Movies that you think are unfairly/overly criticized this decade

[Dr. DVD]

Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and 3- they're not phenomenal, but they're enjoyable rides
Revenge of the Sith- best of the PT, which I know isn't saying much, but when it hits it does so on all cylinders
Matrix Sequels-second is great IMO, third is ok with good action sequences
Indiana Jones and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull-a fun ride, nothing exceptional, but fun

[inri222]

Originally Posted by Cardiac161

Spielberg's Munich. Personally think it's one of his best films but for some reason, quite a lot of people didn't like the ambiguity of the characters, the neutrality of the film and the gray message it provokes in the end.

Originally Posted by wendersfan

Artificial Intelligence: A.I.

Agree with both since IMO those are Spielbergs best films.

[Hokeyboy]

Spielberg has never done a better movie than MUNICH.

[J. Farley]

Friedkin's Bug. A terrific film with incredible acting. Prior to seeing this, I never would have guessed Judd had it in her (the ability, not the bugs).

[inri222]

Originally Posted by J. Farley

Friedkin's Bug. A terrific film with incredible acting. Prior to seeing this, I never would have guessed Judd had it in her (the ability, not the bugs).

Don't forget Michael Shannon he was also excellent.

[eiker_ir]

Lady in the Water

[Indy Jones Fan]

Originally Posted by chris_sc77

Unfairly criticized:
Gigli. Despite Lopez's awful performance I think its a really enjoyable funny film with strange performances by Walken and Pacino. I would love to see the original final act of the film in which things got violent.

Wow, I can't believe I'm going to agree with chris_sc77 of all people. I actually saw Gigli before passing judgement (unlike 99.9% of the world) and it wasn't a bad film at all. Great? No. Deserving of the absolute thrashing it received? Not even close.

[Ash Ketchum]

Originally Posted by Hokeyboy

Spielberg has never done a better movie than 1941.

Fixed.

[jeffbase34]

Originally Posted by BullGooseLoony

The second one is entertaining garbage, but aside from the use of childhood icons, there's not really a positive thing I can say about it, other than that it was "dark."

I enjoyed the first one. The build up was great, good effects. The 2nd one is perhaps the worst movie I ever seen. Too dark to see anything, awful plot, and over the top gore.

[jeffbase34]

Blade 2 - I remember this one getting bad reviews, and I thought it was freaking awesome. I even loved the poetic ending.

Wild Hogs - gosh, critics hated this film, but I thought it was good fun with some genuine laughs.

Daredevil - I really enjoyed it. Great effects to illustrate his hyper sense power, loved Bullseye, good action, cool costume, IMO.

[KillerCannibal]

The Chronicles of Riddick - I thought it was a solid sci-fi flick with some great backstory, cool effects and a solid ending. Sure, Vin can't act for shit - usually - but this role was tailor-made for his abilities.

[Hokeyboy]

Originally Posted by Indy Jones Fan

Wow, I can't believe I'm going to agree with chris_sc77 of all people. I actually saw Gigli before passing judgement (unlike 99.9% of the world) and it wasn't a bad film at all. Great? No. Deserving of the absolute thrashing it received? Not even close.

Yeah, with that horrific, cliched, one-note performance by the actor pretending to be the retarded kid? Affleck's god-freakin'-awful accent and mugging in the place of acting? Pacino walking in like he's on the set of another movie? If anything, it's WORSE than people think it is...

[lamphorn]

Originally Posted by Zen Peckinpah

Domino. Sure, the film's style is so godawfully out of its mind, but that's the freakin' movie. When arms are cut off in the first 5 minutes and used as collateral, two guys from Beverly Hills 90210 play themselves, and a plot device specifically references Point Break of all movies, you know this isn't a Terrence Malick film but special nonetheless. but I think the execution fits the film exactly and that it's a pretty awesome movie to boot. Also love the supporting cast (Rourke, Walken, Coleman, Lindo), and Mo'Nique actually shined in the film especially during the Jerry Springer scene. Even if he does cannibalize from True Romance's climax at the end it's a lot of fun.

I could also make an argument that Man on Fire is awesome, but it's more accepted than Domino. And though they're not this decade, I'll gladly give you good reason that The Last Boy Scout is a twisted, mean-spirited blast and that the director's cut of Revenge makes the film an intriguing supplementary experience to No Country for Old Men.

Hmm... Are you one of those Hollywood Saloon guys?

[GenPion]

Ang Lee's Hulk
Lady in the Water
The Happening
Spider-Man 3
Superman Returns
Domino
Speed Racer
The Matrix Revolutions

[dave94]

Originally Posted by jjcool

I think alot of the hate was because of what film it beat. After that, it became "hip" to hate on Crash.

Okay, this is extreme hate for a film that I've never really understood. I saw this on DVD well after it won the Oscar, but before all the backlash that it ended up receiving. I didn't expect that I would like it, while not even really knowing what the premise was, and my history was that the Best Picture didn't usually live up to the award.

I was surprised by how much I was pulled in by the emotional tone of the separate stories as they progressed, and when the threads intertwined I felt an almost subconscious wave of emotion; I can see why some would consider the events that take place to be "contrived" or overtly preachy, but the actions of the characters resonated to me as something that we're just not expecting to see, whether on film or in real life. But it doesn't make them any less powerful.

I don't consider myself to be drawn in easily by films or stories that lean toward the "people are good deep down inside" mold, but the situations that led to the evolution of these characters didn't seem unbelievable to me. Call me an optimist, but when the shit really goes down, how can you say that people won't act out of character and do something that they never thought they would for another person?

Ultimately, sure, there are things about this film that can be debated regarding whether it deserved Best Picture that year. Brokeback Mountain was an amazing movie with outstanding performances, direction, cinematography, etc. That being said, to not recognize the effectiveness of Crash in evoking some of the deepest human emotions, which I feel was at the center of the material, is short-sided.

It may not end up being a film that people cite as a classic, but I think it accomplishes its goal as a dramatic depiction of the state of the race/class struggle that exists today. There's something to be said for that.

[Burgundy LaRue]

Originally Posted by J. Farley

Friedkin's Bug. A terrific film with incredible acting. Prior to seeing this, I never would have guessed Judd had it in her (the ability, not the bugs).

Great pick. It's a fantastic film about how two people feed into each other's loneliness and cause their own destruction. All three main actors--Michael Shannon, Ashley Judd, and Harry Connick, Jr. were all good in this.

[jjcool]

Originally Posted by dave94

Okay, this is extreme hate for a film that I've never really understood. I saw this on DVD well after it won the Oscar, but before all the backlash that it ended up receiving. I didn't expect that I would like it, while not even really knowing what the premise was, and my history was that the Best Picture didn't usually live up to the award.

I was surprised by how much I was pulled in by the emotional tone of the separate stories as they progressed, and when the threads intertwined I felt an almost subconscious wave of emotion; I can see why some would consider the events that take place to be "contrived" or overtly preachy, but the actions of the characters resonated to me as something that we're just not expecting to see, whether on film or in real life. But it doesn't make them any less powerful.

I don't consider myself to be drawn in easily by films or stories that lean toward the "people are good deep down inside" mold, but the situations that led to the evolution of these characters didn't seem unbelievable to me. Call me an optimist, but when the shit really goes down, how can you say that people won't act out of character and do something that they never thought they would for another person?

Ultimately, sure, there are things about this film that can be debated regarding whether it deserved Best Picture that year. Brokeback Mountain was an amazing movie with outstanding performances, direction, cinematography, etc. That being said, to not recognize the effectiveness of Crash in evoking some of the deepest human emotions, which I feel was at the center of the material, is short-sided.

It may not end up being a film that people cite as a classic, but I think it accomplishes its goal as a dramatic depiction of the state of the race/class struggle that exists today. There's something to be said for that.

Oh, I agree with you completely.
The problem that it has, is it beat the other movie that you mention.

[Bluelitespecial]

Sure some of the dailogue was chessy, but Revenge of the Sith was the best of the Star wars prequels. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, was pretty unfairly criticized as well, when Speilberg and Lucas made the right adjustments for Harrison ford's age.

[Solid Snake PAC]

Adjustments for his age or not, I was promised a film packed with real stunts like the 1st Indy. And wtf is all this with CG jungle and Shia Lebouef (sp?) not being a really good character.

[MrSmearkase]

Unfairly criticized? Paul Blart: Mall Cop

I feel that a lot of the people I have talked to who have negative things to say about the movie, haven't even seen it. I don't think it's a great film, by any means, but it certainly is able to entertain me for 90 minutes. I'm still not sure why it is so popular to hate on this movie.

[Mondo Kane]

Originally Posted by jjcool

I for one, never understood why there was so much hate for Michael Bay films. He is not remaking Shakespeare here. he is making big budget, summer, popcorn, blow alot of shit up, mindless action movies. And he succeeds in that goal, in my opinion. I have never watched one of his movies and not been entertained. Sure it is mindless, but it is fun.

Tell that to this guy and legions of other Criterion collectors.

[GoldenJCJ]

Originally Posted by Dr. DVD

Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and 3- they're not phenomenal, but they're enjoyable rides

Agreed. In fact I just rewatched part 3 again a couple of weeks ago and I think it's got the best visuals of the entire series.

Indiana Jones and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull-a fun ride, nothing exceptional, but fun

I really enjoyed Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and have liked it even more with each viewing. Yet oddly, I can't really argue with the criticism it received. I really like it but can't really defend it, if that makes any sense.

[toddly6666]

Van Helsing
Matrix 2 & 3

[AnonomusBob15]

Van Helsing? Really?

Going to need some justification on this one. Please explain.

[The Bus]

toddly6666's opinion is 80% justified, 20% completely insane. Guess that falls under the 20%.