My Most Overrated Films

This list is inspired by the fact that so many people list Shawshank Redemption as one of their favourite films of all time; despite actually finding it average and hold it in high regard because they think they’re supposed to or because everyone else says it’s so great. It’s, I asked 4 people. To be fair all these films are overrated so they are in no particular order.

1.       Shawshank Redemption

Indulge me. I know speaking against this film maybe taboo but it’s painfully average. Yes there are some good quotes, yes it has a happy ending and yes it has Morgan Freeman but that doesn’t make it as amazing as everyone says! Marred with clichés (the aged prison philosopher befriending/ mentoring the wrongly convicted introverted accountant as he tries to survive sadistic guards and an evil prison warden), we are shown that maintaining dignity through the hardest of situations (Prison Rape anyone?) and good will prevail over evil. This is a lie, it’s such a misleading lie that it should be considered irresponsible! And it’s sooooo bleeding long, over 2 hours of this. I’ll concede it’s a decent film but it’s not the master piece everyone makes it out to be. Next time someone asks you what your favourite film is and before you say Shawshank, ask yourself if you really mean it, please, just for me.

 2.       Citizen Kane

This Orson Welles ‘masterpiece’  film sat atop of many lists complied by ‘resected’ movie critics as the greatest film of all time until recently (deservedly) dethroned by Hitchcock’s Vertigo. For some reason it’s considered a ground-breaking piece of cinema, a tale of sorrow drenched with intricate subtlety and mystery. It’s not. I mean its ok; it’s just a bit dull (like sitting through a uni lecture on some facet of chemistry accompanied with grey PowerPoint slides and unenthused lecturer).

Honestly, it’s really well shot and put together, the cinematography and presentation is well ahead of its time and the plot makes sense, sort of. But it’s the ending that really gets my goat. A Sled!! Rosebud was a fricking Sled!! Kane was a prick, but a Sled was his greatest love! Gimme my 2 hours back.

 3.       Titanic

This is shit on so many levels. It’s a clichéd love story of people from different economic backgrounds but on a boat that sinks. That’s it. That didn’t take 3 hours. Plus parts of it didn’t even make sense. You know what? I’ll give you this; I refuse to give this movie anymore my time after it pilfered 3 hours already.

Hello. Hola. Aloha. Wagwan

I like to think I’m a pop culture nerd. But after a recent conversation with a friend where I was unable to name what in my opinion of the greatest film of all time is, he pointed out that one couldn’t be a fan boy and not answer a “question thats simple as Fu[dge]“.

After some soul searching and probably useless further thought into the question I came up with a theory. Labelling greatness in this context comes down to 2 things, mood and genre.

The thing is, for me, enjoyability of these things (apart from being objective) come down to mood and this is the same for television shows, music & even YouTube videos.  I mean, as great a film as, let’s say Saving Private Ryan is (it is unequivocally loved amongst men) there is a time when one wouldn’t enjoy it because the mood isn’t right. Even a video of a theatric Chipmunk with over35.8 million views (35.8!!! Are you shitting me) will only be enjoyed under the right circumstances.

With regard to genre, it would be naïve and a bit ignorant to compare and rank two perceived great films (or whatever) when they are polar opposites in style. Why would anyone compare Zoolander to Shawshank Redemption? That would be as ludicrous as comparing Apples & Oranges, Kathryn Jenkins & Lady Gaga*, Football & Tennis or even the Japanese to Jamaicans! It’s just a feckless task.

So seeing as I was planning to start writing again, much to the demand of fans of my previous blog and having pinched inspiration from having watched High Fidelity far too many times, I am planning on inundating you with endless lists hopefully entertaining you, whilst possibly starting or ending arguments with your mates**. I’ll throw in the odd review and bits from around the world that probably only fascinate me. Sweet! Lets get started.

Leave some comments below and tell your pals please, cheeeeerrrrrrrssssssssssss.

 *No I don’t think there is anything rreally great about Lady Gaga but for I couldn’t think of anything more opposite to Kathryn Jenkins who I’m told is pretty great.

 ** Actually I’m bored and have no friends. Will you be my friends?