Totally Over-rated

Re: 2nd revision

Risselada — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 01:12:58 GMT

I agree pretty much with what you said Blakngold. I cannot comment on Babel however because I haven't seen it yet. I did like that director's Amores Perros and 21 Grams very much though. I'll have to see if the characters in Babel seem as real to me as they did in those other movies.

Re: 2nd revision

blakngold — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 23:42:37 GMT

Yes, I see what you're saying and I think we can both agree that we have slightly different ideas of what overrated movies are to us personally by what communities we've been involved with on film and our different film analyzing techniques that we've developed over the years. I understand what you mean about asking you what they SHOULD have done because it was their choice in the first place. For example, when you wrote " where as Crash and Grand Canyon feel like pretentious sociological-lessons". I think that's how a lot of people felt about Babel, but you know I can't agree with that because they created real characters that deal with situations we just don't deal with everyday and the message ended up being that there's a great need for change. If you saw these films a different way than me, that doesn't make either of us necessarily right or wrong. It's really just about forming our seperate opinions on how these films were presented to us on our seperate "recorders". Don't you think so? I'll have to watch Grand Canyon again to see if it feels like a pretentious sociological lesson.

Other than that I can see were you're coming from. We have completely different aspects towards the ideas of films and what makes them great, which leads us to having different outlooks towards overrated movies. In a way, that's the movie critics debating version of "Babel". What do you think?

Re: 2nd revision

Risselada — Tue, 29 May 2007 18:30:37 GMT

blakngold:
For "Chungking Express" I hardly see that film in any of my local video stores. The only way it came to America was because Quentin Tarantino wanted Americans to see it because he knew it was really a special film. Are you serious when you say that you hear about it all the time? If you spend enough time on movie sites you probably will hear about that film a whole lot. Seriously though, i'm lucky I stumbled upon that film a while back.

Well yeah I'm mostly talking about movie sites, but that's mostly where I interact with people talking about movies anyways. And it's true that probably a lot less people would have been able to as easily see it if it weren't for Tarantino's distribution company (although it may have eventually been released by another one), but again the more people that are able to see a movie, the more chance it has to be overrated.

blakngold:
When you asked me if I wanted to debate about "What the Bleep do we Know", I meant we could debate about the issues that arise from the documentary. Now it did not win any awards, it did not get a big release and it didn't get a whole lot of critical praise, but it did bring up some very radical ideas. It wasn't a great documentary but it wasn't bad. Why is this overrated?

Well I did hear a lot of people talking about this one and wanting to see it when I worked at a video store. I know it had a lot of underground hype, but I guess that's how things work with these cults.

Remember again from my first post the way this list was generated. I wasn't the one who picked this list. It was generated based on my ratings by movielens. So I cannot fully justify all of the items on the list.

blakngold:
When you said,"And the fact that more recently he reedited E.T. kind of makes me feel even weirder about it." What do you mean when you say that it makes you feel weirder about it?

It was supposed to be such a great film, but now he is fiddling around with it still? I dunno, didn't you feel weird when you found out he was releasing that new edition with the guns taken out and all that stupid stuff?

blakngold:
Again about "Crash" and "Grand Canyon" when you said,"They both are these ensemble pieces that act as though they are bringing you important viewpoints from every side of society on certain issues." How should they have done it? Does it bother you that there are so many characters in the story and they all have some serious problem that they all have to deal with? Does it bother you that they are somehow all connected? What is the one main thing that you would have changed about this film?

Well my initial reaction to questions like "how should they have done it?" or "what would you have changed?" is, if it were me, I wouldn't be so presumptuous as to do what they were apparently trying to do in the first place. It may also be presumptuous of me to make that statment too, so I don't know. I can't say what someone SHOULD do. You can do virtually anything in movies and art and often the most interesting things come from someone doing something in a way that most people would have never imagined as a way that you SHOULD do something.

My dislike has nothing to do with the fact that many characters are dealing with serious problems or that they are all connected. There are many movies I love with those characteristics. It's just that some movies seem like honest expressions and explorations, where as Crash and Grand Canyon feel like pretentious sociological-lessons.

What do you think?

2nd revision

blakngold — Fri, 25 May 2007 17:44:18 GMT

I kept sending this response because it continued to tell me that it wasn't sending it. Anyways, I understand your viewpoint on the way these stories are constructed in "Crash" and "Grand Canyon". When you said,"To me it seems receiving an Academy Award is the biggest reason for the half of the ratio that would allow someone to call something overrated." This is true but for a film to be overrated and win Best Picture means the movie wasn't that great. But since it's all a matter of opinion I believe, even if you think it's trying to be too important, if the movie lives up to it's hype with the awards it receives and it's critical praise then it deserves it. "Crash" is a film that I believe deserves all of it's hype because they brought a unique form of poetry to racism in this day and age. I guess we just saw "Crash" through completely different lenses.

For "Chungking Express" I hardly see that film in any of my local video stores. The only way it came to America was because Quentin Tarantino wanted Americans to see it because he knew it was really a special film. Are you serious when you say that you hear about it all the time? If you spend enough time on movie sites you probably will hear about that film a whole lot. Seriously though, i'm lucky I stumbled upon that film a while back.

When you asked me if I wanted to debate about "What the Bleep do we Know", I meant we could debate about the issues that arise from the documentary. Now it did not win any awards, it did not get a big release and it didn't get a whole lot of critical praise, but it did bring up some very radical ideas. It wasn't a great documentary but it wasn't bad. Why is this overrated?

When you said,"And the fact that more recently he reedited E.T. kind of makes me feel even weirder about it." What do you mean when you say that it makes you feel weirder about it?

Again about "Crash" and "Grand Canyon" when you said,"They both are these ensemble pieces that act as though they are bringing you important viewpoints from every side of society on certain issues." How should they have done it? Does it bother you that there are so many characters in the story and they all have some serious problem that they all have to deal with? Does it bother you that they are somehow all connected? What is the one main thing that you would have changed about this film?

Re: Your overrated list, hmmmm

Risselada — Fri, 25 May 2007 14:50:53 GMT

Well, blakngold, I've answered a few of your questions in previous posts, but I'd be glad to respond. I just hope I don't sound redundant.

blakngold:
Crash(2005)- Sorry my friend but you’re wrong on this one. You must remember that this can’t be overrated because it won Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

I don't see how a movie CAN'T be overrated because it won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. To me it seems receiving an Academy Award is the biggest reason for the half of the ratio that would allow someone to call something overrated. How much more "rated" can a movie be than to get an Academy Award?

blakngold:
ChungKing Express-Okay, now this film is actually underrated.

You don't think this one has received much acclaim?? I hear about it all the time.

blakngold:
Toy Story- Well, if you don’t care for Disney and Pixar then I understand. Otherwise, what?

Yeah that's basically it. I don't care too much for Pixar or Disney these days in general.

blakngold:
Grand Canyon- This is an amazing film that has been truly underrated. Come on this is the perfect story.

I'll get to this below

blakngold:
What the Bleep Do We Know?!- This one is debatable.?

Are you saying you want to debate it?

blakngold:
E.T.-Were you ever a child? Do you not like Steven Spielberg?

Yeah I probably would have said I liked this movie a lot more when I was a child, but not so much anymore. I like Speilberg sometimes, but definitely not always. And the fact that more recently he reedited E.T. kind of makes me feel even weirder about it.

blakngold:
Alien Vs. Predator- Totally agree on this one

Yeah I was surprised to find out how many people actually liked this one.

blakngold:
The Motorcycle Diaries-Really, Why did you have to put this one on your list? Don’t tell me because it has won so many awards. More people should watch this great film!

Kind of like Grand Canyon which I'll get to below, it seemed manipulative and false in a way to be sentimental or to make itself seem important.

blakngold:
But when you put a wonderful film like "Grand Canyon" on your list I start think that you must not remember this film at all. If you do remember it then what elements did you find that didn’t make the story flawless like I found it? I know you understand movies and that’s why I question a few of your choices that are in fact truly great films and will forever remain that way.

I dislike Grand Canyon the same way I dislike Crash. They both are these ensemble pieces that act as though they are bringing you important viewpoints from every side of society on certain issues. The scenes and dialogue and charcters seem constructed in a way that the filmmakers are trying to tell you something "important". This is pretentious and constructed and false. Even when these movies use humor, it's "important" humor. Heh, and the scenes when Kevin Klein is dreaming and flying, just reminded me of The Big Lebowski. And it seems to me in The Big Lebowski they were really making fun of this silly convention.

Your overrated list, hmmmm

blakngold — Thu, 24 May 2007 20:48:32 GMT

I understand what you mean about all of the hype with these movies on this site. But to tell you the truth, peoples opinions should not affect how great a film is. Now for the ones that you knew you wouldn’t like from the very beginning, I strongly believe that you shouldn’t walk into a movie with a negative perspective about what you’re going to be spending about an hour and a half watching. How can you expect to watch a movie and give it a reasonable rating if you tell yourself that you aren’t going to like it before you even see it?

Crash(2005)- Sorry my friend but you’re wrong on this one. You must remember that this can’t be overrated because it won Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

ChungKing Express-Okay, now this film is actually underrated.

Toy Story- Well, if you don’t care for Disney and Pixar then I understand. Otherwise, what?

Grand Canyon- This is an amazing film that has been truly underrated. Come on this is the perfect story.

What the Bleep Do We Know?!- This one is debatable.

E.T.-Were you ever a child? Do you not like Steven Spielberg?

Alien Vs. Predator- Totally agree on this one

The Motorcycle Diaries-Really, Why did you have to put this one on your list? Don’t tell me because it has won so many awards. More people should watch this great film!

On many of your overrated movies, it makes sense why you would put them there. However, there are some that you listed that I couldn’t quite grasp why you put them on here. I can see why you put "Empire Records" on your list. But when you put a wonderful film like "Grand Canyon" on your list I start think that you must not remember this film at all. If you do remember it then what elements did you find that didn’t make the story flawless like I found it? I know you understand movies and that’s why I question a few of your choices that are in fact truly great films and will forever remain that way.

Re: Your overrated list

Risselada — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 15:40:34 GMT

BigJeffLebowski:

And Risselada, I agree with you about Rohmer. Although, in regard to Bakery Girl, didn't you feel like the ending was somewhat... abrupt? It made sense thematically, but having invested so much in the characters in such a short period of time, I was hoping there would be more debate or anguish or insight. Then again, maybe that was the point?

Hmm, I might have idenitified it as abrupt, but it seemed completely appropriate. The whole thing seemed very matter-of-fact. Yes, there was moralizing and of course extreme debate and obsession within the narration of the main character, but the way the images and story were presented were quite straightforward without any particular emphasis or obligation. Boy I really found it refreshing in a way. I'm excited to see more Rohmer soon!

Re: Your overrated list

BigJeffLebowski — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:37:21 GMT

I would easily put A Clockwork Orange onto any best-of list, and I would say Magnolia is something of a modern classic.

Windbreaker, I have to agree with Risselada regarding the movies you cited from his list (especially Crash, I still can't believe the awards it won), but I'm glad to see someone else who feels V for Vendetta was overrated. Great source material, interesting ideas, beautiful cinematography, but it bears that Wachowski trademark of thinking it's much deeper and more profound (and, for that matter, better) than it actually is. On that note, I should add The Matrix to this list. Easily the most overrated film of the past quarter century.

And Risselada, I agree with you about Rohmer. Although, in regard to Bakery Girl, didn't you feel like the ending was somewhat... abrupt? It made sense thematically, but having invested so much in the characters in such a short period of time, I was hoping there would be more debate or anguish or insight. Then again, maybe that was the point?

Re: Your overrated list

Risselada — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 16:27:14 GMT

Windbreaker:

Interesting, Riss, that your list contains some of my favorites: Collateral, Crash, Wedding Singer, Toy Story, and Gladiator.

Heh, and your list contains some of my favorites! A Clockwork Orange, Reservoir Dogs, Magnolia. And Sin City is pretty close to my top too.

Would I expect these to be on any kind of best list? Well that's hard to say. A Clockwork Orange is the most likely.

Re: Your overrated list

Windbreaker — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 05:29:33 GMT

Looks like the original list is getting plenty of debate. It feels like a tangent to list some of my own. I took a look at the IMDb Top 250 list and came up with the following over-rated flicks. Keep in mind, I'm not saying they're bad -- just not worthy of "Best Of" lists.

Interesting, Riss, that your list contains some of my favorites: Collateral, Crash, Wedding Singer, Toy Story, and Gladiator.

Re: Your overrated list

JScott — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 20:26:51 GMT

Yeah, I feel that way about Gondry's The Science of Sleep, which I just saw yesterday. While I liked aspects of it and the interaction with dreams I felt the rest of it was garbage.

The Jules et Jim "review" is up. It is more of a long winded explanation, but oh well, I don't think I am really spoiling much for a film has has been out for 40 years.

Re: Your overrated list

Risselada — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 19:44:08 GMT

JScott:

Fair enough. I get what you are saying.
I haven't seen Rohmer's films yet, but I'll make a point to check them out and see what they are about.

Cool.

And I certainly don't deny that films like these affect other people more profoundly. I can certainly recognize art and innovation in certain movies that don't appeal to me. I'll be interested to read your review of Jules and Jim.

Yeah Rohmer is so interesting. I have yet to see any of his longer works. But the films I saw seem like there is both nothing to them and everything that is important in them at the same time.

Re: Your overrated list

JScott — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:43:20 GMT

Risselada:
JScott:

Jules et Jim? Breathless? I simply cannot agree.
While Breathless might be difficult viewing for some (those who watch and love Nick Cage movies), I think the jump cuts alone make it a great film for people seeking to expand cinematic interpretation. While I do admire La Nouvelle Vague I am not in-love with Godard or anything. I just think it is a film worthy of its status.
And Jules et Jim is a great film. The love triangle, the power of the female, the friendship, and so much else works very well. In fact for the "review contest" I am planning on a Jules et Jim entry, so look for that. I just think Truffaut is great. His films focus on the left over member of the triangle (or the outcast, the marginal) and Jules et Jim is as poignant as The 400 Blows.
It's certainly not the jump cuts or the style of filming really that don't admire. Seeing a clip of the unusual jump cuts from Breathless was actually what made me want to see the entire film. Its just the fact that in that movie and in Jules and Jim the characters were all so completely self-absorbed and unsympathetic to me personally that I was consistently annoyed. When I think about it, I'm not even sure that every movie needs sympathetic characters depending on the stance of the movie. But in this case it seemed as though there was no worthwhile way of looking at this movie or these characters.
I just saw Eric Rohmer's first two "moral tales", The Girl at the Monceau Bakery and Suzanne's Career. Although he seems to get lumped in the French New Wave with Godard and Truffaut, and there are some thematic similarities, his approach is so much more satisfyingly different to me. Well they are moral tales, and there does seem to be some kind of morality there.

Fair enough. I get what you are saying.

I haven't seen Rohmer's films yet, but I'll make a point to check them out and see what they are about.

Re: Your overrated list

Risselada — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:40:23 GMT

JScott:

Jules et Jim? Breathless? I simply cannot agree.
While Breathless might be difficult viewing for some (those who watch and love Nick Cage movies), I think the jump cuts alone make it a great film for people seeking to expand cinematic interpretation. While I do admire La Nouvelle Vague I am not in-love with Godard or anything. I just think it is a film worthy of its status.
And Jules et Jim is a great film. The love triangle, the power of the female, the friendship, and so much else works very well. In fact for the "review contest" I am planning on a Jules et Jim entry, so look for that. I just think Truffaut is great. His films focus on the left over member of the triangle (or the outcast, the marginal) and Jules et Jim is as poignant as The 400 Blows.

It's certainly not the jump cuts or the style of filming really that don't admire. Seeing a clip of the unusual jump cuts from Breathless was actually what made me want to see the entire film. Its just the fact that in that movie and in Jules and Jim the characters were all so completely self-absorbed and unsympathetic to me personally that I was consistently annoyed. When I think about it, I'm not even sure that every movie needs sympathetic characters depending on the stance of the movie. But in this case it seemed as though there was no worthwhile way of looking at this movie or these characters.

I just saw Eric Rohmer's first two "moral tales", The Girl at the Monceau Bakery and Suzanne's Career. Although he seems to get lumped in the French New Wave with Godard and Truffaut, and there are some thematic similarities, his approach is so much more satisfyingly different to me. Well they are moral tales, and there does seem to be some kind of morality there.

Re: Your overrated list

JScott — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 21:23:34 GMT

Jules et Jim? Breathless? I simply cannot agree.

While Breathless might be difficult viewing for some (those who watch and love Nick Cage movies), I think the jump cuts alone make it a great film for people seeking to expand cinematic interpretation. While I do admire La Nouvelle Vague I am not in-love with Godard or anything. I just think it is a film worthy of its status.

And Jules et Jim is a great film. The love triangle, the power of the female, the friendship, and so much else works very well. In fact for the "review contest" I am planning on a Jules et Jim entry, so look for that. I just think Truffaut is great. His films focus on the left over member of the triangle (or the outcast, the marginal) and Jules et Jim is as poignant as The 400 Blows.

Re: Your overrated list

Sanoskai7 — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 17:42:20 GMT

I see what you mean. I saw Metropolis (1920s) and Pandora's Box before and I thought they were boring. Guess I'll just have to watch them again now that I'm older.

Re: Your overrated list

Risselada — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 23:10:56 GMT

Sanoskai7:

What do you have against David Lean's masterpiece "Lawrence of Arabia"? I bet you thought it was boring!

Honestly it was probably nearly ten years ago when I saw that, and I'm 26 now. I do remember it as being boring. So that's basically the opinion of a different version of me who thinks it's overrated. I'd have to see it again to make a more confident assessment with where I'm at right now in my film appreciation.

Re: Your overrated list

Sanoskai7 — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 01:31:37 GMT

What do you have against David Lean's masterpiece "Lawrence of Arabia"? I bet you thought it was boring!

Re: Your overrated list

Indie — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 01:10:50 GMT

I agree with Gladiator completely.... I didn't think that it was that good at all. When the oscar nods came in that year I thought that there had been a mistake, and when it won.... Why wasn't Troy nominated?

Re: Your overrated list

AndyLaBryn — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 23:35:20 GMT

On another note, are you a manipulative person? You know, that whole judge not lest ye be judged thing and your comments about being turned off when you feel like a movie is pushing you to feel something emotionally.

It's funny you ask that question. Rizzo is one of the least manipulative people I've met in my life. I'm fairly manipulative so I know when to spot one.

He's not gullible enough to be taken advantage of , but he's not the type to try to control a situation or person.

It boarders on hilarity for me to see some of these replies. Something it seems a lot of you sren't getting.

These movies are overrated for him, because of the hype brought about not just by advertisments, but word of mouth and peer review.

He's not a fan of these movies, when the general concensus seems to fairly to overwhelmingly postive.

So as far as he is concerned, they are overrated.

Re: Your overrated list

Risselada — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 23:35:06 GMT

narphinugan:
I don't want to be one of those technicality "gotcha" posters but shouldn't this be your "underrated list"? At first I thought you were listing the movies you think are overrated by "the man" but as I read through the thread it sounds like you are simply listing movies that movielens thinks you like the least compared to the rest of the people who have rated those movies on movielens.

Yes I am "simply simply listing movies that movielens thinks you like the least compared to the rest of the people who have rated those movies on movielens", that is exactly what I am doing. If I was going to give you my "underrated list", I would have listed movies that movielens thinks I like the MOST compared to the rest of the people who have rated those movies on movielens.

narphinugan:
On another note, are you a manipulative person? You know, that whole judge not lest ye be judged thing and your comments about being turned off when you feel like a movie is pushing you to feel something emotionally.

I have no idea what you are talking about. You don't think I should "judge" a movie by whether or not I think it is manipulative? You know the Biblical quote about judging is about judging other people, not films or pieces of art.

Re: Your overrated list

narphinugan — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 06:40:40 GMT

I don't want to be one of those technicality "gotcha" posters but shouldn't this be your "underrated list"? At first I thought you were listing the movies you think are overrated by "the man" but as I read through the thread it sounds like you are simply listing movies that movielens thinks you like the least compared to the rest of the people who have rated those movies on movielens.

On another note, are you a manipulative person? You know, that whole judge not lest ye be judged thing and your comments about being turned off when you feel like a movie is pushing you to feel something emotionally.

Re: Your overrated list

Risselada — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 22:11:29 GMT

sweeneyx:
what are you all basing whats overrated on? is it whats rated high on Sprout? if your taking into account say, awards, critics and box office then most of these flicks don't even exist Empire Records Anything Else Bad Boys II Happy, Texas The Whole Nine Yards Big Daddy Alien Vs. Predator MOST OF THE WORLD WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THESE MOVIES SUCK. But Breathless (the Godard version?) Lawence Of Arabia have you seen them? Okay they're no Spawn or Home Alone but they're terric flicks. Fasinating

I thought I explained it pretty well in my very first post. I rated movies at movielens.umn.edu. These are the movies that supposedly my rating is furthest lowest from the average. Did you read that part? I'm not taking anything into account. It's merely what that website spat out at me based on other people's ratings on that website only. I would have figured most of the world would acknowledge these movies suck as well.

Re: Your overrated list

Indie — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 15:26:14 GMT

He's basing his list on something he saw at Movielens

Re: Your overrated list

sweeneyx — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 04:47:42 GMT

what are you all basing whats overrated on?
is it whats rated high on Sprout?
if your taking into account say, awards, critics and box office
then most of these flicks don't even exist

Empire Records
Anything Else
Bad Boys II
Happy, Texas
The Whole Nine Yards
Big Daddy
Alien Vs. Predator
MOST OF THE WORLD WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THESE MOVIES SUCK.

But
Breathless (the Godard version?)
Lawence Of Arabia
have you seen them? Okay they're no Spawn or Home Alone
but they're terric flicks.

Fasinating

Re: Your overrated list

Indie — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 02:04:32 GMT

Ha-ha, Empire Records is on that list. I used to like it, but I've seen Robin Tunney being suicidal one too many times.

Re: Your overrated list

Risselada — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 16:19:10 GMT

It's probably not "really popular", but like I said, I was just listing the movies that movielens spat out to me based on their statistics.

Re: Your overrated list

Indie — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 14:44:05 GMT

Bandits too? I do not think that its a masterpiece (though Cate and Billy are master class). Is it really popular?

Re: Your overrated list

GoldynGirl — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 06:02:09 GMT

A Fish Called Wanda?

Overrated? Blasphemy!

Kevin Kline is delightfully loony, and Jamie Curtis is at her acerbic, conniving best. Better hope that K-K-K-Ken doesn't try to k-k-k-kill you!

Re: Your overrated list

Risselada — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 17:22:12 GMT

Rock:
Risselada:

I Am Sam - WOW...why was this on your list?
Shrek - Must not like animated movies?
Selena - Didn't like J-Lo doing the film?    I thought it was a great biopic on her life.
Million Dollar Baby - GREAT FILM.   What didn't you like?
The Wedding Singer - Good film. But not sure that it was hyped to begin with
Meet The Parents - Good film. Hilarious sceens. again I'm not sure there was alot of hype to begin with
True Lies - Personally my favorite film of both Arnolds.   I thought both Arnolds interacted well together. I'd like to see a return of those characters
Bad Boys II - While it was a decent film. I too didn't think it lived up to the original film
Toy Story - I really think you don't like animated movies
The Whole Nine Yards - Great film. Almost as good as the Hudson Hawk
Men In Black II - I thought it was a worthy sequel
The Truman Show - I believe that film showcased Jim Carrey's best acting abilities
Liar Liar - Again, Jim Carrey's best acting but in a comedic role. I thought it was his best comedy.
Fahrenheit 9/11 - I soo dislike Michael Moore.
Meet the Fockers - Funny film.
Field of Dreams - You must not be a dreamer
Alien Vs. Predator - They must continue this series. I loved it.
Gladiator - WHY is this on your list?

A lot of these I don't like because they are what I usuaully call manipulative. I am watching them and I can feel the filmmakers trying their hardest to make me feel a certain emotion. Sometimes they succeed. However if I can feel them doing it, then it seems false. It seems like it's a trick and there's no reason for it. I Am Sam is probably at the top because I give it the worst rating possible. Let's get some sweet innocent mentally challenged people, a precocious, lovable child, people that want to fight for a cause against those darned courts. And of course lots of Beatles music. Who the hell doesn't love the Beatles? When you look at the cirumstances of the movie it's so untrue. Things never could or ever would happen the way they ever do in that film. But they put you in the most emotionally reactive situations possible. Why? As an exercise?

Weird that you mentioned Hudson Hawk. I've never seen it, but my impression was that it was in the same category as Ishtar and Waterworld as movies that had a lot of hype and budget to them, but then totally tanked.

Re: Your overrated list

Rock — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 14:21:17 GMT

Risselada:

I Am Sam - WOW...why was this on your list?
Shrek - Must not like animated movies?
Selena - Didn't like J-Lo doing the film?    I thought it was a great biopic on her life.
Million Dollar Baby - GREAT FILM.   What didn't you like?
The Wedding Singer - Good film. But not sure that it was hyped to begin with
Meet The Parents - Good film. Hilarious sceens. again I'm not sure there was alot of hype to begin with
True Lies - Personally my favorite film of both Arnolds.   I thought both Arnolds interacted well together. I'd like to see a return of those characters
Bad Boys II - While it was a decent film. I too didn't think it lived up to the original film
Toy Story - I really think you don't like animated movies
The Whole Nine Yards - Great film. Almost as good as the Hudson Hawk
Men In Black II - I thought it was a worthy sequel
The Truman Show - I believe that film showcased Jim Carrey's best acting abilities
Liar Liar - Again, Jim Carrey's best acting but in a comedic role. I thought it was his best comedy.
Fahrenheit 9/11 - I soo dislike Michael Moore.
Meet the Fockers - Funny film.
Field of Dreams - You must not be a dreamer
Alien Vs. Predator - They must continue this series. I loved it.
Gladiator - WHY is this on your list?

Your overrated list

Risselada — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 21:50:55 GMT

http://www.spout.com/films/Swingers/93403/default.aspxI thought I wouldn't like participating in this group at first because it get's frustrating complaining about movies, but I can't seem to hold myself back.

Puhnner, you asked me to list some of my overrated movies, referring to my definition of overrated by ratio. Well I'm not sure if this is going by the same criteria, but I've come up with a list from another source. I also rate movies at the website movielens. It will give you recommendations based on your ratings and whatnot. It also gives some interesting statistics. For one, it tells me which movies I have rated the lowest compared to the average rating on their site. So I have looked at that list and picked several of them. The thing about this method is that I am not using what my impression of the ammount of acclaim a movie has received for the ratio but rather what the ammount of acclaim a website thinks a movie has based on the votes from it's users. Some of these movies I have not seen for a long time, so my feelings about them are not as immediate in my memory, but maybe it will give some dicussion.

I Am Sam
Shrek
The Cooler
Crash (2005)
In America
Selena
Million Dollar Baby
The Wedding Singer
Chungking Express
The Lion King
Empire Records
Anything Else
Meet The Parents
True Lies
Breathless
The Nutty Professor (1996)
Bad Boys II
Jules and Jim
Open Water
Whale Rider
American Pie
Toy Story
10 Things I Hate About You
Swingers
Grand Canyon
Ruthless People
Happy, Texas
What the #$*! Do We Know?!
Bandits
A Fish Called Wanda
The Whole Nine Yards
High Fidelity
Men In Black II
Vanilla Sky
E.T.
The Game
The Truman Show
Liar Liar
Fahrenheit 9/11
Collateral
Meet the Fockers
Field of Dreams
Lawrence of Arabia
Big Daddy
The Graduate
Haiku Tunnel
Alien Vs. Predator
Arlington Road
La Femme Nikita
Gladiator
The Motorcycle Diaries

Also, I have added the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind to the overrated list for this group.

I also want to say I often hope my list in this area will stay short. Many of these movies I have had an impression from the start that I would not like it. I usually have a good sense ahead of time about what movies I will like more or less. I can't tell exactly how much I will like a movie, but I'm usually pretty close on the general range of how much I may like it. Most of these movies I was coerced into seeing. Some of you may argue that the fact that I told myself I didn't want to see it in the first place may have had an effect on how much I liked it. Such as if I go in telling myself I won't like it, I'll probably find more reasons not to like it. That may be true to some extent, but not enough to really effect my decision that much.

Go ahead and ask me about these selections and make a list of your own using whatever criteria you feel is appropriate.