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 Snorii on October 24, 2008 at 1:25pm: Most people I know hate it, but I loved The Cable Guy.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by thatboy on October 24, 2008 at 5:44pm: Peter Greenaway's The Falls. It's one of my favorites, and I've seen it at least 10 times. Aside from one other friend, almost nobody else gets how wryly funny it is, and few people can sit through it even to the halfway mark.

I'm also with ya on Death to Smoochy. Cracks me up every time. I don't get why so many hate it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by B-Independent.com on October 25, 2008 at 8:33pm: FOR LOVE OF THE GAME.

I don't believe in guilty pleasures, as one should never feel guilty for appreciating anything in which they find enjoyment. That being said, I know this movie is a melodramtic turd filled with cliches from beginning to end, but, damn it, I can't help myself whenever I stumble upon it while channel surfing.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Snorii on October 27, 2008 at 4:19am: My college buddies watched this one, and I think everyone liked it, but we refer to it as "Love. Game."; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by insideroom on October 26, 2008 at 6:02am: "84 Charlie Mopic" (not available at this time from Netflix); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by eviltimes on October 26, 2008 at 7:02am: "84 Charlie MoPic" is on of my three best Vietnam films!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by insideroom on October 27, 2008 at 8:42am: it was really good. it came out a long time ago like 1990. it didn't even play in the theaters i don't think.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by eviltimes on October 27, 2008 at 10:08am: Sadly, I don't think it was ever released on DVD. I had a VHS I copied off HBO but it is gone now.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by insideroom on October 27, 2008 at 1:18pm: Oh yeah i hadn't even thought about it not making the switch to dvd. Well, now i know why netflix doesn't have it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by eviltimes on October 27, 2008 at 7:35pm: Yeah, I got rid of almost all of my VHS tapes- except the ones I thought I could never get on DVD, and 84 was one of them. Also Liquid Television.

"Dear Mum..."; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Firewater on November 1, 2008 at 7:55am: A short list of some of my maligned faves:

Sin City (everybody 'round here hated it. Morons.)
My Blue Heaven
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Daredevil (and I really wanted to hate it)
Jersey Girl
Leap of Faith (another Steve Martin vehicle you almost never hear about)
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by staahsha on November 1, 2008 at 2:13pm: I really liked Arnold's Commando with Rae Dawn Chong and The Body Guard with Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. There have been some other Arnold movies that I have liked, but I can't remember the titles.

I really liked Bottle Rocket and all my friends hated it.; ▶ Reply to This