Films that really disappointed you!

[SteveO]

Haven't watched a film for ages just get bored far too easily but this has got me thinking what films you have seen that have had a lot of hype but left you bitterly disappointed.

The three that stand out for me are The Blair Witch Project, Taxi Driver and Bladerunner,3 films that I wouldn't ever want to watch again.

What are yours.

[DJ]

Babel, 21 Grams, Madness of King George and the latest Indiana Jones are 4 of the ones that come straight off the top of my head but I'm sure there are others that I will remember later.

[swampster]

Batman (the first Tim Burton one), Gladiator (was OK, but not all that), Gangs of New York (walked out)

[slapdash]

Originally Posted by SteveO

The three that stand out for me are The Blair Witch Project, Taxi Driver and Bladerunner,3 films that I wouldn't ever want to watch again.

I agree about the Blair Witch Project, although I saw it in a cinema in the US full of American students who were laughing at all the "scary" bits, which probably didn't help the mood. Bladerunner, for its time, I thought was fairly stylish and watchable, although you don't want to think too hard about the plot. But Taxi Driver? Sorry ... I'm not talking to you again!

My three:

Bowling for Columbine: I actually agree with many of its conclusions, but I found it embarrassingly manipulative and dishonest.

Fitzcarraldo: Pompous and ... well ... just silly!

Gone with the Wind: OK, it was aimed at a different generation ... and it's not all bad ... you'd have to have a heart of stone to watch the tragic scene where the horse drops dead and keep a straight face! [Disclaimer: I'm not advocating cruelty to horses ... it's just absurdly melodramatic.]

[DJ]

Originally Posted by slapdash

I agree about the Blair Witch Project, although I saw it in a cinema in the US full of American students who were laughing at all the "scary" bits, which probably didn't help the mood. Bladerunner, for its time, I thought was fairly stylish and watchable, although you don't want to think too hard about the plot. But Taxi Driver? Sorry ... I'm not talking to you again!

My three:

Bowling for Columbine: I actually agree with many of its conclusions, but I found it embarrassingly manipulative and dishonest.

Fitzcarraldo: Pompous and ... well ... just silly!

Gone with the Wind: OK, it was aimed at a different generation ... and it's not all bad ... you'd have to have a heart of stone to watch the tragic scene where the horse drops dead and keep a straight face! [Disclaimer: I'm not advocating cruelty to horses ... it's just absurdly melodramatic.]

The problem with films like that are they become thoroughly self serving. The director sets out to raise an issue and then just bangs on constantly about it until the film finishes by which time he hopes that he has brainwashed you in to increased thinking in favour of the director's notions. There is no other side and there are no reverse arguments generally allowed as that may weaken the directors points. Additionally tends to be a film you only enjoy if you have strong opinions with relation to the subject that is being discusssed. I agree with you in not liking these kinds of films either.

[happygooner]

I would have to agree with both of you on Blair Witch but as for coming up with my own list it's not so easy.

Bad memory

Remember thinking A Man Apart was rubbish after I came out of the cinema.

Meet The Parents was a bit of something and nothing. In fact best bit of the experience for me was a couple of people coming in and sitting just in front of us just as the credits were rolling. Making themselves comfortable for the film they were

Could not stop pissing myself laughing

Just remember looking at them strangely and in total disbelief as they started to take their coats off

[JackJarvis]

Definetly The Blair Witch Project...

[slapdash]

Originally Posted by DJ

The problem with films like that are they become thoroughly self serving. The director sets out to raise an issue and then just bangs on constantly about it until the film finishes by which time he hopes that he has brainwashed you in to increased thinking in favour of the director's notions. There is no other side and there are no reverse arguments generally allowed as that may weaken the directors points. Additionally tends to be a film you only enjoy if you have strong opinions with relation to the subject that is being discusssed. I agree with you in not liking these kinds of films either.

Agreed. I actually think that in a way I dislike films like this more when I agree with the central message ... I dislike crude propaganda, and I guess I have an idealistic feeling that people who are "right" (in my eyes) shouldn't have to resort to that kind of thing. Also, I was rather sickened by the portion with Charlton Heston. If Michael Moore had just shown some of his NRA speeches and made fun of them, then that would have been OK. But seeking out a man dying from Alzheimers and ridiculing him was just plain despicable, IMO.

[happygooner]

Originally Posted by DJ

The problem with films like that are they become thoroughly self serving. The director sets out to raise an issue and then just bangs on constantly about it until the film finishes by which time he hopes that he has brainwashed you in to increased thinking in favour of the director's notions. There is no other side and there are no reverse arguments generally allowed as that may weaken the directors points. Additionally tends to be a film you only enjoy if you have strong opinions with relation to the subject that is being discusssed. I agree with you in not liking these kinds of films either.

The problem with Michael Moore in general.

Watched 'War On Democracy' the other day and while you could level the same criticism at John Pilger, it's hard to get away from the cold hard facts on display.

[Cassius Marcellus]

Despite its age I nevr saw Hithcocks 'The Birds' until about 3 years ago. What a load of shit, and the ending was fcuking unbelievable.

I hope they shot the bloke who did the screenplay.

[Cassius Marcellus]

I think it was called 'You Don't Need Pyjamas At Rosies'.

What as absolute load of old bollocks, what we saw of it. n

It was the early 70s and a group of us went to Old Compton Street in Soho to see Kung Fu films that ran one after the other for about 5 hours.

There was a fault in the electrics or something so the entire queue headed to the next nearest cinema, which was chaos.

It was a small cinema split in to one of the first ever multi-screen jobs. If you got 100 people in one sitting it was a miracle, and early birds got seats together. Our group of about 10 got spread so far apart that passing each other ciggies was like an Olympic event.

And whenthe Maltesers were flying about it just descended into lunacy.

[Pocket Lady]

I agree about Blair Witch - total crap, not scary at all and I wanted to slap the girl and tell her to get a grip and to wipe her nose!

I can't think of others but I do remember watching something recently and thinking "Oh is that it?!" after the ending - can't for the life of me remember what it was though.

[slapdash]

Originally Posted by Cassius Marcellus

Despite its age I nevr saw Hithcocks 'The Birds' until about 3 years ago. What a load of shit, and the ending was fcuking unbelievable.

Not Hitchcock's best, but I quite liked it. I saw it a lot longer than 3 years ago, though, and I don't remember what happened in the ending ... though well before the ending it's not exactly plausible. If "believability" were the criterion for a good film, that would rule out more than 95% of them ... and an even higher proportion of "horror" films, which I guess this is in a way.

[slapdash]

Originally Posted by Pocket Lady

I can't think of others but I do remember watching something recently and thinking "Oh is that it?!" after the ending - can't for the life of me remember what it was though.

I think you're going to have to give us more of a clue than that!

[happygooner]

Next which I watched fairly recently starring Nic Cage.

Was enjoying it as popcorn fodder for a good hour or so and then all of a sudden everything that had come before was suddenly pointless. What a waste of time

[clarky101]

Next which I watched fairly recently starring Nic Cage.

I find most of his films are like that, same old hard done by cack.......

[DJ]

Ferris Buellers Day Off - All the talk about 80s nostalgia and never threatens to live up to its billing.

[Pocket Lady]

Originally Posted by slapdash

I think you're going to have to give us more of a clue than that!

I honestly can't remember the movie - just the reaction to the end of it.

[happygooner]

Originally Posted by clarky101

I find most of his films are like that, same old hard done by cack.......

His older films are much better than his newer ones that's for sure.

[happygooner]

Originally Posted by DJ

Ferris Buellers Day Off - All the talk about 80s nostalgia and never threatens to live up to its billing.

Nooooooooo!!!!

Watched this soooo many times. Classic 80's film imho!