What movies have you enjoyed that everyone else despises?

I'm not talking about some fiasco like "Heaven's Gate" that was universally -- and rightly -- condemned on its release, a film that for some imbecile reason you liked, and kept liking, until enough others began to like it as well, allowing you to lie to yourself about how right you were when everyone else was wrong. No, I'm not referring to that. I'm talking about those guilty pleasures that make you so guilty you dare not mention them approvingly in certain circles, since such a confession would mark you for life, scarring your reputation beyond any hope of recovery. I mean those movies that will never develop a cult following, that merit the scorn that's been heaped upon them. Don't pretend you haven't got a few of these in the closet. None of us has perfect taste. No matter how much you educate your taste buds, you still make room for chili fries and pork rinds. I realize that it's mighty tough standing up in front of everybody and saying, "My name is Rupert, and I'm an alco -- excuse me, I actually enjoyed _______________ (fill in the blank)."

I'm gifted when it comes to publicly degrading myself, so I'll start. Here are four -- there are others -- that I've seen and ENJOYED, even though I know they're every bit as bad as everyone says they are:

ISHTAR

DEATH TO SMOOCHY

MOHAWK

LAND OF THE PHARAOHS

I've seen the first two only once, and that was after they'd been denounced and burned in effigy all over this land. I suppose I mention that to suggest that, if I saw them a second time, my eyes would see the truth, and I could make myself clean again. Don't bet on it.

The second two are not really hated by everyone. In fact, they have their acolytes. But they'll never convince me. I've seen both films many times and will see them again. Those of us who enjoy them know the reasons why, reasons which I won't disclose, since they'd exhibit me as a coarse and lewd fellow.

Anyone else willing to confess?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Juli on September 20, 2008 at 6:06pm: I actually liked Heaven's Gate, but one time around only. The budget fiasco surrounding it, plus the extended shooting schedule, all the rumors, I didn['t think I would be bothered with it, but I'm glad I did. Ishtar??? Oh you must be a glutton for punishment.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sevorin on September 20, 2008 at 7:14pm: "Heaven's Gate" is one of those true rarities. A movie that all the critics were right about. It's not simply that it's bad -- that's easy to see. It's that it goes on for days, and the ways it finds to elongate the misery are the only original things about it. The fact that there is an effort to re-evaluate it, with some lunatics calling it some sort of unappreciated treasure, is the surest evidence that modern critical standards have gone straight down the toilet.

As to my confession about "Ishtar"? What can I tell you? Here I stand, a shabby emigre.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Juli on September 20, 2008 at 9:20pm: That's okay, I'll own up to being able to watch The Way We Were at least a half dozen times and probably would watch it again. Not that I think Streisand is a terrific actress, but because I like the story line and she is still one of my favorite singers (have to admit I was lucky enough to see her perform live in Vegas and that was amazing). I'm sure this fact is enough to make people groan.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sevorin on September 20, 2008 at 9:41pm: I liked "The Way We Were." Wasn't I s'posed to?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Juli on September 20, 2008 at 10:14pm: I think it gets a bad rap for being a sappy chic flick - but because it included so much history in the story line, I think it was more then that. Heck, my mom was involved with helping to support the Hollywood 10.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sevorin on September 20, 2008 at 10:32pm: I don't like sappy chick flicks, but I lo-o-ove politically incorrect "women's pictures" like -- well, like "The Women." But I probably liked "The Way We Were" for the same reasons you did.

Your mom is to be commended.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by The Professor on September 20, 2008 at 6:21pm: I don't think Death to Smoochy was generally despised, people just didn't seem to notice the humor.

OK, this is a bit embarrassing, but I saw "The Last Action Hero" in the theater and really liked it. I saw it again on TV a year or so ago and still thought it was witty and satirical.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sevorin on September 20, 2008 at 7:24pm: C'mon, Prof. You can't get away with that. Anybody with eyes to see can tell you that "The Last Action Hero" -- whatever its faults -- is a better movie than it's given credit for. No one should feel embarrassed about liking it. It has humor and intelligence and, perhaps for that reason, seems to alienate Arnie's regular audiences.

Pry open the chamber door and let your Id escape long enough to tell the truth. What is your GUILTY PLEASURE, the one that really embarrasses you to admit to enjoying?

Thanks for kissing my wounds, but there's no need to make me feel better. I know what "Death to Smoochy" is, and I've already faced my demons.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Slappy on September 22, 2008 at 11:18am: I don't think Death to Smoochy was generally despised, people just didn't seem to notice the humor.
Couldn't agree more, I loved it. I didn't know it was generally not liked, see how much I pay attention.

"The Last Action Hero"
Yeah I would say that is a good choice for this topic, don't feel bad Prof mine is almost as bad but I love a ton of movies people hate. Anyway my guilty pleasure is "Con Air" ok one of my guilty pleasures there are more, lots more.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by spiderpig on September 22, 2008 at 11:34am: Slappy, you shouldn't feel guilty about liking Con Air! I post this one every time someone starts a new "movies you love that everyone else hates" topic, but I'll watch that movie anytime it's on (and basic cable really loves to run it on the weekends). It's lot of campy fun. Nic Cage and his wonderfully bad southern accent makes me laugh every time and that hair! HA! I better stop talking about Nic though - don't want Pihk to post that scary Nicholas Cage/bird hair pic again. Eeek!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Slappy on September 22, 2008 at 11:40am: I said almost as bad lol, and yes it is a guilty pleasure because it is so horrible like you said the hair the accent lol. I love it though, he couldn't be a bigger walking cliche than in that movie lmao.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by spiderpig on September 22, 2008 at 12:16pm: Leave it to the Texan girls to think the Southern accent was so bad it was good. ;); ▶ Reply to This