The quality of movies...rant, and request for suggestions

[Mighty Girl]

I don't know if this is a sign I'm getting old or what, but I am completely disappointed with most of the movies they're putting out these days. My husband and I actually have several free movie passes (he gets them as perks at work) and have been checking the movie listings for months waiting for something to be worth seeing.

Because I have a child, my "grownup" time is limited and therefore prudently used. Plus, last time I saw a movie it was $4 for a bottle of water, so it better be good. And there's the little voice in my head that reminds me that most movies are released to DVD approx. 3 months after they close up at the box office. Then there's the final hurdle, finding a movie that we both want to see. NOT HAPPENED YET.

And don't even get me started on movie previews. I don't know how many times I've dove for the remote because some scary ass movie preview is playing during the commercial break for Everybody Loves Raymond. The last thing I need is my daughter waking up with nightmares because she saw the ads for the latest Hannibal Lector movie. And for the record, those types of movie previews scare the crap out of ME, let alone her.

Ok, so either I'm expecting too much out of the movie industry, or they suck. Either way, does anybody have any suggestions for movies to rent?

I loved: Christmas Vacation, Sneakers, Hackers, Mean Girls, Kill Bill (I and II), Desperado, Heat, 28 Days, Head Over Heels, Boiler Room, Hitch, Bruce Almighty, Collateral, Deuce Bigalow, Joe Dirt, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Double Jeopardy, Jumanji, The Glass House, Training Day, Swordfish and pretty much any Adam Sandler movie. I hate gory movies and sad movies. I like happy endings, I get enough reality in my own reality.

Give me some ideas PLEASE! Maybe my taste just sucks, I don't know, or maybe my free time has decreased exponentially and I'm stingy when parting with it.

[Rapscallion]

And don't even get me started on movie previews. I don't know how many times I've dove for the remote because some scary ass movie preview is playing during the commercial break for Everybody Loves Raymond.

Interestingly enough, in the UK the trailers have to be limited to the same age category as the main feature. That doesn't happen over there?

Rapscallion

[DarthRetard]

Nope. If you buy the ad time slot, you got it. Age requirements, nothing. America's becoming too liberal with that crap. I really wish it was more like the UK though in that sense. I wish our congress was more fun to watch too. I love watching televised parliament.

[squall]

Ha! You got about the same movie tastes as my wife. I'm guessing mine are more like your husband's. No wonder we can't find movies to agree on, no offense or anything. I like guy movies, sci fi, war, and scary movies.

[Mighty Girl]

They SHOULD have some sort of rule, IMHO, that they can only show those previews after 9 pm. I'm sure someone would scream censorship if that happened though.

And to squall- no offense taken. I actually do like non-girly movies, but whenever one of use suggests a movie the other one has a look like they've grown an extra head. I wanted to see my Super Ex Girlfriend and Night at the Museum, he wanted to see Departed. Go figure.

[sportsmom]

I watched "Idiocracy" not too long ago and really enjoyed it. Very funny, but there was a point to it also. Plus, it doesn't hurt that it was the same guy that made "Office Space". Here's a few movies you may like:


Legend of 1900 (not a true "happy ending" in some ways, but a fabulous movie)
Failure to Launch (cute, not amazing, but very cute)
National Treasure (that's a big hit at our house and even our 5yo will watch it)
Glory Road
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Without a Paddle (funny, not very intelligent, but very funny)
V for Vendetta (violent without being overly gory, but a FABULOUS movie)
The Pacifier (good family movie)
Finding Neverland


Hopefully some of those will work for you.

[Greenday]

Interestingly enough, in the UK the trailers have to be limited to the same age category as the main feature. That doesn't happen over there?

Rapscallion

I'm taking it you don't know that Everybody Loves Raymond is a tv show. On tv, they can show previews for movies up to Rated-R. After that, no porn on tv. But in the movies, yes, the previews can only have a max rating of whatever the main feature has.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Can't think of any to rent at the moment, but I just saw Night at the Museum. It was really cute and funny, and I saw it with my friend who didn't really want to see it, but he really enjoyed it too. Kid-friendly, even, if the kid isn't too too young. I think it's PG though. So, something to use your movie passes on, maybe.

[Silvercat]

If you want to go to the movies, I can recommend A Night at the Museum. It has a similar 'feel' as Jumanji, but not as scary.

I hardly ever see movies at the theater, so I can't speak for anything else that's out...

[rvdammit]

Nope. If you buy the ad time slot, you got it. Age requirements, nothing. America's becoming too liberal with that crap. I really wish it was more like the UK though in that sense. I wish our congress was more fun to watch too. I love watching televised parliament.

With tv advertising (rather than cinema/theatre Raps mentioned) there's something called 9 o'clock watershed. If it's before 9pm adverts and programmes need to be child friendly.

[ladodger34]

If you want to go to the movies, I can recommend A Night at the Museum. It has a similar 'feel' as Jumanji, but not as scary.

I hardly ever see movies at the theater, so I can't speak for anything else that's out...

For a date movie, I'm not sure that I would go see Night at the Museum. It was a family movie and more of a kid's movie at that. If you haven't seen Zathura, I would recommend it. It's been on DVD for a while now.

As for movies that may still be around at the theater, I would recommend The Pursuit of Happyness or We are Marshall for a date movie, adult time type of thing. Dream Girls was pretty good, but you have to like musicals. The Queen was excellent.

If you want to see a chick flick that your other half might like, rent "The Lake House". I despise chick flicks and I enjoyed. My fiance did as well.

[BookstoreEscapee]

For a date movie, I'm not sure that I would go see Night at the Museum. It was a family movie and more of a kid's movie at that. If you haven't seen Zathura, I would recommend it. It's been on DVD for a while now.

As for movies that may still be around at the theater, I would recommend The Pursuit of Happyness or We are Marshall for a date movie, adult time type of thing. Dream Girls was pretty good, but you have to like musicals. The Queen was excellent.

If you want to see a chick flick that your other half might like, rent "The Lake House". I despise chick flicks and I enjoyed. My fiance did as well.

I liked The Lake House too. And I'm not a Keanu Reeves fan either. Went with a bunch of girls and 1 guy. He hated it and the rest of us liked it. I want to see Dream Girls.

There's a theater near me that does $5 movies all day on Tuesdays so we used to go almost every week. Haven't been in a while since they stop it during the holidays and all our schedules have been screwy....

Ooh, rent Cars. I know it's a kids' movie but it's got so much for the adults that'll just go over the little ones' heads. I actually want to see it again cuz I know there's stuff I missed.

[ladodger34]

I just wanted to add one more thing too...

I know I'll get guffaws for this, but if you aren't sure about seeing a movie, read some reviews for it or visit rottentomatoes.com. I know alot of people don't exactly trust reviews (my fiance hates that I read reviews) but they can steer you towards a movie that you may have stayed away from or steer you away from a real stinker.

[BookstoreEscapee]

I just wanted to add one more thing too...

I know I'll get guffaws for this, but if you aren't sure about seeing a movie, read some reviews for it or visit rottentomatoes.com. I know alot of people don't exactly trust reviews (my fiance hates that I read reviews) but they can steer you towards a movie that you may have stayed away from or steer you away from a real stinker.

Good point...they can also give you an idea of what a movie is about when the trailers give you NO idea whatsoever (I'm thinkin' Smokin Aces here...)

I also kinda want to see Because I Said So. Parlty cuz Lauren Graham (Lorelei Gilmore) is in it and I like her. And it looks cute in a chick flick kind of way. And I'm a chick.

-ams-

[reformedwaitress]

Both Over the Hedge and Cars, though technically kids movies, are very very cute. I also love The Devil Wears Prada. Might be one worth considering.

Oh and movies out right now? I loved Dreamgirls. And I really like The Pursuit of Happyness too

[rvdammit]

I just wanted to add one more thing too...

I know I'll get guffaws for this, but if you aren't sure about seeing a movie, read some reviews for it or visit rottentomatoes.com. I know alot of people don't exactly trust reviews (my fiance hates that I read reviews) but they can steer you towards a movie that you may have stayed away from or steer you away from a real stinker.

For me the reviewer is as important ans the review itself. I can resonably rely on one reviewer to hate what I like and like what I hate.

[MadMike]

I thought I was the only one. I don't get out to see movies much anymore either. Granted, some of it is because of the outrageous cost, the stupid commercials at the beginning, and the idiots who don't know how to act in public; but a lot of it is that I just don't see much that interests me anymore.

It's not even that I have a narrow set of interests. I like comedy (including some of the really "stupid" ones), action, sci-fi, and even some mild horror. What I don't like is ones that are overly gory. Yes, a lot of people have been surprised to find out that, despite my psychotic appearance, I actually have a weak stomach.

The movies I saw last year, I could probably count on one hand. I know my son and I saw "Click" and "Clerks 2." I think the last X-Men came out sometimes last year, as well as the last "Pirates." Did the last Harry Potter come out last year, or was that the year before? If it was last year, then that's exactly five.

About the only thing I've seen advertised that I think I'd like is "Epic Movie." I love a good spoof! The local movie critic didn't like it (only gave it one star), but I find I can't always go by that. I've ended up loving movies that the critics have hated, and I've also walked out in the middle of one or two that got rave reviews.

[ladodger34]

For me the reviewer is as important ans the review itself. I can resonably rely on one reviewer to hate what I like and like what I hate.

Yeah, that's the key with reviewers. If you can find a reviewer that you like and generally agree with, keep reading his/her reviews.

[NightAngel]

I may be a bit jaded towards movies as I've worked in the video stores for so long. And I get to watch all my movies for free so I'm never wasting money on something I hate- but I don't like a lot of what's coming out anymore either.

My room is set up so we have the TV next to the computer. I bring home a movie, put it in and sit down at the computer and either play a game or come here. If the movie is interesting enough that I actually stop using the computer and sit back and watch it- then it's good.

Some people will hate me for this but I thought Talledega Nights was so incredibly stupid it actually HURT. My hubby (who seems to be a sucker for punishment) watched the whole thing. I wound up putting on headphones and blasting music so I wouldn't have to even hear it anymore. I also turned off Snakes On A Plane after 20 minutes for sheer stupidity and despised Crank though I saw the whole thing. I thought Wicker Man was good- but then it had a disappointing ending :( .

Recent movies that I liked (though few):

Lady In The Water (Not horror! Why does everyone always think his movies are going to be horror?)
You, Me and Dupree (Not an Academy movie, sure. But entertaining.)
Cars
Over The Hedge
Pirates Of The Carribean 2 (Leaves you wanting 3 pretty bad.)
Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior

Movies I've heard good things about:

All The King's Men
Devil Wears Prada
Saw III
Little Miss Sunshine

I love a good spoof!

If you also like Martial Arts movies I recommend seeing White Dragon. It's a spoof/comedy of movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. My whole family enjoyed it.

[Rapscallion]

I'm taking it you don't know that Everybody Loves Raymond is a tv show. On tv, they can show previews for movies up to Rated-R. After that, no porn on tv. But in the movies, yes, the previews can only have a max rating of whatever the main feature has.

Guilty as charged - Brit who doesn't watch television stands little chance. I also was under the impression that we were talking about trailers before the main movie, not on TV. They show gory stuff on TV before watershed? Sheesh!

Rapscallion

[Crazyredhead]

I'm a very poor role model for movies. I love gory, scary movies.

My kids watch the movies I do. Now before everyone starts throwing bricks at me, I know that I should have never let my kids start watching these movies, but at the time I didn't see a problem with it. I now understand that that wasn't the best choice. My 16 year old has seen more 80's slasher movies than I have, she has seen all of the Final Destination movies, Silent Hill, The hills have eyes, Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal, Jackass 1 and 2 and the TV show, the Saw trilogy and other R rated movies.

The entire family has sat up watching R rated movies together. My kids all know that these movies are make believe and the results of someones twisted imagination. None of my kids have fared ill because of watching these movies.

The only movies that I don't like the kids watching is the gansta movies. Where every other word coming from there mouths has the f word in it or movies with sex in it or cussing. My husband is bad with that, he will bring home a gangsta movie or a movie with a lot of cussing and I have to make him watch it when the kids aren't around.

There are no porno movies in the house (that I know of). I got rid of them a long time ago. But I have no problem watching them, with or without hubby.

I also like comedies and action adventure movies, fantasy, old B&W movies and war movies. I can't find my Saving Private Ryan movie anywhere. I have a feeling that my daughter taped over it. War movies have to be realistic, no song and dance in the middle of the battlefield on a tank. That is the reason I liked the season 1 of CSI, they showed what happens going in, through and out in detail.

I am simple and easily amused. The best movie that I have seen without a lot of gore but scared the hell out of me was "House on Haunted Hill".

[CaroPhoenix]

I would most definitely recommend "Boondock Saints". However, I think you might have a better chance of buying it online than actually finding it to rent. It is a very very very violent movie (there is the one scene with the cat that upset me - I have 2 cats - but I LOVE watching it).

I also watch anything that has Steven Segal in it. I love his flims. (Violent again, yes, but he's so entertaining).

Hubby bought the movie "Incredible Ironman" or something like that. Anime - LOVED IT ... Even Kelly (our 3 y.o. who only likes shows/movies showing singing & dancing and stuff like that, actually watched the Ironman movie with us.)

I also like older movies. Silent films are great however, I do enjoy the movie, "Freaks", but I refeuse to watch "Gone with the Wind".

My favorite movie of all time is "Auntie Mame" starring Rosalind Russell. I also love the musical "Gypsy" starring Ms. Russell and Natalie Wood in the title role. I love musicals. Love them to pieces!

[ahanix1989]

I blame the following movies for ruining cinema:

Freddy got Fingered
Little Man
Zoom
Spy Kids
Deuce Bigalow
RV


Either it's just plain stupid (Little Man / Freddy Got Fingered), or destroys even the faintest glimmer of reality (RV, Spy Kids), or picks the worst possible choice for such a role (Deuce Bigalow).

[ditchdj]

Anyone hear of "Catch and Release"??? The teacher that trained me when I was a student teacher has a nephew that's in it, Sam Jaeger. Gotta envy the guy: he gets to kiss Jennifer Garner AND get paid for it! :D

[NightAngel]

BBV carries Boondock Saints for rent and sale- and I agree it's a good movie.

Some of my all time faves in no particular order:

When Harry Met Sally
Moulin Rouge
The Lost Boys
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Interview With the Vampire
Bill & Ted
Robin Hood: Prince of Theives (the Kevin Costner version)
Big Fish
Second Hand Lions
Practical Magic
Anything with Jackie Chan
StarGate
What About Bob
Groundhog Day
The Replacements
Neccesary Roughness
Resident Evil (series)
An Unfinished Life
French Kiss
Star Wars (series)
Harry Potter (series)
Gladiator
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Last Boy Scout
Die Hard (series)
Willow
The Princess Bride
Very Bad Things