Overrated Movies
I don't necessarily hate these movies (although some I do), I just think they're overrated; and some ridiculously so.
In no certain order.
For questions, comments or rebukes, write me at:
dltoes@msn.com
In no certain order.
For questions, comments or rebukes, write me at:
dltoes@msn.com
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- DirectorNicholas MeyerStarsWilliam ShatnerLeonard NimoyDeForest KelleyWith the assistance of the Enterprise crew, Admiral Kirk must stop an old nemesis, Khan Noonien Singh, from using the life-generating Genesis Device as the ultimate weapon.The logical errors contained in this story abound: Why is it necessary for so many senior officers to appear in a mere cadet simulation (the Kobayashi Maru)? Why use live explosives in a simulator? Are these officers actors in their spare time (it certainly looks like it; Spock in particular hams it up)? How could Starfleet and their cartographers not realize that an entire planet is missing in the Ceti Alpha system? How could Chekov not realize this since he’s a trained navigator? Why didn’t Chekov realize that the Ceti Alpha system was the system in which Khan and his clan were marooned by his former captain (even assuming he wasn’t aboard the Enterprise during the 1st season, he would have certainly gotten word from the rest of the crew, in particular from his Helmsman buddy Sulu)? How did the multi-ethnic supermen of “Space Seed” turn into a bunch of blond Aryans? Why would Scotty melodramatically bring his wounded nephew to the Bridge instead of Sickbay (which is one of the lamest scenes in Trek history)? Why does the ear slug simply leave Chekov instead of killing him as the creatures did to twenty of Khan’s people? How could Kirk not notice that Spock, his right-hand man, had left the Bridge? Why doesn’t Spock just put on an environmental space-suit before entering the radioactive chamber? I could go on but I’ll have mercy. As great as these errors are, they could be ignored if the story itself was compelling.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleHeath LedgerAaron EckhartWhen the menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, Batman must accept one of the greatest psychological and physical tests of his ability to fight injustice.Sure, the Joker's great & scary and the tone is perfect, but the story doesn't have much drive. I've seen it twice and don't get the hype. I think it's relatively dull.
- DirectorElia KazanStarsVivien LeighMarlon BrandoKim HunterDisturbed Blanche DuBois moves in with her sister in New Orleans and is tormented by her brutish brother-in-law while her reality crumbles around her.I tried to watch this a few times over the years and could never complete it, but I finally forced myself to do so. Yes, it has rich themes that are fun to interpret and evaluate, but the melodramatic story isn't compelling and contains annoyingly one-dimensional characters. Leigh would've received a Razzie if the movie were released a mere decade later (although I'm not blaming her as she did the best she could with the seriously flawed script).
There are also numerous eye-rolling elements, like the absurd dimming-the-lights component, particularly in light of Leigh's beauty, regardless of age. Or how about the lame excuse for an off-screen character's suicide? I understand that they had to change this from the original play due to the moral codes of the time, but they failed to make it remotely believable.
Check out "The Night of the Iguana" (1964) or even "The Fugitive Kind" (1960) if you want to see a good B&W melodrama based on Tennessee Williams' works. - DirectorBob ClarkStarsPeter BillingsleyMelinda DillonDarren McGavinIn the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie Parker attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.I get that it tries to be the Bizarro Christmas movie (taking place in a working class neighborhood, the leg lamp, etc.), but it's just not that good and sometimes stunningly bad.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsKeir DulleaGary LockwoodWilliam SylvesterAfter uncovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, a spacecraft is sent to Jupiter to find its origins: a spacecraft manned by two men and the supercomputer HAL 9000.The tone and F/X (for that time) are great, but the story and characters are almost non-existent. The only time it drums up suspense is during Hal's revolt. Some parts are dreadfully dull, like the opening ape sequence, which needlessly goes on forever. It's an iconic film, though, and certainly worthwhile, just be prepared to be bored for long stretches.
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenOrlando BloomA meek Hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron.This three-hour fantasy features a diverse cast of colorful characters, quaint beings and settings, moments of genuine wonder, dark ee-vil creatures, high adventure, thrilling brutal action, a superb score, magnificent locations (forests, mountains, rivers, etc.), and wondrous CGI sets. The film LOOKS and SOUNDS so great that it’d be sinful to give it a lower rating.
There are problems, however, at least for those who aren’t uber-fans of Tolkien. For one, the opening is hindered by prologue that is overlong and convoluted, not to mention unnecessary. The bulk of it could’ve been conveyed later via flashback, which they do a little bit anyway. Secondly, the story takes forever to build any drive. Thirdly, except for maybe Frodo and Gandalf, the characters are shallow and I didn’t care much what happened to them. Fourthly, main protagonists getting seriously wounded and everyone else expressing their melodramatic concern gets redundant.
Fifthly, there are only two females in the main cast (Liv Tyler as Arwen, a half-Elf princess, and Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, a royal Elf); unfortunately, their parts aren’t much more than glorified cameos. “Mythica: A Quest for Heroes” (2014) cost LESS THAN $100,000 to make, which is a mere fraction of the $93 million it cost to make this blockbuster and the filmmakers knew enough to include a couple of prominent babes as key protagonists in the story.
Despite these negatives, I like much of “The Fellowship of the Ring" (just not the first act or the two sequels), but it's no where near as good as the hype makes it. The trilogy degenerates with "The Two Towers" and "The Return of the King" being progressively worse: The central battle in "Return" is curiously similar to the Battle at Helms Deep in "Towers" and is therefore redundant. Then the entire trilogy comes down to someone hanging from a cliff. Seriously? (This was already done at the end of "Fellowship" and beginning of "Towers"). - DirectorMel GibsonStarsMel GibsonSophie MarceauPatrick McGoohanScottish warrior William Wallace leads his countrymen in a rebellion to free his homeland from the tyranny of King Edward I of England.This is a decent Medieval flick with some excellent parts, plus Patrick McGoohan de-shines as the villain Longshanks, but it butchers history and is no where near the masterpiece some claim it to be. I'd watch 2006's "Tristan + Isolde" or 2001's "Attila" any day over this.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsRussell CroweJoaquin PhoenixConnie NielsenA former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery.Marginally better than "Braveheart" and I somewhat like it, but it's still no where near where the hype puts it.
- DirectorJohn MaddenStarsGwyneth PaltrowJoseph FiennesGeoffrey RushThe world's greatest ever playwright, William Shakespeare, is young, out of ideas and short of cash, but meets his ideal woman and is inspired to write one of his most famous plays.Best Picture? Unbelievable. It's just not that good, although it's okay.
- DirectorSergio LeoneStarsClint EastwoodEli WallachLee Van CleefA bounty hunting scam joins two men in an uneasy alliance against a third in a race to find a fortune in gold buried in a remote cemetery.Yes, it's an iconic Western with memorable parts, awesome style & a great score. It is on my Best Westerns list, but best movie of all time (as it's often placed)? I don't think so. The (non)characters are caricatures; it's also ridiculously overlong.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsTom HanksMatt DamonTom SizemoreFollowing the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.Sure, the first half hour is great, but the rest of the movie leaves a lot to be desired, not to mention the eye-rolling, melodramatic scenes (remember that lame dog tag sequence?).
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsMichael KeatonJack NicholsonKim BasingerThe Dark Knight of Gotham City begins his war on crime with his first major enemy being Jack Napier, a criminal who becomes the clownishly homicidal Joker.I can't tell you how disappointed I was with Tim Burton's film! Yeah, the costumes, sets, cast and cinematography were great (hence my 4/10 rating), but the story was unrealistic, goofy and, worst of all, dull; in other words, it siphoned! Tim Burton is outstanding with visuals, but he didn't take the Batman legend seriously and, most importantly, he failed to incorporate an interesting story. What good is a BORING film that looks great and doesn't take its subject seriously? This is a quintessential example of style over substance.
Most of the high ratings of this film are from people who saw it when they were kids and they're just nostalgic. If they viewed the film objectively as an adult, with respect to the true Batman of the comics, they'd have to admit that it's not a good interpretation.
Oh, I suppose it could be enjoyed on some level as a sort of an ALTERNATIVE Batman; a friend of mine who's in the comic business said this was the only way he could enjoy it. - DirectorRon HowardStarsRussell CroweEd HarrisJennifer ConnellyA mathematical genius, John Nash made an astonishing discovery early in his career and stood on the brink of international acclaim. But the handsome and arrogant Nash soon found himself on a harrowing journey of self-discovery.Sorry, I don't get the hype.
- DirectorLarry CharlesStarsSacha Baron CohenKen DavitianLuenellKazakh TV talking head Borat is dispatched to the United States to report on the greatest country in the world.Not funny, just stupid, intentionally offensive and phony. As far as the latter goes, the last part with Pamela Anderson was totally contrived and goes against the very directive of the movie -- to film people without their knowing it and showing their responses to the weird and idiotic Borat character.
- DirectorEmile ArdolinoStarsPatrick SwayzeJennifer GreyJerry OrbachSpending the summer at a Catskills resort with her family, Frances "Baby" Houseman falls in love with the camp's dance instructor, Johnny Castle.The story keeps your attention but you'll roll your eyes at the idiotic misunderstanding where Baby's father assumes Johnny's the one who got his partner pregnant and, for some strange reason, no one sets him straight. Not to mention, the characters always say the wrong thing at the wrong time, which perpetuates the misunderstanding. Also, the sexual union of Johnny & Baby is both premature and unbelievable in light of the time period, Baby's age -- 17 years-old -- and her upbringing. Frankie Avalon was once asked about his early 60s "Beach" movies if the male-female relationships were as "squeaky clean" as portrayed and he answered (paraphrasing): "As a teen back then 'going all the way' wasn't even considered an option." The obvious exception would be disreputable kids from the "other side of the tracks."
Moreover, the fact that Johnny is having sex with the doctor's daughter, a minor at that, can't win any points in his favor. Hence, even without the misunderstanding there's little reason for the father to warm up to Johnny. So why does the doctor show respect for Johnny at the end -- a dude who's fornicating with his daughter and is clearly much older than her as well, at least five years (although, in reality, Swayze was 34 during filming). Such blatant flaws smack of lazy writing and are offensive to anyone with an ounce of intelligence.
If you can ignore these stoo-pid elements, however, the film is entertaining. The dance sequences shown in the staff area are akin to vertical sex with clothes on. I guess that's why it's called "Dirty Dancing," huh? Yet this is another flaw of the movie -- these dance sequences are so amped-up and choreographed they shout to the viewer via megaphone: "This is A MOVIE; it's NOT REAL." Nonetheless, Grey's a cutie, Swayze's The Man (like, say, Elvis) and the lush Appalachian locations are outstanding. - DirectorGus Van SantStarsRobin WilliamsMatt DamonBen AffleckWill Hunting, a janitor at M.I.T., has a gift for mathematics, but needs help from a psychologist to find direction in his life.The plot of a genius janitor is great and I thought I'd like the film more than I did, but a couple of things really bog it down.
For one, Will Hunting is so smart he's stupid. Doesn't he know that smoking will destroy his body and send him to an early grave? But that's the least of his shortcomings. He's arrogant and unnecessarily mean. For instance, Professor Lambeau visits him in jail and Will's first words are, "What the *beep* do you want?" Could anyone be that stupid? How about, "Hi, I'm Will. Who are you, Sir?" I get it -- he's from a tough neighborhood and was abused as a kid, but 99% of guys from tough neighborhoods who were abused as kids don't talk unnecessary sheet like Will does in this film.
In fact, too much of the cussing rings untrue. Will and his three friends from South Boston (including Ben Affleck) use the f-word practically every other word and it strikes an inauthentic chord. Yes, I get it -- they're trying to act like hooligans from a rough neighborhood -- but they try too hard and it comes off contrived.
I should add that I hail from a hooligan-oriented neighborhood where the gang cussed, drank & smoked like sailors, but even we could construe eight words together without throwing in the f-bomb. I have no problem with realistic cussing in films; in fact, I prefer it. But when it's so over-the-top that it seems artificial it detracts from the drama.
Furthermore, Damon doesn't LOOK like a tough guy from the wrong side of the tracks (neither does Ben, but he's a little better). Matt's miscast because he just looks too soft with his baby-face. I think he knew this because he tries too hard to be a tough punk, and it shows.
The fact that the main protagonist is thoroughly unlikable takes away from the story. Who cares about some disrespectful punk who doesn't care to better himself, genius or not? As a result, the drama isn't nearly as compelling as it could've been. When Sean (Williams) finally gets Will to break at the end, I wasn't much interested. - DirectorBarry LevinsonStarsRobin WilliamsForest WhitakerTom T. TranIn 1965, an unorthodox and irreverent DJ named Adrian Cronauer begins to shake up things when he is assigned to the U.S. Armed Services radio station in Vietnam.The film was a box office hit and hailed by critics. Roger Ebert, for instance, gave it a perfect rating. I didn't see it until 27 years after its release, far removed from the hoopla of the period, and found it decent at best, although somewhat amusing. An example of the film's limitations can be seen when Cronauer performs in the presence of the troops in the second half; the sequence is somehow unconvincing. Nevertheless, there's an unexpected twist in the third act that piqued my interest and the movie is a necessary companion-piece to films like 1986's "Platoon" in that it provides the non-grunt, political side of the infamous conflict.
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsDustin HoffmanAnne BancroftKatharine RossA disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter.The graduate enters into a fling with Mrs. Robinson and then her daughter. Yeah, that's a good plot (rolling my eyes).
- DirectorArthur PennStarsDustin HoffmanFaye DunawayChief Dan GeorgeJack Crabb, looking back from extreme old age, tells of his life being raised by Native Americans and fighting with General Custer.It has some entertaining elements but the tone is flawed. It's clearly a parody, but some people take it serious because the tone is so uneven, spanning from comedy to tragic drama. In any case, it's just overrated.
- DirectorFrank DarabontStarsTim RobbinsMorgan FreemanBob GuntonOver the course of several years, two convicts form a friendship, seeking consolation and, eventually, redemption through basic compassion.I like this movie, but it's typically at (or near) the top of cinephile's best films lists. It's not even close to being that good IMHO.
- DirectorAng LeeStarsSuraj SharmaIrrfan KhanAdil HussainA young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger.It was fairly entertaining and visually spectacular, but the ending ruins everything.
***SPOILER ALERT***
He ate 'em all (rolling my eyes). - DirectorJames CameronStarsSam WorthingtonZoe SaldanaSigourney WeaverA paraplegic Marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home.This is a good movie if you have a liking for tall blue-skinned people in a cartoon. The plot rips off "Dances With Wolves."
- DirectorGeorge LucasStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherLuke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.Imaginative space fantasy? Very much so. Iconic? Absolutely. Too kiddie-oriented? Yes. Overrated? Definitely. Blasphemy? I don't care.
- DirectorAnthony MinghellaStarsRalph FiennesJuliette BinocheWillem DafoeAt the close of World War II, a young nurse tends to a badly burned plane crash victim. His past is shown in flashbacks, revealing an involvement in a fateful love affair.I like it, but it was definitely overhyped at the time. Remember how Elaine Benes felt about it?
- DirectorGore VerbinskiStarsJohnny DeppGeoffrey RushOrlando BloomBlacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate "Captain" Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor's daughter, from Jack's former pirate allies, who are now undead.When I first saw it in the theater in 2003 the film struck me as too long for such lightweight fare (2 hours and 23 minutes). It also struck me as boring and forgettable for some reason. I decided to see it again recently and came away feeling the exact same way. What makes it boring and forgettable? I don't know, it's hard to pinpoint. Maybe because it's too drawn-out; light film fare like this works best at around 80-95 minutes. Maybe it's because many of the characters are unable to die because of the curse, which naturally creates a lack of suspense. Mostly it's because the story and characters, although fun, are absurd and superficial. Also, I suppose it's too much to expect to glean some morsel of depth or truth from a film like this.