People Share Controversial Movie Opinions
The Academy isn’t the end-all or be-all of movies. Their opinions matter only when it comes to giving out golden statues. Everything else is up for vicious and uproariously opinionated debate. One person’s favorite film is another person’s two-hour torture session. If you group one hundred random people from around the world together and tell them to pick the worst movie ever, you’d never get a final decision. There’s just so much open to interpretation. That’s what makes cinema so much fun! That also means everyone has an opinion.
Regardless of whether you agree or not, sometimes it helps to look through someone else’s perspective. Maybe you’ll learn a thing or two about your favorite film that you didn’t notice before.
Space Is Big Enough For Everyone
It’s Not Always That Deep
Going to the movies is a great way to experience a new world and story in a short amount of time. There’s very little traveling. You don’t need a passport. Plus, everyone else deals with the problems while you watch! What else could you want? One of the only annoying things is that you still have to pay attention to what’s going on. The more imaginative people’s favorite films get, the more convoluted and complicated some of these plots can become.
After a while, it almost feels like an obligation for us to take notes and make character sheets. What happened to the days of a simple plot where shallow people get what they wanted? There were no sequels. There were no lingering questions. That’s what the movies used to be.
We Didn’t Pay For A College Lecture
How many movies can you name that don’t have a few plots in their holes? Wait. Reverse and flip that. There’s got to be a big number of them out there where the stories don’t make much sense. It’s just impossible to fill in every single detail in such a short time, right? If directors and scriptwriters spent every second filling in gaps in their fantasy tales, things would never make it to screen.
Besides, a great way to look at plot holes is to pretend they’re intentional. Movies are generally from someone’s perspective. Let’s all just agree that’s why there are holes in these stories and move on. Besides, did you spend all that cash to experience a logically sound time or some escapism?
Loners Need Love Too, Y’all
Part of the fun of going to the movies is to see the impossible be made possible. Even something as intangible as love can be condensed into a quick ninety-minute journey where someone ends up meeting the person of their dreams. Even if they weren’t searching for their soulmate they seem to find them! Take Fight Club for example, nothing about the movie was about romance, but in the end (spoiler) “Jack” still manages to find what his heart wanted.
It’s almost unnatural to think all of these people, across all of these genres, can always find love. Is it that easy? Just don’t forget: these movies aren’t normally real. Also remember: It’s not always about loving someone else. Put yourself first
That Takes So Much Energy
BAM! CRASH! KABOOM! [insert car exploding sound here]! Who doesn’t love a super fun action film to take their minds off of whatever else is going on? Tagging along on a fast-paced adventure full of bright lights and heart-pounding music can be awesome. That doesn’t always mean it’s what makes a movie good…or even passable. The problem with “more is more” is that it results in less of a lot of other things.
Tell us the plot from the last four Fast & the Furious movies. Uh-huh, exactly. They’re great for what they are. However, we’re not watching those films for their storytelling ability. Mostly because there isn’t much. While great action stories have been told, sometimes people take the lazy route and throw in a bunch of quick shots before calling it a day.
When You Find Your Groove…
There are countless actors in the world. There’s also a smaller, but still nearly countless, list of good actors in the world. Some of them can transform themselves into any character and deliver an award-winning performance. Then some are super good at playing…themselves. If you can play a really good character, at least get paid for it. Sometimes a character actor delivers a great role over and over again.
Other times, people are talking about Will Ferrell. This comedy giant has delivered stellar performances in shows and movies for decades. Sure, they all seem a bit similar, but is that the worst? Who doesn’t love a screeching gigantic toddler running around for two hours at a time?
Some People Have Some Thoughts
Marvel knows a thing or two about putting out good movies. For the better part of a decade and some change, they’ve been dominating the industry. After billions in revenue and great reviews nearly across the board, almost every film they make somehow tops the last. One of their most impactful, according to fans, is Black Panther. It’s a great movie with some of Marvels’ best effects.
It also brought us Wakanda, which everyone is thankful for. If you stop and compare it to the other movies a certain similarity pops up: this is great, but it’s only as great as all the others. Look, every hero film can stand on its own. They also have fans with some pretty strong opinions.
You Gotta Separate The Artists and the Art
One of the more difficult things to do these days is to vocally support a film. It has little to do with supporting an opinion online (good luck with that). It’s mostly about being careful not to build up to something that may be technically flawed or not in line with what other people like. That’s the problem with peer pressure, especially with today’s online world. If you’re a fan of a film you need to be able to defend every part of it or else get mobbed online.
Thankfully, some people find that ridiculous. Why isn’t it okay to just go see a bad movie for the fun of it or to see someone’s favorite on-screen crush? Fun fact: It is okay. Sometimes the worst movies are the most fun to watch!
Tell Us What It Does Successfully
There’s nothing wrong with loving a classic film. That’s what makes a classic a classic: it’s important or loved enough to withstand the test of time. Just because a movie is your favorite doesn’t make it the best movie of all time. It may not even be a masterpiece. Take off the rose-colored glasses and look at The Princess Bride objectively.
It’s a cute adaptation and a quotable film, but what else is there? It has a solid story but is that enough to cement it as one of the best cinematic feats of all time? Inconceivable! Those just seem to be super strong opinions by a protective fanbase.
Voldemort Would Probably Say Otherwise
Different stories capture different generations’ attention. A series that transformed the cultural landscape for some may be entirely uninterested to another. It’s pretty hard to tell what’s going to be successful before the storm hits. When Harry Potter mania started, nobody saw it becoming a cultural shift. The books are transformative. The movies are pretty rad too.
That nostalgia doesn’t blind everyone, though. Some people say that the films are fairly okay at best. No matter how much magic there is, some just didn’t fall under Potter’s spell. That’s a shame because one visit to Hogmeasde and we were SOLD.
Just Yell And Stare At The Camera
Televised wrestling is acting with a physical twist. The characters and personalities you see fighting each other aren’t necessarily the same people outside of the ring. These gals and guys are just actors with great collision and body insurance. Take one of them outside of the sport and give them a Hollywood deal and you’ll get…something. Even though it’s been a few years, The Rock looks and acts like he’s still a wrestler in the ring!
His career was pretty massive before he switched to movies. Once he was established in Hollywood it was pretty clear that he was destined to be a great wrestler. Dwayne Johnson has quite a few great films under his ultimate fighter belt. But does that excuse him from playing the same person in every flick?
Happiness Isn’t Always A Helpful Thing
Inside Out was another successful step in Pixar’s mission to anthropomorphize the universe. Getting to know the inner thoughts and feelings of our feelings was a trip. It also got us super emotional. This colorful and heartbreakingly fun adventure showcases what change would look like through an emotion’s perspective. It also paints Sadness as the big problem in the film (due to her name and traits).
If you think about how things went down, she’s the good guy. Joy is the real one in the wrong. Her selfishness kind of causes a mess of things just because Sadness was being misunderstood. Even for Pixar, this is a pretty deep concept.
There Was A Different Standard Back Then
Going to the movies used to be an event in and of itself. People would get all dressed up, have a nice night out, then see a flick at the local theater. Then things changed, we got a bit more casual, but still made a night of going to the movies and being wowed. The quality of everything was just bigger and grander, even at the trashiest of films.
Perhaps it’s hindsight and perhaps it’s the truth, but some people blame streaming. Now that it’s easy to produce quick content on the fly and stream it straight into our homes, why worry about quality? Has streaming turned movies into the fast-food of visual entertainment?
The Force Is Strong With This One
Pretend you’re reading this next one in a whisper. We’re about to lay down a salacious fact about Star Wars. The fans are particularly protective so we need to tread carefully. Y’all ready? Okay, here it is: all of the movies are good in some way. The original trilogy was an industry-changing space opera turned into a cultural typhoon. We all collectively decided that Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill were saints. It’s just grand.
The new trilogy tried to update Star Wars and give us some backstory. Then the new trilogy happened and did whatever fans think it did or didn’t do best. It’s pretty controversial depending on who you ask. However, in all honesty, they’re almost as fun as all of the others (and that’s what matters).
A Delicious And Curious Idea
It’s not that rare to see stars from different industries try their hand at acting. The Rock does it. Jennifer Lopez tries from time to time. At this point, we’re used to seeing people try their hand at performing for Hollywood. None of that’s interesting. What some people are buzzing about is who HASN’T decided to take the jump into full-time acting.
If the real Slim Shady decided to do more than just 8 Mile we’d be all for it. It doesn’t matter how you feel about his music. This guy has some pretty good acting chops, too! Check out his music videos and some of the shorts he’s in. Even without a soundtrack playing, he’s got more than just stage presence.
How Much Time Do They Need?
How long is a typical movie? Rewind the clock ten or so years and check the average length. These stories are quickly turning into visual novels. When ninety minutes used to be the norm in the 90s we’re now hovering around two and a quarter hours becoming a new standard. That’s not a bad thing. Looking at how long some of our modern favorites are, it’s a little surprising.
How would it look if most movies started running for three hours in the future? At that point, we’d probably just stay at home or something. It’s easier to get to the bathrooms and they’re never crowded. Plus, falling asleep is easier if the movie gets too long.
We Don’t Need A Reading List
There’s a fine line between telling a deep and enriching story with multiple layers and just trying to sound smart in front of your movie friends. Sometimes a complex epic tale can be cinematic gold. There’s always an audience for the type of movie. What makes them a bit less loved than other films is that sometimes they’re too smart for their good.
Bizarre twists and random encounters to add depth aren’t always needed. Even if you want to tell something visually complex, your audience should still get something out of it. Leaving them guessing is okay, but leaving them wildly confused and unhappy doesn’t sound like the goal of any filmmaker.
He’s Not The Freshest Anymore
When people think of Will Smith a lot of great times come up. He’s an accomplished rapper, a Man in Black, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air! How could there be anyone who isn’t a fan of those titles?! However, it’s not about the shows and movies that some fans have a problem with. They just don’t see Will Smith maturing into serious roles.
His charisma was worn on his sleeve back in the nineties. As he grew up and matured, some of that charm shined differently. Others flat out said they’re not fans at all! While stars go through changes in their careers, do they also fall into ruts for a few decades?
Who Says They’re Always Right?
Movies are made in a weird mix of democracy and dictatorship. The director and the production company have a say in what audiences get to see. It’s a real team effort to deliver some of society’s best films. It’s also good because that means we’ll get the eventual “director’s cut”. These cuts let us revisit our favorite films and see them made the way the director intended!
Sometimes they’re huge and other times they’re The Little Shop of Horrors. How do you mess up an amazing musical with Rick Moranis? Just change the ending for no reason. Directors may have a good enough eye to make movies, that doesn’t mean they know how to edit one.
That’s An Okay Opinion To Have
Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings films are considered some of the greatest films of the modern age. These epic tales spawned huge battlefields and landscapes that engrossed the world. The book series they’re based on is great too. However, seeing certain scenes spring to life in such beauty was unprecedented. After the fanfare settled it was time to expand on Tolkien’s work some more.
The Hobbit was the obvious choice. Instead of one or two solid films, we get another epic trilogy. It’s just as pretty as Jackson’s first, but something felt a bit off. These movies told a great story but also seemed to be very self-aware of what they thought audiences wanted.
We Don’t Want To Feel That Right Now
This may be the most controversial one depending on how you’re feeling. Dramas and tear-jerking films that do their jobs well can quickly spread like wildfire. Sometimes it’s just fun feeling sad for a bit, you know? Movies like Titanic, Melancholia, and other heavy dramas evoke some deep emotions for people. It can be cathartic to feel sad.
But some people may disagree. We’re not saying it’s fun to be sad, but it’s nice to experience it in a story instead of personally. They can really help put things into perspective. How? We have no idea, but it just happens. Plus, that whole kissing in the rain scene in those romantic ones is always fun since nobody gets sick.
Do You REALLY Have To Go Deeper?
Leonardo DiCaprio has deserved many Oscars in his career. So many of his movies are iconic and beautifully delivered. How many he should have won is up for debate. That doesn’t stop people from also saying some of his flicks are downright silly. Inception is a pretty hefty film to take in. A lot is going on, big words are thrown around, and some really sad characters are running around with guns.
The ending was up for debate for years after its release. Despite all the fantastic production and visuals, the story is still a weird thing to try and explain. A few people have started to point out it’s an action film with random SAT words scattered around.
Burton’s Bat Beats Other Bats
Batman is one of the most prolific heroes among comic heroes. He’s a regular (billionaire) dude trying to fight through his issues and keep his city safe. Typical problems, super relatable, awesome villains. As cool as Bruce and his alter-ego are, the villains are so wildly bizarre. Their constant battle with the Dark Knight makes for endless adventures. Different movie legends have taken their stab at the Caped Crusader.
While Nolan has been held in high regard, some people still love the classic Burton movies. We can’t blame them. Danny Devito and Michelle Pfeifer delivered two of the best villains in Bat’s cinema history! And any movie with Danny Elfman’s music in it is an automatic win in our books.
It’s Called Acting For A Reason
Growing up and thriving in a lifelong acting career sounds both amazing and horrifying. Imagine acting for so long people that assign different eras to your filmography before you’re even forty. That’s weird. Jennifer Lawrence, one of Hollywood’s most beloved and accomplished actors, has such a career. Some of her earliest work happened when she was just sixteen.
She’s only in her early thirties, yet really grew up in front of the world. Despite being so hard-working and respected, some people still feel a certain way about her performances. There have even been critics who say that she’s still too youthful for some roles. Isn’t that the whole point of acting?
Space Is Big Enough For Everyone
When you become part of one of the most famous science fiction franchises in the world you’re pretty much set for life. It’s a great opportunity! What could be the downside? For some reason, the newest additions into a series about a galaxy far, far away drove the fanbase into a frenzy. The evolution of this story for the new generation of fans wasn’t to the original fanbase’s taste.
Whether it’s what goes down with Leia and Luke, or the fact that Kylo Ren is a brat, people have WORDS TO SAY about the films. It doesn’t make much sense why. Stories go on, new characters develop, and new angles are taken. Not every Jedi’s story will appeal to you and that’s fine.
Old School Is The Only School
Our movies get prettier as technology advances. Just look at Avatar! Its use of CGI is still talked about TODAY. Computer graphics have helped filmmakers take their game to the next level. For all the good they’ve done that doesn’t make it automatically better than traditional effects. Back in the day, visual effects had to be done in more practical and creative ways.
While not always the most advanced looking, they did add realism to things while still blowing our minds. For all the good they did, those could get kind of pricey. What you trade in realism you make up for with speed and efficiency thanks to computers. It’s a toss-up, but movie buffs are willing to argue this one forever.
Who Has That Much Time?
Ready for a quick science lesson? Well too bad, here it is: humans are mammals and mammals LOVE to try and reproduce. There ya go. It’s part of our biological identity to go out and have as much fun as possible (maybe have a kid or two, but that’s not what’s important). Part of the fun happens with other mammals and some between-the-sheets action. Or in a forest. Or a bathroom. Whatever, you get what we’re saying.
However, that doesn’t mean see is all there is in the world. Unfortunately, movies make it seem that nearly every situation or problem can be fixed with some sweaty fun. That may help some issues, however, that’s not how the world works. In reality, hanky-panky can be fun, but you can’t play that card to get out of your problems. It doesn’t always advance your own story, either.
Don’t Be Ashamed Of Your Movie Picks
Part of the job of being a movie critic is to deliver your opinion on the latest releases. While every movie isn’t going to be a winner, over time it’s evident some critics play favorites. Other times they almost unanimously trash a title for some vague reason. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see a movie you’re interested in. Critics are people and people are wrong quite often. Here’s a great example!
Garfield may not have been a huge hit, but it’s still fun! Besides, who didn’t grow up reading about the adventures of the world’s laziest cat? Don’t be embarrassed because you like something most people don’t. In a few years, that’ll be considered hip and then everyone else will be saying, “We hate Mondays, too!”
How Many Are There Now?
By 2024 there are going to be ten Fast & Furious movies out. For a series, it’s a huge deal. How many different series have ten whole chapters to them? It’s pretty unheard of. These movies have something for everyone: fast cars, cool music, and nonsensical plots. Plus, there’s Vin Diesel. All of those things together don’t really make for a compelling ten-part story, do they?
Perhaps they do and we just don’t drive quickly enough to see the point. With all of that said, some people think there’s just not enough fuel left in their tanks to warrant even MORE films. When is Hollywood going to put up the stop sign? Until it happens, we’re in for a wild ride.
Sometimes It’s Nice To Interpret Things
When we were kids we were taught you need three things to tell a story: a beginning, middle, and end. Part of the fun of the movies is watching those parts play out in some over-the-top ways. However, most of them have beginnings (naturally) and an ending. Then the credits roll. That’s how movies work. That doesn’t mean the ending will wrap up the story for audiences.
While some films choose to have cliffhangers for sequels, others just flat-out leave the ending open to interpretation! Some movie buffs don’t seem to like those. However, there’s a huge camp that loves the not knowing? Why? Maybe because that’s more realistic. Things don’t always wrap up nicely in real life, why not show that on the silver screen from time to time?
They’re Building An Entire Universe
How many Marvel movies do you know? Think hard. There are a lot of heroes and stories to tell. There’s got to be at least ten, right? Fifteen? Twenty?! Nope, not even close. Currently, there are twenty-seven Marvel movies that have been released since 2008. That doesn’t sound like a lot for a decade, but in reality, it’s quite a bit. Almost every month we get a new teaser, some sneak-peek, of a full-blown movie project coming out of Marvel’s massive universe.
With so many characters it makes sense, but that’s still a TON of hero movies. What about other big comics and myths out there? How many projects haven’t been given the green light because Tony Stark wants to fly around for a couple more hours on screen? We bet in another decade there’s only going to be more.