Movies people are divided over (being good or bad)

[blackdragon6]

you know movies that are in dispute as to wether they're good or not.i know hulk is one of them anymore?

[Aggie]

mulholland drive...those i know who saw it either really loved it or really hated it...

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

one movie thats in serious dispute is LXG,others are higher learning,dead presidents.

and to a lesser exstent the first blade movie

[Cyke]

Fight Club.

I know the movie has its most ardent supporters, but I think the movie started out great then became mediocre midway through. Even if one takes into account all the subliminal meanings and double-entendres and the appeal to philosophy, I still think the execution of the later half of the movie needed a lot of work.

Hell, on that note, I'll throw in the Matrix as well.

P.S. Someone a few months ago on these boards suggested that Fight Club was the Citizen Kane of its day. In all my arguments and debates with the pro-Fight Club fandom, I've never heard a Fight Club supporter say anything that grandiose about the movie. Sure, they thought it was one of the best movies of recent memory, but they never compared it to the likes of Citizen Kane.

[Andy S.]

Napoleon Dynamite

[Davideaux]

I'll agree with the first Matrix (and obviously the second and third too). I think it was a fine movie but it wasn't the be-all, end-all of sci-fi.

[blackdragon6]

black & white, dark blue, white mans burden, phantoms, starship troopers, waiting to exhale, in the mouth of madness, putty tang, predator 2, alien vs predator, final fantasy, tomb raider movies, pitch black, the matrix trilogy, a birth of a nation, shaft, coffey, donnie darko, bamboozled and that's all i can think of for now.

[blackdragon6]

I'll agree with the first Matrix (and obviously the second and third too). I think it was a fine movie but it wasn't the be-all, end-all of sci-fi.
i feel the same way about star wars and i adore star wars

[Antonio B.]

one movie thats in serious dispute is LXG,others are higher learning,dead presidents.

and to a lesser exstent the first blade movie

Loved Higher Learning and Dead Presidents.

[Antonio B.]

black & white,dark blue,white mans burden,phantoms,starship troopers,waiting to exhale,in the mouth of madness,putty tang,predator 2,alien vs predator,final fantasy,tomb raider movies,pitch black,the matrix trilogy,a birth of a nation,shaft,coffey,donnie darko,bamboozled and thats all i can think of for now.

Ones I liked: Phantoms, Starship Troopers, Predator 2, Pitch Black, Shaft, Coffey, Donnie Darko.

[Mister Mets]

Fight Club
Team America: World Police
The Usual Suspects
Birth of a Nation
The Incredible Hulk
Daredevil
Fahrenheit 9/11

[BoosterBronze]

My brother and I agree about movies 99% of the time.

But this independent movie "Westender" is tearing us apart.
It's this wierd little movie about a knight in the wilderness, having some adventures and a psychological breakdown.

I thought it was about the most brilliant peice of cinema I've seen in a long time. I reccomend it to everyone.

He claims it's pretensious masturbatory nonsense. Says its one of the worst movies he's ever seen.

Things will be hardest when Thanksgiving comes around.

[Dreadstar]

ANYthing that came out of the Troma factory.

You either love those or you hate those. There is rarely any middle ground.

Me?

It depends on the quality of drugs I have on hand at the time.


EDIT:

Another that just leapt to mind is The Blair Witch Project. I think I hear just about as many people extolling its virtues as I hear retching in the corner.

[GUYANATHUGG]

Donnie Darko

[Shellhead]

My brother and I agree about movies 99% of the time.

But this independent movie "Westender" is tearing us apart.
It's this wierd little movie about a knight in the wilderness, having some adventures and a psychological breakdown.

I thought it was about the most brilliant peice of cinema I've seen in a long time. I reccomend it to everyone.

He claims it's pretensious masturbatory nonsense. Says its one of the worst movies he's ever seen.

Things will be hardest when Thanksgiving comes around.

I know the feeling. My best friend and I both loved Fight Club, but he has this bizarre interpretation of it that we argue fiercely about every time the movie is mentioned in our presence.

His version: Ed Norton's character is so crazy that almost nothing in the movie really happens after the point when he meets Helena Bonham Carter's character.

My verson: Except for the parts that are specifically revealed to be delusional late in the movie, everything that appears to happen on screen happens in this story.

Yes, we both understand that this is a fictional movie, not a documentary. It's just that I think the narrator is somewhat unreliable and my friend thinks that the narrator is completely unreliable.

Sometimes we will badger innocent people at parties, or mutual friends. We will talk to them about Fight Club, then my friend springs his wacky theory. To my frustration, he is always able to persuade people that his version is just as plausible as my version. One of these days, I'm to read the original novel and watch the director commentary version on DVD, just so I can finally prove my friend wrong.

[HomerJay]

Ones that come to mind immediately:
- Fight Club
- A.I.
- Pulp Fiction
- Napoleon Dynamite
- Anchorman
- Donnie Darko
- Natural Born Killers
- Dawn Of The Dead (1978)
- Six-String Samurai
- Unbreakable
- Magnolia

Most of these are pretty well-liked by the geek community, but I've also seen a few geeks argue about a few of them too (chiefly Napoleon Dynamite).
As for me, I like/love every film on that list except for Six-String Samurai.

[StoneGold]

Hell, pretty much any movie. There are people who claim that the two Spider-Man movies are the worst films ever made.

[hugh45]

Fight Club
Team America: World Police
The Usual Suspects
Birth of a Nation
The Incredible Hulk
Daredevil
Fahrenheit 9/11

You knew people not liking Usual Suspects!!?? I must be w/the wrong
crowd :p

[JDogindy]

Hmm...

Any cult film usually is evenly divided.

We can agree on Gigli being the worst ever.

[StoneGold]

We can agree on Gigli being the worst ever.
Actually, no, if only because most of us have probably never seen it.

[blackdragon6]

i wanna add some tv shows aswell

the new outer limits

and the 80's twilight zone

[CHEYENNE-BLACKBIRD]

if i must say anything negative about the late 90's outer limits,is that it was TOO sci-fi oriented.and hardly if ever had any supernatural episodes.

wich bring me to the tales from the crypt series.i liked it but i would have liked it more if it had kept its supurnatural theme.and toned down the ironic horror tongue in cheek stories,

[Grant]

We can agree on Gigli being the worst ever.

I've probably seen worse. Then again I used to be Film Festival screener.

[Deathstroke]

Waterworld and The Postman

[Artemis1]

Spider-Man 2
Hulk
Man-Thing
Rebirth of Mothra III: The Coming of Ghidorah
Batman Forever
Independence Day
Anchorman
Napolean Dynamite
Mr. Deeds
Daredevil
Hellboy
Spider-Man
Star Wars Episode I
Star Wars Episode II
Star Wars Episode III

[Corrina]

Terminator 3
I thought it was more true to the spirit of the original than the blockbuster Terminator 2 but opinion seems extremely divided on that.

Tim Burton's Batman.

[thehod]

I'm gonna say it. I'm gonna step up to the plate and say it.


The Phantom Menace.

[Kiriyama]

Kill Bill 1 & 2

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

Kill Bill 1 & 2
i think its mostly kill bill2 thats in dispute.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

and if we're including tv show i would like to add good times,the 90's marvel cartoons,and the pj's to that list,

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

oh yeah and and i would like to add from hell to the movie list....i love the hughes brothers style.

[Visitor Q]

Hmm.

I don't think Fight Club really counts--any movie that ranks #37 in the internet movie database's top 250 (with sample size of 114,928 votes), and gets an 80% in Rotten Tomatoes', doesn't seem to have popular opinion too divided on how good it is.

Every movie's gonna have its detractors, but I think the thread's more about movies that seem to have a close to equal split of opinions that consider it good or great, and those that consider it bad or horrible.

[blackdragon6]

I think the thread's more about movies that seem to have a close to equal split of opinions that consider it good or great, and those that consider it bad or horrible.
uh-huh...........

[Corrina]

There seems to be a great deal of divided opinion about Aliens 3.

[blackdragon6]

i like ressurection myself

[meethraa]

P.S. Someone a few months ago on these boards suggested that Fight Club was the Citizen Kane of its day. In all my arguments and debates with the pro-Fight Club fandom, I've never heard a Fight Club supporter say anything that grandiose about the movie. Sure, they thought it was one of the best movies of recent memory, but they never compared it to the likes of Citizen Kane.
I don't think a lot of people were saying anything too grandiose about Citizen Kane only five years after it came out either.


And the first movie that came to mind when I saw this thread was Mulholland Dr. as well.

[Grant]

I don't think a lot of people were saying anything too grandiose about Citizen Kane only five years after it came out either.

Well considering Randolph Hearst did everything in his power to slander the film it's not suprising.

[meethraa]

Well considering Randolph Hearst did everything in his power to slander the film it's not suprising. On the other hand it was nominated for best picture that year.
Oh I agree that WRH was the main reason why it took a while for the film to get it's due recognition, but there was also a bit of a cultural backlash against Fight Club, and I believe a lot of it overshadowed the movie's own merits.

And I reiterate that I absolutely see Fight Club on the same level as Citizen Kane, though I indeed haven't seen that same opinion expressed by anyone else.

[Ontir]

Hearst, I'm told, tried to kill Citizen Kane, not because he didn't like the movie, but because when he went to see it, the first word of the film was, of course, "Rosebud," which was his pet-name for his favourite part of his mistress' anatomy.

I think Fight Club absolutely belongs in a list with "Kane." Diller did everything in his power to kill the film, even firing the top level execs who greenlit it. Even so, the film went on to some success, and lives on as a cult classic, which never fails to bring crowds out to midnight screenings, and is one of the most sublime endings to a film, I've ever seen.

An addition to the list, would be Kubrick's last film, Eyes Wide Shut. I was at a party last weekend, and the mention of the film had half the people cringing, and the rest of us insisting it's brilliance. I still contend that if you've not seen the film, as it was presented in Cannes, that you haven't really seen it yet. I'm still trying to see the Cannes version, myself. I remember Roger Ebert's article in "Variety," which lambasted the MPAA and the studio for making the changes to the film for American release. I often wonder how a country with guarantees of freedom of speech, and the right to self-expression, can be so censored? And it's getting worse, not better!

[blackdragon6]

hitchhikers guide to the galaxy,the critics was split over it.

[Grant]

And I reiterate that I absolutely see Fight Club on the same level as Citizen Kane, though I indeed haven't seen that same opinion expressed by anyone else.

I don't know about that. I think it's a good movie but it doesn't stick in my mind like Citizen Kane does. Fight Club also feels to me like it's posturing rather then making any real kind of statement. It can be as shallow and flashy as the culture it's criticizing.

But then again these are the kind of things that take a few years (or decades) to realize though. Most of what are considered the movies of all time like Citizen Kane, Raging Bull, or Rules of the Game didn't achieve much recognition or receive negative reactions when they were first released.

[discostu]

you know movies that are in dispute as to wether they're good or not.i know hulk is one of them anymore?
Boondock Saints. Man, people were talking about this flick like it was the second coming of tarantino. it was alright, I'm glad I didn't pay for it though.

[discostu]

Oh I agree that WRH was the main reason why it took a while for the film to get it's due recognition, but there was also a bit of a cultural backlash against Fight Club, and I believe a lot of it overshadowed the movie's own merits.

And I reiterate that I absolutely see Fight Club on the same level as Citizen Kane, though I indeed haven't seen that same opinion expressed by anyone else.
You see Fight Club on the same level as Citizen Kane? My friend, you have just defeated your own argument in a single sentence. Fight Club is good, but it is no Citizen Kane, and furthermore the more astute viewers could see that "twist" coming from a mile away.

[discostu]

Ones that come to mind immediately:
- Fight Club
- A.I.
- Pulp Fiction
- Napoleon Dynamite
- Anchorman
- Donnie Darko
- Natural Born Killers
- Dawn Of The Dead (1978)
- Six-String Samurai
- Unbreakable
- Magnolia

Most of these are pretty well-liked by the geek community, but I've also seen a few geeks argue about a few of them too (chiefly Napoleon Dynamite).
As for me, I like/love every film on that list except for Six-String Samurai.
Homer Jay, we agree on damn near everything, but I have to go to bat for Six String Samurai... that movie rocks... if only it had more of a budget.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, comrade."

"If you were me, you'd be good lookin."

genius...

[The Mirrorball Man]

His version: Ed Norton's character is so crazy that almost nothing in the movie really happens after the point when he meets Helena Bonham Carter's character.

My version: Except for the parts that are specifically revealed to be delusional late in the movie, everything that appears to happen on screen happens in this story.
According to the book, you're right. And I think Fincher would agree with your interpretation too.

Back to our topic: I think The Blair Witch Project is one of those movies that people are divided over. Some people were really scared by it, and some people weren't.

[CHEYENNE-BLACKBIRD]

pet semetary

halloween 6:the curse of michael meyers,especialy the directors cut

prince of darkness

ravonous

life force

legend

titanic

willow

the ewok movie

[JDogindy]

I've probably seen worse. Then again I used to be Film Festival screener.

Really. Were any movies worse?

[Greg Hatcher]

Really. Were any movies worse?

You mean worse than Gigli? Sure. Even limiting the pool to "major-studio-released light comedies," right off the top of my head I can think of Author! Author! with Al Pacino, She-Devil, Clifford, Shanghai Surprise, Life With Mikey... If you have any of the premium cable channels you probably could think of another half-dozen, because filler for those channels is where these movies always end up.

The thing about Gigli is that it was doomed before it ever came out. Critics had made up their minds to hate it because of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. Okay, but don't mistake that for flaws in the movie. I'll freely grant you that Gigli would have been bad no matter who was in it, but the universal press revulsion was for the stars, not the movie.

[Jared H.]

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

i LOVE ghost dog

[Grant]

Really. Were any movies worse?

Yes. I forgot the names of most of them. A good chunk of them were Kevin Smith ripoffs. But many of the lead actors made Affleck look like Oliver in comparsion.

[Dennis K]

The Usual Suspects



Who questions whether or not this is a great movie?

[Grant]

Who questions whether or not this is a great movie?

It got mixed reviews when it came out.

[Jared H.]

i LOVE ghost dog

So do I, but many don't.

Man, the Mafiosos in that movie had some great lines:).

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

staying with cheyennes horror list

return of the living dead 3

howling the rebirth

phantasim 3

[Grant]

So do I, but many don't.

Man, the Mafiosos in that movie had some great lines:).

I like the one old gangster who rapped.

[meethraa]

and furthermore the more astute viewers could see that "twist" coming from a mile away.
This has absolutely nothing to do with the thread, but still... I've heard this before and I don't believe it for a second.

[tangentman]

28 Days Later seems to divide fans pretty equally. Personally, it's a recent favorite of mine. OTOH, I've read numerous unfavorable critiques on these boards alone, much less other message boards.

[Grant]

28 Days Later seems to divide fans pretty equally. Personally, it's a recent favorite of mine. OTOH, I've read numerous unfavorable critiques on these boards alone, much less other message boards.

It gets kind of pretentious but I think it's a pretty fun apocalypse movie. Awesome Brendon Gleeson performance too.

[blackdragon6]

i loved ghost dog aswell

i also think the lost in space movie belong in this thread along with

rosewood

boycott

the crow salvation

training day (people like and hate this movie for a shitload of different reasons).some people hate it cause denzel got a oscar for a movie that some thought wasn't that good.while others hate it do to the fact denzel got a oscar for a horrible character when he get over looked when playing much better roles.its pretty much split when it comes to the reason why people liked the movie aswell.some liked it for the verry fact he won a oscar, for playing a horrible character.and others just genuinly liked the movie.

[Stony]

Other than The Blair Witch Project which comes obviously to mind... I'd throw in Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Some people really loathe it for making it a love story and Dracula not being scary enough and Keanu Reeves' "bwitish" accent

On the other hand, a lot of people really loved the sumptuousness of it, the colour, the mood, Gary Oldman's big break, the costumes and, yes, the love story itself

[ZombieHavoc]

staying with cheyennes horror list

return of the living dead 3

howling the rebirth

phantasim 3

how there are people on this planet who dont love ROTLD 3 is beyond me. mindy clarke as a masochistic reanimated corpse is 100 times hotter than any living, breathing woman.

and i'll throw in the remakes as being horror movies with 50/50 lovers/haters:
-1990 night of the living dead
-texas chain remake
-dawn of the dead remake

also Friday the 13th 5-8 seem to be split pretty evenly as well.

[blackdragon6]

how there are people on this planet who dont love ROTLD 3 is beyond me. mindy clarke as a masochistic reanimated corpse is 100 times hotter than any living, breathing woman.

its not just that though,you actually feel for the protagonist couple.the love story actually worked.


i agree with the rest of your list though

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

i loved the 90's remake to NOTLD,its was better than the original(as far as entertainment,not importance). but its blasphemy to say that.

also i think angel heart belongs in here.

[Dreadstar]

also Friday the 13th 5-8 seem to be split pretty evenly as well.

Interesting. But from a personal anectdote standpoint, if you like those 4 movies, then you are the first person I've EVER heard say it.

[CHEYENNE-BLACKBIRD]

i loved angel heart

[blackdragon6]

gi jane

tank girl

event horizon

[Cyke]

I don't think a lot of people were saying anything too grandiose about Citizen Kane only five years after it came out either.


Actually... a good number were. And those that were against the film to begin with, many of them were higher-ups in Hollywood that feared Hearst's threats in regards to the film.

[blackdragon6]

oh yeah resident evil apocalypse...............the only people whom seemed to like it were people who haven't played the game. (wich is pretty obvious)

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

white noise

the butterfly effect


as far as RE:A goes people who played the games and hated the movies knows the potential it had.while others just liked it for the cheesy action.

blade:trinity.........*ugh* where do i start.the first 15 minutes of blade 1 blows this movie out of the water.this movie apeals to more outsiders then the franchises core audience.they didn't even like blade they just liked jessica beil,and ryan rynolds none humurous heavy handed dialogue.so its more of a 60/40 split than a 50/50 split.

[blackdragon6]

if any tv show deserves to be listed it would be the PJ's,and MARTIN

[jwmojo]

Personally, I liked both Resident Evil movies (the second one was actually just alright), and I have played the games, though not all of them. I think a lot of people got an idea in their heads of what the movie should be, and didn't like how it strayed from teir picture. Really, though, taken on its own, the first Resident Evil was a good movie. The second one had quite few holes and was pretty cheesy, but no so bad that I won't go see a third.

I think Titanic should probably be added to the list here. It made tons of money and won a lot of Oscars, but I don't know many people at all that thought it was a good movie.

[Legato]

Star Wars Episode III: Some love it, some hate it, and some hate it but feels that ROTS is better than the previous films.

[Volk1]

So do I, but many don't.

Man, the Mafiosos in that movie had some great lines:).

I too adore this film and the Mafia guys have some GREAT one-liners...there's one in particular but am afraid would cause too much disturbance here....

I think Alexander is another one of these films, you're either a fan of the epic or not, and I am.....my best friend says this was Colin Farrel's worst role and worst acting part he ever had...and I completely disagree

Farrel played the part magnificently, the preparation he made for himself to become Alexander was genuine and actually I think will better his career. Checkout the DVD extras to see how hard he put in to achieve the brilliance he did for this role.....

[Daniel Hopkins]

oh yeah resident evil apocalypse...............the only people whom seemed to like it were people who haven't played the game. (wich is pretty obvious)
I'm one of those people, lol.

The Transporter comes to mind for me, personaly i liked it alot but a few of my friends thought it was average.

[The Joker]

The Shining

Alot of people love this film. While others hate it.

Personally, I enjoy this film very much. One of my favourite Jack Nicholson films. And my absolute favourite of Kubrick.

[Paradox]

Shellhead annoys people just trying to have fun:

Sometimes we will badger innocent people at parties, or mutual friends.

You do? Maybe someone should randomly kick your asses. :p

[CHEYENNE-BLACKBIRD]

the time machine movie that camed out a few years back

[Erebus]

Freddy Got Fingered.

DADDY, WANT SOME SAUSAGE?! DADDY, WANT SOME SAUSAGE?!

[blackdragon6]

i never saw that movie it just looked silly.....

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

white mans burden.man i loved this movie i forgot all about it.

[blackdragon6]

war of the worlds (i personally loved it)

[Legato]

Underworld. Love it or hate it the movie will still make money.

[Grazzt]

The Rocky Horror Picture Show probably fits into this category.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

i guess War of the Worlds fit here now.

[Ontir]

Star Trek III: the Search for Spock

I HATED this one, and most everyone I know agrees, but in the official Paramount publications that I've seen, it's cited as the best and truest to the series of all the films - how did THAT happen?!?

[Cephus]

i feel the same way about star wars and i adore star wars

I like Star Wars too, but only the original trilogy. The crap Lucas spewed to make another billion in the latest (and hopefully last) three movies has made me actively hate most things about Star Wars.

[blackdragon6]

silent hill

[CaptainAwesome]

One of the most recent ones that comes to mind is Superman Returns. A lot of people thought it was great and a lot of people hated it. And a lot of people were completely indifferent to it.

The Bourne Supremacy also. Some people thought it was better than the first and some people thought it was crap.

[blackdragon6]

One of the most recent ones that comes to mind is Superman Returns. A lot of people thought it was great and a lot of people hated it. And a lot of people were completely indifferent to it.

.yeah i co-sign on that...

[Legato]

X-Men: Last Stand- Most of the people I talk to would say that it was a fitting end to the X-Men trilogy despite some of it's flaws, the other half who aren't comic fanboys or fans of Bryan Singer hated the movie due to editing problems and felt it was too rushed in most places.

[EZMOHR]

I would say Superman Returns gets this years award for most divided movie. Like someone said, it seems like a very polarizing movie. Some people absolutely loathe it. Some think it is one of the greatest things sine sliced bread. It just seems to have breeded a lot of venom this year.

My entry into this little debate is Dawn of the Dead by Zach Snyder. Yeah, it's sacrelig to say it, but it dominates over Romero's. And the Romero-ites absolutely hate it. Me, I think it is one of the best films of the 2000's.

[The Batman]

I agree about Superman Returns. It seems that the only this people can agree on is that they love to argue about the movie. Personally I loved it, but I can see some of what people are complaining about. The Dawn of the Dead re-make was great and while I loved the Romero original for what it has to say it doesn't offer the most threatening zombies put on film and I think that ultimately it suffers for that.

For my money though I think the most divisive movies have to be the Star Wars prequels. A recent thread about Revenge of the Sith went to like 7 or 8 pages and that movie was released over a year ago. It seems that the topic of Star Wars can't come up without some discussion developing about the merits or lack thereof of the Prequels.

[Cyke]

X-Men: Last Stand- Most of the people I talk to would say that it was a fitting end to the X-Men trilogy despite some of it's flaws, the other half who aren't comic fanboys or fans of Bryan Singer hated the movie due to editing problems and felt it was too rushed in most places.

I sort of disagree with this statement: the division seems to be even among the X-fanboys as well. In our X-boards or other X-boards as well, it's been in a dead heat (and Heaven help you if you ever glimpse at the Google boards).

[Black Atom]

The movies that tend to be the most divisive, I think, are the ones that are really bizarre, "artsy", or open to interpretation. Ones that come immediately to mind are Magnolia, ,Being John Malkovich and Donnie Darko. Magnolia, I didn't really care for, BJM I absolutely hated and Donnie Darko was just extremely disappointing after having been recommended so highly by cult followers. The people that love these claim there's a deeper meaning I'm not getting or that the fact that there is no meaning is what makes them excellent movies. While I don't solidly buy either explanation, I accept there's a pretty large group out there that will love and embrace a movie simply because it confounds the majority of viewers.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

I sort of disagree with this statement: the division seems to be even among the X-fanboys as well. In our X-boards or other X-boards as well, it's been in a dead heat (and Heaven help you if you ever glimpse at the Google boards).this is true but its mostly cause they know what could have been done with it.most complaints wasn't about it being a outright horrible movie but about it being rushed and felt unfinished.the film tried to do too much in too little time.while superman did too little in too much time.

superman should have had the action that x3 had.while x3 should have had the length of superman for more development.

[Cyke]

this is true but its mostly cause they know what could have been done with it.most complaints wasn't about it being a outright horrible movie but about it being rushed and felt unfinished.the film tried to do too much in too little time.while superman did too little in too much time.

Well, the sentiments are shared both among fans and non-fans alike. So it's a complaint that isn't relegated to the comic book fan community, but to the public in general. Split down 50/50.

superman should have had the action that x3 had.while x3 should have had the length of superman for more development.

I sort of disagree with this, too. I do think Superman could've used a touch more editing, but it was far more character-driven than most other comic book movies out there and was meant to be more about the Man than the Super. Movies like the first two Superman flicks, Batman Begins, and Spider-Man 2 were similar in tone, so comparisons with X3 (and what X3 strove to be) are a bit moot.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

I do think Superman could've used a touch more editing, but it was far more character-driven than most other comic book movies out there and was meant to be more about the Man than the Super. Movies like the first two Superman flicks, Batman Begins, and Spider-Man 2 were similar in tone, so comparisons with X3 (and what X3 strove to be) are a bit moot.wich is why i said X3 should have gone that route to go more in depth with the characters instead of just putting in cameo-cannon foder.

[Cyke]

wich is why i said X3 should have gone that route to go more in depth with the characters instead of just putting in cameo-cannon foder.

Oh, there were so many things wrong with X3 that I dunno where to start. But above all, it was meant to be an action flick from the get-go, considering even the most basic version of its plotline. Looking at it from that context, X3 could've been a great action flick if it kept its vision straight.

Which also got me thinking about Superman II. The movie is lauded for its fight scenes, but in hindsight, it just barely had more action than Superman Returns. The latter movie, however, focused most of Superman's feats on actually saving people than on fighting, and I can respect that if we consider what Superman stands for.

[hoffmandu]

Oh, there were so many things wrong with X3 that I dunno where to start. But above all, it was meant to be an action flick from the get-go, considering even the most basic version of its plotline. Looking at it from that context, X3 could've been a great action flick if it kept its vision straight.

Which also got me thinking about Superman II. The movie is lauded for its fight scenes, but in hindsight, it just barely had more action than Superman Returns. The latter movie, however, focused most of Superman's feats on actually saving people than on fighting, and I can respect that if we consider what Superman stands for.

As can I (respect it, that is) and that's also why I give SMR 7 thumbs up! I wonder what Ratner would ahve done with SUpes.........*instantaneously poops pants with disdain* :(

[Comic_Mobsta]

The movie "Beloved" comes to mind also.

[The Punished]

I have to agree with both X3 & Superman Returns being divided. I liked both but each still left the viewer wanting more...

[Your Imaginary Pal]

V For Vendetta
if you don't like being preached to, don't see this movie.
If you expect nonstop action and nonsensicle explosions don't see this movie.
If you are a supporter of facist oppression, don't see this movie.
you will hate it and wonder why a guy like me loves it...for the most part.

[Legato]

As can I (respect it, that is) and that's also why I give SMR 7 thumbs up! I wonder what Ratner would ahve done with SUpes.........*instantaneously poops pants with disdain* :(

Yes we know you hate Ratner. Focus on a director you actually like then move on.

[Legato]

Constantine: The majority of the complaints tend to revolve around the filmakers americanizing it and casting Keanu Reeves for the role of John Constantine. The ones who actually liked the movie would say that if you dont look at it as a movie based on Hellblazer then it could actually be a decent popcorn flick.

[Black Atom]

V For Vendetta
if you don't like being preached to, don't see this movie.
If you expect nonstop action and nonsensicle explosions don't see this movie.
If you are a supporter of facist oppression, don't see this movie.
you will hate it and wonder why a guy like me loves it...for the most part.

I didn't expect non-stop action nor am I a facist, yet I still thought V was just...okay. I can't imagine lots of totalitarians lining up for this one to begin with.

[brundlefly]

David Lynch's DUNE.

I was in grade school when it came out for rental on VHS and totally loved it; it sent me straight to the original DUNE books that it was based on. As a result, I'm not able to be objective about the movie when dealing with detractors, since it exposed me to the DUNE universe and as a result I'll always have a fondness for it. Usual knocks against it I encounter are:

* People who were big fans of the books didn't like the movie since it made changes, cut things out, etc. But I can see that as a good point after reading the book. I tend to do the same thing if I've read a book first and then see the movie adaptation.

* There were people who just don't like Lynch's trippy style of directing and got confused and had trouble following it. I can see that argument, too, as it took me a few viewings of Mullholland Drive to figure things out with that one. He's an acquired taste.

* Sting's involvement seemed to turn people off, due to the whole "he's a musician, not an actor" thing. I feel the same way about Madonna and immediately make snap judgements about a movie if she's in it, so I guess that's valid (although Sting's involvement was fairly minimal and he didn't embarass himself or anything).

* Then there were people who were eye-rollingly dismissive of it because of it's genre and sci-fi trappings, but frankly those people can just go to hell. :D

[NDHorse]

Rushmore

My friend says that that movie can be used to define a person's movie tastes. If a person likes that, they will appreciate more independent, foreign, and experimental film. If you don't, you usually like straight forward comedy and action flicks like Caddyshack and Armegeddon.

I personally love Rushmore

[dougputhoff]

I can't believe nobody's mentioned this yet.

"The Passion of the Christ"

I'm even divided over it.

[Cyke]

Rushmore

My friend says that that movie can be used to define a person's movie tastes. If a person likes that, they will appreciate more independent, foreign, and experimental film. If you don't, you usually like straight forward comedy and action flicks like Caddyshack and Armegeddon.

I personally love Rushmore

Hey, you can like Rushmore AND Caddyshack. If you like Rushmore, you're probably going to get some jokes in Caddyshack that you didn't discover before, once you get past the slapstick. Like Airplane!

I can see where your friend is coming from with Armageddon, though.

[blackdragon6]

I can't believe nobody's mentioned this yet.

"The Passion of the Christ"

I'm even divided over it.i haven't seen this yet...

[Atom_basher]

Donnie Darko is the movie i have found most polarizes movie viewers

The movie "Beloved" comes to mind also.


Oh man thats another great one, this movie creeps me out, on so many levels.

[the film freak]

I have to agree with both X3 & Superman Returns being divided. I liked both but each still left the viewer wanting more...

Yeah. I felt like they had the opposite problems.

Superman had strong character development but the story wasn't terribly exciting and didn't have much in the way of action.

While X3 had plenty of action and a pretty cool story but lacked character development. And it also looked kind of cheap in comparsion to Superman.

In retrospect I wish Singer stayed on X-Men and someone else did Superman.

Though I'm hopeful if Singer does a sequel.

[SPAfreak]

No mention of Hudson Hawk? I never seem to hear people say that it was alright. It seems to be a love or hate kind of movie.

[1WEBHEAD]

I dont care what the haters say but Xmen the Last Stand was The most entertianing movie of the entire Xmen triology

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

underworld 2

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

Watchmen.....

[blackdragon6]

"Orphan" some liking it others hating it. while others like the first half, and was disgusted by the second half. then there's the other group that's vice versa. critics was pretty split over it too.

[Ziggy Stardust]

you know movies that are in dispute as to wether they're good or not.i know hulk is one of them anymore?

Titanic

Chicks say it's good, guys don't like it.

[Cloudman]

Donnie Darko

Quoted for the truth. Very divided opinions on that.

[Cloudman]

Wanted. Harmless stupid fun or vile mindless violence for psychopaths?

Benjamin Button also springs to mind.

[RolandJP]

Matrix Reloaded
Matrix Revolutions

also known as Zion looks like that?!?! Id rather live in the Matrix.

[Jared]

Transformers: Revenge of the The Fallen. But the debate isn't so much about "good or bad" as it is "fun or painful".

[The Scarlet Sapien]

Blair Witch Project, Spiderman 3

[Arvandor]

Hard Candy. You either love it or hate it. I love it.

[blackdragon6]

in my opinion it's mostly movies over the past 10 years that's usually met with unparalleled foaming at the mouth rage filled dissent. you'd be hard press to find the same polarization in older films. that's not to say that there isn't any. but for what ever reason any modern well received movie seems to polarize people. maybe it's due to the film being over hype, or maybe just good ole petty human spite

[EZMOHR]

I remember people on this forum, and a lot of forums, getting into heated debates over Napoleon Dynamite.

[Captain Avenger]

Tranformers: Revenge of the Fallen
-I loved this movie. While it could have been a good bit shorter, the final battle was as close to what I have always wanted to see onscreen as I've seen yet: a large scale ground battle between a scifi force and a modern military force were the military was at least holding its own without having to rely on any scifi gimmicks to save the day.
Now it wasnt perfect with all that, but its about as close to that as we have seen so far.

[Cyke]

Tranformers: Revenge of the Fallen
-I loved this movie. While it could have been a good bit shorter, the final battle was as close to what I have always wanted to see onscreen as I've seen yet: a large scale ground battle between a scifi force and a modern military force were the military was at least holding its own without having to rely on any scifi gimmicks to save the day.
Now it wasnt perfect with all that, but its about as close to that as we have seen so far.

I haven't seen the second film, but I remember the first one had the military playing quite the major role. Through careful coordination, they managed to route a decepticon early in the film, and took out a couple more in the final battle.

[kalorama]

Hard Candy. You either love it or hate it. I love it.

I couldn't stand it.

[kalorama]

Wanted. Harmless stupid fun or vile mindless violence for psychopaths?

Little from column A, a little from column B.

[kalorama]

No mention of Hudson Hawk? I never seem to hear people say that it was alright. It seems to be a love or hate kind of movie.

Who loves Hudson Hawk?

[Kusanagi]

Matrix Reloaded
Matrix Revolutions

also known as Zion looks like that?!?! Id rather live in the Matrix.

While I agree on Reloaded being an often debated one, I don't think I've met one person who's tried to defend revolutions as being anything other than hot garbage :tongue:

[Cloudman]

While I agree on Reloaded being an often debated one, I don't think I've met one person who's tried to defend revolutions as being anything other than hot garbage :tongue:

I have. But only one person, and he's an idiot.

[Cloudman]

Little from column A, a little from column B.

I thought it was solely column A. Even though the portrayal of extreme violence as being fun was somewhat disturbing.

[Motormouse]

While I agree on Reloaded being an often debated one, I don't think I've met one person who's tried to defend revolutions as being anything other than hot garbage :tongue:

I thought Revolutions was pretty good right up until the final fight between Neo and Smith. They just looked like they were being swung around on wires at a cheap high school production of peter pan

[blackdragon6]

any of Tyler Perry's movies...

[StoneGold]

any of Tyler Perry's movies...

Problem is, someone's inevitably getting called a racist over that one. Mostly because name me someone who isn't black who likes them.



Or has seen them, for that matter.

[blackdragon6]

Problem is, someone's inevitably getting called a racist over that one. Mostly because name me someone who isn't black who likes them.



Or has seen them, for that matter.lol well i'm black and don't like them. it's mostly cultural as to why some white people hate. but my reasoning is that all of Tyler's movies are the same. the same preachy black baptist mumbojumbo. there's no moral ambiguity. just moralistic sledgehammer's being dropped.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

lol well i'm black and don't like them. it's mostly cultural as to why some white people hate. but my reasoning is that all of Tyler's movies are the same. the same preachy black baptist mumbojumbo. there's no moral ambiguity. just moralistic sledgehammer's being dropped.

I agree, and I'm black.

And when the moralistic sledgehammer is wrong, which it has been in at least one of the Tyler Perry movies I've seen... That's when things get worse.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

Tyler Perry's movies mostly appeal to older narrow minded religious folks, basically bible/black belt southern blacks.

[Major Comma]

I liked The Hulk ffor the most part,
Except for that ending.
What the heck happened there?
I mean, i get that he basically released his energy to produce an overload in his father .
But why end a Hulk movie like that?

[Chiasm]

Star Wars: Episode IV

I'm not saying its the greatest movie of all time but its damn good. Yet many right here on this forum openly talk about how bad it is or how its not sci fi. A year or two ago there was a sticky thread to determine the greatest Sci Fi movies of all time and by popular vote Star Wars IV didn't even make the top 25 (it wasn't a straight out vote contest, it was kinda complicated and skewed so you only need a small group of haters were able to get it removed from the list). Personally I think that some just think it makes them sound cooler if they diss on the movie and privately most of them probably like it. Just like you sound cooler when reviewing music if you diss on American Idol alumni even if they actually have a smidgeon of talent.

[Arvandor]

And then there's return of the Jedi.

Everyone bashes it for the Ewoks. But the final three-way confrontation between Luke, Vader and the Emperor more than makes up for it.

[jesse_custer]

Tyler Perry's movies mostly appeal to older narrow minded religious folks, basically bible/black belt southern blacks.

Quite a few Southern whites, too.

I don't like his work, but Tyler Perry--and I say this as someone who watched every fucking movie/play he released fly off the shelves when I was working at a video store--is a helluva businessman.

[Trey]

The first movies that came to mind was Eyes Wide Shut and AI.

Alot of the suggestions here are weird, in that the films have a clear cut swing among fandom. Someone listed Fight Club. There is no debate here. Its overwhelmingly positive. And so on.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

another probably being Never Die Alone (and much of Goins books as well). probably for the same reasons as tyer perry's movies, except in reverse. mostly because it's verry morally bleak. and of course cultural reasons (which is a whole other can of worms). but so far it has a cult folowing.

[Simbob4000]

underworld 2

Underworld 2 is one of the worst movies I've ever seen, and I've seen Day of the Dead 2, Shark Attack 3, and that King Kong movie where he gets a heart transplant. All those fucking flash backs to things that just happened, it's like they knew their movie was so mind-numbingly stupid that they needed to remind everyone watching about thing that had just happened five minutes before.

[Simbob4000]

And then there's return of the Jedi.

Everyone bashes it for the Ewoks. But the final three-way confrontation between Luke, Vader and the Emperor more than makes up for it.

I'm not a fan of the Ewoks, and some of the other things in Return, but when I was little I fucking loved them.

[Chiasm]

And then there's return of the Jedi.

Everyone bashes it for the Ewoks. But the final three-way confrontation between Luke, Vader and the Emperor more than makes up for it.

That movie would have been so much better if Lucas had stuck with his original plan to use Wookies instead of Ewoks. As is Ewoks led to Lucas going all cutesy with the prequels which is why we got Jar Jar.

[kalorama]

Quite a few Southern whites, too.

I don't like his work, but Tyler Perry--and I say this as someone who watched every fucking movie/play he released fly off the shelves when I was working at a video store--is a helluva businessman.

I recently had a conversation with a (white) friend/co-worker of mine about the portrayal of the South on film/TV (prompted by my viewing of season 1 of Tru Blood on DVD) and asked her what she thought about how the South was presented. She specifically mentioned Tyler Perry, noting that she thought it was a shame that he was really one of the only film-makers who made a point of putting the urban South on screen.

[kalorama]

Underworld 2 is one of the worst movies I've ever seen, and I've seen Day of the Dead 2, Shark Attack 3, and that King Kong movie where he gets a heart transplant. All those fucking flash backs to things that just happened, it's like they knew their movie was so mind-numbingly stupid that they needed to remind everyone watching about thing that had just happened five minutes before.

It was stupid, loud, illogical, and way too blue. But I still find it entertaining (albeit not as much as the first one).

[howyadoin]

Star Wars: Episode IV

I'm not saying its the greatest movie of all time but its damn good. Yet many right here on this forum openly talk about how bad it is or how its not sci fi.Whether it's good and whether it's sci-fi are two different things altogether, of course.

[onelasthero]

Fight Club.

I know the movie has its most ardent supporters, but I think the movie started out great then became mediocre midway through. Even if one takes into account all the subliminal meanings and double-entendres and the appeal to philosophy, I still think the execution of the later half of the movie needed a lot of work.

Hell, on that note, I'll throw in the Matrix as well.

P.S. Someone a few months ago on these boards suggested that Fight Club was the Citizen Kane of its day. In all my arguments and debates with the pro-Fight Club fandom, I've never heard a Fight Club supporter say anything that grandiose about the movie. Sure, they thought it was one of the best movies of recent memory, but they never compared it to the likes of Citizen Kane.

Okay I won't say it's Citizen Kane. But it was a great movie for what it was. Plus, I thought Ed Norton did an amazing job in his role. Fight Club is just one of those "guy's guy" movies. Fighting and blowing shit up is cool, a great plot is just icing.

[cernunnos]

"Orphan" some liking it others hating it. while others like the first half, and was disgusted by the second half. then there's the other group that's vice versa. critics was pretty split over it too.

I figured out what the twist was pretty early, but I still liked the movie. Whoever edited the movie should have done a better job editing out the boom mike, though.

[cernunnos]

Blair Witch Project, Spiderman 3

I liked Spider-Man 3 but I HATED the whole Dancing Peter Parker thing. :mad:

[jlmoor]

80's Dune...

[Redem]

THere was always one criticism of Dune no one else seem to have is that half of the movie dialogue are voice over

For some reason I also am the only one who liked the matrix : Reloaded more than the first one, but I'lll admit that Revolution was a weak installement. Its structure only make sense if it was seen as one movie with Reload

[Paradox]

cernunnos notes:

I liked Spider-Man 3 but I HATED the whole Dancing Peter Parker thing. :mad:

I would have had no problem with the whole "Peter Parker is eviled up by Venom" section if Maguire hadn't sucked and been totally unbelievable acting it.

[blackdragon6]

I figured out what the twist was pretty early, but I still liked the movie. Whoever edited the movie should have done a better job editing out the boom mike, though. i figured it out during the last 30 minutes. now i'm not gonna lie and say that it was the first conclusion that came to my mind cause it wasn't. either way that's not why some people hate the second half of the film. they hate it because some thought it was "sleazy".

Its structure only make sense if it was seen as one movie with Reloadagreed....

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

i figured it out during the last 30 minutes.....the poster gives it away too. but only in hindsight i think.