Most Recently Overrated Movies...

[Dianne]

I was just thinking the other day that there are a lot of movies lately that have been getting good reviews and lots of hype, but have turned out to be complete crap. I was just curious to see some movies that you would add.

Here are a couple of mine...

The Good Shepherd
The Assassination of Jesse James

[clockwork983]

No Country for Old Men is a movie that deserves a second watch. There are lots of subtle scenes and themes that IMO make this a really smart movie. I was completely perplexed and a bit let down the first watch, but tried it again and really got a more rewarding experience.

(can't link right now)

[pihkal020]

Nice. I definitely picked up on new things during the second viewing too especially since I knew how it was going to end that time.

[clockwork983]

It is not uncommon for me to completely dislike a movie, then go back and watch it again without any expectations and really appreciate it in a completely different way.

Some favorites that, at first, I really disliked after the first viewing include Arlington Road, 12 Monkeys, Fight Club, Falling Down, and The Vanishing.

(can't link right now)

[Bodhi Grrl!]

I liked all of those films first out of the gate. The Vanishing has to be the original, though. Now that's a kick in the gut.

[clockwork983]

I don't really get it myself. When a movie gives me a sucker punch, first I say "You Bastard!" Then I watch it again and I say "Oooh, hit me again..."

[Bodhi Grrl!]

Ha ha. WHich is why your avatar is from "Clockwork Orange." And mine is a crazed German Shepherd who kicks me in the stomach when I don't take her for a walk. We must enjoy punishment.

[pihkal020]

Barry Lyndon was an absolute revelation on the second and subsequent viewings.

I can't think of another dramatic reappraisal off the top of my head right now. Usually a movie I love just gets more enriching with every watch. Some like Jackie Brown and F&L become like familiar friends coming over for a visit.

[clockwork983]

I've thought more about a few of these movies and realized that it had a lot to do with the marketing.

These days, once I've heard of a movie and established that I want to see it, I will almost go out of my way to avoid any advertising or even conversation about it until I've seen it.

I recall Fight Club being promoted kind of like some mindless action flick or something, so I wasn't really expecting The Anarchists Handbook.

[Bodhi Grrl!]

I agree. As it got closer and closer to opening for "Iron Man," they showed more and more of the film. I can name several films that the trailer ruined because 1) it didn't advertise it accurately 2) showed the entire film/best parts. My husband was looking forward to "Death at a Funeral," but after he watched it said that all the best bits were in the trailer. Fie on you trailer makers.
I don't know if anyone remembers this, but when "Contact" was coming out, we saw the first trailer at a sneak preview, and it was bare bones. It was intriguing. THEN after we saw it, they essentially showed the whole film in one minute. Why oh why do they do that?
Speed Racer is being advertised as something it's not. You have to wade through about 40 minutes before it becomes an action film. The first part of that film is painful. Enough dialogue already. Get on with the explosions.

[Movie Man Andrew]

I agree. I felt that way with Transformers. Harry Potter 4 I liked much better the second viewing, BTW.

Speaking of Marketing, the poster campaign for Forgetting Sarah Marshall was weird. It had nothing but insults written for Sarah Marshall.

[Jo17ie]

I love Jackie Brown. And I love that Michael Keaton played Ray Nicolette in this and in Out of Sight. It makes me so happy everytime. I actually saw Jackie Brown for the first time a year ago, and now i've seen it probably 10 times, there's always something new to enjoy.

[Bodhi Grrl!]

I enjoyed Jackie Brown, much more than many of Tarantino's highly lauded films. I always like Michael Keaton.