Abob Teff

In the 2001 thread, I have admitted that I just don’t “get” the movie. I don’t hate it. I don’t dislike it. I appreciate its place in cinematic history and its technical accomplishments. However I just don’t understand the love for it.

This isn’t the only film like this though. There are others that I have watched multiple times, often many years apart, hoping they would click for me. Sometimes age and experience can change your perspective. Simply being in “a different” place in your life will alter your relationship with a film.

What are those movies for you? I’m not talking about films you liked better after repeated viewings; rather what are the ones you have watched multiple times over the years hoping the film would finally resonate with you?

Some others for me:

Texas Chainsaw Massacre — the Toby Hooper classic that just comes off as the original torture porn for me. Watched it again a few years ago and still got nothing from it. Think I’m giving up here.

Apocalypse Now — haven’t tried this in over a decade. It may be time to try again.

Quentin Tarantino movies, particularly Kill Bill — these are starting to work for me. I’ve just had to accept the fatal flaws (cartoon violence) and focus on the stuff I love (dialogue, cinematography, music).

JackoOnHisBacko

The Big Lebowski.

It's fine. It isn't bad. Some mild enjoyment to be had. But I don't see what the big deal about it really is.
And yes, I'm well aware "that's just like, uh, MY opinion, man".

morriscroy

Idiocracy.

It took me a very long time to come to the realization that it is actually a documentary in disguise.

Tom Banjo

The Godfather is a big one for me. But I need to try it again, since setting is huge. I first saw The English Patient on a date in high school. We both thought it sucked and left halfway through. A couple of years later I gave it another shot and loved it.
And I know this isn’t Book Talk, but Dune immediately sprang to mind as well. But in that case, I’ve read it 3 times and still don’t get what’s supposed to be so great about it.

E Unit

Every Paul Thomas Anderson movie. I keep thinking he makes this crap just to fuck with me. It's bewildering these get any praise at all. I guess they just elude me.



Okay, I did like Boogie Nights, I thought that was really good.

OldBoy

perhaps inspired by the Angel Heart recent bump. i'll have to see that one again and see things i must have totally missed. i don't even remember war scenes or stealing the identity.

TCM and TBL are good ones. they were ok and enjoyable, but not these all-time classics, imo, that some people claim. i'm sure many others...

GoldenJCJ

Raging Bull is the first one that comes to mind. I love all everyone involved in the movie but I have just never been able to get into it one bit. All I think when I watch it is “Jale LaMotta is a complete asshole and I have absolutely no interest in his life.”

OldBoy

oh man, this was a gem. yes, he was always an asshole, but a talented, determined asshole and the way Scorsese tells his story and De Niro's portrayal are just stuff of legend and the 2 Oscars to De Niro and Schoonmaker were well deserved, imo...

movieguru

The Big Lebowski
Citizen Kane
The Fast and the Furious (the original and all 20 of the sequels)

Sonic

Pulp Fiction
Mallrats
Kill Bill
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

GoldenJCJ

I probably enjoyed it a little more than you but the “give me back my magical sword” paper thin plot is head scratching for the love it gets.

Nesbit

Apocalypse Now and Blade Runner get a spin every 5 years or so to see if I get them yet. They're not bad just boring as fuck to me.

JackoOnHisBacko

I liked Boogie Nights, too.
But you really thought "There Will Be Blood" was crap?

JackoOnHisBacko

Really though, this should be expanded to include every Kevin Smith movie.

Paul_SD

First time I saw it, after it was already starting to become a cult favorite, I found it intermittently humorous, but didn't understand the appeal.
When I found out the Coen's were aping The Big Sleep, suddenly the film's creative agenda made complete sense.
I don't think that knowledge is why other people embraced it, but it made me see it in a new light and now it tickles the hell out of me. One of my favorite Coen Bros films.

I rewatched 2001 a couple months back and came to same conclusion as Abob.
I appreciate some of it, and all of it in theory, but there is a fundamental element that I continue to miss and that keeps me from the slack jawed awe that many have for it.

milo bloom

Yeah, right there. Some amusing concepts but certainly not the cult masterpiece it’s made out to be.



My entry would have to be Fargo. It was just excruciating to sit through with the bizarre exception of whenever Frances MacDormand was onscreen, she was just amazing. It was like she was acting in another, far better movie than everybody else.

OldBoy

that was the appeal. and i think she fit in perfectly in that world with everyone else. that is, imo, a near flawless movie. and there aren't too many in my book. of course, my book is Dr. Seuss, so you see it's all relative...

E Unit

That’s an insult to crap. Yes, from the dialogue spoken at the pace of snails humping, to the “I drink your milkshake” silliness, there is nothing in that film I care to ever revisit again.

And I’m not crapping on it, I know people love it and it won all sorts of awards, but it’s the pinnacle of movies that elude me - to the point I don’t ever care to see again.

JackoOnHisBacko

There was nothing that could have happened between the beginning few wordless moments that quietly sets up a man's drive and motivation for the next 2.5 hours, and a really throwaway "milkshake" comment 200 minutes later that would ever be worth revisiting?

I will, from now on, only watch the first 15 minutes, and last 5 minutes of a film, and whatever I decide based on that, I will proclaim as the only correct interpretation of the film's content. Anything else, I will say just eludes me, and I don't ever care to see again.

E Unit

Sounds good to me. I’ve seen the movie twice - and that 2 more times then I deserved.

TheMovieman

Anything directed by Terence Malick. The thing I don't understand is how he gets the cast he does.

Also will add... Citizen Kane. On the technical front, I get it but from a story perspective, never has done it for me.

windom

Scott Pilgrim. I do need to watch it again one day and see if I like it any better.

MrRound2

2001 A Space Odyssey, the only movie ive never been able to finish, it just seems like so many of the scenes could be trimmed down and you'd never miss a thing. I get its supposed to be a grand scope type of thing but I just cannot get far enough into it to be hooked.

The Godfather 2: I love the first one, and the second isnt a bad movie by any means I just dont get the love for it.

Gone With The Wind: Just one I haven't ever been able to get into either, its a great achievement for its time, just dont get the continued love for it

Troy Stiffler

I don’t get this thread.

Hazel Motes

The Conformist
Jules & Jim
The Last Temptation of Christ
Weekend- Godard
Star Wars
Most comic book movies.