Films that weren't THAT bad.

Pigman II

Which films have you seen lately that were generally panned by critics and the general public BUT that you actually liked (in a non-ironic way btw!)

1. Blues Brothers 2000. Decided to watch this tv the other day just to see if it was as bad as I heard. Well it definetly has the same weak plot and lame jokes as the first movie but the musical numbers are surprisingly good and the characters not as annoying as I had feared!

2. The Longest Yard. Sorry to say it but this is my kind of humour. Lots of slapstick violence and jockish humour. Whoever directed this should be given the reigns for the rumoured A-Team moviere make.

3. Constantine. I think this got slated by fans of the comic book but I thoroughly enjoyed and found the story very energetic as well as visually spectacular.

Feel free to add more....

Vokes

Pigman II wrote:

2. The Longest Yard. Sorry to say it but this is my kind of humour. Lots of slapstick violence and jockish humour. Whoever directed this should be given the reigns for the rumoured A-Team moviere make.

Agreed. I enjoyed it and my kind of humour too.

Recently, i watched Sahara. It has the right mix of humour and action and its paced very well. Matthew McConaughey is typically charming and swashbuckling in the lead role and Steve Zahn does a good job as the sidekick. All in all, the film replicates all the good bits of Indiana Jones-type movies very well for me. Can't understand why people hate it so much.

Can't wait for Sahara 2

Chong

I have to agree Sofaking , I really did like Sahara.

Another under rated "Indiana Jonesish" movie I enjoyed was National Treasure.

funky penguin

Was Sahara hated by the critics? I really enjoyed it. Best action film I've seen in a while.

ObeyGiant

SofaKing wrote:

Recently, i watched Sahara. It has the right mix of humour and action and its paced very well. Matthew McConaughey is typically charming and swashbuckling in the lead role and Steve Zahn does a good job as the sidekick. All in all, the film replicates all the good bits of Indiana Jones-type movies very well for me. Can't understand why people hate it so much.

Can't wait for Sahara 2

100% behind you on Sahara. Such an awesome action movie. Easily the best of last year. Also with you on the Indiana Jones comparisons - people I'd spoken to who haven't seen Sahara thought I was insane for using it in the same sentence as Indiana Jones.

I'd also like to add Spielberg's War of the Worlds to this list. Entertaining movie with some spectacular set-pieces. It's a shame people got so hung up on the ending.

Peter Collins

Jeepers Creepers

The first half hour frightens the living bejeesus out of you, I swear.

As good as John Carpenter ever achieved.

funky penguin

ObeyGiant wrote:

I'd also like to add Spielberg's War of the Worlds to this list. Entertaining movie with some spectacular set-pieces. It's a shame people got so hung up on the ending.

Especially since thats how it was in the book. Great film.

[offtopic]The musical was excellent.[/offtopic]

ObeyGiant

Willstev wrote:

Another under rated "Indiana Jonesish" movie I enjoyed was National Treasure.

Although I can see where you're coming from, I think National Treasure occasionally crossed the line from "dumb fun" into just plain "dumb". Entertaining moments though, but not enough to make a completely entertaining movie.

Although maybe I'm biased because of my dislike of Nicolas Cage.

humanji

I loved Sahara too and really hope they go on to make more of the books into films. It was too long since a good adventure film was made.

And Constantine was a great movie. I've read a lot of the Hellblazer comics and they're rubbish, imo. The film took a good idea and made a fun action film that did exactly what it says on the tin.

The Psycho remake is one that I thought was under-rated. I loved the original and I can understand how the director of the remake wanted to recreate it exactly. It was a little unnessesary, but the results were great, including shots that Hitchcock wanted but could create, and Vince Vaugn was excellent as Bates.

Necronomicon

Constantine. Sure, if you're a fan of the comics it has as much in common with them as Keanu Reeves and a stand-up comedian, but a solid film nonetheless. Good and dark. I particularly liked the Hell scenes.

Cabin Fever. Absolutely slated all over the place but I was still compelled to buy it, and I was glad I did. Solid horror with a good blend of dark humor.

The Butterfly Effect. Ashton Kutcher or no Ashton Kutcher, this was good dangit! Sure it has it's plot holes, but if you don't take it too seriously it's an enjoyable show.

The Chronicles of Riddick. Unfair comparisons with Pitch Black, two completely different movies. I can't put my finger on why I enjoyed this so much, but I do love it!

Vokes

Oooooohh, Riddick. Good choice. I really enjoyed it

Its another one which was unfairly panned. I think a lot of people didnt like it because of Vin Diesel. He's an actor that, like Cage, everyone loves to hate.

funky penguin

funky penguin wrote:

Especially since thats how it was in the book. Great film.

[offtopic]The musical was excellent.[/offtopic]

Is it? I couldnt remember it happening like that in the book.

Memento. Alot of people didnt like it, but I found it to be a really good film.

Yes, I have to agree as well. Jeepers Creepers was a genuienly scary movie at the beginning. I liked the Hitchcock-esque techniques used in it.

Blair Witch Project; I liked this movie. Because it was extremely smart in the way that it scared people. The movie allowed people to use their own imagination with this one, and never gave away too much.

spacecoyote

People didn't like memento...really. What a great movie!!!

Yeah i enjoyed constantine too as well as on 2nd viewing the matrix revolutions. Still doesn't measure up to other two, but was a decent movie taken on its own merits.

For a no-brainer i really didn't think that Waterworld was complete rubbish. I found it quite entertaining (in as far as kevin Costner can be entertaining)

cooperguy

I think the Da Vinchi Code can be added to the list. I enjoyed it, it really isnt as bad as people are saying

Crash

The problem with Jeepers creepers is that they sandwiched to scripts together - the first half has a genuine horror movie feel to it

Baggly

agree with waterworld. up until denis hopper comes into it.

if you could edit out the bits with the bad guys in it, and then re shoot some conflict, it would be a good flick

quickbeam

Kingdom of Heaven - yeah, Orlando Bloom can't act and some of the grand speaches were clunky, but fortunately there weren't that many of them, and he was good at just looking broody. The action sequences were great.

Troy - pretty much "as above". Great action sequences. Best duel I've EVER seen (at least I can't think of any better ones off the top of my head) between Achilles and Hector and lots of hunky guys and gorgeous women so no matter your persuasion there was something to keep you entertained.

fabcat

Really disappointed with Jeepers Creepers went to see it in the cinema and I agree was scared ****less for the first half hour, then it just got stupid!
I love films, I always give most a chance, if you ask anyone who knew me what was my favourite film they would say 'theres to many to choose from but it would be something along the lines of scarface or casino'. While I love these films, and I know alot about directors and producers and such like, the dark secret I hide in the depths of my soul is.....................my favourite film is crossroads.....with Britney Spears:o

Kingp35

I quite enjoyed Armageddon for some reason. Sure the science behind it etc is complete pile of rubbish but it was enjoyable all the same.

I agree with Constantine, I never read the comics but enjoyed the movie.

Days of Thunder is another one I enjoyed. People just say its the exact same story as Top Gun but has stock cars instead of planes but who cares, it has stock cars! Its a cracking movie.

Goodshape

Doom. Really stupid but I liked it.

Never heard of Sahara until just now.

funky penguin

Deleted User wrote:

Is it? I couldnt remember it happening like that in the book.

I read the childrens pop up version!

Patricide

Have to agree with the longest yard blues brothers and the first half of jeepers creepers.theres a few more that are worth a mention im sure, Resident evil imo being one of em. I think people were just expecting a bit too much.

koneko

I haven't heard of anyone that doesn't like Memento, it's generally seen as a modern-day classic I think.

A few good ones mentioned, people seemed to hate them (especially critics) but I enjoyed Doom, Riddick, Cabin Fever and Butterfly Effect aswell. Slither, too. Seen some reviews of that, that I think missed the point. It's funny and horror, and I really enjoyed it.

Vokes

Goodshape wrote:

Never heard of Sahara until just now.

Watch it. It's the most enjoyable 'bad' movie you'll watch this year

joe_chicken

Kingdom of Heaven: I think the critics kinda liked it... but none of my friends did

Any film with the line "I once fought for two days with an arrow in my testicle" and not make the audience burst into laughter is good by me

BlitzKrieg

I enjoyed Sahara except for the plot, which was useless. But thats not important in these kind of films, so the rest of it was highly enjoyable.

I really really like spielbergs War of the Worlds its the closest to the book of all the films that have been done. but the ending with the son does sting abit.


Riddick also is a sci fi version of conan the barbarian. how can you not like that?


one alot of people hated that i like is Last Action Hero. For anyone who has watched alot of action films as a kid, it is a brilliant comedy.

also Small Soldiers is a great 'gremlins' film.


and finally Gremlins 2 is one of the best sequels ever and it got penned royally by critics.

MrVestek

Meh saw the Da Vinci code there last week. It's not terribly bad but... kinda boring and long winded.

Book was much more exciting tbh.

koneko

koneko wrote:

I haven't heard of anyone that doesn't like Memento, it's generally seen as a modern-day classic I think.

A few good ones mentioned, people seemed to hate them (especially critics) but I enjoyed Doom, Riddick, Cabin Fever and Butterfly Effect aswell. Slither, too. Seen some reviews of that, that I think missed the point. It's funny and horror, and I really enjoyed it.

Apparently Memento bombed at the box office. I could be wrong.

I really enjoyed Doom too, it had some very good bits, and the first person sequence made me cream my pants. (Er.. Oopps)

deman

Sahara was corny with a weak plot...... but a very enjoyable movie to watch without having the think deeply. Good acting and "HELLOOOO...... HOW ARE YA?!!"

Memento, afaik, has NEVER had bad critisism. It is even in the top 250 in the IMDB list. Different, I know, but that's one of the attractions of it. I loved it. I had the chance to watch it a second time recently, and loved it again. Guy Pierce is one of the most under-rated actors around and should get a lot more stuff thrown his way. Excellent film.

J.R.HARTLEY

Pigman II wrote:

2. The Longest Yard. Sorry to say it but this is my kind of humour. Lots of slapstick violence and jockish humour. Whoever directed this should be given the reigns for the rumoured A-Team moviere make.

is this ithe original or the remake, i think both are great fun, with th remake actually eclipsing the original in sheer entertainment value (Courtney Cox's Rack :eek: where'd that come from?)

Basq

4 that spring to mind:

Jeepers Creepers - definantly a solid horror film for the most of it!

Daredevil - well... i enjoyed it anyways!

The Blair Witch Project - saw it before the hype so wasn't ultimately disappointed. Loved it!

10 Things I Hate About You - hilarious comedy that stands heads and shoulders above any teen comedy out there!

Noelie

I loved Starship Troopers, i know the acting is awful, infact the characters in the animated series are more life like, but it's action packed and a good brainless watch.

Memento was class.

Basq

Oh.. and just thought of another one - Mean Girls

Very very funny film and girls are HAWTTT (if a tad wafer-thin)!

basquille

basquille wrote:

Oh.. and just thought of another one - Mean Girls

Very very funny film and girls are HAWTTT (if a tad wafer-thin)!

Oh Damn yeah.



The girl in the orange is the hottest! But it was a very good movie.. such good comedy in it

Goodshape

Noelie wrote:

I loved Starship Troopers

Starship Troopers was great. I actually thought the cheesy plastic characters were a clever piece of social commentary on the direction our society is heading. Seriously. I really think it's a very clever film underneath it all.

And on the surface the cheesiness just puts you of guard before they unleash the giant killer insects. Great stuff.

constitutionus

Goodshape wrote:

Starship Troopers was great. I actually thought the cheesy plastic characters were a clever piece of social commentary on the direction our society is heading. Seriously. I really think it's a very clever film underneath it all.

And on the surface the cheesiness just puts you of guard before they unleash the giant killer insects. Great stuff.

you know one of the reasons it bombed in the states is they actually thought they were playing it straight. believe it or not thats ACTUALLY how they advertise to join the military in the USA poor guys didnt cop it was a two hour pisstake on their culture

and i loved MEAN GIRLS . especially the inbred hillbillys "and on the sixt day god invented the winchester rifle to kill the dinosaurs... and the homosexuals":D

ones i loved that were "crap"

DAREDEVIL : its actually one of the most faithful translations to the screen and while affleck cant act his way out of a bag and farrell was obivously on a different script i think it works as a smaller scale hero flick.

LEAGUE OF EXTRADONAIRY GENTLEMEN : alright its nothing like the book but its still fun. i actually came to like the jeckle/hyde character particularly when he saves the nautilus. and your man who played dorian grey stole the film. for a special effects film its actually quite smart (in a dumb way:D )


SILENT HILL: I loved this! i honestly dont know why critics are savaging it so much, hell some of the reviews sounded like they didnt even see the film. kinda reminds me of a gorier carrie. ok sean beans character is a complete waste of space but for a survival horror game that couldve ended up like resident evil it was good to see they could generate some genuine creepy moments (generally whenever that siren went off:D )
i think most problem people have with it is they dont get its actually the visuals that are meant to convey the horror. not any mass slaughtering. and hey any video game film that can get elements of paedophilia, bullying torture and persecution into it cant be all bad

koneko

Yeah, Mean Girls was surprisingly good. At least, I enjoyed it (and apparantly some people here did too )

Kingdom of Heaven? Hmmm. Every time someone mentions that film I think to myself "I don't think I'll bother watching that, Orlando is kind of a hottie but it looks pretty dull". Then I just remembered I've actually seen it. That's how memorable that film is :eek:

uncle ernie

Kingp35 wrote:

Days of Thunder is another one I enjoyed. People just say its the exact same story as Top Gun but has stock cars instead of planes but who cares, it has stock cars! Its a cracking movie.

watched cocktail last nite..cheesiest, funniest film ive seen in ages. dont remember it being that ridiculous first time around (but then i was 7). im sure it was panned on release

kirving

Jarhead Although it lacked the war side of war. I thought it was a very good film. Mean Girls is also great, and no, not just the Girls in it.

Bodhidharma

Quite liked Alexander - so over the top it was good, like a film version of the Rolling Stones

Jersey Girl - Hated by most, i thought it was ok, inoffensive and nothing too annoying

Karl Hungus

It's funny, I just watched Constantine last night. It was a fun bit of Hollywood fluff alright, and I can understand why fans of the comic books hated it as it certainly is a right buther's of an adaptation, but for what it was, it was a mildly enjoyable film. That said, I only just gave it a rent because Peter Stormare was playing Satan, and he didn't dissapoint.

Silent Hill, extremely panned by the critics, but I really enjoyed it a lot. I think the problem was that people did indeed expect another dumb video-game adaptation, and recieved the admittedly rather confusing plot as a flaw. That and Sean Bean's horrendous accent was extremely offputting.

A History Of Violence - Fairly well recieved by critics, but a lot of people hated it. It's a great film, though I can understand it's not for everybody.

jellycopter

Starship Troopers is soooo blackly funny and satirical. Top film.

Watch the cult classic Robocop (another Paul Verhoeven flick). Very similar tone. Very smart guy Verhoeven. Shame he lost it by becoming obsessed with tits and ass in his movies.

Basq

Another few i thought of and while looking at my DVD collection..

Species - good fun popcorn flick!
The Village - i think i was the only one that enjoyed it!
Alien 3 - c'mon.. it's Fincher. And it's a helluva lot better than Resurrection.
Joy Ride - lot of people told me they didn't enjoy this. It IS a very good film. JJ Abrams (of 'Alias' and 'M:I3' fame) co-wrote it, Steve Zahn is fu*king hilarious in it ("i'm gonna gimp it!" ). Great suspense and quite creepy - DVD for it is superb too. And let's not mention Paul Walker.

CuLT

Bodhidharma wrote:

Jersey Girl - Hated by most, i thought it was ok, inoffensive and nothing too annoying

Even Kevin Smith hated this

I did enjoy Constantine, am going to get Sahara as a result of this thread.

I was pretty sure I was the only person who systematically loved films that really get a worse time than they deserve.

I understand that Return to Oz did pretty bad, but I loved it, such a dark vision of the future of Oz.

Actually going through my DVDs I don't seem to have collected that many of the "bad" films I would profess to enjoy. Must fix that. Problem being that they seem to be so damn expensive for some unfathomable reason.

Karl Hungus

basquille wrote:

Alien 3 - c'mon.. it's Fincher. And it's a helluva lot better than Resurrection.

Agreed. I really loved Alien 3.

BlitzKrieg

Alien 3 is f*ckin brilliant, never could understand the hate people have for it.

except of course for the unexplained egg in the opening, that i admit makes no sense, but the rest of the film (both versions) oozes atmosphere and was the perfect way to end the trilogy

spacecoyote

Anothe movie i just thought of is American Psycho. There were no more than 10 people in the cinema when i saw it and 3 or 4 walked out. Most people i know didn't really get it, but i thought it was excellent. Bale played the character to a tee and its a pretty faithful adaptation of a great book

quickbeam

A lot of the movies mentioned here I'm suprised at - not surprised that people enjoyed them but surprised they think they got bad reviews and are generally not liked.

Loved 10 Thing I Hate About You. Probably the best movie of its kind. And the only film (with the possible acception of A Knight's Tale) that I actually really enjoyed Heath Ledger in. (I liked the film Brokeback Mountain, but didn't like Heath in it).

Loved Memento. I remember when it was released the critics loved it too. But it was a bit too much of an off-the-wall type film to do well at the box office but has since done really well in DVDs. I don't know anybody who doesn't like this.

Did Jarhead get bad reviews too? I loved that film, and I'm not a fan of war films.

Dudess

cooperguy wrote:

I think the Da Vinchi Code can be added to the list. I enjoyed it, it really isnt as bad as people are saying

I admit I haven't seen The Da Vinci Code, nor have I read the book, but I'd say film critics kind of felt it was more credible to pan the film since literary critics panned the book. At the end of the day, it's entertaining and there's nothing wrong with that. So what if it's not arthouse/highbrow/independent/quirky. A case of snobbery, methinks.

Goodshape

spacecoyote wrote:

American Psycho

Bale did play the character very well I and enjoyed this the first time I saw it but I've gotten bored during subsequent viewings.

That said, I thought it was a critical success at the time.

J.R.HARTLEY

Dudess wrote:

I admit I haven't seen The Da Vinci Code, nor have I read the book, but I'd say film critics kind of felt it was more credible to pan the film since literary critics panned the book. At the end of the day, it's entertaining and there's nothing wrong with that. So what if it's not arthouse/highbrow/independent/quirky. A case of snobbery, methinks.

to be fair Dudess you just admitted you haven't seen it, they criticise all films failing and DaVinci Code had many failings, it doesn't make it less entertaining, most people aren't looking for perfection in the cinema just a bit of fun.