# Movies You are Surprised You Enjoyed **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 27, 2008, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446 "2008-09-27T05:10:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Malienation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Malienation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malienation)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2008, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/41 "2008-09-28T05:08:43Z")
_Wordplay_. If it weren’t for the rave reviews, I never would’ve gone to this; I’m not much of a crossword puzzle fan. _Excellent_ movie… _Shall We Dance?_ The original one, in Japanese. Affecting in a way I knew the American remake could never capture. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_C](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Captain\_C](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_C)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2008, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/42 "2008-09-28T06:12:01Z")
_Doomsday_. I mean, the plot makes no damn sense, and it really is just alot of action scenes strung together that are blatantly ripped off from other films, but man is that the most awesome movies you have ever seen or what?! ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2008, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/43 "2008-09-28T06:16:51Z")
_Sex And The City_. I am one of the least girly girls in the world. I don’t like fashion or “girl talk” or spending time with “girl friends.” I went with my mom because she wanted to see it and make a girls-night-out type deal of it. I hadn’t really seen much of the original TV series. Anyway, I did not hate it. I actually enjoyed it. I thought I’d be looking at my watch the entire time but I didn’t even get bored. I like going to movies expecting to hate them. I end up pleasantly surprised at the level of enjoyment. Actually…I had the same surprising “that wasn’t so bad” reactions to the girls-night-out movies _27 Dresses_, _Mama Mia!_ and _Hairspray_. Perhaps I just like it when my mom buys the tickets… ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2008, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/44 "2008-09-28T07:49:30Z")
**I Robot**. Although I’m not familiar with Asimov’s work I had decided this movie wasn’t worth checking out because it was a complete departure from the source material and thus somehow unworthy. But one day I was over a friend’s place, too drunk to even suggest changing the channel and the movie was on. We caught it from just before the part where the giant construction robot fucks up James Cromwell’s house while Will Smith is in it. I thought it was pure awesome. Bridget Moynahan in leather pants was a plus too. **Rocky Balboa**. I’m not a fan of the Rocky series in general but **Rocky Balboa** was an amazing movie. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2008, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/45 "2008-09-28T07:52:36Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > **I Robot**. Although I’m not familiar with Asimov’s work I had decided this movie wasn’t worth checking out because it was a complete departure from the source material and thus somehow unworthy. But one day I was over a friend’s place, too drunk to even suggest changing the channel and the movie was on. We caught it from just before the part where the giant construction robot fucks up James Cromwell’s house while Will Smith is in it. I thought it was pure awesome. Bridget Moynahan in leather pants was a plus too. I actually totally agree with this. Sure, I can respect those who give it a bad rap for the vast departure from the source material, but taken on its own, it’s a pretty great film. Definitely one of my favorite action/sci-fi movies ---
**Author:** ![Westrogothia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@Westrogothia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Westrogothia)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2008, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/46 "2008-09-28T12:12:14Z")
Im ashamed to say it but I quite enjoy Luc Bessons “Fifth Element”. > [@Queen of Town](#): > > _V for Vendetta_. I thought it was going to be okay, it didn’t really seem like my kind of movie but I had heard it was good. It’s now one of my favorite movies ever. I second that. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2008, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/47 "2008-09-28T13:44:49Z")
I went to Ghost Town last week expecting it to be poor. I didn’t think Rickey Gervaise could pull off a leading man. I liked it. There was nothing new or surprising, it was a typical romcom, but heck I like romcoms. And I want to be in a world where Rickey can end up with Tea. It gives me hope. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/48 "2008-12-01T08:21:03Z")
> [@Westrogothia](#): > > Im ashamed to say it but I quite enjoy Luc Bessons “Fifth Element”. Never be ashamed of who you are! ---
**Author:** ![torie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@torie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/torie)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/49 "2008-12-01T09:20:14Z")
I fought my husband kicking and screaming when he wanted to see Beerfest. I got my way and we saw Talledega Nights instead. Later, we saw Beerfest and I loved it. Now we own Beerfest and watch it all the time. We never bothered to buy Talladega Nights, despite my love for Sacha Baron Cohen. respec ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/50 "2008-12-01T09:33:52Z")
**Hancock** although it did leave a few questions unanswered. Q ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/51 "2008-12-01T13:48:12Z")
My wife added **Juno** to our Netflix queue while I wasn’t looking. It sat on top of the DVD player for a couple of weeks. I was completely prepared to hate it when we finally put it in. I don’t know what I expected. I just thought it was going to suck. But it was really, really good. ---
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/52 "2008-12-01T14:54:11Z")
_Last Action Hero_ is fantastic, and unfairly savaged by critics. The parodies and in-jokes are spot-on, and the sfx are still cool (Bogart and the T-1000 at the same police station!). A great 90s action comedy. _Death Race_, the 2008 version starring Jason Statham and Tyrese. A remake of a grindhouse movie with plenty of cars, muscles, explosions, titties, and tattoos, and it doesn’t claim to be anything else. Also, it has the gayest ending of all time. The original _Austin Powers_ movie I almost didn’t see because I thought it looked stupid. A funny movie with lots of heart. And yes, I love the sequels, too! ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/53 "2008-12-01T15:12:00Z")
Believe it or not **Titanic**. I was less than enthused about watching a 3-hour love story set on a ship whose fate I knew well ahead of time starring DiCaprio. I was ready to be completely bored and ready to walk out if necessary. It was actually really good and kept me compelled all the way through. (Granted I’ve only seen it once) **Ratatouille**. I like anything and everything Pixar but when I heard about and saw the previews I was underwhelmed. Just how many cartoons do we need with a talking mouse? And I’m not really into food so that angle didn’t grab me either. But it was supremely great and funny and is one of Pixar’s best. (Too bad Wall-E didn’t perform like this one) ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/54 "2008-12-01T15:19:01Z")
> [@Captain\_C](#): > > _Doomsday_. I mean, the plot makes no damn sense, and it really is just alot of action scenes strung together that are blatantly ripped off from other films, but man is that the most awesome movies you have ever seen or what?! I came in to mention this! My son made me watch it and it was hilariously awesome. ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/55 "2008-12-01T15:21:04Z")
> [@Westrogothia](#): > > Im ashamed to say it but I quite enjoy Luc Bessons “Fifth Element”. > > I second that. I LOVE The Fifth Element! My favorite scene: The Chinese food cart. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/56 "2008-12-01T15:25:40Z")
Someone else mentioned _Music and Lyrics_, with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore, two actors I’m constantly underwhelmed by, but I’ve seen this movie probably a dozen times now. For some reason, when it’s on one of my movie channel’s rotations, I can’t help but watch it. The same can be said for _Legally Blonde_, (except that I’ve probably seen that one 2 dozen times) and I have no idea why. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/57 "2008-12-01T15:46:01Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > **Ratatouille**. I like anything and everything Pixar but when I heard about and saw the previews I was underwhelmed. Just how many cartoons do we need with a talking mouse? And I’m not really into food so that angle didn’t grab me either. But it was supremely great and funny and is one of Pixar’s best. I’m not ashamed to admit I started to cry at the end of _Ratatouille_. I expected to like it, but I wasn’t expecting to get choked up when the food critic was taken back to his childhood by the taste of the ratatouille. I guess I’m a sap, but I thought that was really moving. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/58 "2008-12-01T17:54:04Z")
_Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure_. With Keanu Reeves playing the role he was born to play… (Among those mentioned previously, _Clueless_ & _The Fifth Element_ are favorites.) ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/59 "2008-12-01T18:03:35Z")
Does [Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog](http://www.drhorrible.com) count as a movie? When I first heard about it I thought great, just what the world needs, another low-budget superhero spoof. Turns out it was just what the world needed (although the “low-budget” part is overstated - it’s way beyond the means of your average YouTuber). The writing is very sharp, Neil Patrick Harris gives an outstanding performance, and where I was expecting a parody with funny songs, what I got was a near-perfect littletragedy. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446/60 "2008-12-01T18:36:17Z")
**Nanny McPhee**. It was surprisingly good. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-are-surprised-you-enjoyed/465446.md?page=4)