S/O: Great Movies You Don't Like

[MissStitch626]

We've been talking on another thread about the best movies ever and what the criteria would be, and it has me thinking - what movies fit all the criteria for a great movie, but you just don't like them?

I'm not thinking about movies you think are "bad", but films you know are objectively good (great script, performances, cinematography etc) but are just not for you. Bonus points if it's one lots of people love.

For me, it's anything made by Christopher Nolan. When I watch his movies, I know I'm watching a well-made movie, I can appreciate the craft of how the movies are made, but they leave me cold. No connection with them whatsoever and no wish to see them again. Great movies, but not for me.

What's on your list?

 

[sam_gordon]

The Godfather
Pulp Fiction

Actually, I don't know that they're "objectively good", but people rave about them and I just don't get it.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

It's funny. My favourite movie is Requiem for a Dream because I can appreciate the art and cinematography that went in to it. But like hell am I putting my poor old mind through that movie again!

Same goes for Event Horizon. Nasty.

 

[MissStitch626]

The Godfather
Pulp Fiction

Actually, I don't know that they're "objectively good", but people rave about them and I just don't get it.

I don't think I've ever seen The Godfather all the way through (I really should check that off the list at some point)

I feel the same about Pulp Fiction, and a lot of Tarantino movies come to think of it.

 

[mylilnikita]

Gone With The Wind

 

[BrianL]

For me, it's anything made by Christopher Nolan. When I watch his movies, I know I'm watching a well-made movie, I can appreciate the craft of how the movies are made, but they leave me cold. No connection with them whatsoever and no wish to see them again. Great movies, but not for me.

Agreed - I can't stand Nolan. I really don't get the appeal. His stuff i just so dull and joyless.

The Godfather
Pulp Fiction

Actually, I don't know that they're "objectively good", but people rave about them and I just don't get it.

The Godfather insists upon itself! Seriously, I've never been into it, but I don't like crime movies, at least not where the criminals are the protagonists.

I also agree about Tarantino - I really just don't like his stuff. It's all nasty people doing nasty things to each other. There is nothing redeeming about them.

For my personal addition, 2001: A Space Odyessy. It is extremely successful...as a cure for insomnia!

 

[MissStitch626]

It's funny. My favourite movie is Requiem for a Dream because I can appreciate the art and cinematography that went in to it. But like hell am I putting my poor old mind through that movie again!

Same goes for Event Horizon. Nasty.

Some terrific performances in both but definitely in the hard-to-watch category!

 

[MissStitch626]

Agreed - I can't stand Nolan. I really don't get the appeal. His stuff i just so dull and joyless.



The Godfaters insists upon itself! Seriously, I've never been into it, but I don't like crime movies, at least not where the criminals are the protagonists.

I also agree about Tarantino - I really just don't like his stuff. It's all nasty people doing nasty things to each other. There is nothing redeeming about them.

For my personal addition, 2001: A Space Odyessy. It is extremely successful...as a cure for insomnia!

Exactly this! Joyless is the word I use most often for Nolan movies. I always watch and think "it's good but why isn't it fun?"

Confession - I never made it all the way through 2001

 

[Praying Colonel]

I mentioned it in another thread: I get that it's an objectively great movie, but Blade Runner doesn't do it for me.

 

[MissStitch626]

I mentioned it in another thread: I get that it's an objectively great movie, but Blade Runner doesn't do it for me.

It's another one that I feel I've seen in passing, parts here and there if it's been on TV but I don't have a strong memory of sitting down and consciously watching it. I kind of want to revisit it but have a feeling I might feel the same way you do.

 

[Jennasis]

The Thin Red Line was hands down the worst movie ever made.

Second runner up: The Happening. Oh M. Night Shamaylan, what happened to you?

The Godfather was a great big snooze fest

 

[MissStitch626]

The Thin Red Line was hands down the worst movie ever made.

Second runner up: The Happening. Oh M. Night Shamaylan, what happened to you?

The Godfather was a great big snooze fest

War movies in general are not my favourite, though my husband will watch any and all war movies that cross his path. The Thin Red Line has such a great cast but I don't recall enjoying it - another one filed under 'not for me'.

I think I actually kind of like The Happening, but not maybe the way the filmmaker intended. More of a "what am I seeing here?" kind of entertainment!

 

[tvguy]

A Christmas Story, which, thanks to TBS and TCM has become a cult movie.

 

[ChrisFL]

"Lost in Translation" I think a lot of movie critics/fans feel like they have to love this movie because it's from Sofia Coppola, but I found it sort of annoying as someone who loves visiting Japan and never feeling alienated, it seems like they went overboard to make sure the protagonists were as alienated as possible. Also the movie just isn't that great overall.

"Fight Club" I've honestly never finished watching this movie, just wasn't my thing

"Arrival" (recent Sci-fi movie) Was mostly bored and if you missed one line in the movie (translated from an alien with subtitles) you missed a huge part of the plot.

"The Notebook". Lots of women loved this one but it had a lot of flaws IMO

"Citizen Kane". I don't hate this movie but it seems like it's more loved by movie enthusiasts for filming techniques than plot...for movies released around the same timeframe, "Casablanca" was much more engaging

Most of Tarantino's movies I'm not a huge fan of...some good moments but some just not my liking....Inglorious Basterds was good though.

 

[NotUrsula]

Sideways. I'm a film buff, and there are very few well-made films that I just can't stand, but this one constantly made me want to slap all of the characters.

I apologize if wine is a huge academic interest for you, but I just found the whole depressed-failure-obsessed-with-wine-that-he-really-can't-afford too precious to tolerate for 127 endless minutes.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

The Godfather
Pulp Fiction

Actually, I don't know that they're "objectively good", but people rave about them and I just don't get it.

Both are good films but each very different. Godfather has an incredible script and some of the finest acting performances ever. Pulp was novel in its storytelling but its real gift is its dialogue. Take the opening scene, which is nothing but 4 minutes of straight dialogue. That violates every rule in the book, audiences hate long scenes of talking but with Tarantino, his writing keeps you watching. Those are just a few reasons why the films are regarded as great by audiences and scholars.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

It's funny. My favourite movie is Requiem for a Dream because I can appreciate the art and cinematography that went in to it. But like hell am I putting my poor old mind through that movie again!

Same goes for Event Horizon. Nasty.

I show Requiem to my film students. What can I say? I like to torture people.

As far as a film I deplore? Titanic. Hated everything about it, except the score. Dreck. I also hated the Passion of the Christ, except for its score. That film should’ve been given an NC-17 rating. I don’t care much for Blade Runner.

 

[ChrisFL]

I'm not a big fan of the fictional story part of Titanic but I do like the amount of research and authenticity put into the film

 

[kathyk2]

I hated Pulp Fiction. I thought it was too violent. The English Patient was so boring.

 

[BrianL]

Exactly this! Joyless is the word I use most often for Nolan movies. I always watch and think "it's good but why isn't it fun?"

Confession - I never made it all the way through 2001

Right! People love his Batman for some reason, and I'm like, shouldn't superhero moveis be FUN? Shouldn't the Joker be funny and have charisma? He tries so hard to be gritty and realistic that it breaks the entire concept.