The last two movies that have come from our Blockbuster account have conclusively proved that we would be better off ignoring the well-meaning movie recommendations of our friends.
The first of the two was "Lady In The Water", which was dreadful, inexplicable, and tedious. But then, last night, we saw "Sideways", which was a trainwreck almost from the first. We eventually turned it off when it degenerated into pornography. The conversations about wine were interesting, but incongruous in a story that was almost entirely about fornication and adultery.
So, we've gone through our Blockbuster list again, and dropped all the movies from it that folks have recommended, that we haven't ourselves seen previews. There's only so much time in life, and it's a shame to waste it watching trash.
Then, in the tradition of giving advice when it's unasked for, let me recommend my favorite movie, Big Fish, from Tim Burton. Fantastic story and soundtrack. A great coming-of-age movie, as well as a story-of-a-life movie.
I loved Sideways, which was odd because I absolutely hated the characters. Maybe that's what kept me watching: I was interested in seeing what story would unfold from these horrible people.
I agree that Lady in the Water was pretty lame.
Maybe I'm more forgiving of bad films than others, though. I seem to like a lot of movies that other people can't stand. "Napoleon Dynamite" is generally panned movie that I quite liked. I admit, though, that the reason I like it is for a single line at the very end: "Just follow your heart. That's what I do." I think that's a pretty wonderful message, and one I hope my kids learn much sooner than I did.
Andy,
If I hadn't already seen it and enjoyed it, I'd immediately strike it from the list, based on the recommendation. ;-)
Seriously, folks have recommended stuff, and it seemed like a really good idea at the time, and then when we watch it, we're honestly grateful that we can't remember who recommended it.
Big Fish was wonderful. Napoleon Dynamite gets better each time you watch it, because the fun of it is quoting it, I think. Lady in the Water was just not a very good story, although the scene where the movie plot guy is narrating his demise is pretty funny. Sideways had way too many elements that were extremely uncomfortable, and as DrBacchus stated, at one point toward the end, it "degenerated into pornography." It may have redeemed itself after that, but I'm afraid I won't be finding out. I'd like to know how the main character's story turns out. But I don't want to know that his friend went back home and got married after all the horrid things he did. /me shudders.
Maria
I have a certain fondness for Sideways, but only because I was trapped on a 12 hour flight to Asia and in retrospect I wish I'd watched it again instead of watching Ladder Company Maudlin or whatever it was called.
I'll gladly skip Lady in the Water based on your anti-recommendation though. :)
I thought Sideways was terrible too. Not nearly as bad as my new "Worst Movie Ever" nominee - "Be Kind, Rewind" (or whatever it was called). Jack Black movie. Someone please tell me why this guy is considered a good actor?