# I boycott top 10 movies. Am I alone? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 25, 2008, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720 "2008-07-25T10:40:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/1 "2008-07-25T10:40:22Z")
When the world tells me I “have” to see a movie it brings out the rebel in me. “THE DARK KNIGHT IS THE MUST SEE MOVIE” means I won’t see it. I’m a contrary bitch, I have never seen any of the Jurassic Park lot. I have never seen any of the “Lord of the Rings” (I could be kicked out of the country for that!). I have never seen any Batman movie at any time. I have never seen Titantic. I have never ever seen ET. Am I alone in being contrary and anti BLOCKBUSTERS or are there any others who veto movies JUST because they are so popular (yes POOR FOOL ME!). ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/2 "2008-07-25T11:12:05Z")
Moved from IMHO to CS. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/3 "2008-07-25T11:16:48Z")
I avoid movies in general, but especially blockbusters, because I know they’re going to be dumbed down past even the lowest common denominator, plus apparently nobody in Hollywood can pull their nose off the mirror long enough to come up with any new, original characters or plots, and the majority of actors and actresses are simply hired for their looks and have nothing more than that to offer. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/4 "2008-07-25T11:17:32Z")
[QUOTE=Frank] Moved from IMHO to CS. [/QUOTE] I considered CS and then decided it was more a poll with me in the minority. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/5 "2008-07-25T11:32:27Z")
Can’t say that I’m with you on this. While I probably don’t watch a lot of the top 10 blockbusters, actively avoiding them because they’re popular seems as shallow as trying to be in on what everyone is doing just because it’s the popular thing to do. It reminds of the proto-goth clique (this was still the '80s) in high school that deliberately did the opposite of whatever the cool kids were doing. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/6 "2008-07-25T11:51:40Z")
[QUOTE=Sublight] Can’t say that I’m with you on this. While I probably don’t watch a lot of the top 10 blockbusters, actively avoiding them because they’re popular seems as shallow as trying to be in on what everyone is doing just because it’s the popular thing to do. It reminds of the proto-goth clique (this was still the '80s) in high school that deliberately did the opposite of whatever the cool kids were doing. [/QUOTE] Exactly! It sounds truly pathetic. I am not now (shit I’m 41) nor have I ever been any kind of goth, nor have I been some part of a cliche that decided not to see those films. I just have some silly message in my head that decided “they didn’t appeal”. In my defense I am a big reader and I loathe fantasy and science fiction. I think I decided if I wouldn’t read it I wouldn’t watch it…that doesn’t explain Titanic though. ---
**Author:** ![Vihaga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Vihaga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vihaga)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/7 "2008-07-25T12:21:58Z")
I usually know which movies I’m planning to see well before they come out, so it would be pretty silly of me to change my plans just because a movie I was planning to see anyway is popular. (For example, I haven’t seen The Dark Knight or Hellboy 2 yet, but I know I want to see them because I like comic book movies. I’m still planning to see both this weekend, if we have time.) Why would you let something’s popularity influence whether you see it? I’m not trying to be insulting, just wondering what the motivation is. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/8 "2008-07-25T12:49:48Z")
In general, I avoid movies with a lot of flashy special effects. I prefer quieter, deeper movies (I’m really more of an “indie” fan) that highlight acting abilities over artificial stuff. Don’t get me wrong…I love a “quality kill”…I just prefer a realistic approach most of the time. That said, I hear Batman is really good. The press I’ve read says it relies less on special effects than most Summer Blockbuster films, so I’ll probably check it out. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/9 "2008-07-25T13:02:03Z")
I watch movies form all ends of the popularity spectrum and see good and awful movies represented all over. I will say that most of the movies I really love are movies most of my friends have never heard of. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/10 "2008-07-25T13:08:22Z")
[QUOTE=calm kiwi] When the world tells me I “have” to see a movie it brings out the rebel in me. “THE DARK KNIGHT IS THE MUST SEE MOVIE” means I won’t see it. I’m a contrary bitch, I have never seen any of the Jurassic Park lot. I have never seen any of the “Lord of the Rings” (I could be kicked out of the country for that!). I have never seen any Batman movie at any time. I have never seen Titantic. I have never ever seen ET. Am I alone in being contrary and anti BLOCKBUSTERS or are there any others who veto movies JUST because they are so popular (yes POOR FOOL ME!). [/QUOTE] This is quite possibly the stupidest thing I’ve ever read. Congratulations, you have my pity today. Top 10 pity at that. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/11 "2008-07-25T13:19:58Z")
You’re saying you avoid blockbuster movies only, right? “Top ten” to me usually means critics’ top ten list kind of stuff - there can be overlap, but if you avoid critically acclaimed movies _and_ popular stuff, the only movies you’re going to see are poorly-made crap. Although at least the theaters will be mostly empty and you can put your feet up. [QUOTE=calm kiwi] Am I alone in being contrary and anti BLOCKBUSTERS or are there any others who veto movies JUST because they are so popular (yes POOR FOOL ME!). [/QUOTE] I’m pretty contrary about this stuff too, but I know to keep that impulse in check - otherwise you end up missing out on stuff you would have enjoyed just because other people might like it too. 😛 It doesn’t make sense. I do avoid a lot of popular stuff, often because I get annoyed at the hype - I didn’t see an episode of Friends until around 2003, for example, and the first Seinfeld episode I ever watched was the finale. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/12 "2008-07-25T13:44:18Z")
It sounds like you see an advertisement for a movie saying “Must see our huge blockbuster” and you start screaming back at the TV “screw you! I don’t have to listen to you!” as if that’s a justifiable reason. All advertising works like that. “Buy our brand, everyone’s doing it.” “ooooh hells no. I’m not buying from you.” “Thanks for making us the number one radio station in the city!” “what the F? Time to switch channels!” Imagine if everyone were contrary for the sake of being contrary. Then no one would see the movie. Then everyone would realize that no one was seeing the movie and decide that they had to see the movie because it’s no longer popular. You’d be like those Star bellied Sneetches in the Dr. Suess book ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/13 "2008-07-25T13:47:03Z")
Movies are meant to be dumbed down. If you want depth, read a book (which is what I do). I’m not saying you shouldln’t avoid Top 10…if you want to…but it seems like cutting off your nose to spite your face. I mean, some of those movies can be enjoyable. And why would you let other people dictate what you watch, even if it’s in a negative way? ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/14 "2008-07-25T13:51:13Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] You’re saying you avoid blockbuster movies only, right? “Top ten” to me usually means critics’ top ten list kind of stuff - there can be overlap, but if you avoid critically acclaimed movies _and_ popular stuff, the only movies you’re going to see are poorly-made crap. Although at least the theaters will be mostly empty and you can put your feet up. [/QUOTE] I think he means Top 10 movies at the box office. Which is even stupider than saying “I don’t watch blockbusters” because nearly every major award-winning movie last year (and I would guess every year before that) was in the Top 10 at one time or another. I mean jeez, in the first week of January, 4 movies in the Top 10 were nominated for Oscars. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/15 "2008-07-25T14:06:59Z")
I avoided both Fight Club and The Usual Suspects for this reason for a very long time. “Oh, it’s a great movie!” “It kicks ass!” I shied away from them because the gushing put me off. Finally, last month, my curiosity got the better of me and I rented both of them. _Fantastic_ movies; I regret not having seen them sooner. My roommate is the same way only more so, and she finally had to concede that Fight Club was excellent. Sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes the popular opinion is the right one. Especially if there’s almost no dissension. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/16 "2008-07-25T14:32:44Z")
I’ve never seen Titanc or ET either. I’m just not interested in them. To boycott the top 10 is just silly though. First off, it means you have decided to let other people’s tastes dictate what you are going to see. Second, a movie need not be a hit to make the top 10. This is especially true in the off seasons such the fall. Third, why would you skip critically acclaimed movies just because other people watched them? It is simply false to conclude that any movie that does respectable box office is dumbed down. ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/17 "2008-07-25T14:33:15Z")
[QUOTE=Bosstone] I avoided both Fight Club and The Usual Suspects for this reason for a very long time. “Oh, it’s a great movie!” “It kicks ass!” I shied away from them because the gushing put me off. Finally, last month, my curiosity got the better of me and I rented both of them. _Fantastic_ movies; I regret not having seen them sooner. My roommate is the same way only more so, and she finally had to concede that Fight Club was excellent. Sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes the popular opinion is the right one. Especially if there’s almost no dissension. [/QUOTE] Neither one of those shattered any box office records in their first runs, and most likely never fit the OP’s idea of “Top 10” (and both are excellent! I am just now reading Fight Club. It’s a pretty good book, as well.) I myself tend to drop a book like a hot rock if it has an “Oprah’s Book Club” sticker on it. But, recognizing that that’s ridiculous I have read some things that have been on her list. It’s a knee jerk reaction. My ex-husband has several lines in the sand which he will not cross. It’s limiting, and makes simple things difficult. Life’s too short. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/18 "2008-07-25T14:43:42Z")
You boycott something you would want to do. It’s apparent you don’t want to see this stuff, so no you are not boycotting it. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/19 "2008-07-25T14:50:41Z")
[QUOTE=gwendee] Neither one of those shattered any box office records in their first runs, and most likely never fit the OP’s idea of “Top 10” (and both are excellent! [/QUOTE] Fight Club was #1 at the box office in its opening week and The Usual Suspects made it’s way to #5. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720/20 "2008-07-25T14:55:54Z")
Sounds like cutting off your nose to spite your face. I wouldn’t do it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-boycott-top-10-movies-am-i-alone/457720.md?page=2)