Wendell at Dell On Movies came up with this idea where you choose 2 films, one critics and the general public love and one where the critics and public disliked but you feel the polar opposite! I would love to see many join this fun take on films. When you venture to Wendell's site, Joel guest hosted and picked the film I hate but everyone loves, Boyhood (Zzzzzz), so I had to think up another and I came up with one that I am certain most will tell me my head is not screwed on straight. Oh well, I like to feel a little crooked....Here are my 2 picks and I will have the Rotten Tomatoes at the bottom since I could not figure out how to post this here and not have the structure screwed up. You will see I still did not get it correct.
GOODFELLAS-1990
This is considered a classic and the best film Martin Scorsese directed...and I can't stand it! This film is based on a true story about Henry Hill who became close to many in the mob but ended up turning on them, giving testimony to put many away once he realized he might be killed by his fellow brothers. He ended up in the Witness Protection as a result(he was kicked out later since he told everyone who would listen about his story..what an idiot).
The film shows the inner working of the mob, how they operate and how ruthless they truly are. The acting is excellent, the plot and sequencing of events are good but I just can't stand such ugliness. It is often on TV somewhere and so I have watched it twice, in full, to make sure I was being fair. Yup, hate it...I think it is over-rated, over-hyped and glorifies brutality by the intense, vicious acts of murder as well as the huge amount of F-bombs and other language. I love to say some great swear words and the F word is one of my favs, but there is a time and a place. I can't stand Ray Liotta's laugh and want to just punch his face in. I think Martin Scorsese has done other works which are better than this one. If a film, much like a comic, relies on F Bombs and shock to relate to the public, then I doubt it is as good as the critics say. I hope to not see this again as I found it uncompelling, predictable and ugly.
ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK-1988
Oh, I miss Elvira and the bad horror movies she introduced. I love many of those bad movies so I almost went with one of those 50's flicks but, suddenly, recalled this flick that I recommended to my brother, who called me up later to ask how I could like such crap. This comes from the guy who rented "Ilse, She-Wolf of the SS." I just replied, "What's not to like?!"
Elvira finds out she has inherited a long lost Aunt's house. Since she quit her gig because the new owner is an ass, she take her little dog, Gonk, and heads to this small town to see her new digs. The conservative townsfolk don't like her sharp wit nor her ...um...assets but she becomes great friends with the kids who help her fix up the old home. Needless to say, she finds out her Uncle is not a nice guy and the townsfolk want to burn her at the stake. It is stupid but I enjoy watching this dumb ass flick. Now for the tomato ratings...
TOMATOMETER
Average Rating: 9/10
Reviews Counted: 90
Fresh: 86
Rotten: 4
I agree that just throwing in tons of F bombs makes me roll my eyes. So stupid. I enjoyed it, but making people think the mob is cool is stupid. Kinda catch 22 I suppose.
ReplyDeletehaha seen the latter, ugg so not a fan.
I've never wanted to see Goodfellas. I didn't care then how much people and critics raved about. There are only so many mobster movies I'm willing to watch. Now knowing Ray Liotta is in it, I doubt anyone can convince me to see it. lol
ReplyDeleteOkay, I enjoyed Goodfellas. Does that put me in the majority? Never saw the other film. I can think of many many movies that critics loved and I hated. And one of my sons loved watching The Scent of a Woman and I hated it. To each his own. Sounds like an interesting blog idea.
ReplyDeleteI'm not good with intense, violent films either. I've never seen Goodfellas, and I plan never to. It doesn't sound like something I'd enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I saw the Elvira film. I did watch her show back in the day, although they weren't really my films. (I was a kid. Others in the household watched. I didn't get a vote.) I enjoyed the character. Can you believe that the actress was a redhead in real life? (That's a wig.)
Let's see. Films almost everybody seemed to like... except me? Four off the top of my head: Under the Skin (Scarlett Johannson), Night Moves (Jesse Eisenberg, Dakota Fanning), Neighbors (1981, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd), and Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets!
ReplyDeleteThis is a neat idea for a blogfest, BIRGIT.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't normally like gangster movies, and despite the ridiculous, over-the-top violence in 'GOODFELLAS' (and the fact that I can't stand Scorsese), I would list it as my #1 choice in that genre.
I never saw the Elvira movie.
Off the top of my head, without really thinking about it, movies that critics and people loved which I disliked are... well, almost anything directed by Quentin Tarantino or Clint Eastwood.
Movies I loved but critics panned are 'ONE FROM THE HEART' and 'RUSTLER'S RHAPSODY'.
~ D-FensDogG
Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends
Interesting film picks. What would I pick? Hmmm. The liked one would be When Harry Met Sally and the one the critics don't like but I do hmmm. I need to think about it. Good choices on your part. :) Erika
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for joining in! I really appreciate it. That said, I'm kinda crying on the inside because I'm a huge fan of Goodfellas. But that's what this blogathon is all about, so great work. On the other hand, I enjoyed Elvira: Mistress of the Dark. Haven't seen it in 20+ years, though. Might have to drag it out this October.
ReplyDeleteElvira kinda started to the trend of making goth sexy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea. I never saw either film, but I always love your take on them. Gosh, I don't see enough films, but I would say ANY mushy chick flick most women swoon over I would hate. I have no idea what most people hate that I might appreciate, but it would be an action or a mystery, but would have no F words.
ReplyDeleteHi Birgit..well I enjoyed goodfellas...haven’t seen Elvira and to be honest not a film I would go for...haven’t been to see a new film this year how sad is that just nothing taking my fancy...take care xxxxx
ReplyDeleteI have yet to see either of these, but I've been told time and time again to watch Goodfellas lol.
ReplyDeleteYou get so sick and tired for f-bombs don't you? What happened to script writers? Not seen either of these but remember turning off the TV one time because of f-bombs. Maybe it was Goodfellas.
ReplyDeleteI didn't actually see the Elvira movie, but I remember when she hosted movies on TV. She's a classic:)
ReplyDeleteHave a great day, Birgit, my friend.
I'm indifferent to Goodfellas. I saw it in the theatre and thought it was adequate but had no desire to see it since. Glad to hear someone else isn't a fan of excessive swearing in film, Scorsese is one of the worst offenders in that area. Impactful, appropriate swearing can really punch a scene across but constant repetitive foul language just makes me check out of the scene and often the movie.
ReplyDeleteThe Elvira movie was a one and done for me. It was goofy and silly but not enough to get me to look at it again.
I agree with you about Goodfellas. I think it was a shameless (and successful at that) bid for popularity. And Scorsese did it again with Wolf of Wall Street, which I refuse to watch for that very reason. Fool me once, shame on me. But thankfully he's got a lot of actual good material, too.
ReplyDeleteI didn't enjoy Goodfellas, I loved it! I love that no families are involved, unlike most gangster movies, and the dialogue is so sharp, editing and pace in on point and Liotta's performance is excellent.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen nor heard of Elvira. I don't think I'll ever check it out.
Thank you everyone for your feedback which I always enjoy reading from people who visit all the time to the new who happened to see my blog. I’m glad some felt the same way about Goodfellas and Wolf St. is the same and I can’t stand Jonah Hill
ReplyDelete