Taste in Movies.

[joshaube]

Okay, I need a medium to vent my rage a little. Since the topic actually warrants discussion, I thought I'd post it here... and see what you all think.

Taste in movies. There was a quote once, which compared taste to that of an asshole. I don't remember it word per word, so I won't bother typing it out. I might have heard it here, I'm not sure.

I'm becoming really fed up with people I know in real life. The people I am friends with... well, they don't share my love for film. They could care less about it. I have one friend who declares herself a movie buff, but her "all-time favourites" change week by week, depending on what's in theatres. She can call herself what she likes.

They all ridicule me for my taste in film.

They go out and see what's playing in theatres. Your typical comedies, your blockbusters, your PG-13 horrors. They don't venture into any other material. They stick with movies starring people they know. Movies backed by big studios.

And then they turn around and shit on the movies I like.

Apparently, they've gotten it into their head... that the reason I dislike a movie, is because it's not a horror movie. Somehow, the entire world thinks I am this big horror fan, and won't watch anything else. I like horror, yes, but it's not the be-all-and-end-all... that's for sure. Hell, my all-time favourites has less horror on it then any other genre (excluding Westerns... haven't really seen any. Honestly.)

Because my list includes Amelie, works by David Lynch and Pedro Almodovar, Pan's Labyrinth, films with titles in other languages... because of this, I guess they decided that my taste pretty much sucks.

When I tell them I just saw an excellent movie, they say "Oh ya?" and laugh. I tell them what it's about, and that they should see it, and they shit on it. They say it sounds terrible. The latest example. Gone Baby Gone.

"That sounds lame."

And then they turn around and talk to me for 30 minutes about how Epic Movie was the best comedy they saw last year.

They all say I have bad taste without even seeing any of the films I like. They just decide based on a one-sentence summary. They never even give them a chance. Don't they realize that they could digest an actual film in the same time it takes to sit through two shitfests?

I guess it just pisses me off double, not only for shitting on my taste in movies, but because they don't do what I tell them. Dumb, I know. I get kind of offended when I recommend something and they never take the chance with it.

What really gets me is when I recommend something, that person recommends it to others, and everyone congratulates them on having such great taste. I don't get mention... and I'm like... eh?

Does anyone else experience this? Do you get criticized a lot for your taste in movies? Or do you all manage to keep wonderful cinema-inclined friends?

I showed my friends Snakes on a Plane, Evil Dead, Planet Terror, Santa's Slay. Movies that are intentionally hilarious. They all said they were terrible. I told them the point of them were to be 'terrible.' They just don't fucking get it.

But then again, who's to say I'm right? Maybe Epic Movie was excellent. Maybe Pan's Labyrinth is complete shit because you have to read it. Maybe the Oscar this year should go to The Comebacks. Just maybe.

So I guess the question I'm asking is... do you experience anything similar? And how exactly does taste work? Who's to say one film is excellent while another is not?

[fortunato]

Okay, I need a medium to vent my rage a little. Since the topic actually warrants discussion, I thought I'd post it here... and see what you all think.

Taste in movies. There was a quote once, which compared taste to that of an asshole. I don't remember it word per word, so I won't bother typing it out. I might have heard it here, I'm not sure.

I'm becoming really fed up with people I know in real life. The people I am friends with... well, they don't share my love for film. They could care less about it. I have one friend who declares herself a movie buff, but her "all-time favourites" change week by week, depending on what's in theatres. She can call herself what she likes.

They all ridicule me for my taste in film.

They go out and see what's playing in theatres. Your typical comedies, your blockbusters, your PG-13 horrors. They don't venture into any other material. They stick with movies starring people they know. Movies backed by big studios.

And then they turn around and shit on the movies I like.

Apparently, they've gotten it into their head... that the reason I dislike a movie, is because it's not a horror movie. Somehow, the entire world thinks I am this big horror fan, and won't watch anything else. I like horror, yes, but it's not the be-all-and-end-all... that's for sure. Hell, my all-time favourites has less horror on it then any other genre (excluding Westerns... haven't really seen any. Honestly.)

Because my list includes Amelie, works by David Lynch and Pedro Almodovar, Pan's Labyrinth, films with titles in other languages... because of this, I guess they decided that my taste pretty much sucks.

When I tell them I just saw an excellent movie, they say "Oh ya?" and laugh. I tell them what it's about, and that they should see it, and they shit on it. They say it sounds terrible. The latest example. Gone Baby Gone.

"That sounds lame."

And then they turn around and talk to me for 30 minutes about how Epic Movie was the best comedy they saw last year.

They all say I have bad taste without even seeing any of the films I like. They just decide based on a one-sentence summary. They never even give them a chance. Don't they realize that they could digest an actual film in the same time it takes to sit through two shitfests?

I guess it just pisses me off double, not only for shitting on my taste in movies, but because they don't do what I tell them. Dumb, I know. I get kind of offended when I recommend something and they never take the chance with it.

What really gets me is when I recommend something, that person recommends it to others, and everyone congratulates them on having such great taste. I don't get mention... and I'm like... eh?

Does anyone else experience this? Do you get criticized a lot for your taste in movies? Or do you all manage to keep wonderful cinema-inclined friends?

I showed my friends Snakes on a Plane, Evil Dead, Planet Terror, Santa's Slay. Movies that are intentionally hilarious. They all said they were terrible. I told them the point of them were to be 'terrible.' They just don't fucking get it.

But then again, who's to say I'm right? Maybe Epic Movie was excellent. Maybe Pan's Labyrinth is complete shit because you have to read it. Maybe the Oscar this year should go to The Comebacks. Just maybe.

So I guess the question I'm asking is... do you experience anything similar? And how exactly does taste work? Who's to say one film is excellent while another is not?

i don't mean to offend, but your friends sound like assholes.

movie taste, like anything that has to do with another person's opinion, doesn't have any wrong or right answers. it's a special thing that one can call their own. like so many other aspects of a person, it makes us different. for a person to call another person's taste in movies "wrong" or "stupid" or anything else is nonsensical. tell your friends to get over it and start acting like friends.

[Roderick Usher]

get new friends:D

It sounds cruel, but you will certainly outgrow your current friends. I was considered the wierdo at my school for my tastes, but my close friends at least tried to understand where I was coming from and,although they are still rather conservative, my influence upon them is undeniable. Think of yourself as the ambassador of new experiences to them.

As an adult my friends may not share my exact tastes, but they all share my love for film/art/music/theater/literature. I've chose to surround myself with those who can educate & challenge me.

And you need to start watching westerns! They are a core element of American cinema and you'll see the western themes in Escape from New York and other scifi/action flicks in a new light. Knowing what you like you'd probably dig Unforgiven, The Quick and the Dead, The Wild Bunch & Django for starters.

[jenna26]

movie taste, like anything that has to do with another person's opinion, doesn't have any wrong or right answers. it's a special thing that one can call their own. like so many other aspects of a person, it makes us different. for a person to call another person's taste in movies "wrong" or "stupid" or anything else is nonsensical. tell your friends to get over it and start acting like friends.

I tend to agree. I like what I like, and I make no apologies for it. I happen to like a lot of crap, I'm okay with that. I also like films that most definitely aren't crap. Other people really can be asses about it though. I don't mind someone not agreeing with my tastes (I'm used to that for sure) but it never has to get personal. I have a friend, who I don't talk to very often....;) that thinks anything with Vin Diesel in it is like the best thing ever, but then dares to say the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre is "the stupidest movie" she has ever seen. Also keep in mind, she watched like ten minutes of it before turning it off.

But I am used to this kind of thing, I have often been criticized for my love of film as well. And for the kinds of films I enjoy. I don't really care anymore, but it used to irk me a bit as well. Same has happened with the books I read. I just ignore it and move on to another subject. These days, I only really discuss movies and books with my husband, or on forums like this one. And all my annoying friends that dismiss a lot of the movies I love while raving about films that just don't interest me that much....well, I left them all behind in Georgia....I still know no one here really. It kind of works out better for me that way....:D

[newb]

I don't have many friends who have the same taste as me. A couple of my kids do so I know at least I'm a good parent:D

I never really cared what people thought of me.....always kind of "marched to a beat of a different drummer."

[joshaube]

Yeah, my friends can be assholes sometimes, but isn't everyone an asshole occasionally? I'm friends with these people for other reasons, reasons that outweigh their negativity towards film. The topic doesn't really come up that often, I've learned not to mention anything... but when it does (like tonight) it can really irk me.

I do have a few friends who get where I'm coming from. They're usually the ones I have over for movie night. I've also attempted to sort them into 'groups' :p So I know who to bring to the theatre when I go to see a certain movie (It also gets difficult because I have a wide range of friends, and most of them don't get along with one another. I end up going to movies two or three times with different people.)

So it's not as terrible as I might have made it sound in my little spat of rage.

Rod, I've heard good things about most of those Westerns. I think I'll take the time to watch Unforgiven first, and go from there. I'm still saving Blazing Saddles until I'm more education in the genre.

I get that taste is a personal thing. But like so many, I can't get over that. :p When I like a film, I want others to agree. I find myself liking a lot of movies that are also critically acclaimed. I spread the word to a few friends, all of course who have the same opinion on it - that it's bad - and sometimes they sort of 'gang up' on me... like "We're obviously right because there's 3 against 1."

I usually keep my passion for film out of the topic during conversations, but I do secretly wish (okay, not so secretly...) that I had a group of friends who completely understood this side of me. I guess that's why I'm on this forum, though.

[Roderick Usher]

I usually keep my passion for film out of the topic during conversations, but I do secretly wish (okay, not so secretly...) that I had a group of friends who completely understood this side of me. I guess that's why I'm on this forum, though.

and why we're here for you:D

[ManchestrMorgue]

I feel your pain.

I have been a fan of horror for a long time, and haven't found many people in my life that can even understand my enthusiasm, let alone share it.

Most people I know would tend to find the older horror films "boring", and a lot of newer horror films repugnant.

So that leaves the PG-13's. Great :(

I would like a few friends that I could watch these films with, but I don't pick my friends based on their taste in movies.

[VampiricClown]

None of my friends are anywhere near, as film inclined as me. And no, I'm not saying that to sound like a stuck-up, jackass. It's annoying though when my favorite movie happens to be Halloween (1978), and everyone I talk to says that Halloween (2007) is the best movie ever and the old one was left in the dust. I'm sorry, but that just isn't right.

Not to mention, all of the people I know that are "horror fans", favorite movie series is the SaW franchise. That irritates the crap out of me. I mention The Wolf Man (1941), and they say, "you're lame. Those old movies suck." Then of course, being the way I am (short tempered), I tell them off.

Where do the new horror ideas originate from? Our horror history!

I feel your pain man. There is only one of my friends that thinks on the same terms that I do. And I love talking horror films with her. She's the only person who seems to get it. And come on, she likes the film, Slaughtered Vomit Dolls...Oh dear...I didn't realize how.......

I'm fixing to go call her.

Goodnight all.

[The Mothman]

alot of my friends dont like cheese.
they dont have taste.

no pun intended.

[jaybomb]

I have lucked with my friends we all have a common taste in movies, wether it is horror, comedy, drama, action so it works out very well when we get together and have to choose a couple of movies to watch...my girlfriend on the other hand is a completely different story, hates horror, doesn't like my dark sense of humor...so we don't watch much together the last movie we saw in theater together was superbad and she killed it for me by making these comments throughout the whole movie:mad:

[ChronoGrl]

Yeah, my friends can be assholes sometimes, but isn't everyone an asshole occasionally? I'm friends with these people for other reasons, reasons that outweigh their negativity towards film. The topic doesn't really come up that often, I've learned not to mention anything... but when it does (like tonight) it can really irk me.

I do have a few friends who get where I'm coming from. They're usually the ones I have over for movie night. I've also attempted to sort them into 'groups' :p So I know who to bring to the theatre when I go to see a certain movie (It also gets difficult because I have a wide range of friends, and most of them don't get along with one another. I end up going to movies two or three times with different people.)

So it's not as terrible as I might have made it sound in my little spat of rage.

Rod, I've heard good things about most of those Westerns. I think I'll take the time to watch Unforgiven first, and go from there. I'm still saving Blazing Saddles until I'm more education in the genre.

I get that taste is a personal thing. But like so many, I can't get over that. :p When I like a film, I want others to agree. I find myself liking a lot of movies that are also critically acclaimed. I spread the word to a few friends, all of course who have the same opinion on it - that it's bad - and sometimes they sort of 'gang up' on me... like "We're obviously right because there's 3 against 1."

I usually keep my passion for film out of the topic during conversations, but I do secretly wish (okay, not so secretly...) that I had a group of friends who completely understood this side of me. I guess that's why I'm on this forum, though.

This is why we should run away together.

...

Yeah, my friends have never really a) been interested in my taste of movies (and would get defensive when talking about movies THEY liked before I even had a chance to comment) or b) even ANALYZED movies in any way, shape, or form.

My newer sets of friends sort of do the opposite from yours... They'll say that they LOVE a movie, and then just roll their eyes when I say I didn't like it.

For example: Pan's Labryinth. They just blew me off because I didn't like it.

Here on this forum - I talked in depth as to why I didn't like it. Showed that I put a LOT of thought in my opinion (as I ususally do) and we reconciled.

It was a conversation - It was NICE.

My friends aren't like that.

Luckily my boyfriend is analytical and loves talking about film... I need at least ONE person in my life that does that.

...

And that's why I come here.

[missmacabre]

I reallly lucked out with my core group of friends. They all love horror movies, foreign films and obscure indie movies. My boyfriend likes action movies more but since I never really liked action I get to experience new movies with him.
I have friends I hang out with less because they don't live in town and we'll go see a comedy movie every once in a while.

The only people I can talk theories, politics and psycology in movies with are my boyfriend and, surprisingly, my little brother. He's really mature for his age and we can just take ideas and go from there. other than that I come on here for discussion.

I think that your friends could definately be more open minded and accepting though.

[Posher778]

My friends have terrible film taste. One of my best friends fave film of all time is Transformers because of "the amazing acting and plot"....... Unbelievable. She also hated Donnie Darko and Silence of the Lambs....

[missmacabre]

My friends have terrible film taste. One of my best friends fave film of all time is Transformers because of "the amazing acting and plot"....... Unbelievable. She also hated Donnie Darko and Silence of the Lambs....
whooooa what? it's possible to hate Donnie Darko? It makes even the stupidest people think.

[Posher778]

whooooa what? it's possible to hate Donnie Darko? It makes even the stupidest people think.

Evidently not. Stupid crappy action films.

[Despare]

You have no idea how much I hate that a lot of my friends won't watch old, black and white, or subtitled movies. I've given up though. How do you reach somebody whose favorite movie of all time is Borat? Not comedy... not recent film... ALL TIME BEST MOVIE EVER.

[jenna26]

You have no idea how much I hate that a lot of my friends won't watch old, black and white, or subtitled movies.

Yeah, that still bothers me a bit with several of my friends. Won't even give them a chance.

I know the Movie Gallery up here actually has to warn people if they are renting a film with subtitles.....:rolleyes: that is just so sad. Especially considering most of them have a big yellow sticker on the front that reads "Foreign Film".

[Despare]

Yeah, that still bothers me a bit with several of my friends. Won't even give them a chance.

I know the Movie Gallery up here actually has to warn people if they are renting a film with subtitles.....:rolleyes: that is just so sad. Especially considering most of them have a big yellow sticker on the front that reads "Foreign Film".

I'm not even talking black and white just because it's old, I know more than a few people who wouldn't watch Sin City because it was too "black and white".

[jenna26]

I'm not even talking black and white just because it's old, I know more than a few people who wouldn't watch Sin City because it was too "black and white".

Oh I know, I actually had someone get annoyed with me for recommending Ed Wood to them for the same reason. I guess it seems like a valid reason to dismiss a film for some....:rolleyes:

[fortunato]

Yeah, that still bothers me a bit with several of my friends. Won't even give them a chance.

I know the Movie Gallery up here actually has to warn people if they are renting a film with subtitles.....:rolleyes: that is just so sad. Especially considering most of them have a big yellow sticker on the front that reads "Foreign Film".

oh yeah, i work at family video and we have to put stickers on subtitled films so people will know and can't return them because they didn't want to "have to read a movie." i can't tell you how many people put pan's labyrinth back on the shelf after realizing it was in spanish. in fact, here's a rather mind-bogglingly hopeless scenario that once happened to me regarding this:

a man brought a copy of pan's labyrinth up the counter.

MAN: is this movie in spain-ish?

ME: yeah, it's in spanish with english subtitles.

MAN (looking dumbfounded): you mean they made it that way?

ugh. i wanted to spear him through.

[joshaube]

I'm not even talking black and white just because it's old, I know more than a few people who wouldn't watch Sin City because it was too "black and white".

...
I don't think anything needs to be said.
But goddamn.

[missmacabre]

...
I don't think anything needs to be said.
But goddamn.

haha my ex-boyfriend wouldn't watch it with me and used that exact excuse. He's my ex for a reason. Soo closed minded.

Lately my mom has been getting on my nerves about movies. She'll watch movies with me but the problem is that she's mad at me for knowing a lot about movies.

[Psycom5k]

Ugh, I kinda have the same problem with my friends, we do have the same taste in movies, except when I suggest something like Pan's Labyrinth or Sin City, they literally say " Dude, fuck that, what kind of moron reads during a movie?" or " If i wanted to se a black and white movie I'll watch something with my grandma." I fucking hate it because they won't even think of watching anything else. I hate it. Not to mention that I'm like the only one in my group of friends that doesn't really like rap.

[Castlewood]

In response to the original poster... I whole-heartedly know what you mean! I have friends who insist that movies like "Dodgeball" and "Zoolander" are the best comedies ever made, yet they refuse to see such classics as "Caddyshack" or "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

I tell them "Bug" was good, and they say they'd rather watch "Hostel".

Seriously, they think my taste in movies suck. Let's see what you guys think:

My Top 10 All-Time Favorite Films: (1 being the #1 all-time favorite)...

10. The Fountain
9. The Green Mile
8. The Matrix
7. 12 Angry Men
6. Good Will Hunting
5. Psycho (original)
4. Requiem for a Dream
3. Vertigo
2. Heat
1. The Shawshank Redemption

Yep, Shawshank is the best movie I've ever seen. No equal. Some say it's overrated and overhyped, but godammit, nothing beats that movie for me.

And, unlike my friends, my Top 10 list NEVER changes. You might say, "well, The Fountain came out in 2006, so you must've changed something".... HOWEVER, the fact is, I've always kept the slots empty until I've finally found something to fill it with. The Fountain is the last great film I've seen, and that was like 2 years ago. Sad.

And it's funny, because horror is my favorite genre, yet you don't see it all over my list. These movies, believe it or not, all "suck" according to friends. Doesn't that blow your fucking mind??? Not only that, but they refuse to see any movie that came out before 2000. It's like any movie that came out in 1998 or 1999 is now considered "old" or something. Unbelievable.

Now, although "taste" is strictly based on opinion, I have a strong opinion that I have better taste than most people... especially the tools I call my friends.

[alkytrio666]

...
I don't think anything needs to be said.
But goddamn.
Amen, brother. I'd like to slap a few of those folks.

[crabapple]

These people aren't stupid, they're just uneducated. They haven't learned how to look for new experiences. Sit these silly people down and show them all kinds of fun movies and explain to them how none of this modern shit would exist without the stuff that came before it. Teach them to love history--films are a tapestry of cultural history.

[Despare]

These people aren't stupid, they're just uneducated. They haven't learned how to look for new experiences. Sit these silly people down and show them all kinds of fun movies and explain to them how none of this modern shit would exist without the stuff that came before it. Teach them to love history--films are a tapestry of cultural history.

What makes you think I haven't tried? Some people just don't want to listen Crabby, and that's sad. They're not good, there's nothing inside of them that makes them want to learn, they're just bastard coated bastards with a bastard filling.

[ChronoGrl]

NOTE: This is a SERIOUSLY pissed off ChronoGrl needing to vent or else go on a killing spree. And I am REALLY trying to control my rage today.

...


Is it wrong that I seriously HATE going to the movies with my boyfriend's family?

His dad and brother seriously canNOT sit in a theater without talking (one of my personal pet peeves when going to the movies - WHY PAY $10 AND THEN TALK THE WHOLE TIME THROUGH?!). We've already told them that this is not appropriate theater conduct (we had a "talk" after attempting to watch The Mist in peace), but yet TODAY during CLOVERFIELD, his brother simply would not shut the fuck up. "What are those things?! Are those... SPIDERS?"

DIE. It's like interacting with a SMALL CHILD... ... ... BUT HE'S 41.

...

Also. It's like going to the movies... with my grandparents.

Last movie that I went to see with my grandparents: American Sweethearts. Why? Because we were looking for something to DO and it was something that I didn't necessarily OBJECT to go see (and plus they were paying for it).

BUT

I do NOT make it a habit to go to see movies with my grandparents THAT I ACTUALLY WANT TO SEE (anything horror, indie, experimental, or deep) because, well, I know that they would JUST NOT BE INTERESTED (also why I do not subject my FRIENDS to these movies, exept with "grandparents," well, there's just something more... ANNOYING... let me extrapolate):

So today we went to see Cloverfield with my boyfriend's family. While my FRIENDS might have very simple responses such as "AWESOME" or "BLAH!" his FAMILY's responses:

"Man, that shakey cam. It was like... I didn't know what was going ON sometimes."

I seriously cannot comprehend this statement without hearing an exaggerated crotchety old man's voice.

...

Really. Hmmm. I wonder IF THAT WAS FUCKING INTENTIONAL. HOW FUCKING STUPID CAN YOU BE TO MAKE THAT FUCKING COMMENT?! THIS IS WHY I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO DESIRE TO GO TO THE MOVIES WITH HIS FAMILY TO SEE MOVIES THAT I ACTUALLY WANT TO SEE.

And THIS movie experience going on the coattails of my boyfriend and I watching "Sunshine" last night and spending a good hour or so discussing it (not a perfect movie, but enough to evoke conversation on its merits, pitfalls, and complete homage to ALL space movies that have gone before, from Alien to 2001 to even Event Horizon), and then after Cloverfield, the only conversation that THEY can make is, "THERE WAS TOO MUCH SHAKY CAM?!"

It's absolutely so incredibly exhausting to interact with the ignorant masses. Even MORESO when I feel as though I HAVE TO LIKE THEM.

FUCK I HATE PEOPLE

...

[/rant]

[_____V_____]

We should have a code for moments like these.:D

[horrorchic]

I feel the same way as ChronoGrl. My boyfriend and his family have poor taste in movies, but when they do see a good film the conversation is horribly lacking. The orignal author of this thread hit it on the head, when he was talking about friends not wanting to see good films. Even if it is an opinion, it would be nice to share with a person or two on that.

Cloverfield was the only film that my friends could talk to me about. I did not particularly like it at all and my friend happened to agree. I just want to find someone that loves horror as much as myself. I am divorcing my husband for many reasons, abuse mostly, but his lack in teh caring about movies in general thing sucked horrible.

I am thankful for my family. For christmas we spent the day opening gifts of horror films and watching them all day. It was a bloody usually Christmas for us. At my boyfriend's family's house we watched Christmas classics all night.

Taste is so different, but at least I got to watch a movie with him.

[colubrid660]

People have a problem with not reading in between the lines with some movies. I think some of the most genius movies are ones that force the observer to do as much. I obviously consider "Alien" the best Alien movie thus far, and likely forever. But a lot of people I know enjoy Resurrection, which is total shit. There is very little there to redeem that movie. It even adds NOTHING to the story Arc that Alien created way back when. But they like its action, its special effects, its overt gore, and dump on Alien's slow pace and seeming lack of action until the 2nd half of the movie. They are not seeing what makes this film scary, and thats the visuals, and the atmosphere, both of which the film has very large amounts of. Resurrection relies on excessive gore and violence you can see coming from a mile away, which is cheap and lame.

Getting away from horror, you are either a "The Big Lebowski" fan, or you are not. In my eyes, at least, if you can't read between the lines and pay attention to see the humor in this film, you are lame. Stop waiting for the next pratfall or penis joke and realize that comedy can also work by being subtle. This film did bad in American Theatres after its release. I wonder why? A few people I know like this film. The rest don't get why saying "Shomer fucking Shabbis" is so funny.