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Hey! I LIKE that movie!
The ever industrious folks at Entertainment Weekly have come up with a fun little poll: Name a movie that is commonly considered bad that you actually like.
Even though I’m the Sir Critical type, I find that I’m much more generous than many of my colleagues, probably because I go to movies wanting to like them. Even if I hear a film is horrid, I say, “OK, ‘Cat in the Hat.’ I’ve heard you suck, but surprise me.”
“Cat in the Hat” didn’t surprise me, so you won’t find it on my list of movies that I like and many don’t. However, there are three on EW’s list that I like.
I agree that “The Net” with Sandra Bullock is implausible fun, and “Far and Away” was as dopey as the Haight-Ashbury district in 1967, but I found it charming for that reason. And the anachronisms of “A Knight’s Tale” were patently weird, but kooky in an endearing sort of way.
To this roster I would add:
Tommy Boy: Most critics take a tommy gun to this movie, but I found Chris Farley’s oafishness funny and touching, and he and David Spade were a good match.
National Treasure: Many reviewers blasted this gleefully ridiculous trifle as being a lite version of “The Da Vinci Code,” but I can’t help but wonder which movie the critics would rather watch now: “Treasure” or the turgid “real” “Da Vinci Code.”
Patch Adams: Speaking of sacrelige, to hear most critics talk about this movie, you’d think the antichrist directed it. Yes, the movie lays it on thick. Yes, it’s shamelessly manipulative. And yes, I laughed, darn it all. I’d much rather watch this than most of Williams’ recent output.
And speaking of Robin Williams…
RV: It’s not a great movie by any stench of the of the toilet tank — uh, I mean, stretch of the imagination. Still, I enjoyed it because I could relate all too well to a disastrous RV trip, and yes, that includes a mishap with the toilet. Plus, it’s the only movie that has put one of my favorite Broadway actresses, Kristin Chenoweth, to good use.
However, I take issue with EW’s inclusion of “Failure to Launch.” I don’t care HOW big a fool you are for romantic comedies; the gruesome sight of Terry Bradshaw’s naked derriere should automatically disqualify it even from the most half-hearted recommendation.
There, I had to get at least a little critical again. But tell me: What movies do you like that many other people (especially critics like me) don’t? Did you like something I trashed? Let me know.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Ask the Audience
Comments
By SRCputt
October 25, 2006 4:20 PM | Link to this
I do remember when we were back in school making fun of The People Under the Stairs before seeing it, and then finding to my shock I enjoyed it. Sister Act was another surprise from that era.By SRCputt
October 25, 2006 4:17 PM | Link to this
Failure to Launch wasn’t a disaster because of Bradshaw. It was a mess because of a week script (3 animal bite jokes?) and two leads who were the least interesting characters in the movie. I wanted a movie on the Zooey Deschanel character, and I wanted McConnaughey and Parker off my screen.By Susan
October 21, 2006 3:56 PM | Link to this
Yes! I LOVED National Treasure!! Guilty pleasure, yes. =) As farfetched as every plot point was — I loved it in the same way as any Raider’s picture. Thanks for mentioning this one!By vickie
October 19, 2006 12:08 PM | Link to this
I too liked RV. Robin Williams is always funny, just good old fashioned entertainment. Brought back some “pleasant” RV trip memories for me too.