More Unpopular Movie Opinions

[Deleted]

I'm enjoying this relaxing bubble bath of American Beauty hate. Highondegrassi, legend has it that Chris Cooper left the first screening practically in tears that all his scenes of nuance and audience empathy were left out in favour of a reveal which couldn't be less surprising or subtle.

[Deleted]

The only part I liked was the images of the plastic bag and I later read that Mendes stole that from another filmmaker.

[huntergrayson]

I liked it okay, but that's because I saw it as part of a test screening. So no hype/awards/6-8 months before everyone else. Ditto with Almost Famous and Traffic.

That said, I rematched Blue Velvet last night and it is a TRAVESTY that it didn't win Best Picture and American Beauty did. For doing the same themes, only in a lamer execution.

It's like on the level of Do The Right Thing not winning anything.

[Deleted]

It's been my experience that liking American Beauty is the unpopular opinion these days. I liked it, though like hunter I saw it pre-hype and awards. Plus I was only 17 at the time so what the hell did I know.

[sardonictart]

I honestly can't remember how far into the hype I saw it. I only know that I had a similar reaction to the West Wing - kind of bored/annoyed. And I don't care for True Blood either. I kind of liked Six Feet Under though so I don't think that it's a problem with Ball specifically.

Not surprised that Chris Cooper was upset with the editing of his part in American Beauty. He is an excellent actor, and his part was reduced to a stereotype in a movie centered around a protagonist with whom no one empathizes. Lord knows I didn't give a shit about Spacey's mid-life crisis. He was so gross! I don't want to say that I was glad that he was killed but I didn't really care that he bit the dust either. As far as I could tell, he wasn't brightening anyone's day.

[dwanollah]

Nov 27, 2011 18:38:07 GMT -4 @roisin54 said:

It's been my experience that liking American Beauty is the unpopular opinion these days. I liked it, though like hunter I saw it pre-hype and awards. Plus I was only 17 at the time so what the hell did I know.

I felt that same way about Forrest Gump. Like, I saw it the week it opened with some free give-away passes, and thought it was an interesting way to tell a story and had amusing moments with the "Imagine that" and "shit happens" all that, but I didn't think it was the BESTEST! MOVIE! EVER! And I didn't think it should be taken that seriously, either.

[Deleted]

American Beauty has been mandatory material for German students in recent years during the "American Dream" topic that we're teaching to seniors. Yep. I've had to show that film way too many times since I've become a teacher. And ALL my students so far hated it.

[kateln]

I have never seen American Beauty, and have no desire to do so. As far as I'm concerned the only good thing that came out of that movie was uptick in Chris Cooper's career (He has somehow become one of my favorite actors). Even though he is not a fan of the movie.

So I have one. I was 16 or 17 when it came out, so right in the "ideal" audience for it but I hate, hate, hate Dazed and Confused. I've tried to rewatch it a couple of times, but really I just couldn't get into it.

[Hamatron]

I think I was about that age when when Dazed and Confused came out too. It did nothing for me. I always assumed it was intended for people who were in high school in the... when did it take place? Early '80s? Yeah.

[Mutagen]

I will always think back fondly on American Beauty for the sole fact that, when I went to go see it, two old ladies walked out of the movie theater in disgust during the "who's the King?" scene.