Example #53 of how I’m a hypocrite
Whenever I write a seemingly personal post, like yesterday’s, I feel like I should follow up with something more generic. Something true, but something that doesn’t make me feel so exposed.
And I think I am trying to do that with today’s topic, but I really think it makes me sounds like a… jerk. Oh well. Maybe you can relate to the topic.
So, here’s a truth about me: I don’t trust other people’s judgment in movies AT ALL (except Steven – because he knows what I like and don’t like). If someone tells me a movie is good, I really won’t believe them. I’ll ask them questions about WHAT they liked about it, but I won’t believe it is good until I see it for myself.
We all have different tastes. And when someone recommends a movie to you, they are just trying to be nice. I understand that, because I DO IT TOO. I am such a hypocrite. I often find myself telling people, “I watched whatever movie this weekend and I really think you would like it.” I am even guilty of sending people DVDs in the mail because I think they will like them (so dad, what did you think of Idiocracy?).
And I really hate feeling disappointed when I see a movie, and don’t like it. Especially when it is something A LOT of people have told me they liked (and even critics liked), and I was actually starting to look forward to seeing it – like Wanted. I felt bored in the theater, and that a lot of it was predictable. I didn’t find the action that exciting, or the story even that interesting. I did love seeing the scenes in Chicago… but I wouldn’t see it again. Or recommend it to anyone else.
But who cares, right? I’m sure some people would never want to see the movies I am looking forward to this summer. Again, it’s all personal taste. But it’s also something we feel compelled to share with each other for some reason.
Themocracy
I hate having movies hyped up to me. I’d rather hear “I liked it” or “I didn’t like it” than anything much more than that. For example, the movie Van Helsing. My family just went overboard with how much they loved it. People everywhere kept saying it was such a great, fun movie. I really had my hopes up when I saw it, and while I didn’t hate it or anything I just kinda felt…. “eh… whatever” about it. I think it was because everyone said it was great. I probably would have really enjoyed the movie if I had seen it before people blathered on about it (and my family is really bad, because my mother forgets she has told you things and then does it again and again…)
And now most of my movie experiences are kid movies. Which, by the way – I enjoyed Journey to the Center of the earth… no idea if you’d like it, but I enjoy lusting for Brendan Fraser. Always worth 2 hours of my time. 😉
Everyone knows that I see most movies when they hit the theatre so they always ask me what I think. I always preface it with if you like that kind of movie…….usually followed by I am not a huge fan or I really dug it or I am a fan of these movies but this one was a little off. Wanted would have been on of those if you are a fan of fast action movies then you will love it (because the storyline is a little weak but the action is pretty much non-stop once it starts)!! In other words, I loved it because I did not have to think at all 🙂
Now I am looking forward to Mamma Mia and Batman this weekend but I haven’t seen them so I won’t be recommending anything other than get your tickets early LOL
This is not about the movies but….I do the same thing with my blog posts. Only, I will go days and days on an emotional bender, then feel like the next week has to be all fluff and nonsense.
Funny thing is…more people read when I am emotional. Go figure.
Asking for elaboration is a good call. I tend to say “Is it good like (insert movie/music/book other person and I both like) or good like (insert movie/music/book other person likes but I don’t)” Sometimes it works.
So reverse psychology will work?
I’ve heard that hardcore porn is terrible.
The only person whose movie opinion I trust 100% is my dad. And that’s largely because he’s been proven over time to be totally aligned with me…although I like the “indie” films a lot better than he does, so it doesn’t work both ways.
I try to go into most movies with low or no expectations. But when I feel like I’ve wasted good money on seeing a movie I was “meh” about, it really bums me out!
So… what did you think of Idiocracy? Personally, I thought it was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I actually don’t know many people who watch a lot of movies… my in laws probably see the most, maybe one or two a month. We’ve learned that we never, ever trust anything my FIL recommends unless my MIL also enjoyed it. My FIL is a kid at heart, so while his recommendations would be great for little kids, they’re not always right for adults.
Kyra – See! I am guilty of that! Like, with Iron Man, – I kept telling everyone to see it because it was so awesome. I am sure some people thought it totally sucked! Yet, another thing I DO, that actually annoys me as well. (I am actually liking some kid movies, especially the Pixar ones!)
Felicia – Disclaimers are always a good idea. AND I AM SO PSYCHED FOR BATMAN! YEAH!
Hilly – I think more people comment because they can relate! But it always makes me feel a bit exposed… uncomfortable… uneasy… I wonder why. I know people aren’t here to judge me.
Cheryl – That is an AWESOME idea. I am going to try that next time. But then still take that with a grain of salt! LOL.
kapgar – Nope, sorry! 🙂
diane – I hate going to movies with low expectations… but I do it too. It’s just not as exciting. Why even go then? You know? 🙁 That’s cool that you and your Dad are aligned like that. I think that’s kind of rare!
Jenn – I thought it was hilarious and maybe a somewhat accurate window into the future 🙂 But we know other people who hated it, so we were completely surprised when we liked it! We have people like your FiL in our family too… but I won’t mention any names! 😉
I tend not to go to many movies, but in general, don’t care much for the big hype movies, so I don’t usually go see them. (It took me over 20 years to see ‘ET’.) I don’t know, I usually just wait until they’re on HBO or something like that. Besides something really annoying usually happens when I see a movie in a theater, like the people behind me doing a play by play, or someone sitting right next to me who doesn’t have the best personal hygiene.
I was going to tell you that I didn’t think you’d like WANTED but I didn’t think you’d listen…
PS – I didn’t like it either.
I haven’t been to a movie in a really long time. Movies really aren’t my thing. BUT I generally have horrible taste in movies so if I ever tell you I liked something, you would be best off staying away from it.
Odie – I HATE HATE HATE when I go to the theater and have to sit next to a bunch of miscreants. I know that is not why I didn’t like Wanted though – there were only 4 other people in the theater!
Gary LaPointe – Ha ha ha. I probably wouldn’t have 😉
Tori – Thanks for the warning. I do like some awful girlie movies. There are just a few genres I stay away from though!
I have friends who have such monumentally bad taste in movies that I ask them for recommendations just so that I know what I DON’T want to go and see.
I can’t tell if that’s smart or mean.
Whiskeymarie – LOL! I like your style. I have a family member like that. HA HA. We always don’t see the movies they recommend!