Five Movies I Should Hate But Really Don’t

At the conception of this site, before the involvement of a partner, I was nearly convinced it would be called “Crit Disturber”. It seemed to me that many movies I enjoyed were not as impressive to others, and I wanted to explain my reasoning as to why they might be worthy.

That was nearly five years ago and, obviously, things have gone otherwise. For one thing, we’re not as at-odds with other viewers as much as I’d first imagined.

Still, we do have our moments.

I could have made this list even longer but, honestly, not by much. It’s been relatively rare we’ve loved something reviled by both critics and audiences.

So in honour of this year’s Valentine’s Day, I present a rare top five picks for the misunderstood I publicly declare my feelings of affection for.

And to those who have never enjoyed a guilty pleasure, or ever been an outsider: Let the judgement begin . . .

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)

* * * *

“I’ve encountered many complaints about Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, but I can’t say I agree. Its story was fun and involving, with a style that rarely distracted, and never detracted. It pleasantly surprised me overall.”

.

The Golden Compass (2007)

* * * * *

“An epic steampunk-pirate-cowboy-fantasy mashup boasting big production values, and bigger ideas, a compelling confection too cultish for mainstream acceptance. Whether its grim reaper was business, religious pressure, or another unknown cause, the effect is a loss for us all. The hostility of so many sides suggests it struck a dangerous balance, tapping at an unpopular vein of truth. It has things to say, questions to ask, and communicates them well but, sadly if unsurprisingly, nobody has taken much notice.”

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

* * * *

“To enjoy Home Alone but fault Lost in New York strikes me as unfair and churlish. If you know the series well, you might find small variations, some successful, some less so, but none of them overwhelming one way or the other. And what worked before — more often than not — works again.”

Next (2007)

* * * *

“Although I hate to disagree with the rest of the world . . .

(Oh, who am I kidding? No I don’t.)

. . . but I enjoyed Next. Really, truly, and honestly enjoyed it. And not in a Charlie’s Angels way.”

Righteous Kill (2008)

* * * *

“Sometimes [audiences] only think they know what they want. Clearly impressed by Francis Ford Coppola’s Godfather Part 2, and teased by Michael Mann’s Heat, the public cried out for a new pairing of De Niro and Pacino. That’s exactly what they got here, and I’m perplexed as to why it wasn’t enough. As with most things, Righteous Kill has it pros and cons but, on balance, I was glad to see it.”

Honourable Mentions:
Entrapment (1999)
Everybody’s Fine (2009)
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)