Movies where critics and people you knew loved it,. but you hated it, and vice versa

[Liza]

Originally Posted by *ClassicPinUp*

Lord of the Rings; I thought it would neverrrrr end!

Wow, I always thought I was all alone in that! Greetings fellow annoyed Ring viewer

Another one I never got was Citizen Kane. I was a film student and supposedly we had to all adore this movie It's a movie about a friggin' sled!!!!

[TJL]

My Brother In Law and I are at odds about the new Indiana Jones movie.

I loved it, but he thinks it was terrible.

I have no problem if someone has a criticism or two about the movie, yeah, it wasn't 100% perfect, but he hated EVERYTHING about it. He didn't like one thing.

I just don't get it.

[*ClassicPinUp*]

Originally Posted by Liza

Wow, I always thought I was all alone in that! Greetings fellow annoyed Ring viewer

Nice to meet you!

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by Liza

Wow, I always thought I was all alone in that! Greetings fellow annoyed Ring viewer

Another one I never got was Citizen Kane. I was a film student and supposedly we had to all adore this movie It's a movie about a friggin' sled!!!!

There are some films that never rocked my world despite others going ga ga over them--like Forest Gump and Carousel, for example.

I have to admit, I'm someone who considers Citizen Kane a masterpiece. Not trying to change your mind here, but do want to briefly explain why I revere this work.

The film was made a long time ago - 1941- and techniques that seem second nature now were revolutionary then. A unique quality about Citizen Kane are the optical effects. Whenever I view the film, I never fail to sit mesmerphized as I listen to Roger Ebert's trenchant commentary-much of which discusses the genius of Gregg Toland.

Also the film was revolutionary in that Citizen Kane, at the time, was seen by many as a thinly veiled bio of William Randolph Hearst - a powerful titan of the times (a contemporary equiv. might be a Donald Trump or Rupert Murdoch). WRH saw the film this way too and HATED it and did everything he could to quash it; he was almost successful too. Given this, I've always seen Orson Welles as courageous, because WRH had lots of clout -- pulling many strings to suppress the movie. He even tried to set Orson Welles up. WRH's attempted censorship is one key reason why it took so many yrs for the film's reputation to gather momentum. And to me is part of the film's allure.

I enjoy opposing viewpoints about films I'm passionate about, as I see them as opportunities to refresh my memory about why I feel the way I do.

[Liza]

Originally Posted by rich p

There are some films that never rocked my world despite others going ga ga over them--like Forest Gump and Carousel, for example.

I have to admit, I'm someone who considers Citizen Kane a masterpiece. Not trying to change your mind here, but do want to briefly explain why I revere this work.

The film was made a long time ago - 1941- and techniques that seem second nature now were revolutionary then. A unique quality about Citizen Kane are the optical effects. Whenever I view the film, I never fail to sit mesmerphized as I listen to Roger Ebert's trenchant commentary-much of which discusses the genius of Gregg Toland.

Also the film was revolutionary in that Citizen Kane, at the time, was seen by many as a thinly veiled bio of William Randolph Hearst - a powerful titan of the times (a contemporary equiv. might be a Donald Trump or Rupert Murdoch). WRH saw the film this way too and HATED it and did everything he could to quash it; he was almost successful too. Given this, I've always seen Orson Welles as courageous, because WRH had lots of clout -- pulling many strings to suppress the movie. He even tried to set Orson Welles up. WRH's attempted censorship is one key reason why it took so many yrs for the film's reputation to gather momentum. And to me is part of the film's allure.

I enjoy opposing viewpoints about films I'm passionate about, as I see them as opportunities to refresh my memory about why I the way I do.

First of all, I love old movies. Citizen Kane is from '41, some of the best movies of all time came years before that - My Man Godfrey, Rebecca, The Wizard of Oz, The Thin Man, Mutiny on the Bounty... so the age thing has never ever been an issue for me.

I had to watch this movie a couple of times in film school, and we did discuss the Hearst connection. But, sorry, this wasn't the first film to be a thinly veiled critique, and it wasn't the last.

I do agree that there are several techniques that Welles came up with that are first seen here - I just never liked the movie. I thought it was boring. Despite it having had a great cast - Joseph Cotten and Agnes Moorehead are two of the best actors of all time, imo.

Also, I had a film teacher that worshiped everything about it. It's not the first film to use new techniques, and it certainly wasn't the last. My teacher basically credited Orson Welles with creating everything. I'll give you an example:

"Before Citizen Kane, you could never see a ceiling in a movie!"
"Oh yes you could. They just did it a different way."
"No you couldn't."
"Gone With the Wind, 1939."

It's a mystery story with some nice angles, new visual styles, good disolves, and a boring plot. Magnificent Ambersons was much better, I thought.

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by Liza

First of all, I love old movies. Citizen Kane is from '41, some of the best movies of all time came years before that - My Man Godfrey, Rebecca, The Wizard of Oz, The Thin Man, Mutiny on the Bounty... so the age thing has never ever been an issue for me.

I had to watch this movie a couple of times in film school, and we did discuss the Hearst connection. But, sorry, this wasn't the first film to be a thinly veiled critique, and it wasn't the last.

I do agree that there are several techniques that Welles came up with that are first seen here - I just never liked the movie. I thought it was boring. Despite it having had a great cast - Joseph Cotten and Agnes Moorehead are two of the best actors of all time, imo.

Also, I had a film teacher that worshiped everything about it. It's not the first film to use new techniques, and it certainly wasn't the last. My teacher basically credited Orson Welles with creating everything. I'll give you an example:

"Before Citizen Kane, you could never see a ceiling in a movie!"
"Oh yes you could. They just did it a different way."
"No you couldn't."
"Gone With the Wind, 1939."

It's a mystery story with some nice angles, new visual styles, good disolves, and a boring plot. Magnificent Ambersons was much better, I thought.

While Orson Welles was, in many ways, a genius, he was not the only genius out there. And what a testament this is to the industry. A BIG part of what makes Citizen Kane great for me was Gregg Toland's amazing cinematography. (But I did find the plot fascinating, so let's agree to disagree on this point.)

Your observation that its NEVER good to get carried away with any one film - as there are so many other 40's jewels out there - is a good one. The movies you named I'm fond of too. May I also respectfully offer up Casablanca?(!)

One of my particular favs from this time was The Best Years Of Our Lives. It came in at #37 on the AFI's Best 100 Films List; I think it should have been ranked higher.

[treky]

one film that I've always HATED is "CASEBLANCA"-sorry, folks, I just don't see what the appeal is.

[70s show watcher]

Originally Posted by treky

one film that I've always HATED is "CASEBLANCA"-sorry, folks, I just don't see what the appeal is.

that movie bores me too

[comedyfreak]

Everyone loved The Bridges of Madison County, but I didn't like it and found it to be boring and slow.
Deer Hunter-Very slow and boring
Blood Work-same as above

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by treky

one film that I've always HATED is "CASEBLANCA"-sorry, folks, I just don't see what the appeal is.

It would be a boring world if we all liked the same thing.

Like, me for example, has never been really big on sci fi. Star Trek, for example, has never done a thing for me. Don't HATE it, just neutral. Probably the Best OF episodes I'd enjoy seeing once. Yet the show has an iconic status and many people flip for it (my friend Yvonne for example.)

But there are some shows I REALLY don't care for like Three's Company (contrived story line and poorly written).

[Céline]

I hated Jaws,Scream,The new Star War's movies,The Mommie,Gladiator,Mission Impossible & James Bond.But,I liked The Fastastic 4 & Van Helsing.

[waichingliu81]

gladiator, titanic, forest gump, lord of the rings, harry potter

[Liza]

Originally Posted by rich p

While Orson Welles was, in many ways, a genius, he was not the only genius out there. And what a testament this is to the industry. A BIG part of what makes Citizen Kane great for me was Gregg Toland's amazing cinematography. (But I did find the plot fascinating, so let's agree to disagree on this point.)

Your observation that its NEVER good to get carried away with any one film - as there are so many other 40's jewels out there - is a good one. The movies you named I'm fond of too. May I also respectfully offer up Casablanca?(!)

One of my particular favs from this time was The Best Years Of Our Lives. It came in at #37 on the AFI's Best 100 Films List; I think it should have been ranked higher.

About the plot, I'll give you this - I always thought it was more of a guy's movie than a girl's. Which is fine, my brother would rather die than sit through Sense & Sensibility, so it all evens out in the end.

Yeah, I think my teacher's opinion of Citizen Kane being the be-all and end-all in films pretty definately turned me against it. This isn't really fair to the film itself, just a personal thing. I might well feel different as the years go by.

Casablanca I've always loved too. I applaud your taste there. And, oh, mentioning The Best Years of Our Lives to me??? *Glances at avatar* You know how to get on my good side!

Yes, it definately should have been in the top 10 at least, if it were up to me, I'd put it at number 1 (followed closely by A Streetcar Named Desire and Casablanca).

[Liza]

Originally Posted by Céline

I hated Jaws,Scream,The new Star War's movies,The Mommie,Gladiator,Mission Impossible & James Bond.But,I liked The Fastastic 4 & Van Helsing.

I was wondering if someone would mention Gladiator. I hated it, but all the guys in my family loved it. And it won best picture. Whatever

I did like Van Helsing. It had flaws, sure, but it was fun. And I just can't hate anything that Hugh Jackman was in.

Okay, The Fountain being one possible exception.

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by Liza

About the plot, I'll give you this - I always thought it was more of a guy's movie than a girl's. Which is fine, my brother would rather die than sit through Sense & Sensibility, so it all evens out in the end.

Yeah, I think my teacher's opinion of Citizen Kane being the be-all and end-all in films pretty definately turned me against it. This isn't really fair to the film itself, just a personal thing. I might well feel different as the years go by.

Casablanca I've always loved too. I applaud your taste there. And, oh, mentioning The Best Years of Our Lives to me??? *Glances at avatar* You know how to get on my good side!

Yes, it definately should have been in the top 10 at least, if it were up to me, I'd put it at number 1 (followed closely by A Streetcar Named Desire and Casablanca).

The Best Years Of Ours Lives is IMHO one of the best movies ever made. It's one of those movies I could watch over and over. Stellar cast, poignant sub plots, magnificent direction--a superb work on all fronts. Definitely a much better movie than quite a few AFI ranked above it. It really s/b in the top 15-20.