Controversial opinions about other movies

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  • Posts: 12,521
    It’s easy to get the impression that there were more quality movies made back then because we’re so far removed from that era that the only films that do stand out are the classics, because all the crap has been forgotten. The same will be the case with today’s films where only the standouts will be remembered years down the line.

    When younger people who weren’t even born in the 80s claim they love 80s movies, they’re likely only talk about the classics that stood the test of time. I’d be surprised if a Zoomer has ever heard of a movie like PORKY’S.

    This is a good point, though being not from the 80s I know of Porky’s very well haha. Certainly films like that can’t get made today, and I think there’s a certain nostalgia for naughtier stuff in movies.
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,217
    Growing up in the 90s, movies from the 70s and 80s were basically on constant rotation on TV. Now it’s mostly 2000s and 2010s when I browse, which I guess makes sense. Someone today is more likely to watch/stream THE HANGOVER rather than MEN AT WORK.
  • Posts: 7,653
    FoxRox wrote: »
    It’s easy to get the impression that there were more quality movies made back then because we’re so far removed from that era that the only films that do stand out are the classics, because all the crap has been forgotten. The same will be the case with today’s films where only the standouts will be remembered years down the line.

    When younger people who weren’t even born in the 80s claim they love 80s movies, they’re likely only talk about the classics that stood the test of time. I’d be surprised if a Zoomer has ever heard of a movie like PORKY’S.

    This is a good point, though being not from the 80s I know of Porky’s very well haha. Certainly films like that can’t get made today, and I think there’s a certain nostalgia for naughtier stuff in movies.

    Porky's is hilarious who can forget the wanted posters with a penis or even the legend of Lassie.
  • Posts: 15,229
    His personal problems aside, I find Johnny Depp grossly overrated as an actor.
  • Posts: 2,402
    I'll posit a new hot take:

    Ambulance is the worst movie Michael Bay has ever made.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,207
    I've never seen Ambulance, but if it's Michael Bay's worst, than it most be really bad :))
  • Posts: 2,402
    It's his more or less new film. Utter trash.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    edited May 2022 Posts: 4,694
    Ludovico wrote: »
    His personal problems aside, I find Johnny Depp grossly overrated as an actor.

    I agree 100%. His fans can’t see the flaws in his acting. There’s a true reason why he’s number one, with a fair reason, plus overexposure.

    https://www.thetalko.com/20-of-the-most-overrated-actors-of-all-time-according-to-reddit/

    Controversial opinion: I agree 90% with this list and it’s order. Although I’d have Chris Pratt and Tom Cruise swap places. I’d also take out Leonardo DiCaprio and replace him with Scarlett Johansson.

    https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/adam-sandler-reuniting-with-uncut-gems-duo-the-safdie-brothers/

    I think Adam Sandler is a great dramatic actor, and it’s better to see him reteam with these brothers than “shudder” creepy Dennis Dugan. Sandler has moments of talent in his comedies often, whereas Dugan never did.
  • I can't speak for Depp's more recent roles. I don't think I've seen a new Johnny Depp film in more than 10 years. It's very possible he's dropped off in quality more recently as some actors do. But Depp from the 80s-2010 was seriously legit. His performances were varied, nuanced, and always interesting. I can't recall an occasion when I ever saw him repeat himself in a role.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited May 2022 Posts: 16,602
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Ludovico wrote: »
    His personal problems aside, I find Johnny Depp grossly overrated as an actor.

    I agree 100%. His fans can’t see the flaws in his acting. There’s a true reason why he’s number one, with a fair reason, plus overexposure.

    https://www.thetalko.com/20-of-the-most-overrated-actors-of-all-time-according-to-reddit/

    I think there’s some very odd choices on that list, although I’d agree with Watson, Pratt, Ferrell, Leto (why so low?), Wahlberg. On the other hand, putting Clooney, Cruise, Roberts, Downey Jr & Cumberbatch on there seems bizarre- they’ve all proven themselves to be terrific movie actors. The level of criticism seems to be ‘I’ve them in two similar roles therefore that’s all they can do’.
    Depp has been a good performer in the past so I don’t really agree with him being top of that list.
  • CraigMooreOHMSSCraigMooreOHMSS Dublin, Ireland
    Posts: 8,231
    He arguably became a caricature post-Pirates (probably why he's on the list at all) but Depp's run throughout the 90s was absolutely terrific.
  • Posts: 15,229
    He arguably became a caricature post-Pirates (probably why he's on the list at all) but Depp's run throughout the 90s was absolutely terrific.

    I liked him in Donnie Brasco, I liked Sleepy Hollow, but not particularly because of him. Finding Neverland was good too. I don't think he's a bad actor per se, but he often plays a caricature of himself.
  • Posts: 16,223
    Controversial opinion:

    In this day and age there really aren't too many great movie stars who can carry a film (unless they're in a popular franchise). Few and far between today.
    The days of actors like Paul Newman, Jack Nicholson, Katherine Hepburn, Marlon Brando, etc are long gone.
  • Posts: 15,229
    ToTheRight wrote: »
    Controversial opinion:

    In this day and age there really aren't too many great movie stars who can carry a film (unless they're in a popular franchise). Few and far between today.
    The days of actors like Paul Newman, Jack Nicholson, Katherine Hepburn, Marlon Brando, etc are long gone.

    I'd agree. As much as I dislike him as a person, I think Tom Cruise might be the last genuine movie star. Cate Blanchett is a phenomenal actress and my personal favourite, but more an actress than a star per se, if that makes sense.
  • Posts: 16,223
    Ludovico wrote: »
    ToTheRight wrote: »
    Controversial opinion:

    In this day and age there really aren't too many great movie stars who can carry a film (unless they're in a popular franchise). Few and far between today.
    The days of actors like Paul Newman, Jack Nicholson, Katherine Hepburn, Marlon Brando, etc are long gone.

    I'd agree. As much as I dislike him as a person, I think Tom Cruise might be the last genuine movie star. Cate Blanchett is a phenomenal actress and my personal favourite, but more an actress than a star per se, if that makes sense.

    Excellent points. I suppose I'd put Brad Pitt in there as well, but somehow I just don't rank him along the likes of Al Pacino, Clark Gable, James Stewart, etc
    Cate Blanchett is amazing. Good choice.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    edited May 2022 Posts: 4,694
    ToTheRight wrote: »
    Ludovico wrote: »
    ToTheRight wrote: »
    Controversial opinion:

    In this day and age there really aren't too many great movie stars who can carry a film (unless they're in a popular franchise). Few and far between today.
    The days of actors like Paul Newman, Jack Nicholson, Katherine Hepburn, Marlon Brando, etc are long gone.

    I'd agree. As much as I dislike him as a person, I think Tom Cruise might be the last genuine movie star. Cate Blanchett is a phenomenal actress and my personal favourite, but more an actress than a star per se, if that makes sense.

    Excellent points. I suppose I'd put Brad Pitt in there as well, but somehow I just don't rank him along the likes of Al Pacino, Clark Gable, James Stewart, etc
    Cate Blanchett is amazing. Good choice.

    I agree with you, I’d put on Leo DiCaprio on as well, as he tries to vary his career up. He also avoids intentional blockbusters, which is easy to admire. As for Downey Jr on the list, I think that’s because he hasn’t used his comeback as good as he could have, party thanks to Marvel. I still like him. As for Clooney, he just plays himself. He just tends to get lucky with his material.
  • ProfJoeButcherProfJoeButcher Bless your heart
    Posts: 1,714
    The lack of "proper" movie stars nowadays is more to do with changing audience tastes and the evolution of celebrity culture than it is with any dearth of qualified actors. Downey Jr isn't a movie star, Iron Man is.

    As to the notion of these people "playing themselves", I find Johnny Depp a weird person to label with that, but actors playing themselves, or more accurately, playing roles that fit with a managed persona, is sort of what being a movie star is.
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,999
    I think Depp is very good in most of what I have seen him in; Sleepy Hollow, Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, From Hell, Secret Window (possibly a controversial choice) and Pirates 1 (though I can't blame him for coming back for the sequels, I can't imagine how much money was waved under his nose).
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 16,602
    As to the notion of these people "playing themselves", I find Johnny Depp a weird person to label with that, but actors playing themselves, or more accurately, playing roles that fit with a managed persona, is sort of what being a movie star is.

    Absolutely, being a movie star is not about displaying range, which this list seems weirdly obsessed with.
    Even ignoring that many of them have displayed they do indeed have range.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    If a movie star is someone whose name seems to be a draw and marketing advantage in itself, then Liam Neeson is definitely one.
  • VenutiusVenutius Yorkshire
    Posts: 3,157
    mtm wrote: »
    Absolutely, being a movie star is not about displaying range, which this list seems weirdly obsessed with.
    True - movie stars and actors are not necessarily the same thing, after all.

  • edited May 2022 Posts: 16,223
    If a movie star is someone whose name seems to be a draw and marketing advantage in itself, then Liam Neeson is definitely one.

    I was thinking that as well. As far as today's movies stars go, I wouldn't go see a film simply because Robert Downey Jr, Leo, or Tom Cruise were in it. I might, however for Liam. Something like COLD PURSUIT or THE COMMUTER, even if the film itself is average, it's fun just watching Liam be a bad ass.
  • SIS_HQSIS_HQ At the Vauxhall Headquarters
    edited May 2022 Posts: 3,800
    How about Robert De Niro, Richard Gere and Keanu Reeves?
  • Last_Rat_StandingLast_Rat_Standing Long Neck Ice Cold Beer Never Broke My Heart
    Posts: 4,600
    MI6HQ wrote: »
    How about Robert De Niro, Richard Gere and Keanu Reeves?

    Keanu is a national treasure that must be protected at all costs.
  • Posts: 16,223
    MI6HQ wrote: »
    How about Robert De Niro, Richard Gere and Keanu Reeves?

    Keanu is a national treasure that must be protected at all costs.

    Indeed. I tend to think of him as a 90's star still going strong.
    De Niro of course is a legend. Richard Gere doesn't seem to be on the big screen as much these days. Perhaps I'm wrong? These guys have been around for decades.
  • mattjoesmattjoes Pay more attention to your chef
    Posts: 7,057
    ToTheRight wrote: »
    MI6HQ wrote: »
    How about Robert De Niro, Richard Gere and Keanu Reeves?

    Keanu is a national treasure that must be protected at all costs.

    Indeed. I tend to think of him as a 90's star still going strong.
    De Niro of course is a legend. Richard Gere doesn't seem to be on the big screen as much these days. Perhaps I'm wrong? These guys have been around for decades.

    Gere has been doing smaller movies these last years, still as the lead. The last one I remember is Norman. He also did a miniseries in the UK. A film of his that I think is turning 10 years old this year, and which I'd like to see, is Arbitrage. He has some good scenes with Tim Roth.
  • Posts: 1,927
    ToTheRight wrote: »
    Controversial opinion:

    In this day and age there really aren't too many great movie stars who can carry a film (unless they're in a popular franchise). Few and far between today.
    The days of actors like Paul Newman, Jack Nicholson, Katherine Hepburn, Marlon Brando, etc are long gone.

    Not controversial at all. Closer to fact. For years, I've said I'm more interested in seeing a movie with an interesting director than any star, although I'm interested in the new Nic Cage movie as it looks good and I like him, as well as Top Gun Maverick as I've been a Cruise fan for years. But they're the exceptions these days.
  • Posts: 15,229
    The lack of "proper" movie stars nowadays is more to do with changing audience tastes and the evolution of celebrity culture than it is with any dearth of qualified actors. Downey Jr isn't a movie star, Iron Man is.

    As to the notion of these people "playing themselves", I find Johnny Depp a weird person to label with that, but actors playing themselves, or more accurately, playing roles that fit with a managed persona, is sort of what being a movie star is.

    Then Depp is more of a movie star (albeit maybe a fallen one) than an actor.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 41,011
    Cruise is one of the few movie stars left these days.

    And as for Marvel characters, most of these guys don't have the most successful careers outside their respective roles. Like someone else said - Downey Jr. isn't a movie star, it's Iron Man and his performance within that character that people show up for. It's why nobody shows up for films like The Judge or Dolittle.
  • Posts: 380
    In the eighties and nineties I would often go to see a movie solely based on who was in it. The new Mel Gibson, the latest Harrison Ford movie etc. Didn't matter the genre if I liked the actor that was enough. That very rarely happens today.
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