Movies you liked but most everyone else thought sucked

In My Humble Opinion
41

O.K. I admit it. I liked Starship Troopers. Guilty as charged. But hey, don’t judge me just yet, give me a chance to defend myself.

First item to consider. Why the hell did I even see it?

I wasn’t planning to. It didn’t even cross my mind. The trailers reminded me of those stupid and unremarkable space movies–which unfortunately are abundant in this day and age. Basically I felt towards it the same as when confronted with John Travolta’s Battlefield Earth–which I will likely never bother to see.

But, accidents do indeed happen…

I was channel surfing when suddenly Denise Richards graces the screen. Instinctively, without having a clue as to what movie I was getting into, I
start checking out Denise Richards, I mean, the movie. Since I like what I see–yeah, the movie too–I put the remote down and immerse myself in the story. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a realization bursts into my mind: this is Starship Troopers that I’m seeing, and liking it if I might add. Well, too late to go back. I was hooked. Still am. Won’t mind at all to watch it again. As to why that is, you might inquire, let me state my defense:

First of all you must comprehend the frame of reference with which I observe a movie: I want to enjoy it, period. What criteria provide enjoyment for this loyal movie watcher?

Entertainment value: which I define as abstracting yourself from the real world for the approximately 7200 seconds that the movie lasts, while becoming absorbed by the quest and challenges faced by its characters. Or more simply, escaping from the common reality–assuming that what we perceive as real is indeed real–and your physical body, while simultaneously becoming spiritually part of the adventure proposed by the movie. This goes a long away into explaining my fascination for Field of Dreams, Star Wars and The Matrix–more about that later, 3 cinematic propositions that accomplish this goal to the fullest.

Philosophical value: not as essential, but always important in my book. This relates to the relevance of the thesis proposed by the movie. Anything that challenges me to question my perceptions and evolve new ideas works wonders for me. Which goes to explain way I loved The Matrix so much.

It must be stated that regarding:

Artistic merit: totally irrelevant, IMHO. Sure, I can analyze the picture based an artistic parameters, but, since they don’t add or detract from my enjoyment of the movie, are of no relevance whatsoever here.

If you are still with me–if you are I must say I admire your patience–I now lay out the explanation to the great mystery: how could someone actually enjoy Starship Troopers?

Well, the following factors heavily contributed towards getting two thumbs up from this particular individual:

Characters and their quest: you couoldnt escape from developing an emotional attachment towards the protagonists and feeling a substantial relatedness to their situation. You knew what they felt, their problems, ambitions, emotions, the whole nine yards. Definitely, great character development. Plus, what a more valid quest than saving the human race. Besides, you couldn’t help but hate those ugly arthropods.

Favorable view of human race: friendships, courage, togetherness, are all in ample display here. Which, of course, is a nice departure from the crudeness that unfortunately characterizes modern society and works towards getting you in a positive, albeit idealistic, frame of mind. Yeah, I admit it, I’m a sucker for romantic panoramas.

Beautiful women: Denise Richards. Need I say more? Actually there’s that gal which appeared in a couple of 90210 episodes. If someone could refresh my memory as to what her name is it would be appreciated.

One last thing to ponder:

Suspension of disbelief: doesn’t bother me at all. Humans fighting insects? Ain’t that stretching it a bit? Nope, there is no place for incredulity while watching movies, it just provides an obstacle that works against enjoying the show.

Synthesizing what was said above: I liked the damned movie.

And if you want further proof, you don’t think that I would have bothered to write all this hadn’t I liked it, do you?

Having aggravated my carpal tunnel ailment I shall be going for now. But, as a certain cyborg once said: I’ll be back!!

42

My sister and I are evidently the only two people in the world that love “Stuart Saves His Family.” She and I actually call each other when it’s on TV. I can’t explain why I find it so funny, but I just do. I’m always thrilled when they run it on cable.

43

I loved ‘Blair witch project’, and my roommate still makes fun of me because of it.

44

So you’re the other one who bought it! I figured I’d meet you sooner or later! :smiley:
This is one of the movies I’m waiting for on DVD before I consider the player to be worth buying. I’d also pay dearly for the soundtrack: I can’t find that lovely theme by Henry Mancini anywhere, thought I did hear a version of it on NPR once.

45

I thought Mystery Alaska was one of the best films I saw last year. Or at least one of the most enjoyable.

46

“The War of the Roses” with Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas. Great black humor that most people hated.

Also, “Serial Mom”. This one starred Kathleen Turner, Riki Lake, and some people I don’t know but have seen before. I don’t think people HATE this one, but most haven’t seen it. It’s a great rental- go get it now!

Oh, and I loved “UHF” with Weird Al.

Zette

47

UHF: Loved it, wish He’d do a remake with more satire.
Tremors: I honestly didn’t realise it was a movie. thought it was made for TV or something. Love it tho.

How about The Fifth Element? I love it, watch it often.

I like the opening of Blade. Just as I’m beginning to think this scene bites (har har), he walks in and kills everyone. Just what it needed. :smiley:

48

Now you have. The Comedy Channel butchered it the last time they showed this classic, BTW.

49

Silver Streak (Wilder and Pryor teamed up a few more times but it never worked quite as well), Joe Versus the Volcano (The opening ten minutes at the factory are brilliant) and The Hudsucker Proxy (“You know, for kids.”) are all excellent.

And let me add The Right Stuff and L.A. Story.

50

Well, I love UHF, funney as hell.
I enjoy The Fifth Element a lot, because Bruce Willis makes any movie better, and so I also enjoyed Hudson Hawk as well.

Am I the only one who likes Titan A.E.? My friends and I all saw it, and only I like it (not counting the last few lines, which we all love.)

51

Looks like Spider Woman, Rocket88, Robot Arm, and I are gonna have to form a club!

BTW, welcome to the boards, Rocket88. That was a model of Oldsmobile, right?

(Have I been here long enough to be welcoming newbies?)

52

One summer, back when I was living at the beach, it seemed like Weekend at Bernie’s was on cable every day. We watched it the first…oh, 20 times…before my friends stopped.

Me? I kept watching. My friends thought I was kidding when I bought the movie.

53

I love this movie. Los Angeles looks so much nicer without cars. And John Ritter plays the president. What more could you ask for.

54

Did someone say L.A. Story? Most of the reviews I’ve read of it laud it as a good movie. Certainly, it’s one of my favorites.

And throw me in as someone else who liked Last Action Hero, Hudson Hawk, UHF and Mom and Dad Save the World.

55

Hey Zette!

I too liked War of the Roses. Can’t believe I forgot about that one.

Another movie that seemed to come and go was The Witches of Eastwick. I forget what the critics said, but recall it went to T.V. pretty damn fast. A sure sign it wasn’t a big hit. I loved it.

56

It might have been the timing of when it was released (because of my life circumstances at the time), but War of the Roses made me cry.

57

I also loved UHF and Stuart Saves His Family. You don’t know how spot-on that film is until you know someone who’s everything anonymous.

Here’s three more I loved that got bad reviews:

  1. In the Mouth of Madness: Lovecraftian horror with Sam Neill. One of the few horror movies to actually frighten me.

  2. Exorcist III (not not not Exorcist II: The Heretic): Not exactly a sequel, but I thought it was scary and well made.

  3. Star Trek: Insurrection–A little fluffy, but it did show the not-so-endearing side of the Federation.

58

I’m the only one I know who liked Cable Guy; I can’t believe people didn’t think Jim Carrey was funny in that.

59

You got it.

Ditto for me to the posters who liked Joe Vs. the Volcano and Starship Troopers.

I’m also a big fan of “Kelly’s Heroes”, which critics pretty much hated. And maybe “Johnny Guitar”, which has to be one of the most bizarre westerns ever made.

My sister has a serious jones for “Dirty Dancing”, which I find to be fairly disreputable.

60

Some of you considered Star Wars Episode 1 and Godzilla were good movies that were disliked by the majority of earth’s population.

Not everybody hated them though.

I for one loved them both. Being the Star Wars sucker that I am I particularly liked The Phantom Menace. A fan talking without the benefit of objectivity? Well, yeah, of course. But also this:

The powers of the Jedi been finally displayed to their full extent. Impressive, indeed.

Darth Maul, the most evil, meanest, most powerful villain EVER makes his debut. An untimely demise, but an explosive appearance none the less.

The final battle scene: 2 mighty Jedis opposed by a kick-ass Sith Lord. Radical double-edged sword. Duel of the Fates Score. Up tempo combat. Imposing background as a setting for the action. The Force being displayed at full force–pardon the redundancy. Obi Wan’s recovery and posterior annihilation of Qui Won’s killer–the best scene of the saga along with Luke’s escape from Sarlac’s pit in Return of the Jedi. And I could go on…

And to top it off:

NATHALIE PORTMAN.

I think that pretty much settles it: Episode 1 rocks.
As to Godzilla: I loved it.

Best line: Hank Azaria’s character a.k.a. Animal: “They trashed the garden. Now I’m really pissed”.

You are not the only one Animal.