The master of blogathons, Nostra over at My Filmviews has created an excellent new one to help confess any ‘movie sins’ you might have. Enter the Movie Confessions Blogathon. So let me get my movie confessions out.
Which classic movie don’t you like/can’t enjoy and why?
The only film I can think of is The Tree of Life. It’s not a classic, but I know it’s a very highly regarded film. (I’m ashamed to say, but my education on classic films isn’t so great!) I just couldn’t get into the film. I thought it was far too self important. Bored the life out of me. I appreciated the cinematography though!
Which ten classic movies haven’t you seen yet?
I have a big long list of Films I Need to See, so I’ve picked out 10 of those:
- The Godfather
- Cool Hand Luke
- Taxi Driver
- 12 Angry Men
- The Apartment
- A Clockwork Orange
- Papillon
- Casablanca
- Singin’ in the Rain
- Roman Holiday
Have you ever sneaked into another movie at the cinema?
Sadly not. Never had the guts. I remember when I was younger and with a big group of friends, we always contemplated it. We did all try to see an 18 rated film once. I think it was Stigmata. We were all under age and sent our two tallest members of our little group to get the tickets. One person succeeded and so only half of us managed to see the film. Me not being one of those. Years later, I realised I didn’t miss out.
Which actor/actress do you think is overrated?
Edward Norton. I think he’s fine, but the only performance that I’ve ever been blown away by from him was his role in American History X.
From which big director have you never seen any movie (and why)?
I would say Stanley Kubrick and David Lynch. It’s just one of those ‘never got round to it’ situations.
Which movie do you love, but is generally hated?
I have a couple, but one major one that springs to mind is Ang Lee’s version of Hulk. I loved the film. Eric Bana was the perfect bit of casting as Bruce Banner. Maybe also Twister. It’s just a fun film for me to watch, though not sure it’s a hated film.
Have you ever been ‘one of those annoying people’ at the cinema?
Maybe when I was a lot younger and been at the cinema with a big group of friends. But even then, I was too scared to be one of those people!
Did you ever watch a movie, which you knew in advance would be bad, just because of a specific actor/actress was in it? Which one and why?
Yes. Ca$h. 99% for Chris Hemsworth. Hey! I was still riding the high from The Avengers. I really, really, regretted it.
Did you ever not watch a specific movie because it had subtitles?
Nope. Can’t say that I have. When I do sit down to watch a film, I sometimes tend not to choose a film with subtitles just because I need to be in a certain mood for it. And be more awake!
Are there any movies in your collection that you have had for more than five years and never watched?
Which are the worst movies in your collection and why do you still own them?
I have both of the Tomb Raider films on DVD. I still have them because I really do love watching them. Even though I can’t remember the last time I put the DVDs in as the films are on TV so often! Sahara falls in that same category too.
Do you have any confessions about your movie watching setup at home?
Not sure. I don’t have surround sound set-up. Just yet. It’s in the pipeline! I did buy myself a lovely new TV late last year – 50″ plasma. I’m firmly on the side of plasma screens. I do prefer watching things in HD and occasionally I’ve not watched something on demand because it wasn’t in HD.
Any other confessions you want to make?
The first film that ever made me cry was Short Circuit 2. I was watching it on TV with my family. I must have been about 7 years old at the time. The scene where Johnny 5 gets totally trashed just got to me! Sadly, that film opened the flood gates, and it doesn’t take much for a film to get me crying. Out of happiness or sadness. I’m a sap!
There isn’t a single type of film I won’t watch. I’ll give anything a try.
I really don’t mind The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions. I’ll quite happily watch either. It’s easy to ignore the philosophical crap and just focus on the silly action.
Oh and I’m trying to educate myself in terms of classic films. Getting there with a little help from all you film blogging people out there.
And those are my confessions. Why not join in and post your own Movie Confessions.
[…] Want to read more confessions? Check out these great movie blogs who have joined this blogathon (some of them might not be available yet because I published this post too early ): Today I Watched a Movie Southern Vision PG Cooper’s Movie Reviews Polychrome Interest Cinematic Katzenjammer The Focused Filmographer The Cinematic Spectacle Cinematic Corner The Warning Sign Morgan on Media Time Well Spent […]
I’m surprised by how often Cool Hand Luke is turning up on the “not seen” segment. Then again, I didn’t see it until this year…. I’m also surprised by seeing Ang Lee’s Hulk get defended in more than one of these.
I was told by a work colleague I need to see Cool Hand Luke, so just trying to stick to my promise.
Aww, poor Hulk. It’s really a good film if there’s more than one of us defending it!
some people you just can’t reach
Philistine!
I enjoy Matrix Reloaded too. Revolutions not so much, but Reloaded is quite fun. I too didn’t like Tree of Life, it was so boring. And Norton…I liked his work in several films but he never really impressed me.
Reloaded is just a load of silly action. Until the Architect scene at the end. Which I now find the most hilarious thing in the world. Can’t help but watch. If you really listen to the words he uses, it just makes absolutely no sense. Less and less each time, but hilariously so!
There Will Be Blood is one of those films I’ve been meaning to see for ages and haven’t gotten around to. It sounds like you’re in the same boat. 🙂
I can’t believe it’s been sitting on my shelf for so long! One of those films, eh?
I too have never seen Stanley Kubrick films, not because I don’t want to though.
Should really give Roman Holiday and Casablanca a try! If you want to look up everlasting romance movie.
U both need to get on Kubrick band wagon start out with the Shining you will be hooked for sure
I remembered after I posted, I have seen The Shining. DOH! I knew I’d seen one Kubrick. Got A Clockwork Orange on my TV box, recorded and waiting for me.
Thanks for the recommendation =D I have to see it in one point
As punishment for not seeing Cool Hand Luke I sentence you to eating 50 eggs 😉
See, despite me not having seen the film, I do get that reference!
Hey, we both have Tomb Raider as one of the answers to the question. The second one is very much a guilty pleasure for me for obvious reasons 🙂
As for Ang Lee’s Hulk, well the only thing I like about it is Eric Bana. He’s a tremendously underrated actor whom I wish had more roles than say, Brad Pitt!! Oh speaking of which, he’s the only watchable thing in TROY as well.
I find it funny that both Tomb Raiders have a couple of now very well known and sought after Brit actors!
You and me both, Ruth, on the subject of Troy! All my girl friends were looking forward to checking out Brad Pitt in that film and I was the only one who was looking forward to Eric Bana. Who was brilliant in that film. Definitely agree, very underrated actor. He’s done well at choosing his films though. He’s never in loads, but done some quality stuff.
It was about 10-12 years ago, and the only western I’d seen was Unforgiven, which I loved. In passing, a colleague of mine suggested I watch Cool Hand Luke. I told him that westerns weren’t my cup of tea…needless to say he laughed at me, and lent it to me to watch. I absolutely LOVED the film!!
I liked The Hulk too! I understand what Ang Lee was trying to do, which is the first step in accepting the film as not terrible.
I’m stunned that you’ve never seen The Godfather!!
I almost used David Lynch too, but in researching I found out he directed the 1984 version of Dune.
Thanks for this, mine is going up now.
About The Godfather – I know! I don’t know why. I usually rely on TV to get me the films I need to see. And for whatever reason, it’s never hit my screen! And I subscribe to various film channels, so god knows why no one’s showing it.
See, I just realised I have seen a Stanley Kubrick film – The Shining! But that’s all.
Going to go over and read yours 🙂
Def gotta catch up on those classics, Jaina! Twelve Angry Men, Roman Holiday, Singin’ in the Rain, Casablanca. For sure.
I think it’s awesome that your answer for sneaking into a theater is “SADLY not.” haha.
surprised that you like Hulk. But glad you don’t like Tree of Life.
There Will Be Blood, Training Day, American Gangster—that’s the order I prefer them in.
and, yes, Plasma tvs rule!
I know! I have a lot of classics to watch. I just get sidetracked with popcorn movies as I’m brain dead most of the time! I feel as though I need to give those classics my undivided.
Plasma TVs are the best. I’ve never been a fan of LCD. And LED is fine and thin and everything, but you don’t get true blacks with anything but a plasma!
Wow, no Kubrick or Lynch?? Two of my favorite directors right there.
I’m with you on Matrix Reloaded/Revolutions. Obviously they aren’t anywhere near as good as the original, but they have some pretty impressive action sequences. That car chase scene is crazy.
Well, it’s since come to my attention that I’ve seen on Kubrick – The Shining. So it’s just Lynch I’m really totally missing out on.
Reloaded/Revolutions are perfectly enjoyable if you ignore the mumbo jumbo!
I’ve never watched any of the Hulk films. Like “Wolverine”, the Ang Lee Hulk film got decent to good reviews when it was released, but then became more reviled as time went on. I have to give it a try one day.
Suppose it’s like the opposite of a cult classic then!
Thanks for stopping by, Victor.
Very honest answers here hehe.
The ten classics you haven’t seen are ten big ones. Of those, the ones I haven’t seen are Papillon and Roman Holiday. Among the ones you mention The Godfather, Taxi Driver and 12 Angry Men are easily in my top 50 films of all time while the rest are all very good films in my opinion, 4/5 ratings on my book at least. I don’t think you’ll find any of them disappointing.
As for directors, I’d really push you to explore Mr. Stanley Kubrick as he is easily in my top 5 directors ever, with at least 3-4 films among my all-time favorites. He is not an easy director to approach so I understand the hesitation. I was the same, but it turns out watching his work was truly rewarding, if not on an entertainment level, it definitely was on a purely artistic one.
I’d also push to get to There Will Be Blood as it may very well my favorite from that year.
I also agree with you in terms of Ed Norton, a good actor, but not worthy of the hype he often gets.
That’s the thing with those classic films and directors I need to catch up on – I feel like I need to be in a certain mindset and mood for them so I can give them my undivided. I’ll make more of an effort in future.
Ed Norton’s done some great films, but him as an actor? He’s just ok. I never get excited because he’s in a film.
Love that you loved Hulk! Whoo hoo! Ang Lee rules!
And I have a 50″ plasma as well, more than 6 years old at this point. When it dies, I’d buy it all over it again. It’s a beaut.
Love your confessions! Got mine in the pipeline, keep your eyes peeled.
Ang Lee does rule. I know people are saying now about how Christopher Nolan’s a very serious, different type of director for a comic book film, and how much of a risk it was for him to take on Batman. But Ang Lee was there too!
Looking forward to reading your confessions!
Hahaha, I love how various bloggers are naming me master/king of blogathons/series, always puts a smile on my face.
I had very mixed feelings about The Tree of Life. It looked beautiful, but it was quite boring indeed.
Looking at the classics I would suggest Roman Holiday if you don’t mind romantic comedies. I quite liked it. Singin’ in the Rain was very good, gave that a 10/10. Only one on that list I have not seen is Papillon.
I’m a big fan of Norton, shame to see you don’t like him as much. But to each his own!
You should watch Training Day, great performance by Denzel!
50 inch plasma, very nice. I went with plasma as well, but might buy an lcd once it’s time to get a new one. I’m actually don’t watch much in HD…
You are! You’ve done some amazing blogathon series. They’re always great to follow, read and take part in. Never stop 😉
I love a good romantic comedy. I haven’t seen, what I’d call, a good one, in a while.
Don’t watch much in HD? I can’t watch in anything but HD if I can help it! But not 3D…