November 14, 2007
Have You Ever Walked Out on a Movie …
Written by Margo Maguire in Jaunty PostWe did, just once. The film was Caligula, and it came out in the early 1980s. It was around the same era when I, Claudius was popular, and we thought Caligula would also be historically interesting. Nah. It was atrocious. OK, so that was the worst movie I’ve ever ’sort of’ seen.
What was the best? They’re often little films. Like one I saw just recently, Lars and the Real Girl. The blurb sounds hokey, but this is an absolutely wonderful film. Lars and his issues are only a small part of what happens in the movie. The writer and director bring together all the plain, down-to-earth characters in the film and have them rise to the challenge of handling the situation with Lars. Dear Frankie with Emily Mortimer and Gerard Butler, was another one of the “little” films that I really like.
The funniest? I’m almost embarrassed to say that I truly enjoyed Ace Ventura, Pet Detective. I got roped into going to see it with my kids and all the nieces and nephews, and I will readily admit that I laughed my tush off. Reluctantly at first, but wholeheartedly by the end. And many of Jim Carey’s lines still pop up during dinner conversation when the kids are home. (Alllllll righty then!) And don’t get me started on Dumb and Dumber! 
The major tear-jerker? Hmmm… I’m not much of a cryer, and I guess I avoid movies that are going to make me feel bad. But I think maybe Dr. Zhivago would fit this. I’d like to see this again, just to see if it holds up after all these years. An Affair to Remember (the one with Cary Grant) is definitely on the list, and so is A Farewell to Arms with Rock Hudson and Jennifer Jones.
Best Sci-Fi? I love good science fiction - it used to be my main genre for reading. So when a good sci-fi movie comes out, I am there! I think Independence Day is my favorite, but Alien comes in as a close second. I also thoroughly enjoyed Men In Black, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and ET.
Most violent … The Matrix. It’s really sci-fi, but I don’t watch a lot of violent movies. This is pretty tame compared to a lot of films coming out these days.
Best Musical? Chicago. I used to love musicals, but not so much any more. Don’t know why, although I’m looking forward to Across the Universe. I’ve heard some of the soundtrack (re-dos of some great Beatle songs) and the music is excellent.
Favorite animated movie? Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. I really appreciated the way the writers made Belle into a true heroine and not just another pretty face.
I haven’t even mentioned the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which was a definite favorite. It was a masterpiece of adaptaion - I can’t imagine a better film version of Tolkein’s books, although I wish someone else (Gerard Butler, maybe?) had been cast as Aragorn. I didn’t think Viggo Mortenson was the right choice at all.
What’s on your list of best and worst films ever? Did you ever walk out on a bad one before it ended?
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Shana Says:
Worst film? Mars Attacks. I wish we’d walked out. I did walk out on True Romance. It was just too violent for me.
The best movie I’ve seen recently is Dan in Real Life. It was so funny. I want to see Lars and the Real Girl, Margo. Talk to USF for me, okay?
Robyn DeHart Says:
The worst movie that I wished I’d walked out on, Alexander - I still want those 3 hours back. It was absolutely terrible.
Best movie I’ve seen recently - tied between Dan in Real Life and Martian Child, loved them both.
Best comedy - Noises Off
Best tear-jerker - I cry really easily so I could have lots of movies listed here that don’t classify as tear jerkers (like the Sixth Sense) but I have to go with Steel Magnolias.
Best Sci-Fi - I totally agree with you, Margo, and choose Independence Day (and I love Alien too!)
Most violent - A History of Violence which is really a marvelous film
Best musical - wow, this is a tough one for me, I loved Chicago and Dreamgirls, but I might have to go with a classic and choose the original Music Man
Best animated - tie for me between The Little Mermaid and Mulan (although I’m a huge fan of Monster’s Inc and Finding Nemo too)
Fun topic, Margo. As you can tell, I love movies.
Linda Says:
I’ve walked out on 2 movies Forces of Nature and 28 Days. Bad things is I love Sandra Bullock, but couldn’t stand either of these movies.
Transformers is the best movie that I’ve seen in a long time. Had me on the edge of my seat and laughing throughout the entire movie.
Best tear-jerker - A Walk To Remember. I cry every time I watch that movie.
Fave musical - Chicago. High School Musical is up there to. I have young girls and it’s either learn to love it or wear ear plugs, when they watch it for the 100th time.
Most violent - I love the Saw films. Can’t wait to catch the 4th installment on dvd.
Fave animated - The Little Mermaid and Cars.
I have to mention the Harry Potter series, Underworld & Underworld Evolution, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and many more.
Margo Maguire Says:
Oh - I forgot Harry Potter! I thought those books were adapted quite well to the screen. Not perfect, but hey - I think the salient features came across.
Dorothy Says:
Best movie I’ve seen in a long time was ‘Death at a Funeral’. I laughed by tush off at that one. The kid and I went to see it.
I, too, love the Harry Potter movies and the Lord of the Rings.
I agree with the Sci-Fi pic of Independence Day. Loved that movie.
Best Musical. Oh man, so many. But I have to go with ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’.
Tear Jerker for me is ‘An Affair to Remember’. It gets me everytime.
I love movies and have almost as many dvds as I do books. I just got ‘Amazing Grace’ last night. If you haven’t seen that movie, it’s a good one. It’s got Ioan Gruffudd in. Loved him as Hornblower.
I could go on and on but would hate to bore everyone.
brownone Says:
The “Pirates” trilogy are my favorite by far!!
Laura Says:
I walked out on Dick Tracy (mostly because my “ride” did - although I would have only stayed hoping it would get better…I thought it was awful). The movie I SHOULD have walked out on (except my ride didn’t!) was Dr. T and his Women. It had a great cast but was, by far, the worst movie I’ve ever seen.
Margo Maguire Says:
I’d forgotten about Dr. T and his Women. Truly awful! We rented it and watched about 20 minutes. We couldn’t take any more!
Mary M Says:
Gone Baby Gone was thought provoking. If you want a movie that makes you think, what would I have done?, go see it.