# Names that automatically disqualify movies for you **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 20, 2011, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072 "2011-04-20T12:53:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/21 "2011-04-20T15:37:38Z")
Uwe, you guys. Uwe Boll. I mean, he’s awful, but spell his naem right. ETA - you know, I was going to correct that, but instead I’ll leave it up as a penance for the sin of pride. ---
**Author:** ![PeskiPiksi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e495f1/32.png) [@PeskiPiksi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PeskiPiksi)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/22 "2011-04-20T15:40:02Z")
I’m not usually someone who will boycott someone just for their personal beliefs or behaviors, but I have found I’ve been unable to watch Mel Gibson lately. I didn’t set out to boycott him, but take for instance _Braveheart_. Used to be one of my favorite movies (yes I know about all the historical inaccuracies…), and if it was on TV I would usually tune in and watch at least some of it. Now, if I come across it, I find I just can’t separate the character of William Wallace from the detestable person I know Mel Gibson to be. It ruins the movie for me. Same is true for Tom Cruise, but to a much lesser extent. But for the most part, I’ll give everyone a chance. Even the worst actors can show up in truly good movies–first example that pops into my mind is Tom Arnold in _True Lies_. Hated him in _Roseanne_, and in general think he’s a jerk and not good actor, but I thought he was hilarious in that movie. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/23 "2011-04-20T15:46:06Z")
Alan Smithee. I hate just about everything he’s made: he should be ashamed to put his name on those movies. ---
**Author:** ![zoog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7ea924/32.png) [@zoog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoog)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/24 "2011-04-20T16:09:14Z")
I always consider the names M. Night Shyamalan and Michael Bay to be warning labels when I see them on a movie ad. ---
**Author:** ![fusoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/25 "2011-04-20T16:19:39Z")
John Reilly Jennifer Aniston Will Ferrell Rob Schneider Alan Cumming Cameron Diaz If they’re a headliner, I won’t go near it. ---
**Author:** ![kath94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/67e7ee/32.png) [@kath94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kath94)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/26 "2011-04-20T16:34:38Z")
My husband & I see movies in cinemas regularly, and usually provide joking “instant judgment” on each of the many trailers that play before the main feature. Usually it’s just a quick “um, no.” or “ooh, that looks good!” Most recently the trailer was for some type of car chase, crash-bang, shoot-em-up guy-type movie that looked like it might have a semblance of plot, and we both decided it might be worth a shot. Until the title came up. “ **Transformers** ” in some iteration or another. Nope, sorry. You got us on the first one and we won’t be fooled by that one again. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/27 "2011-04-20T17:01:45Z")
I certainly have my prejudices, but there’s nobody whose name AUTOMATICALLY keeps me out of the theater. There are too many people I once thought had no talent who later turned out to be pretty capable, given a decent script. Before “the West Wing,” I thought Rob Lowe couldn’t act at all. At one time, I thought Keanu Reeves couldn’t play ANYTHING but dim surfer dudes convincingly. I still don’t think either is a brilliant actor, but both have given enough good performances that that I’d NEVER shun a movie just because they’re in it. If a movie looks interesting, I’ll give even a seemingly terrible actor a chance to surprise me . ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/28 "2011-04-20T18:56:32Z")
Joel Schumacher Vince Vaughn Chris Tucker ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/29 "2011-04-20T19:01:31Z")
Many of mine have already been listed… Rob Schneider Vince Vaughan Adam Sandler Will Ferrell M. Night Shyamalan Mel Gibson (well, I might still watch one of his old movies on TV, but I won’t go see him in the theater again) Tom Cruise (ditto) ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/30 "2011-04-20T19:32:16Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Alan Smithee. I hate just about everything he’s made: he should be ashamed to put his name on those movies. And that Thomas Lee guy. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/31 "2011-04-20T19:40:31Z")
Russel Brand ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/32 "2011-04-20T19:52:09Z")
> [@kath94](#): > > My husband & I see movies in cinemas regularly, and usually provide joking “instant judgment” on each of the many trailers that play before the main feature. Usually it’s just a quick “um, no.” or “ooh, that looks good!” Most recently the trailer was for some type of car chase, crash-bang, shoot-em-up guy-type movie that looked like it might have a semblance of plot, and we both decided it might be worth a shot. Until the title came up. “ **Transformers** ” in some iteration or another. > > Nope, sorry. You got us on the first one and we won’t be fooled by that one again. When **Girl Wonder** and I go to the theater to see a movie, the previews usually feature her saying “Whaaaat??” While I tend to chime in with a very loud, yet sarcastic, “thanks, Hollywood!” More to the OP: Russell Brand Madonna (with the exception of _A League of Their Own_) Nicolas Cage Leonardo DiCaprio Sharon Stone ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/33 "2011-04-20T19:59:43Z")
Wow. I agree with 90% of what I’ve just read. Russel Brand Michael Cera Adam Sandler Julia Roberts Most SNL alums. David Spade Tyler Perry Robin Williams …just off the top of my head… ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/34 "2011-04-20T20:13:53Z")
After some off-the-cuff knee-jerk reactions upthread, I decided to put this idea to the test. I looked at New Releases and Recommendations at Netflix to see which movies I would avoid purely on the basis of who is in them. Discounting those I just am not interested in on principle, these people would queer the deal for me: Sean Astin Jean-Claude Van Damme Ashton Kutcher Miley Cyrus Katie Holmes This same exercise carried to a deeper level of lookup would probably yield dozens more, but that’s a start. One I thought of as I was typing this: Mario Van Peebles. ---
**Author:** ![ministryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@ministryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ministryman)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/35 "2011-04-20T20:16:32Z")
Sidney Pollack Coen Brothers ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/36 "2011-04-20T20:25:43Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Jean-Claude Van Damme Wow, I had forgotten the Muscles from Brussells. It had been soooo long since I had to endure anything he had been in. I see his name and don’t bother. Dolf Lundgren is another. And Steven Seagal, although I did enjoy the one where the terrorists took over the thing and he had to fight them virtually all by hisself. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/37 "2011-04-20T20:40:36Z")
> [@spooje](#): > > Wow, I had forgotten the Muscles from Brussells. It had been soooo long since I had to endure anything he had been in. I see his name and don’t bother. > > Dolf Lundgren is another. > > And Steven Seagal, although I did enjoy the one where the terrorists took over the thing and he had to fight them virtually all by hisself. I can still abide these other guys, even Seagal although he’s fading fast, but Van Damme just doesn’t get it for me. For my money, Jason Statham has obsoleted all of them. I like his schtick and his choices for projects. On this topic, I never have been able to muster the curiosity for Jackie Chan, especially his teaming up ventures. Jet Li I can at least tolerate. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/38 "2011-04-20T20:58:40Z")
Most have been covered, but here are a few more: David Lynch Renee Zellweger Don Johnson Vin Diesel Jennifer Tilly ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/39 "2011-04-20T22:21:49Z")
Al Pacino. I just don’t get it. > [@PeskiPiksi](#): > > I’m not usually someone who will boycott someone just for their personal beliefs or behaviors, but I have found I’ve been unable to watch Mel Gibson lately. I didn’t set out to boycott him, but take for instance _Braveheart_. Used to be one of my favorite movies (yes I know about all the historical inaccuracies…), and if it was on TV I would usually tune in and watch at least some of it. Now, if I come across it, I find I just can’t separate the character of William Wallace from the detestable person I know Mel Gibson to be. It ruins the movie for me. Same is true for Tom Cruise, but to a much lesser extent. Same here, except substitute Woody Allen for Mel Gibson. I never liked Tom Cruise even before he went public with his lunacy. > [@PeskiPiksi](#): > > But for the most part, I’ll give everyone a chance. Even the worst actors can show up in truly good movies–first example that pops into my mind is Tom Arnold in _True Lies_. Hated him in _Roseanne_, and in general think he’s a jerk and not good actor, but I thought he was hilarious in that movie. Yes! His one shining moment, in a career of being a jerk and a bad actor. Speaking of Roseanne, she’s one of several women I simply can not stand. Whoopi Goldberg, Meg Ryan, and Julia Roberts being the others. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072/40 "2011-04-20T22:50:32Z")
A few years ago, I saw the following name come on screen during a trailer: Russell Crowe and I said, quietly, “Strike 1.” Then I saw Leonardo DiCaprio and I said, quietly, “Strike 2.” Then I saw Ridley Scott and I said, quietly, “Out.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-that-automatically-disqualify-movies-for-you/579072.md?page=3)