10 OVERRATED FILMS

The lists continue.

In addition my renewed dedication to the trivium, (the latin term that references the three paths of learning in "classical" education: grammar, logic and rhetoric - and also serves as a foundation for the quadrivium: astronomy, music, geometry and arithmetic) as a way of mental exercise for the new year, (my mantra is "Don't be dim in 2010!") I have also decided to counterbalance my inner-ascetic, and do something purely for the mindless joy it brings: movie watching. I honestly haven't seen that many new films. Even blockbusters. I go to the movies on average perhaps twice a year. I know some folks who are in the theater every weekend. I have fairly large personal movie library, but i still watch the same movies over and over. (and if you know me you can probably guess what they are.) I'm trying to change that. Its no fun when you're around people who have seen the latest flick and you can only smile and pretend that you know what the heck they're talking about.

Which brings me to the point of this entry. As I check off movies that i hadn't seen but are finally watching, I've realized i haven't missed much! Some are worth the accolades, but a LOT are not. Its making me glad i haven't wasted ducats seeing them in the theater. In honor of these duds, here is a list of movies that have received way more kudos than was necessary. In fact, if they weren't so hyped, i may have enjoyed them more! Anyway, here is the list 10-1. (one being the MOST overrated)

10. Pretty Woman - I have no idea why this movie gets so much love. I'm going to go with the idea that its was on the strength of the looks of the main characters, because the story was just ok.

9. Psycho - I am a Hitchcock junkie. Yet it pains me that this is the most talked about film in his catalog. Its definitely a good movie, and nail biting at times, but its NOT all that.

8. Schindler's List - Ok. Sacred Cow time. I enjoyed this movie. I love period pieces, and i'm a sucker for WWII history. HOWEVER. This movie was NOT the be all end all that it was toted as. I was in HS when it came out, and it was required watching for my AP history class. I saw it (i wanted my A) but it just didn't move me like it seemed to move other people. Perhaps I need to watch it again.

7. 2001 A Space Odyssey - You're supposed to LOVE this movie. Its Kubrick! Its artsy. Its weird. I'm artsy and weird so this should be a match in filmakers heaven. NOT. This is one of those films that i wanted to like because it seems like everyone else does. But when i finally sat down and watched it, i was left confused. Just why is this movie so lauded? Its boring. Maybe im just not intellectual enough. The first half hour is better than any sedative.

6. The Lion King - Yep, i said it. No i'm not heartless. I know a lot of folks love this one and might take this personally. lol. Remember this list is about OVERrated movies. So yes, the lion king was good. The Lion King was NOT great. In my opinion Aladdin is the superior film.

5. Close Encounters of the third Kind - Maybe it would have been better without Richard Dreyfus, but fresh off the success of Jaws, he was box office gold. I want to like this movie because i'm a fan of spielberg (see: my star wars and indiana jones obsession) but it just doesn't work for me. The first 3/4 of the film is taut with suspense. But the final act just falls flat. After all that drama all we learn is that aliens dig synthesizers???

4. The English Patient - Japanese water torture on celluloid. YAWN

3. Monster's Ball - I guess there was a story here, but i couldn't find it. Halle is a beautiful woman, but only a so-so actress. Billy bob was effective, though not showstopping. The film's conceit - that two people who would otherwise never cross paths, develop a mutual need for each other through tragedy, is under served. There's a story to be told, but the story tellers just aren't doing it. And then there's that sex scene...

2. Forrest Gump - This movie is essentially "the wonder years" on steroids... only a lot less interesting. Lots of cool special effects, but special effects does not a GREAT movie make. Was Forrest a man or a superhero? And the life is like a box of chocolates was one of the worst metaphors of all time (of all time! *insert Kanye here*)

1. Titanic - Titanic is the correct word here, as the movie collapsed under the weight of its own "importance." In the case of the Titanic(the ship), we knew how the story ended. It was the director's job to tell it to us in another way, make it fresh and new. We are eternally fascinated with the titanic because of its incomprehensible, almost eerie demise. However, in the film, the actual sinking of the ship was kind of an afterthought. Instead, the focus was a stale romance boasting the familiar archetypes: the rich girl who falls in love with the artsy, free spirited boy. Throw in some mediocre dialogue, capable special effects(which look a bit dated now) and a power ballad, (Heart will go on is easily one of the most annoying songs EVER) and you have this Oscar winning, waterlogged mess. The actual ship sinking was more of a backdrop for what amounted to a feature length version of your favorite soap opera.

So what say you? Agree? Disagree? Any you might take away? Any you might add? (oh and if anyone mentions Gone With The Wind Or Star Wars i will personally hunt you down and do very very bad things.)