Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Top 5: Popular Movies I don't Get

Even Adm. Adama in kabuki makeup couldn't make this thing interesting

You know those movies that the whole world gushes over and says you MUST SEE, so you do, and then you’re kind of left thinking, “Huh”? You don’t exactly hate it, but you don’t see what the fuss is all about either. Well, here are five of mine:

Bladerunner – According to this movie, in ten years, Los Angeles will be a dystopian hellscape of slow pacing and predictable plot twists. Really, who didn’t see it coming that Sean Young’s character is a replicant? I mean, besides the main character ... who is supposed to be a great detective. This movie made me fall asleep on both a young Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer, which is unforgivable in and of itself.

Glengarry Glen Ross – Maybe it’s the overacting, maybe it’s the overwraught script, maybe it’s the fact that it looks like it was shot with a camcorder in a local public access studio, but I just couldn’t get into this David Mamet “classic.”


Caddyshack – Seriously guys, there’s like three funny lines in the whole movie. Stop. Quoting. It.

The Matrix – Yeah, the special effects are cool. I’ll give you that. But when this movie came out, everyone was hailing how “smart” and “groundbreaking” it was. As if no one had ever imagined that the world around us was just a false construct. (Hello: Alice in Wonderland, The Truman Show, pretty much every person ever over the age of 6). Plus, it stars Keanu Reeves, and all the CGI in the world can’t give that nice young man acting chops.


Gone with the Wind – Four hours of watching an Antebellum Paris Hilton learn that sometimes life is hard? Frankly my dear, I don’t give a [hoot].*


*Edited because this is a family blog.

11 comments:

Red said...

The only pick I really agree with is Blade Runner. My #1 on this list would be 2001. God, that movie is boring!

And I don't know if we can still be friends now that you've revealed you don't like GwtW and compared Scarlett O'Hara to Paris Hilton. I'll have to think about this.

Red said...

And I kind of agree with you about Caddyshack, too, but I feel like I can't admit that in public because it's not like I need more reasons for boys to not date me.

words...words...words... said...

I actually disagree with all of these to varying degrees. I also love 2001.

My five would be:

The Big Lebowski
Mulholland Drive
The Wizard of Oz
Fight Club
Lord of the Rings
(all of them)

Malcolm said...

When I bought by first DVD player way back when, "Blade Runner" was one of the first movies I rented. Either I fell asleep on it or gave it the boot in favor of another DVD. GWTW didn't do anything for me either.

Another Harrison Ford movie that I feel is overrated is "The Fugitive". It just doesn't compare to the original series starring David Janssen.

Dr Zibbs said...

Come on Caddy Shack was great.

BeckEye said...

I agree with all except for Caddyshack. That movie is hilarious.

I kind of like Gone With the Wind but I really have to be in the mood to watch it (which I rarely am), have nowhere to go for several hours, and have money to buy lots of sparkling wine.

Del-V said...

I think anything with Adam Sandler is unwatchable. Also, I don't get the whole Harry Potter thing. But what do I know. I only like movies with car chases and robots.

Liz said...

Red: Sorry, GwtW just didn't do it for me. It was mostly just too long. I agree about 2001 though - if this was Top 6 it would have been on there

WWW: I guess we can't be film friends. I love almost all the movies you listed!

Del-V: Harry Potter is all about the books. The movies are ancillary (did I spell that right?)

Everyone: I don't know, maybe I was just too old when I finally saw Caddyshack. I thought it was like 20% funny, 80% dated and lame

Dave Harrington said...

Concur w/ Liz on WWW...all of those movies you mentioned are like my personal Top 5.

Garney said...

Blade Runner was the first movie I ever saw in the theater, and when I watched it ten years later I wondered what the hell my dad was thinking when he took me to see it. Still, I shelled out the money to buy the 4-disc "Final Cut" collector's set a few years back because it will always have a special place in my heart.

I didn't care too much for GGR the first time I saw it, but watching it a second time and getting into the Mamet rhythm, it's one that I've watched multiple times and enjoy a little bit more each time for various reasons.

Always thought Caddyshack was overrated by the fanatics, but I still enjoy it.

The Matrix is the most surprising on the list. I can understand not enjoying the sequels, but the original was such a milestone.

Gone With the Wind... come on, it's Gone With the Wind. If you can't appreciate how well it's held up after 70 years then fiddle-dee-dee.

I agree with Red on 2001. Moments of brilliance trapped inside long stretches of boredom.

Anonymous said...

Ok Liz, first off - Gone With the Wind is like my fave movie! But then again, Im an idiot and I HATED Lost in Translation when every other soul on earth thought that God himself crapped it out . . .

Oh and Glen Gary Glenn Ross - I think you have to be in sales to like, but "Coffee is for Closers" is a classic!
Love and kisses - Annie Fitz.