Over the years, I've definitely tried to get up on my movie and classic pop culture knowledge. For a time, I kept a list of movies that were supposedly considered "rites of passage" to watch, and I'd cross one off the list every time I received a Netflix DVD in the mail. Not only did I cover my bases with more current films, but I tried to work my way through some classics too. Many of them ended up being highly ranked on the list for me, while others didn't really make the cut. My reviews can be controversial, and a lot of people don't like what I have to say about their favorite films. But, all politeness and fakeness aside, here are some classics that I still, to this day, am not super crazy about.
1. The Titanic
https://variety.com/2017/film/news/titanic-20th-anniversary-re-release-1202616007/
As much as I love tragedy and romance stories, especially ones that carry some real-life, historical element to them, I'm not interested in Jack and Kate's romance. I've watched this movie about two and a half times, the first time when I was in middle school and simultaneously in awe of Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook. The irony here is ridiculous; I admired Noah and Allie's young love, but I knew I was above watching The Titanic. Something about the whole "who gets to stay on the raft" romance gesture was too corny for me. I'm not really interested in either of the character's stories or evolutions, and unfortunately I have a feeling that will never really change.
2. Forrest Gump
I don't hate this movie by any means. In fact, I actually think it shares some really touching and important life lessons. My only problem with this movie is the pacing of the plot. It moves too slowly for me, and while I consider myself to be a patient person with a pretty good attention span, every time I watch this movie, I can't help getting a tad bored and restless. I recognize the arc of Forrest's growth as a person, and Forrest's relationship with Jenny, as he learns to love and form his own complex identity and life experiences. I do have a soft spot for Forrest, and this movie is another prime example of Tom Hanks' genius as an actor, but I still can't seem to make it through the whole moving without checking the clock or feeling the need to fidget with something that's nearby.
3. The Great Gatsby
https://giphy.com/gifs/leonardo-dicaprio-drinking-fireworks-GCLlQnV7wzKLu
Honestly, I did go through a brief phase with this movie (I never read the book,) and I chalk it up to my longtime appreciation for Leonardo DiCaprio, as opposed to an overall fondness for the 1920's culture and love story that's presented. While I think there is some interesting characterization for Gatsby and the mystery and allure behind the life he leads, when I actually step back and evaluate the movie as a whole, I don't really think it's presenting that unique or special of a romance. Jay Gatsby rekindles the flame with an old love interest, Daisy Buchanan, who he wants more than anything in the world, but who, for a good deal of the movie, remains loyal to another man. It's touching and certainly pulls on the heartstrings, but in the grand scheme of things, the story doesn't do much for me.
4. The Phantom of the Opera
Yes, the music is beautiful, but the story and fantasy just isn't captivating enough for me. I gave this musical several tries, each time searching for something that would draw me in, something that would prove I was judging prematurely and that the story was a work of art worth absorbing many times over. While that may be a widely held opinion by many other theatre nerds and audience members, it hasn't been true for me. I get bored with this plot, much like my reaction to Forrest Gump. I'm not secure about this judgement, though, and I'll probably continue to try this musical (and movie) out again and again, hoping to more closely understand its appeal and beauty.
5. Jurassic Park
I love dinosaurs and Jeff Goldblum (who doesn't love Jeff Goldblum?,) but as much as I hate to admit it, and I rarely ever say this about films, I like the more recent Jurassic World movies way more than I like the original Jurassic Park. I know people are cringing right now (I get that, I feel protective over my favorite classics too,) and although I know the Jurassic Park adaptations can be sloppy at times and probably leave out certain movie moments loyal fans are looking for, I still prefer them. I think it has something to do with the cast. Aside from Jeff, no one else in the original cast really does it for me. In Jurassic World, on the other hand, the combination of Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and and Vincent D'Onofrio has me hooked on the characters and laughing nonstop. The plot may fall short for people who are comparing storylines in each Jurassic Park movie, but as far as I'm concerned, the characters don't fall short.
