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Post by obliv326 on Aug 17, 2005 7:07:55 GMT -5
i started a thread earlier in this section about spirited away. and it started me thinking...
does anyone have any films they feel guilty about, either because its a guilty pleasure, or a film everyone else loves and you just dont get, like i am w/spirited away?
i have a few...
obviously, ive posted about chicago. i hate it. i cant watch it. im no fan of musicals, and i think it takes the very worst things about musicals and crams them repeatedly into one mess of a film.
i feel the same way about kevin smith...everything he's done, w/the possible exception of his last 2 films, which i didnt see.
something about them just irritates me...possibly because i am an aspiring filmmaker, and some of his directing is pretty...well, bad...sorry if youre a fan...
and miyazaki. i just havent ever gotten into his movies.
and i seem to be the one person in the world who doesnt find anything charming about blues brothers or animal house. blues brothers just feels like a bunch of non sequiters that everyone else has memorized and thinks are just hilarious. i dont get it...
and animal house, same thing. i think these might be examples of films hitting a zeitgeist just perfectly, and being such a product of their time that they just fit...of course, i wasnt allowed to see rated r films at te time, and my parents didnt get cable until i got it for them when i moved back home for a few months after college, so it was never sometging i encountered until it was well removed from that place in time.
maybe, too, it was the musical numbers. like ive said, i dont care much for musicals, so using that type of imagery and technique just falls flat for me.
i dont know.
guilty pleasures, then? let me think about that one...in the meantime, have at it with your guilty pleasures/pains.
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Post by Michael West on Aug 17, 2005 9:53:34 GMT -5
I love the movie Pumpkinhead. Always have. I think it's just a twisted little film with one of the greatest creatures ever put on film. I remember showing it to my girlfriend and parents when it first came on video and they looked at me like I was nuts. There are a lot of toys and other merchandise out there for it, so I know somebody must like it besides me, but I've never met them in life.  I think Dude Where's My Car? and Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle are stupid, but I laughed hysterically while I was watching them. And then, days later, when I would think about this moment or that, I would find myself laughing again. As far as something everyone else liked that I didn't...I've never liked Bruce Springsteen. Never. I still want to turn off the radio when I hear one of his songs. Desperate Housewives. Never gotten into it. Don't know why. I've liked the episode or two I've seen, but it never became this weekly obsession for me. Same with Medium. I've also never liked Oliver Stone as a film director. I think he's so overrated. The only film of his I've really liked has been Natural Born Killers. I'm sure there are others on both sides, but that's all that comes to mind at the moment. |
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Post by obliv326 on Aug 18, 2005 0:14:03 GMT -5
you know, mike, i have to admit...i liked pumpkinhead, too. i only saw it a couple times...once in the theatres, and another time, maybe two, on video. i wouldnt necessarily buy an action figure or anything, but i would watch the film if it came on. i will watch anytghing with a dinosaur..anything. not only that, but i think any and every movie is improved with the addition of a dinosaur, or, barring that a large monster...and a zombie, if youre in a pinch... godfather? imagine how much better it would have been had luca brazzi been eaten by a t-rex. citizen kane? if kane had not died in the end, but the numerous dinosaurs from his private zoo escape and run amok on the forida coast? much better!  so, yeah...i like not only the acknowledged good dinosaur movies, but the not so feted ones...i really liked all the jurassic parks, even the third one. i liked carnosaur. one of my favorite movies of all time is valley of gwangi. i grew up on godzilla movies, so i have a soft spot for tjose, also...even the obviously guy in a rubber suit ones... i can cerainly sympathize w/your oliver stone thing, although i admit that there are things about him that i like. i think jfk is a masterpiece, and if you took out any scenes of interpersonal relationships from his films, i think theyd be much better. ah, springsteen...now that hes not so ubiquitous, he doesnt bother me as much as he used to. ive even gotten to the point that i can listen to his more introspective stuff...ie nebraska. i never liked the original nightmare on elm st. i know that sacrilege here on mikes website, but i just never got into it...although, i did like it a little better once i saw it on dvd. for some reason, the video prints always looked grainy and washed out. hmmmm...what else..oh, i like the movie wrong turn...i have a soft spot for a decent slasher flick, too, and for some reason, its easy for me to conjure up dislike for inbred rednecks. i liked jeepers creepers 2. im sure there are more... |
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Post by Michael West on Aug 18, 2005 9:39:08 GMT -5
you know, mike, i have to admit...i liked pumpkinhead, too. i only saw it a couple times...once in the theatres, and another time, maybe two, on video. i wouldnt necessarily buy an action figure or anything, but i would watch the film if it came on. Cool! We can start a support group! ;D i will watch anytghing with a dinosaur..anything. not only that, but i think any and every movie is improved with the addition of a dinosaur, or, barring that a large monster...and a zombie, if youre in a pinch... godfather? imagine how much better it would have been had luca brazzi been eaten by a t-rex. citizen kane? if kane had not died in the end, but the numerous dinosaurs from his private zoo escape and run amok on the forida coast? much better! Wow! you know...that does sound better.  i never liked the original nightmare on elm st. i know that sacrilege here on mikes website, but i just never got into it... Blasphemy!  although, i did like it a little better once i saw it on dvd. for some reason, the video prints always looked grainy and washed out. Okay, I'll give you that. I have the box set and even Freddy's Dead, which I hate, looks good. Even in theaters, that one was grainy. And it had the crappy 3-D. The rule for Elm Street movies is that only the ones with Nancy are good. (Original, Dream Warriors, and New Nightmare) There are aspects of Freddy's Revenge and Dream Master I liked, but the others are dreadful. hmmmm...what else..oh, i like the movie wrong turn...i have a soft spot for a decent slasher flick, too, and for some reason, its easy for me to conjure up dislike for inbred rednecks. I loved this movie as well! And not just because it had Faith from Buffy the Vampire Slayer as the lead. I thought it was quite suspenseful. i liked jeepers creepers 2. So did I. The end was a bit weak, but the opening in the corn...well, you know how I feel about cornfields.  |
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tomoran
Citizen of Harmony
Posts: 173
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Post by tomoran on Aug 18, 2005 14:56:06 GMT -5
I'd like to join the PUMPKINHEAD support group. I like the movie enough to actually import a copy so that I could have it in widescreen. I've seen the movie probably a dozen times since it first came out, and I still love it.
JEEPERS CREEPERS is another that everyone seems to hate and I can't get enough of.
THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (remake) is a movie that I love even though it is really kind of craptacular. I saw it in the theaters and was a bit let down. However, after buying it on dvd I watched it a bunch of times.
And I LOVE WRONG TURN. I don't care what any one says--it's a great "stuck in the woods with inbred hicks" film. Just great fun.
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Post by Michael West on Aug 18, 2005 15:16:18 GMT -5
I'd like to join the PUMPKINHEAD support group. I like the movie enough to actually import a copy so that I could have it in widescreen. I've seen the movie probably a dozen times since it first came out, and I still love it. Welcome to the support group, Tom! Pull up a chair. I just watched it again over the weekend on Sci-Fi while I was recooperating from my surgery. Great flick. I love the scene where Harley goes back to the old witch and tries to get her to stop it. "Did you think it would be easy? Neat, and clean, and painless? You're a fool." Great flick! JEEPERS CREEPERS is another that everyone seems to hate and I can't get enough of. I couldn't agree more! It had a real 70s feel to it. I'd like to see it again. ;D It doesn't have the same "Holy shit!" feeling when you watch it the second time through, but it's still a great. Love the dark ending! A twisted little film. THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (remake) is a movie that I love even though it is really kind of craptacular. I saw it in the theaters and was a bit let down. However, after buying it on dvd I watched it a bunch of times. I have to admit, this is one I've not seen. I've heard mixed reviews...but if YOU like it, Tom, I'll have to check it out. And I LOVE WRONG TURN. I don't care what any one says--it's a great "stuck in the woods with inbred hicks" film. Just great fun. |
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tomoran
Citizen of Harmony
Posts: 173
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Post by tomoran on Aug 18, 2005 15:32:52 GMT -5
You should certainly check it out. We seem to have similar tastes, so you might like it.
I have found others that like it as well, so I'm not completely alone on this one! LOL
Lance Henrickson was great in that movie. I really felt sympathy for his character. So what if his little boy obviously wasn't dead as his eyes keep moving...lol Still, wonderful movie.
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Post by Michael West on Aug 18, 2005 15:51:26 GMT -5
You should certainly check it out. We seem to have similar tastes, so you might like it. Yeah, we do, and I will. ;D Lance Henrickson was great in that movie. I really felt sympathy for his character. So what if his little boy obviously wasn't dead as his eyes keep moving...lol Still, wonderful movie. That's another guilty pleasure of mine! I love it when someone is supposed to be dead on a TV show or a movie and you see their chest moving as they breath or their eyes moving. That's just great. |
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Post by obliv326 on Aug 19, 2005 0:14:35 GMT -5
you know, chalk me up for house on haunted hill also. i think you will like that one quite a bit, mike. there is some really effective imagery there that kind of sets it apart from run of the mill stuff...
i fear it might have been a fluke, as feardotcom was....well, a disappointment.
okay, heres a couple i dont like that i am supposed to...
the deer hunter- i think cimino got a lot of run by the dint of his courage ( a vietnam movie) the performances (walken and deniro are pretty stellar) and some gut chrning scenes. but 3 1/2 hours? no. it doesnt take much to set the stage for heavens gate with this
and birth of a nation. ive had to see this, what, 6 times now? thats nearly an entire day of my life wasted watching this thing...i understasnd it was groundbreaking at the time...but so was bing crosby, and he sounds a little dated today.
i think you can compare things like BOAN to other groundbreakers...like, say, the beatles. the beatles broke ground with all kinds of producing and structure things that changed the face of music...they also, however, wrote great songs. when you live for 40 years in the shadow of the beatles, the rest of the stuff, in trms of technology, gets adopted, and soon its not that big of a deal...but the songs still remain reat. why? i think, because they started with great songs and built around that.
birth of a nation...well, its story is boring, at best...harmful, racist, and untrue at worst. and frankly, watching it now, the "irising" technique is overshadowd by the fact that the guy has the klan...as heroes!
another few guilty dislikes...
i dont like anytgung, with the exception for the occasional song, that the rolling stones did after 1969...that includes exile on main st. i think their legacy would have ben better served had they broken up after brian jones quit.
im sure ill think of more...probably as you guys suggest them, since we seem to be on the same page w/alot of these things...
oh, wait...what am i thinking...THE LION KING!
damn, i hated that movie. mostly b/c of the songs, but i actually got up and left part of the way through, to keep from having to listen to one of the songs.
NO ONE seems to agree w/me on this. ive actually had a girl refuse to keep dating me b/c i went off on this movie...
but im sticking to my guns.
i really like oingo boingo, and that doesnt seem too fashionable right now...but theyll make a comeback.
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Post by Michael West on Aug 19, 2005 8:50:16 GMT -5
you know, chalk me up for house on haunted hill also. i think you will like that one quite a bit, mike. there is some really effective imagery there that kind of sets it apart from run of the mill stuff... I will have to give this thing a try. birth of a nation. ive had to see this, what, 6 times now? thats nearly an entire day of my life wasted watching this thing...i understasnd it was groundbreaking at the time...but...well, its story is boring, at best...harmful, racist, and untrue at worst. and frankly, watching it now, the "irising" technique is overshadowd by the fact that the guy has the klan...as heroes! Stace, I don't think your supposed to like this film. I think you are supposed to look at it in its historical context. I think my impression of it when I was forced to watch it was just complete and utter shock. I could not believe that we, as a society, could ever have seen this racist trash as entertainment. I was actually embarrassed watching it. I appreciated the technical aspects of it, but the story really pissed me off.  i dont like anytgung, with the exception for the occasional song, that the rolling stones did after 1969...that includes exile on main st. i think their legacy would have ben better served had they broken up after brian jones quit. Never really been a big Stones fan myself. Sure, I like a lot of their songs, but I've never been a rabid admirer. To paraphrase Quentin Tarantino: I think there are Beatles fans and there are Stones fans. Stones fans can like the Beatles and Beatles fans can like the Stones, but you can't like both equally. THE LION KING! damn, i hated that movie. mostly b/c of the songs, but i actually got up and left part of the way through, to keep from having to listen to one of the songs. NO ONE seems to agree w/me on this. ive actually had a girl refuse to keep dating me b/c i went off on this movie... but im sticking to my guns. You can stick to your guns, Stace, but I gotta say that I liked Lion King. Sure, there are things about it that bother me, but the sound and score (not the songs, the African-infused symphonic bits) are simply amazing. |
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