of a crowded restaurant (and the old lady with the “hilarious” deadpan line “I’ll have what she’s having…”) was supposedly SO revolutionary, edgy, and empowering to Oppressed Women Everywhere, at least to hear some people (Oprah, et al) tell it…
ETA—I should add that the scene didn’t offend me in the least, it was the fact that it has been trumpeted as one of the most important moments in Cinema History since it first came out, and I just don’t see it.
I don’t think it’s considered a great movie but Office Space bored the hell out of me. I think the problem was I saw it late, so after years of hearing how amazingly funny it was I built my expectations up.
Once a guy almost punched me because I told him I didn’t like Solaris (this was back when there was just one version of Solaris). I didn’t like the remake either, but at least it provided the eye-candy of George Clooney. I am a big SF fan, but both of these movies just left me cold. Cold and bored.
I’m glad you did before I tested the waters. It just got a meh from me. I didn’t like the pacing (true for a lot of 1970s movies), and the themes just did not resonate with me. Maybe you had to be there.
I also thought Gladiator was awfully trite. I don’t always need subtlety, but it felt like someone wrote that script using a Syd Field book (nothing against the author).
I loved Fargo for its simplicity. The kidnap plan, the way it was fumbled up, and I especially loved the way they made the sheriff, a pregnant woman. AND her pregnancy has nothing to do with the plot. Not only is she totally competent, but her pregnancy is only incidental to the plot