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What's the dumbest blockbuster movie you have seen that somehow received high praise? (lemm.ee)

submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) by FookReddit69@lemm.ee to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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I'm not saying the worst, otherwise I would need to include the star wars sequels or transformers movies... Just some really dumb movie that somehow got praised.

For me has to be Ready Player One. That movie message is so "uhuh" obvious that is stupid, the whole nerd that saves the world in a thing that otherwise would be useless to know in real life... The so over the top evil gaming corporation. The whole 80s and 90s movies and games references get old after half an hour... And it's so pandering towards the geeks and nerds, they really want the viewer feeling really cool for knowing that is the Shining hallway, or that is a Monty python reference... Or look a GUNDAM! YOU'RE SO COOL FOR COLLECTING THOSE GUN PLA! Look we have also overwatch and halo in the background! You're so cool modern gamer!

Also the obviously attractive "nerd" hacker girl that thinks she's ugly and deformed for having a small hard to see red tint in one side of her pretty face... Cmon man. In no universe anyone would think that actress is ugly.

And the message at the end is so hilarious: Look man, you're cool for getting these references and being a real gamer is cool, but go outside more!

Is like the creators have no self awareness.

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[–] NauticalNoodle@lemmy.ml 20 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Crash the 2004 hit movie not the 1996 Cronenberg Cult-classic.

to elaborate, it was insincere corporate virtue signalling designed specifically to bait the academy awards by using a multi-character parallel storytelling style that is only ever celebrated amongst industry snobs.

[–] niktemadur@lemmy.world 5 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (3 children)

a multi-character parallel storytelling style that is only ever celebrated amongst industry snobs

I'm going to agree with caveats here, because some directors who are actual artists do it for the sake of the film and the challenge of it, as opposed to what I'll refer to as "industry types", who do it for the prizes. And some crazy bastards manage to pull it off. Three names come to mind - Robert Altman, Paul Thomas Anderson and Steven Soderbergh.

I've never seen "Crash" and never wanted to, from what I've read, the bland yet heavy-handed results onscreen, plus the lazy reflexive accolades, made me view the whole thing with a cynical eye, like you.

In fact, Robert Altman had a thing or two to say about those "industry types", in his triumphant early-90s comeback film "The Player".
Also, do yourself a favor and watch Altman's "Short Cuts", to see parallel storytelling at its' best.

[–] prole@sh.itjust.works 4 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Short Cuts is amazing. Altman changed the game in many ways. I believe he changed the entire way we record dialogue because the way we did it before just didn't work for him.

[–] niktemadur@lemmy.world 4 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Altman came in throwing punches with the noisy background and chaotic dialogue wafting every which way, right from the outset, on MASH and McCabe & Mrs Miller, which is why it's a good idea to watch his films with English subtitles turned on.

I don't remember the cacophony being as intense in some of his other early works, like Brewster McCloud, California Split and The Long Goodbye.
But in Nashville, it's most certainly there, front and center and in your face.

[–] prole@sh.itjust.works 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I've only ever seen Short Cuts (loved it), the Player (liked it a lot), and McCabe and Mrs Miller (ehh....). How do you think I'd feel about his other films?

[–] niktemadur@lemmy.world 2 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

My recommendations to you are as follows:

My favorite Altman film overall probably might have to be The Long Goodbye. Check out how the camera is always moving, if even slightly; there are no static shots. Midway through the movie, the great Sterling Hayden steals the show. And keep an eye out for a very, very young Ahnold Schwarzenegger in a bit role as literal and figurative muscle for the batshit insane bad guy.

Brewster McCloud is a bonkers twisted fantasy that caught me by surprise by how much I enjoyed it, it's about a kid who:

Lives in the Astrodome in secret, in a forgotten construction nook, a big one, between walls and floors.
Wants to be able to fly.
Is being encouraged by an older woman, who might actually already know how to fly.

Also, there are people being killed all over town, and it might have something to do with all this.

[–] prole@sh.itjust.works 2 points 5 months ago

Thanks, I've saved your comment and I'll add them to the list.

[–] NauticalNoodle@lemmy.ml 4 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

"In fact, Robert Altman had a thing or two to say about those “industry types”, in his triumphant early-90s comeback film “The Player”. Also, do yourself a favor and watch Altman’s “Short Cuts”, to see parallel storytelling at its’ best."

Thanks, I'll be sure to check those out. I was a little worried I came off too hot with my take. I won't say it can't be done well, it's just that I've never seen it done well since I first learned about the storytelling style in my intro to film studies course in college.

[–] BigBananaDealer@lemm.ee 3 points 5 months ago

crash has like one good scene in the entire film. the rest is total garbage that me and a friend laughed at the entire time we watched it