Some Over-Rated Movies
April 11th 2008 03:59
One man’s euphoria is another man’s despair, which can be the subtext of this line up. Like most of the arts, personal choice has its place, and thus is the main plank for this list. Most of them are pretty good. I guess the point is they are not as good as I expected them to be – whether it be the hype, or the expectations put on the director, screenwriter and actors. Feel free to add to the list via comments, or chastise me for being a dumbass!
Triumph of the Will, 1935
OVER the years I have read a lot about this movie, and its place on the cinematic landscape and looked forward to seeing it. I get the Nazi references and why cinema afficiandos would want it there, but for crying out loud, it is crap. I have not seen any other Leni Reifenstahl projects, but maybe that’s a good thing. Bloated, poorly shot and just badly put together.
Citizen Kane, 1941
ALMOST committing blasphemy with this one as it regularly commands the top spot on the American Film Institute’s greatest movies of all time. At the time, I can see why people liked it – a 24-year-old director giving an allegorical tale (not a flattering one either) based on William Randolph Hearst would appeal to those who detested the tycoon. Me? Film techniques aside, I found a lot of it melodramatic and boring. Only interesting part is I still don’t know who Rosebud is or was, but then again, maybe that is one of the subtle points of the movie that went over my head!
Mr Smith Goes to Washington, 1939
FUNNY this should end up in this list as for a long time I really liked it. Then I got to know American politics, and unfortunately the first thing that comes to mind are the words cynicism and sickly sentimental. Then again, maybe I’m guilty of trying to foist 21st century sentiments on a movie almost 60 years old. Maybe it was a pic of its time. Tried by Eddie Murphy a few years latter under the guise of The Distinguished Gentleman, but was a poor imitation.
Rebel Without a Cause, 1955
THIS is one of the few movies on the list that I genuinely dislike for several reasons. I know James Dean died too early and he showed a lot of promise but there are more holes in this movie than greeted Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway at the close of Bonnie and Clyde. The real stickler for me is, why would Natalie Wood’s Judy fall for the guy who just beat her boyfriend in a game of chicken (which got said boyfriend killed) 24 hours after the scene? I know you’re supposed to suspend disbelief, but I’ve more chance of living through suspended animation. Other problems include editing and screenplay. See it for nostalgia for sure. Classic? Not even close.
The Night of the Hunter, 1955
HEARD many a rave about this Robert Mitchum vehicle and saw it not six months ago. It’s not a bad film, but having read a lot about it recently, definitely deserves to be on the list. Is Lillian Gish good? Sure. Mitchum? Not particularly. Thing is, I really wanted to like it due to it being the only directorial feature of Charles Laughton. Alas, nowhere near as scary as people would have you believe. Bad editing, sound and cinematography add to its place on the list.
The Searchers, 1956
ANOTHER I saw not that long ago, and yet another disappointment. Johns Ford and Wayne of all persons, too! Love these guys usually, and was really looking forward to seeing the end result. This may be a case of where I’m the problem, not the movie. Maybe I’m trying to put current movie-making norms on days gone by. Thought continuity suffered, and found both Jeffrey Hunter and Harry Carey’s efforts mediocre at best. It’s like Ford didn’t have final cut, or he left bits out. Just one I expected so much of, but with so little return.
Lawrence of Arabia, 1962
THERE is a lot of to like about this movie, however what could have been said in 2 hours took 3 hours plus and there is a huge number of pregnant pauses and unnecessary dialogue that didn’t need spelling out. Peter O’Toole’s finest hour for sure, but maybe somebody should have told David Lean to stay in the editing suite a few more days.
Eraserhead 1977
THE movie that launched a Clayton’s career. For those not in the know, Clayton’s was this god-awful drink launched in the 80s that was non-alcoholic but looked like alcohol. Advertised as the drink when you’re not having a drink. Ditto David Lynch’s career – a director who is not really a director. Lynch is a charlatan. Seriously. There is nothing likeable about his movies with the exception of The Elephant Man. His only other mainstream effort (Dune) failed miserably, which is no surprise. Whoever championed Eraserhead in the first place should be shot. Auteur my arse. Try “taking the piss”. This is my David Lynch Theory: Have great ideas that start out well, don’t know how to finish them off, so I’ll hide behind the “auteur/absurdist/surrealist” label and take my chances.
Return of the Jedi, 1983
WEIRD to have a Star Wars movie in here, yet there were a few problems I just couldn’t get over. George, George, George! Ewoks??? EWOKS!! What the hell are Care Bears doing on set! Thought the idea behind them was necessary, but how about a more mainstream set of aliens. As they had such an important place in the storyline, they’re kinda hard to miss or forget. Also, with hindsight, found it one step too far to believe that a person like Darth Vader who murdered the younglings in Revenge of the Sith, could be redeemed in any way, shape or form.
Triumph of the Will, 1935
Citizen Kane, 1941
Mr Smith Goes to Washington, 1939
Rebel Without a Cause, 1955
The Night of the Hunter, 1955
The Searchers, 1956
Lawrence of Arabia, 1962
Eraserhead 1977
Return of the Jedi, 1983
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I would have included Gone with the Wind, The Sound of Music, Braveheart, Crash, Shawshank Redemption, A Beautiful Mind and Forrest Gump near the top of my list.
Comment by Mike Wheeler
Cinema Rat
You cut deep with The Shawshank Redemption, and Crash. Think the others are Ok, but nothing special too. I liked them, but just don't think they were mindblowing or anything.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Each to their own, if we all agreed on everything it would be a boring conversation. I certainly appreciate the whole high expectations/hype ruining a film potential.
I certainly understand how some people don't like Lynch's work, personally he is one of my favourite directors. Most of his films are a unique experience that engage my mind, intrigue and moves me. Improving with age and subsequent screenings, Blue Velvet and Lost Highway are my favourites.
To clarify on Shawshank it made me sick how saturnine it was, rainbows and happiness. It just seemed to try so hard in the script and there was absolutely no sense of danger or menace. The token rape scene just felt tacked on to try and kid itself into thinking it had an edge. Found it very pedestrian (cliched) and hollow compared to the classic cinema it was attempting emulate.No supense or power and even though Tim Robbins is a great actor I wanted him to die a horrible death in this one...not a complete piece of trash though (6/10)...I love a good prison film though and give me Cool hand Luke or Papillon as superb feel good/uplifting prison films anyday.
If you want to know why I HATED Crash you can check my blog "9 films that pissed me off" by clicking HERE