On reading the thread about acclaimed movies that people don’t want to see … it occurred to me that there’s another interesting category in a similar vein: movies that you’re seen and loved … but never want to see again. In fact, movies that you’d change the channel to avoid.
I have a couple of these. I very much enjoyed ET - but I don’t ever want to see it again; and it has nothing to do with the recent “upgraded” version. In fact I really couldn’t say why I avoid it now; it’s just one of those films where I automatically think, “Been there, don’t need to go there again. Ever.”
Another one is Lawrence of Arabia, but here my reasons are rather different. That one was a film that affected me so strongly that I’m actually a little afraid to put myself through the experience again.
Anyone got any other examples? Movies that you love, but avoid?
Die Hard II. The first movie I can see again, but knowing what’s going on in the second movie just spoils it completely for me to watch it a second time.
I’m glad I saw the film, but it kept me awake thinking about it for more than a week, and even more than a year later, it still bothers me. I seriously doubt I would ever consider watching it again.
DANCER IN THE DARK!!! I wish I could erase the end of that movie from my brain and replace it with a sappy, silly ending.
Braveheart. Never again.
Requiem for a Dream. I loved this movie when I saw it, but I’ll never watch it again. I didn’t have the heart to tell this to the person who bought me the DVD for Christmas a few years ago.
I saw it in the theater and was greatly affected by it. Very much a “there but for the grace of god go I” feeling, especially about the first act. I really don’t want to see it ever again, for fear that I’ll become jaded to the emotional impact it had on me.
Schindler’s List: Too much to take
The Lion in Winter: Have developed a strong aversion to the soundtrack
My Fair Lady: Have developed a strong aversion to Rex Harrison
Dark Victory: Don’t know why; it just bores me now
Dr. Strangelove: I think it’s the overall grayness that gets to me. And Slim Pickens.
I’m totally with you on E.T. I know it’s because the day I saw it in the theater was the crappiest day of my (then relatively young) life. I’ve never watched it since.
Sleepers. Ugh. Disturbing.
And I’m also with Agrippina on Equus. We watched that in my high school drama class. Never want to see it again.
Welcome to the Dollhouse. Traumatic. For those of you who know the film, let me say that it was filmed in my hometown, and I have the same last name as the main character. That’s therapy just waiting to happen.
I’m a habitual re-watcher. There’s almost no movie I love that I wouldn’t watch again. (and again. And again. Ask me how many times I’ve seen Monty PYthon and the Holy Grail, or Aladdin.)
(Did you really think I’d be able to keep this to 50 words or less?)
It’s a rare thing for me to walk out of a movie theater and then start crying. I cry during the occasional movie, but it isn’t all that common.
The Butterfly Effect is one such movie, and I can’t right now recall another that had me crying as I walked to the car. I was distinctly not prepared for the curveballs it threw. As with Good Will Hunting, the first few (at least) times I watch it again, if I do, will have to be alone.