Have you ever cursed my name?
Yesterday I asked you to share instances where you saw a movie solely on my recommendation — a movie you wouldn’t have seen otherwise — and loved it. Many of you gave delightful testimonials. I was especially glad to note films that were overlooked generally — “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium,” “Waitress,” and “Stranger Than Fiction,” for example — that some of you discovered because of my reviews. It makes it all worthwhile, you know? That and the money.
Now it’s time for the opposite. Now I want to hear about times when you saw a movie based on solely on my recommendation — a movie you wouldn’t have seen otherwise — and hated it. Note that I’m not talking about simply disliking a movie I liked, as that happens frequently. I’m talking about a time where you weren’t even considering a movie until I recommended it, and you trusted me against your own gut instinct … and came out of it wishing you hadn’t listened to me.
Go ahead, lay it on me.
March 4th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Must say that I did not care for “A History of Violence” at all; I’ve never been a Cronenberg fan, but decided to lay that aside to watch the film after I read your more than glowing review. It played extremely flat to me: the direction listless, the story trite, and the metaphors and symbolism heavy-handed.
March 4th, 2008 at 6:04 am
Wow. I completely agree with Cameron. I hated “A History of Violence” and would never have seen it without Eric’s endorsement.
March 4th, 2008 at 6:22 am
Juno.
The movie was so phony and annoying. I was not impressed. Maybe I didn’t give it enough time to get good, since I walked out about an hour into it.
March 4th, 2008 at 7:37 am
I have to say I hated 300, but then, even though Eric gave it a positive review, I still had a feeling it wasn’t my type of movie. So, actually, I guess that’s a compliment. You reviewed the movie in such a way that, even though you liked it, I pretty much knew I wouldn’t. Oh well, so much for cursing your name, though I’d love to come out of a movie that was awful but that you liked and fall to my knees and scream “Curse you Eric D. Snider at ericdsnider.com! Curse you to the deepest depths of hell!”
March 4th, 2008 at 8:14 am
I’m the opposite of OMAllen. I loved Juno but I was planning on going before reading Eric’s review. One time that I should have listened to Eric’s review was before seeing Man of the Year. I read Eric’s review and it didn’t sound good but that movie was awful. I’ll listen better next time.
March 4th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Across the Universe was it for me. I was interested by the previews and had high hopes after reading Eric’s review, but was disappointed by the movie. I liked it, but I didn’t love it like I thought I would. I guess that’s not exactly cursing Eric’s name.
March 4th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Anchorman. I hadn’t planned on seeing it, but you seemed to love it so I gave it a shot. I consider it one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen. Usually when I see a bad movie, I think, “Well, that was lame,” and then go on with my life with little more thought to the movie ever again. For Anchorman I came out of that movie actually resentful (towards the creators of the movie) that I wasted 2 valuable hours of my life on it. I’m still mildly bitter. Perhaps more than mildly. To this day I’m mystified at how you could possibly give that an A. I figure our tastes are drastically different, but your reviews are entertaining to read, so I read and enjoy them, even if I figure I can’t base my decision to see or not see a movies based on them.
March 4th, 2008 at 8:49 am
American Beauty. I wouldn’t have seen it if Eric hadn’t recommended it, and I hated that movie. I’m still mystified about how you can like a movie where every character is absolutely loathsome. Also, I was pretty excited about Amores Perros because of Eric’s review and I thought it was pretty lame. Other than that, he hasn’t steered me too wrong.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Across the universe. I love the soundtrack and listen to it every now and then on my Ipod, but I felt the movie could have been trimmed by about 20 minutes, and at times got so weird that it gave me a headache (the LSD sequence and the circus-like scene with the puppets being just two examples). But its not just you, the vast majority of critics loved that movie, I think I recall that it made Ebert’s top ten list. Who knows, maybe I’m just out of touch. On the flip side Eric, after reading your review of Juno and seeing the tomatometer, I vowed to go see it. Wow. It has became one of my favorite films ever, earning a place on my Top 20 greatest movies ever made.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Boy, this one is harder than the last one. Here are two examples, and they are both a bit of a stretch.
Since we don’t have opportunity to see many movies, we have to be choosy. I was not that interested in going to see Hairspray, but Eric gave it a great recommendation. So I saw it with my wife. I thought it was pretty fun, but my wife really disliked the movie. I think the idea of fighting bigotry by stereotyping those who you consider bigots bothered her. Anyway, that’s a second-hand example.
The other is kind of a weak example. We didn’t go see National Treasure in the theater because Eric gave it a very lukewarm review. When it came out on video, we rented it and really enjoyed it.
[In the interest of full disclosure, we see so few action movies that National Treasure might have seemed more exciting to us than to someone like Eric who has to sit through them all. I think a similar thing is true of Pixar's CARS, where a lot of critics tended to dislike the Larry the Cable Guy character, but since we've never seen anything else he's been in, we thought he was rather charming, not having any associated baggage with his voice.]
March 4th, 2008 at 10:27 am
I’ll second Thoughtful Observer. I hated 300, and that was definitely a movie I was not planning to see until I read Eric’s review. The funny thing is, the video game styling that irritated me in the preview was the only thing I enjoyed in the movie. I said this on the review of 300, but that was your stereotypical TBS “movie for guys who like movies”.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Ditto Anchorman. The “humour” in it didn’t work for me at all. I really liked Zoolander, and generally like Will Ferrell, but I just found Anchorman stupid, and not even in a stupid-funny way…
March 4th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Snakes on a Plane. I still hold a grudge for that one. It was supposed to be an enjoyable bad movie, but it wasn’t.
March 4th, 2008 at 11:09 am
“Sunshine” was it for me. I thought that was a horrible movie, but stuck it on my list after reading your review. From the comments on the review most people enjoyed it, but I thought it was lame and the story not told very well.
March 4th, 2008 at 11:48 am
The Hours
Far from Heaven
Elephant
They made your top 10 of their respective years…but man did I want my two hours back after each one. Not my thing, I guess…
March 4th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I’ll ditto The Hours. Hated it.
March 4th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Happened just this weekend. Rented Waitress solely on your recommendation and both my wife and I hated it. The ending may have been sweet, but the journey was poorly filmed, terribly written and morally vacuous.
The “I-have-no-idea-why-people-like-this-movie-pie”: First, start with a think layer of crust, through in some mud, a hint of cow droppings, extra salt and finish it off with a hint of vanilla icecream.
March 4th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
30 Days of Night. Looked stupid, but went to see it solely because you liked it so much. It literally put me to sleep.
March 4th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Ditto on “History of Violence.” I found it too typical to enjoy. It was what I had expected it to be originally, but I insisted on seeing it after your review. After the film I was slightly embarrassed as I only watch a movie after reading your review and I had attested to the Husband that it would be great because you said so. I don’t think he trusts me anymore.
Oh, and I chose “Lilo and Stitch” as my birthday movie because of you. I’ve never forgiven you for that.
March 4th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Thank you JJ! I am glad I am not the only person that despised Waitress. I rented it solely on Eric’s review–I had my doubts I would like it, but I was willing to take a chance–and boy was that a mistake. I know many people found it ‘delightful’, but I thought is was just horrible. It honestly made me angry. I didn’t even think the ending was sweet. I could go on, but that would require a spoiler warning.
March 4th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I long ago recognized that you and I often have highly divergent opinions on what constitutes funny. Given this, I usually take your recommendation on a “stupid” comedy as a statement of “Hey Jesse, you really wouldn’t dig this one even though I do.” That’s about the closest I’ve come so far.
March 4th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
“Hot Fuzz” and “The Host” were both big disappointments to me. I may have ended up seeing Hot Fuzz anyway because of Shaun of the Dead, but it was just not funny. I think it got a few chuckles from me, but by the end I felt like I had wasted my time. I can blame Eric for giving me high expectations, and it’s probably his recommendation that caused me to see it.
The Host was in no way intriguing, original, or moving. It was a mediocre monster movie that people liked because it was made by foreigners (and I love Asian films). Had an American made something similar, people would call it on being a crappy movie. It didn’t seem to know what type of movie it was and it just didn’t work on any level (horror, social commentary, comedy, etc.). I did curse your name Eric, because I wouldn’t even know what the movie existed if it weren’t for you and it wasn’t even enjoyably bad.
March 4th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Yes. “Far From Heaven”. Did not like it.
March 4th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Eric I love everything you do. I would kiss you on the corner of the mouth if the opportunity was presented. Although, oddly enough, I didn’t like Waitress that much and was completely sure I would because of your reccomendation. But I didn’t find it a waste of time either, about a B-. Other than that I worship your reviews and always tell my English students to check it out (in fact I use your reviews in class, hope you don’t mind).
March 4th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Agree with all on:
A History of Violence
Anchorman
add to the list:
Little Miss Sunshine. I laughed a few times, but generally did not enjoy it
Children of Men. I was bored to tears.
March 4th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Ditto on what robert watkins said. I was disappointed with Waitress and couldn’t figure out why it merited its grade. But all is not lost . . . I still consult your reviews faithfully before I go see anything in the theaters.
March 4th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
How dare you all sully the good name of Anchorman
March 4th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
You gave an A- to The Adventures of Jar Jar Binks — I mean, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
‘Nuff said.
March 4th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Mmhmm. And for sure you weren’t even thinking about seeing that small, under-promoted movie until I recommended it.
Some of these don’t surprise me much (especially the comedies, since humor is so subjective) — but “Waitress”??! My beloved “Waitress”?!! That movie is so dear to my heart that it almost pains me to hear of people hating it. To hate “Waitress” is to hate life! You’re all a bunch of life-haters.
March 4th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
I have to agree with ClobberGirl. All three of the Star Wars prequels were terrible. They all had segments that were nothing more than cheap advertisements for video games. (I do the Natalie Portman is a hottie.)
March 4th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I’m glad someone else (two someones!) has mentioned “The Hours,” because that was one I saw on Eric’s recommendation alone and came out of the theater feeling as though I’d overpaid for it — and I saw it at the dollar theater. To me, it came across as a movie that was trying desperately hard to be deep about something, but only managed to make me feel bored and vaguely unsatisfied. My date felt the same way, too, though he loved the piano on the soundtrack.
March 4th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Although I wasn’t privy to Eric D. Snider or ericdsnider.com when The Hours was released, I will take this opportunity to retroactively curse his name for suggesting that anyone see it. I know, I know, that’s not what Eric asked. So sue me. (Or make me watch The Hours again…oh snap!)
I’m also surprised that there are so many Waitress haters out there. And Anchorman? Really?
March 4th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I was just about to post “to hate ‘Waitress’ is to hate life!”, and then I looked up and saw that Eric had already posted just that, verbatim. What are the chances?
Anyway, no, I can’t think of a movie I saw only at Eric’s advice just to be thoroughly disappointed.
March 4th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Superbad. Oh wow.
March 4th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I have two words for you, “Big Trouble”.
I would have never (ever) seen a Tim Allen movie under any other circumstances, but your A- (!) seemed like a seal of approval I just couldn’t ignore. That day, Eric, I cursed your name.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Only one I can think of: ‘The New World’.
In all fairness, the review was clear it’s a bit of an artsy-fartsy movie, but at Blockbuster video, when my wife was holding ‘The New World’ in one hand and ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ in the other (which we had already seen, and once is enough in my opinion) I went purely on Eric’s recommendation. I thought, “Hey if it’s a B, and Eric likes the artsy-fartsy movies a bit more than me, that should translate to like a C or a C-, right?” Both me and my thoughts were wrong.
Wowie-wow-WOW I hated that movie. Any moment I began to feel the slightest spec of interest, the Director decided to throw the script in the air, catch a page as it fell, and continue as if nothing happened.
Ugh.
So I guess, like humor, artsy-fartsy movies have a wide range of personal interpretation.
March 5th, 2008 at 1:16 am
Oops, shoulda posted the hate on this thread.
3:10 to Yuma was a big disappointment. Normally I can see what you liked about it that just didn’t play for me, but the whole movie was just boring. I kept waiting for the A- but it never appeared
March 5th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Not to pile on, but this really happened. I was out with friends at the video store and recommended A History of Violence, which I’d never seen, solely based on your review. It bombed. Everyone hated it, complaints all around. Oh well you guys pick one next time.
But I’ve agreed many more times than we’ve disagreed, which is why you’re still my favorite critic. And you’re funny.
March 5th, 2008 at 9:26 am
I agree with most these folks about History of Violence and 300 (when the heavy metal guitar kicked in, I was finished.)
Strongly, strongly disagree with the Waitress and 3:10 to Yuma hate. These should probably go into the last post, but I saw both of those almost solely on Eric’s vote and both enriched my life greatly.
Here’s a new topic: books
I read The Road based only on Eric’s recommendation and found it to be maybe the best book I’ve ever read. I’ve gone on to pick up World War Z and No Country for Old Men this weekend. I welcome further book recommendations!
March 5th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Hey, I liked both A History of Violence and 300. Neither was what I’d call brilliant, but they were both good times at the movies. Diff’rent strokes.
March 5th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Surprised I’m the first to say this, but “Cloverfield” absolutely killed me - to be fair, I didn’t stay longer than ten minutes (the amount of time it took before I threw up in my mouth), but my hub stayed the whole time and he hated it. We wanted our money back.
March 5th, 2008 at 10:35 am
I saw “The Queen” based solely on Eric’s recommendation and LOVED it. But…then I convinced a half dozen of my friends to watch it with me again, and they all absolutely loathed it. I became the official joke of the week. So…I don’t curse Eric’s name for the movie, I curse it for the embarrassment. (And my friends would curse him for the movie. I still think they’re just uneducated and silly).
March 5th, 2008 at 10:48 am
If life is a poorly written, implausibly scripted, unenlightening movie, then yes, I am a life-hater.
March 5th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Ouch, Amp.
I think one’s tolerance for Cloverfield is tied to one’s ability to tolerate neat gimmicks, particularly the camera usage. When you think Cloverfield, you don’t remember the characters (except maybe Marlene
), but the little set pieces.Am I inconsistent for liking Cloverfield but hating Transformers?
March 5th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
I cursed your name for not reviewing “Dragon Wars” so I would know it was a big fat scaly waste of my time.
March 5th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I would have to say:
The Queen - only saw because Eric recommended it, didn’t like it at all.
Accross the Universe - big let-down
The Hours - I never would have seen this movie, and it was horrible.
Other than that, Eric is more often than not right on. I can’t believe all the complaints about Anchorman and Waitress.
March 5th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Anchorman really was pretty lame, but I saw it on a plane, so I can’t blame Eric.
I agree with Craig on Little Miss Sunshine. Weak. Maybe not “curse your name for recommending it” weak, but still weak.
March 5th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Clumpy: “Am I inconsistent for liking Cloverfield but hating Transformers?”
Absolutely not. Cloverfield at least had some cleverness behind it.
March 5th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I liked Cloverfield, a lot. Then again, I liked The Fountain, a lot. History of Violence was underwhelming. I think the shocking brutality in it made people overlook that it was kind of boring and didn’t go anywhere. Little Miss Sunshine was decent, but pretty much at the bottom of the pile for quirky indie comedies that I’ve seen. Give me anything by Wes Anderson over that one, or I Heart Huckabees. Then again, nothing in that list I saw because Eric liked it, although his review didn’t dissuade me from going.
Oh, and I agree about Waitress. One of the best movies last year; I’m honestly shocked that people who saw it didn’t like it. Was it because of the infidelity? That’s the only thing I can fathom someone disliking it for. Then again, people actually like Michael Bay movies, so I think all hope is lost.
March 5th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I take exception to being lumped with Michael Bay fans, Greg.
My reasons for disliking Waitress actually aren’t about the infidelity. It has more to do with generally weak dialog and implausibility.
March 5th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
And I LOVED Stranger Than Fiction and Serenity, so I can’t be that bad, right?
March 5th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I think I felt a little uneasy watching Waitress because of the infidelity. My fiance had divorced a man who cheated on her in a way reminiscent of the roles she saw played out, and so it was particular hard to excuse. I found the dialogue hilarious and the film well-made, but while I generally can excuse a film for having a different moral viewpoint as me, this time it just hit too close to home. It was weird to watch because I could see myself not liking the movie but realizing that under different conditions I wouldn’t be so uptight. When the female protagonist finally does leave the affair it is certainly a redeemable movie, but it took a long time to get there and we weren’t sure how to feel until then (we were uncomfortable throughout). It was just hard to justify her behavior regardless of the fact that she had a deadbeat husband. Weird how context changes things sometimes. Again, let me be clear, we LOVED the dialogue and found it hilarious. Just hard for a particular reason. We aren’t uptight people. Really. REALLY. (brandishes a knife)
March 5th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I hated waitress too. I thought almost all of the characters were loathsome and the dialogue felt forced. In fact, for the first part of the movie I kept hoping her husband would hit her so I could feel some sympathy for her character.
March 5th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Okay–Waitress is an extremely well-written movie, but some people could argue that they didn’t like the movie because they can’t accept–for any reason–a certain central plot line concerning the main character–yeah, we all know what it is (especially Greg). I have to admit, it did turn me off of the film a little bit because it made me less sympathetic to this poor girl, despite her sad situation. I will say this–no one has written for Andy “Matlock” Griffith better than the late Adrienne Shelley. He was outstanding.
And as for Anchorman–don’t be hatin’ on The Burgundy. Seriously, Anchorman rules. Any film that has ACTUAL cats on a catwalk, is a classic. Major laughs.
I would have to say that I didn’t like “Knocked Up” near as much as the critics did. Just too vile for me (does Jonah Hill have Tourette’s ?) ; I know, I know, I’m getting old…I curse you Eric for enjoying such a curse-filled movie.
March 5th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
“Mmhmm. And for sure you weren’t even thinking about seeing that small, under-promoted movie until I recommended it.”
I still had to mention it. Don’t think we’re gonna let you forget it!
In seriousness though, I haven’t seen a movie strictly on your recommendation that I absolutely hated. Didn’t care for, sure, but nothing really awful.
Movies I saw strictly on your recommendation that I loved have already been mentioned, “Waitress” being my favorite. I’d have never bothered with that movie if I had not read your review, so thanks for that one. <3
My husband had to watch Waitress with me though, and he hated it. Those filthy Waitress-haters, they’re out there.
March 5th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Bend It Like Beckham. That movie ruined my life.
March 5th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Okay, to save my good name, I’m going to lay out my reasons for being a “Waitress Hater”. I’m going to do it after the Waitress review, however, so as not to overload this blog with a post that has little to do with the topic at hand. I’m interested in hearing those that disagree with the points I raise, should anyone care to comment.
March 5th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
This part should go on the other post, but I watched History of Violence on Eric’s recommendation and enjoyed it. I also thought he described what to expect well enough that I’m surprised people couldn’t tell whether it was for them or not.
On the other hand, I completely agree with the Waitress-haters. I was told to expect a cute, delightful movie so I expected some life-affirming, love-celebrating, light-heartedness. ***Possible Spoiler*** Cheating on your spouse is not okay! And for a supposedly delightful movie to act as though its just a silly thing that people sometimes accidentally do, is offensive. Other complaints: While the supporting characters were cute, the protagonist was not likable. I actually sympathized more with her husband.
March 5th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Glitter
March 5th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
If someone saw “Waitress” based solely on my recommendation but was appalled or bothered by the infidelity, I’m not taking the rap for that. My review is awfully clear about the presence of infidelity, and about the fact that you have to withhold judgment for the movie to work for you. I spent a whole paragraph on that aspect of it. So if you watched the movie and STILL got worked up about the infidelity — well, fine, if that’s your natural reaction, but don’t come cryin’ to me.
March 5th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Just wanted to add that I will end up seeing Penelope because of Eric’s recommendation. And that I always read Eric’s reviews before deciding whether I want to see a movie or not.
To make this post sort of on topic, I blame Eric for the fact that I didn’t see “Kung Pow: Enter the Fist” until a few months ago. It was hilarious and it’s Eric’s fault I avoided it all this time since he hated it (And I agree with Eric about most of the comedies he says are not funny). Curse you Eric for denying me such a funny movie for so long!
March 6th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I finally rented “Kung Pow: Enter the Fist” a month ago, too, based on Eric’s recommendation! I thought it was hilarious. It helped knowing that they digitally added Steve O into an actual classic Kung Fu film and just changed the voiceovers as opposed to created the film from scratch–that made it way, way funnier. The cow was a bit much, but the rest was brilliant!
Oh, and back on topic…uh…I didn’t like some horror film that I can’t recall. Anyway, loved Kung Pow.
March 6th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Oh wait, you hated Kung Pow, Eric? Why did I think you loved it? Huh. Then I curse your name for that.
March 6th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Knocked Up
March 6th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
I still curse your name over “Garden State”. I think I’ve found my main disagreements with your recommendations are the ones where the characters are all stupid, self-destructive sociopaths and I can’t empathize with them.
I second the boringness of “Children of Men.” The premise was a great one, but I’m STILL waiting for something interesting to happen in that movie…
March 6th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
I thought Anchorman was great, Steve Carell was hilarious in it.
March 6th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
“Bring It On” If I remember right, it was when you were very liberal with your “A” ratings.
March 7th, 2008 at 12:28 am
I second the “Bring It On” hate.
I was *so* offended, unamused, bored, and down-right grossed out by “The Ten.” And I’m by no means a cinema prude. But, seriously? It was *awful.*
March 7th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Storytime:
A female friend of mine was gifted with Ian McEwan’s “Atonement” as a Christmas present, and (for some odd reason I’ve never quite ascertained) gave me a copy as well. I read the first few chapters, figured it was odd and not quite my cup of tea, and put it back on the shelf. Then the movie came out. She asked me repeatedly to go with her, I was hesistant because of what I’d read (and that I hadn’t seen an ‘R’-rated movie since 2003 [Matrix:Reloaded, incase anyone wonders]), but in the end feminine charm won out
March 7th, 2008 at 10:54 am
[That was weird: It just posted; I ain't done yet!]
Well,the winning was a tie of my inability to say no to a girl repeatedly, and I figured from the review that even if I had issues, she would like it (since I think she and Eric D. agree on every movie I can think of)(except maybe “Across the Universe”). Anyway.
She HATED it. Truly, madly, deeply. As it turns out, she never read the book (it’s possible she never even read the dust-jacket), and so she thought it was going to be some weepy chick-flick like “the Notebook,” or “A Walk to Remember.” Yeah, I don’t know what she was thinking. And since she didn’t even pay for it, I thought she wasn’t allowed to hate it.
On the other hand, I thought it was good. Quite uncomfortable a few times, but v. good.
(Oh, and if you watch the newish “Pride and Prejudice” in close conjunction to this movie, you see the director repeats the same shots, gimmicks, and musical styles a lot)
March 7th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Oh, and Jarhead. Part of me wants to gag every time I see Jamie Foxx, but that aside, I just felt like the movie was unnecessarily vulgar and graphic. When you tell us something expository, you don’t have to show it several times — at that point, you’re either trying to be shocking, titillating, or both. Me no likey.
March 7th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
It may have been beaten to death already, but I didn’t care much for Anchorman. I thought Carrell was funny, but everything else was just… meh. Some quotable lines, but not much else I found enjoyable.
Now are you going to do a blog about what we saw, then wished we had read your review first and avoided being a Hollywood statistic? I wish I could have gone back in time and taken a nap rather than see The Golden Compass.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Andrew D has a good suggestion. I definitely have some winners for that category.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I’ve never had a strong negative reaction to a film Eric has strongly recommended (whether or not I would have seen it otherwise. That’s right: Phantom Menace didn’t bug me that much!) (Although, the kid did, and continued to even after they replaced him with Hayden Christensen). Although Eric is my primary movie critic, and it surprises me how often my own tastes align with his, my “I’m not going to agree with Eric on this one” intuition is pretty good at it’s job. That said, there have been a few films he recommended that I ended up appreciating on a level maybe a-letter-grade-and-a-half lower.
Going down his list:
Chicken Run (which I really wanted to love)
The Passion of the Christ
Jarhead
Planet of the Apes
Shopgirl
Team America: World Police
And for some reason “Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!” figures prominently in my memory even though you only gave it a B+. I guess it’s because I saw it on a first date based on your recommendation. (It’s okay. I didn’t end up liking her very much anyway, although she was a very nice girl)
Anchorman I thought was okay but nothing special until I saw it a second time. Then I loved it. Now I own it.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Oh, I forgot to curse your name for “The Descent”. Seriously, there was nothing there that was scary. And the ending sucked. Curse you Eric for persuading me to watch that!
March 15th, 2008 at 8:51 am
I don’t curse your name alone for “A History of Violence”, Eric. I curse *all* the critics in America for it, because practically every stinkin’ critic said it was the most amazing, stupendous, world-shattering movie ever. It wasn’t. It was just mediocre. (In particular, the “plot twist” was really stupid and not believable.)
We and some friends were choosing between that movie and Lord of War that weekend. I trusted the critics and insisted on A History of Violence. Thanks a lot, critics, for making me look stupid in front of my friends!
March 16th, 2008 at 12:30 am
I rarely go see a movie based on a critic’s review, even if it is the amazing Eric’s!! Usually if I see a review that is bad, I’ll got see the movie & end up liking, & most of the ones that the critics rave about, I can’t stand. Maybe it’s just living in little podunk county Utah that has left my intellect stunted, but I just see what I want to see. I loved “Across the Universe” & “Atonement”. Of course, I only went to see the latter to drool over James McAvoy for two hours, but ended up really liking the movie & being surprised by the ending. I agree that “Across the Universe” got pretty trippy at times, but it was still a pretty good movie. I know that one of my favorite movies “Stardust”, didn’t impress as many of my friends as it did me, but it was worth seeing just for Robert DeNiro, & they all agreed that his scenes stole the movie. I am looking forward to seeing “Penelope” & “Funny Games” based on Eric’s review, so don’t let me down buddy!!!