Thoughts All Sorts (not so) recently tagged me in a post that encourages us to share some unpopular film opinions, to highlight those films, those supposed classics, that every else raves about but which don’t do anything for us.
Thanks for the tag; considering your choices of No Country for Old Men, Up and Gone With the Wind were admirably bold, I feel safer highlighting these three particular films, safe in the knowledge that despite the immense love that these films get, there are indeed plenty of people who don’t blindly buy into the hype. And I have similar qualms about No Country myself . . !
So here it comes. Forgive me in advance!
Moonlight
Starting with the most recent, this beloved Oscar winner, the film that so many have hailed as an absolute masterpiece just ended up disappointing me greatly.
Despite good performances from Mahershala Ali and Janelle Monae as well as an admittedly great musical score, Moonlight moves so far away from being an “issues film” that it ends up being about nothing, stepping on eggshells around its potentially daring subject matter, handling it with kid gloves and never delivering any revolutionary ideas or fully committing to its message.
For me it’s all too subtle, the abusive figures aren’t harsh enough (Naomi Harris clearly plays a negligent mother but you never really hate her as much as say, Mo’nique in Precious -now THERE was a truly nasty parental presence) and overall, the film gets less interesting with each act, culminating in a joyless, morose, meandering act three.
But maybe a rewatch is due.
Some day . . .
8 1/2
I’ve seen this film twice (well two and a half times, appropriately!) and although it’s a critic favourite, a staple of Italian cinema, I just don’t get it.
It’s a semi-autobiographical piece, supposedly based on director Federico Fellini’s own experiences, about a filmmaker who goes through writer’s block and ends up delving into his imagination and memories. Or something like that.
It may very well be innovative and deeply personal but I just found it boring and, since I also didn’t care for La Dolce Vita, I think that Fellini is just a director that I don’t understand.
Although I did enjoy Cabiria, so I don’t know . . .
The Wizard of Oz
And finally we come to what I believe to be one of the most overrated films of all time. I actually participated in a Twitter thingy where loads of people posted their unpopular film opinions, asking everyone to vote on whether they agreed or not. I claimed that this film was indeed “one of the most overrated films of all time” and after about 300 votes, just under half thought that I’d lost it, a quarter agreed and a quarter of them disagreed but respected the bravery. A far better result than I expected!
Anyway, this beloved childhood favourite (oh, maybe that’s why I’m so apathetic about this film – I watched it for the first time in my early twenties, not as a child) hasn’t aged well at all, “Over the Rainbow” is an incredibly overrated song (though I was forced to sing it multiple times when I was in youth choir – must’ve taken the fun out of it) and Judy Garland is an overrated actress, being just a little bit too shrill and annoying in this film.
And worst of all, the pivotal “wizard” in this film is a complete jerk. The friends go through so much, risk their lives, and what do they get out of it? Zilch! I mean, the Tin Man wanted a heart and what does he get? A heart-shaped clock! What a massive kick in the pants – totally not worth nearly dying for!
But of course it was all a dream, so it all meant nothing anyway.
So that’s it. Hopefully you haven’t all disowned me and here are my five nominees to hopefully take part in this tag:
Rules:
1 – Pick 3 films that are well liked by most people, except you!
2 – Tag 5 or more people to get involved.
3 – Thank the person that tagged you. 🙂
Bring on those unpopular film opinions! 😉
Nice post, very interesting choices. Moonlight can be so divisive. The Wizard of Oz is important from the historical perspective – there is no denying it was a HUGE thing in 1939 – now, not that much, honestly, and surely 8 1/2 will be directors and critics favourite since it deals so closely with the cinematography/film-making itself!
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Hi Tom. Interesting choices all. I agree about Moonlight and 8 1/2. I think we must respectfully agree to disagree about The Wizard of Oz, but I do admire you for admitting your dislike of this one. I know what you mean about the three guys not literally getting what they desired LOL. I have already been tagged and taken part in this, but you can read my choices over on my site.
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Ah yes, I remember reading your choices now. I’ve clearly put this off for too long! 😅
You could always pick three more though . . . 😉
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🙂 Ok then, here are three more for you. Withnail and I. No Country For Old Men. La La Land.
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Yeah, I liked La La Land but it was incredibly overpraised.
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Ha ha…
I must admit…I haven’t watched La La Land purely because all the hype about it put me off. No matter what everyone says, I just couldn’t be bothered. Besides, I’m not a big fan (ok, unfollow me if you want 😉 ) of the two leads…never really have been. And then they appeared on the Graham Norton Show and I found them so arrogant I was put off even more.
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And the brave opinions just keep coming! 👍
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Yep…oh well… 😉
Now it’s back to the positive reviews 😉
Have an awesome week ahead.
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Moonlight in two words…Oscar Bait
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Thanks for your three unpopular ones and joining the tag! I haven’t seen any of them yet, but for no other reason than just not getting to them.
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How can you not like The Wizard of Oz? That’s cinema sacrilege. Haha, I’m just kidding Tom. Nice work.
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