A reader named Dan sent me a nice e-mail that reads as follows:

Just wanted to say that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your reviews over the years and to keep it up!  But I have a quick question…. what movies that are universally regarded as classics do you feel are overrated??

Ooh, that’s a fun question! I don’t like to say “overrated,” though. That term implies a certain arrogance: “The people who liked this film over-praised it, whereas I am praising it exactly the right amount.” Just because a lot of people loved something and you didn’t doesn’t mean they’re all wrong or deluded or something. It just means you have different opinions.

But I know what you mean. You mean movies that are supposed to be great that I, personally, didn’t care for. I can think of a few.

“2001: A Space Odyssey” does very little for me. It’s a technical marvel in many ways, especially considering when it was made, and I like its ideas. But the way it’s dragged out feels interminable to me.

Continue reading…

‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’: It’s like George Lucas took a crap, and then that crap made a movie.

He will also, according to this video, never let you down, run around, or desert you.

This week’s “Snide Remarks,” entitled “Uncle Morning Shift,” is all about cute and adorable things! It’s also a little tardy in getting posted, for which I deeply apologize. We were having what’s known in the business as technical times.

Speaking of my family members (which we were), you might be interested in reading my a recent entry on my brother Christopher’s blog. Be forewarned, however: Christopher has irritable bowel syndrome, and the story he relates here, like a Lemony Snicket story, involves a series of unfortunate events. I’m telling you right now that a lot of you will not enjoy this story. The rest of you will think it’s hilarious.

This week’s “Snide Remarks,” including the audio version, is here.
The audio version (i.e., the podcast) is also here.
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