Unsung Cinematic Gems
Richard Roeper did this first in his 2002 book Ten Sure Signs a Movie Character is Doomed, and Other Surprising Movie Lists. He compiled a list of movies panned by most critics but admired by him. Although glancing at the list (including such lemons as Angel Eyes, ughh) sometimes makes me wanna belch, I do find it encouraging. Since I embarked on my journey in film study and criticism, I have also found myself quite often admiring films generally disliked by the critical mass. It is reassuring to know, then, that other critics are also sole champions of booed films.
It is universally agreed by critics and film buffs alike that no two opinions will ever be the same, but most professional film writers are too timid to admit their love of unpopular films. Gene Siskel once said that a difference of opinion can only be used as an excuse so much to forgive bad movies. At a certain point, garbage is garbage. With this, I agree and that’s why on my list you will not see Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen or G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. Films like those are indefensibly bad. The films on my list aren’t even guilty pleasure. A guilty pleasure is a film you like despite its obvious poorness. Nor are these titles films that I thought weren’t as bad as their reputation suggests. No, the following films are, in my eyes, good to very good movies (I will concede that there aren’t any that I consider masterpieces listed) that for one reason or another struck a sour note with most critics. Take each of my blurbs as a case, rather than a defense, of the films. Hopefully I will get some critics to reconsider or some film buffs some new rental ideas, but even if it encourages you to pick an argument with me I