Unpopular movie opinions...

[Richard Warren]

I watched "Chinatown" the other day. Its really stupid.

 

[Sunny]

I understand others' sentiments regarding the books. I don't think Tolkien was as gifted at writing for a larger audience. He was very focused on a crowd that was already highly interested in fables, history and legend. You can see much of Beowulf (which Tolkien helped bring back to life through a published translation) in his work. In any case, I loved the books, although they were quite dry and difficult at times.

Honestly, he wasn't really writing for anyone; except for children, with the Hobbit. It's really, really interesting to read his letter to his son Christopher, who was away with the RAF when he began writing the LotR. The Lord of the Rings was intended as nothing more than a sequel to the Hobbit - the character the four hobbits meet at the Inn was supposed to be another hobbit, named Trotter! - but he writes how it took a far more serious turn, a much bigger story, than he had ever intended. The entire world was a mythology created more to flesh out the languages he created.

 

[Diamondback]

Hint, anybody read the BOOK "The Spy Who Loved Me"?

I dunno--but I will tell you this: compared to Fleming's original novels and shorts, IMO most of what turned up on screen was an IMPROVEMENT! Frankly, I'm surprised the novel series can even be discussed here with how far into "pulp fiction" it was (I have a couple 1960's editions), and one really does have to wonder how some of them, The Man With The Golden Gun in particular for one, managed to get around the time's Obscenity/Pornography statutes.

Most of TSWLM (the film) was actually grafted in from a novella entitled "The Property of a Lady"--TSWLM was the one novel that Fleming and his estate refused to allow to hit film, until Albert Broccoli promised that he would pretty much only keep the title and maybe a few pieces of the story, using other 007 tales as sources for "filler" material.

 

[Jerekson]

The post-2001 Ocean's Eleven series. I've had friends and family that have sworn by these movies for years, calling them the coolest things they've ever seen and insisting that I am missing out.

The terrible plot elements and unfathomable premise, the awful displays of "high culture" (yeah right) and atrocious, "comical" dialog just about makes me tear up from embarrassment.
The thing I hate the most is the way the characters are portrayed (mostly through the use of the aforementioned dialog) as being so casual, so cool, so bad-ass if you will. Makes me want to barf.

It's a real shame too since I love nearly all of the actors in the films (save for Julia Roberts - I will wholeheartedly side with the earlier comments regarding her). But alas, their potential performances are dashed by the lackluster content.

I probably wouldn't hate the movies so much if I didn't feel like I was the only one. I've literally watched my friends sitting around watching these movies and saying "OMG THIS IS SO COOL!!!", leaving me to walk out of the room shaking my head and wanting to throw a brick through the television screen.

I swear, if I have to sit through one more jazz-tracked bank-rigging montage, I'm going to throw up.

 

[Tiller]

The Ocean's Eleven series.

Have you seen the Rat Pack's Ocean's Eleven?

 

[1961MJS]

I dunno--but I will tell you this: compared to Fleming's original novels and shorts, IMO most of what turned up on screen was an IMPROVEMENT! Frankly, I'm surprised the novel series can even be discussed here with how far into "pulp fiction" it was (I have a couple 1960's editions), and one really does have to wonder how some of them, The Man With The Golden Gun in particular for one, managed to get around the time's Obscenity/Pornography statutes.

Most of TSWLM (the film) was actually grafted in from a novella entitled "The Property of a Lady"--TSWLM was the one novel that Fleming and his estate refused to allow to hit film, until Albert Broccoli promised that he would pretty much only keep the title and maybe a few pieces of the story, using other 007 tales as sources for "filler" material.

Hi, based on your opinions above, you REALLY need to read The Spy Who Loved Me. It's set in a "Motor Hotel" just inside the US border from Canada, forget the state. Bond has a flat tire and decides to stay the night. The 24 year old female clerk is supposed to be getting killed and the place burned for insurance money by the two mob guys staying the night. The movie had three nuclear submarines, Barbara Bach, and Jaws.

I actually like Fleming's writing style, but they are a little racy for their time. The Man with the Golden Gun is actually closer to the book than most. I also like the movies, but I have to disconnect them from the books or I can't watch. I have my Dad's books, most say $0.40.

Later

 

[Wally_Hood]

I hesitate to disagree with Lizzie Maine, but the introduction of color into the movies is not bad. In thinking about Lizzie's statement, it hit me that since we see in color, films ought not to be restricted to black and white.

Which does not mean that I endorse colorization, nor does it mean I rank all those masterly b&w noirs over color films simply because they're in black and white. Some stories carry the thematic and emotional elements better in black and white.

On the other hand, Singin' in the Rain would not be the same without color (statement not offered to engender controversy).

 

[Widebrim]

I hesitate to disagree with Lizzie Maine, but the introduction of color into the movies is not bad. In thinking about Lizzie's statement, it hit me that since we see in color, films ought not to be restricted to black and white.

Which does not mean that I endorse colorization, nor does it mean I rank all those masterly b&w noirs over color films simply because they're in black and white. Some stories carry the thematic and emotional elements better in black and white.

On the other hand, Singin' in the Rain would not be the same without color (statement not offered to engender controversy).

Well said, Wally, especially your pointing out of the simple fact that we see in color.

 

[Diamondback]

I know that TSWLM was written largely viewed through the gal's eyes (the only Bond story not "Bond-centric" for perspective IIRC)--and my copies of Thunderball and The Man with The Golden Gun were originally my grandfather's, which I had read before even finishing elementary school.

Personally, I think the movie might've worked better if they had kept the novel's version of the titular Golden Gun--a gold-plated M1911A1 rather than something assembled from a bunch of disguised pieces that could probably never work in reality.

For the most part, aside from his insistence on repeating the Teresa di Vicenzo character-arc with not one but a few new characters, I thought John Gardner's "License Renewed" series were much better than the originals, although the Gardner novels also were a lot better at "keeping the hardware real".

Just one person's opinion, worth exactly what you paid for it.

 

[Jerekson]

Have you seen the Rat Pack's Ocean's Eleven?

Sorry, let me clarify that I was referring to the new movies. It pains me to say it, but I've never seen the 1960 original.

 

[Richard Warren]

Now that you mention it Soderbergh may be the most overrated "artist" working in any medium ever.

The cynicism and contempt in the Ocean's things amounts to some sort of anti-art that approaches being downright criminal.

 

[ScionPI2005]

The post-2001 Ocean's Eleven series. I've had friends and family that have sworn by these movies for years, calling them the coolest things they've ever seen and insisting that I am missing out.

I have to agree with this. I have seen all three of the Ocean's movies, and have no real desire to ever see them again. I feel after watching the first one, I've seen all three, as there really isn't anything amazing about them, nor different amongst the three. It feels like its the same plot done over and over again.

 

[Undertow]

...Some stories carry the thematic and emotional elements better in black and white...

Very true.

Imagine, however, if a filmmaker chose to use B&W now in order to achieve a certain ambience*. He would walk a razor's edge between complete derision and masterpiece. Quite unfortunate considering how well B&W can play in a film.

(*not to say modern movies don't use B&W)

 

[LizzieMaine]

Sure, we see in color. But movies aren't reality. Only a sucker would pay $8.50 a seat for reality. The advantage of black and white is that it heightens the unreality -- it invites the viewer to fill in the blanks in her own mind, rather than having everything dished out on a plate in front of her. It's the same reason silent pictures are artistically superior to talkies, the same reason a painting is artistically superior to a photograph, and radio is artisitically superior to television. By omitting key ingredients of "reality", the work becomes far more of an active work than passive. You become far more *involved.*

That's why the average moderns hate black and white so. It makes them *work* for their entertainment.

 

[Miss Sis]

Strictly Ballroom was really cool. Well, if you like Baz Lurhmann's style (which I do.)

I found Strictly Ballroom absolutely hilarious! Perhaps it helps that I come from a dance background (NOT ballroom). I laughed out loud at the cinema when I first saw it and the whole audience applauded at the end - not something I think I've ever seen before or since. However, Moulin Rouge was just plain tiresome and I can't even remember anything about Romeo and Juliet, so that tells you all you need to know about that.

Bringing up Baby left me cold. I could not see what was so 'funny' about it. I also didn't like The Philadelphia Story. Perhaps I'm just not very fond of Katherine Hepburn. [huh] I don't actually watch many films - I generally find I have too many other things to be getting on with!

P.S: If I am EVER forced to sit through any of the LOTR films again (old boyfriend was major fan of books and I had to go see them), I may have to gouge out my own eyes. WAAAAAAY too long and overwrought. I joked 'Next time I'll take a cushion' after getting a numb behind and got the dirtiest look from then b/f. Sheesh!

 

[Amy Jeanne]

Lombard used to annoy me (and I still find her annoying in Godfrey), but for the most part she grew on me.

I don't find Garbo mysterious. I find her dull.

I find Dietrich to be a phony.

Can't stand anything about Vivien Leigh.

Hate Gone With The Wind *yawn*

Audrey Hepburn annoys me.

Kate Hepburn needs a good slap!

Can't stand most 40s and 50s Technicolour extravaganzas.

I actually think Robert Taylor is good!

I think El Brendel is funny and he wins my heart

 

[Miss Sis]

Ah, now I love Vivien Leigh in GWTW, just because I think she is so beautiful. I could stare at her all day. I don't think I've ever seen her in anything else. Don't need to see her act (or not) - she is just an object d'art.

I like GWTW 'cos it's a big hammy melodrama with swoopy costumes.

My Grandmother saw VL on stage and said all the people had gone to the theatre simply to gaze at her, and that she was as beautiful in life as on stage. She didn't mention the acting!

 

[EmergencyIan]

"Inglourious Basterds" ... I think it's very, very overrated. And, I expected it was a fine movie, before I watched it.

Terrible.


- Ian

 

[scottyrocks]

"Inglourious Basterds" ... I think it's very, very overrated. And, I expected it was a fine movie, before I watched it.

Terrible.


- Ian

And I thought it was under rated. Great performances by many of the actors. And because Tarantino took a touchy real subject didnt stay true to even some of the broad facts of history, I found myself on the edge of my seat through many of the scenes. Great picture!

 

[Ed Bass]

Jimmy Stewart....anything to do with Jimmy Stewart. He's one who simply did not stand the test of time whatever his attraction may have been in his day.

He comes across as nothing more than a sniveling wuss. If I could go back in time to 1948 and happened across him on the escalator at Macy's...I'd push him down the stairs in the hopes of his tie getting caught in the escalator mechanism at the bottom and thus, save the world from more of his endless snivelling.

The only saving grace is that he did not marry Kate Hepburn and bare offspring with wretched, grating voices.

You asked for an unpopular opinion.....

Best,
Toots