I heard horrible things about the remake of Ocean’s Eleven, but the wife and I caught it on HBO one night and rather enjoyed it.
Our reaction exactly.
However, I am expecting terrible things from the upcoming sequel, Ocean’s Twelve.
Remember the TV series a few years back about Elvis’s early years? That was just bound to suck, but amazingly, it was an excellent series that really seemed to capture the feel of the just-barely-pre-rock-and-roll South.
Gotta agree with Darkhold on the T-3 thing.
First of all, there was no reason for it. In T-2, they stopped Judgement Day. What more to the story could there possibly be? There was just no purpose for it. So, I reluctantly went to see it and despite my really bad attitude towards it, it turned out to be the best of the 3 Terminator movies! I think it’s the best story and despite the downer ending, it really satisfied me - because they actually showed you, step-by-step how Judgement Day actually happens. You’re right there with the characters as the machines take over… which I found incredibly cool.
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. It just sounds like a bad idea. I happened to catch the second episode when nothing was on and I fully expected it to suck. Nowadays it’s the one TV show I make an effort to watch.
“Groundhog Day” had what I thought was the stupidest premise for a movie ever conceived. I only watched it because it was the ONLY thing on tv that day. Midway through, I found myself wishing I could live the same day over and over till I finally got it right. Good flick.
Legally Blonde. I expected it to be dumb, but it was actually far funnier than I had anticipated.
The bigger turnaround, however, was The Emperor’s New Groove. This movie is probably one of the funniest I have ever seen (I’m not kidding), and I went into with very low expectations.
The first and the third Austin Powers movies.
Daddy Day-Care
Please don’t hurt me…
Joe Dirt
“Once More with Feeling” from BtVS.
Pirates has been mentioned enough, so I won’t.
I was really not looking forward to Finding Nemo. It’s not my favorite or anything, but it was much better than I expected.
Like many of the posters here, I had zero expectations for “Deep Rising”. But I like Treat Williams and I was in a weird mood, so I rented the movie. It had a couple of elements that I hadn’t seen in an action movie before, so I enjoyed the movie. I hadn’t expected to miss Hanover, the head bad guy, because the end of the movie suggested a sequel was on the way. It would have been interesting to see if Hanover would have taken orders from Treat William’s character.
I agree with Pirates of the Caribbean. I really enjoyed it, despite being very skeptical.
Punch Drunk Love. Normally, Adam Sandler makes me want to claw my eyeballs out of my head.
Ooh! How about The Italian Job with Mark Wahlberg, Edward Norton, and Charlize Theron? Usually, remakes suck (IMO) but I loved the scenery and the mini Coopers chase scene. However, I do feel that Edward Norton phoned in his performance; I know he can do much better.
Also, I really enjoyed Matt Damon and Franka Potente in The Bourne Identity. This could have gone so wrong but I loved little touches such as Jason Bourne being astonished that you could walk into a bank and obtain all sorts of information just by asking for it, without resorting to a lot of subterfuge.
I agree with Galaxy Quest. I recall seeing the previews for that in the theatre and remember how truly DREADFUL I thought it was going to be. Then I saw it and was utterly amazed at how funny and well done the whole movie was. Probably my biggest surprise movie experience.
Not Another Teen Movie. Admitedly it is not the best movie out there, but it does make me laugh much more than I expected. The guy walking around with the bag, Molly Ringwald at the end, the kids that doesn't know when to start the clap, and, of course, Areola, the naked girl walking around....all very funny.
Hollow Man. If you watch it just for the typical, stereotyped "scientist trying to play God" film that is truly is and don't expect much more than that, it is enjoyable. Good special effects also. Very predictable all the way, but nice campy fun.