Milk River Madman has chosen most overrated movies as this week’s theme and there are actually two that immediately springs to mind.
Magnolia.
Over-hyped, this ensemble piece from 1999 was produced, written, and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, narrated by Ricky Jay, and starring Jeremy Blackman, Tom Cruise, Melinda Dillon, Philip Baker Hall, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ricky Jay, William H. Macy, Alfred Molina, Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, Jason Robards, and Melora Walters.
Apparently, Magnolia is an epic mosaic of several interrelated characters in search of happiness, forgiveness, and meaning in the San Fernando Valley. It was hugely successful with an Oscar nomination for Tom Cruise as Best Supporting Actor. For me, he was the only part of the movie I remember – except for some frogs. I seem to recall it rained frogs at one point. The rest of it bored me rigid. I couldn’t follow the plot and, in the end, fast forwarded it for the last hour to find out what happened.
And Napoleon Dynamite. Equally loved and hated but totally derided in our house.
Overrated movies? Close Encounters of the Third Kind. No contest.
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Magnolia. Well it did have the Dwarf in it so that is an automatic no go for me.
I’ve not heard of Napoleon Dynamite… the preview doesn’t grab me so I guess that is another that I won’t be seeing… Daniel Craig was hot but quantum left me very unsatisfied…
Happy MCW
i hate schizz like this. its so emperors new clothes. oh you didnt like it? you cant understand this art, you peasant. I hate hollywood and this is why. I think “crash” was like this too. great choice.
happy MCW!
im up with the dreaded english patient
K9 recently posted..MCW- Most Overrated Film
The only good thing about Magnolia is the Aimee Mann song. She is perfection. As for Napoleon Dynamite, I think it’s comedic genius. Although, the only people I know who like it are me and one of my best homies. We’re alone in our madness, but that’s okay. Some day, the world will understand . . .
moi recently posted..Movie Clip Wednesdays- Most Overrated Movie Ev-ah
Never saw Magnolia. It’s odd that a man who has seen so few movies the last 10 years would be the host for MCW. Loved Napolean Dynamite though. Its the last movie I went to the theater twice to watch.
Didn’t see either of them. Won’t be seeing either of them. Blech!
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FC, My husband’s favourite film for a long time. Despite that, I enjoyed it and spent a lot of time making mountains out of mashed potato so can’t agree with you on that one.
Princess, I dont remember the dwarf, I just remember that I hated the whole thing… There is nothing unsatisfying about Daniel Craig ;P
K9, That’s exactly it! To be fair, the scenes with Tom Cruise were good. He’s very charismatic but those are the only bits I remember.
LOL @ Moi. As I recall, Boxer and I are on the same page re Napoleon D. I dont recall the Aimee Mann song either. Will have to youtube.
MRM – LOL, if you’ve seen so few movies, you have nothing to compare it with, ipso facto, you like Napoleon D ;P
Nicely put, Troll :)
I always thought Lost in Translation was very overrated…
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Secretsandlusts, I have still to see that one but I am now very wary of films that get great plaudits from so called experts – they don’t tend to like the same films that I do :)
Hello Joanna, I have to confess that I did not see each of these movies – and I will surely not fight to watch them! :)
Good afternoon Joanna,
Not only haven’t I seen them I never heard of the first one and I only know of the second one from a exchange between Pam and Boxer. Perhaps I need to get my head above water more often.
A happy clip day to you!
Karl recently posted..Movie Clip Wednesday- Most overrated movie
I have to agree with you on Magnolia. Huge all star line up and it rains frogs in the end. Chicky is right, it’s the emporer’s new clothes of the overrated movies. I was completely lost. Napoleon Dynamite is one I haven’t seen but my kids think it’s hysterical. That says it all.
Happy MCW!
There are loads of these! Usually oscar winners or nominated too.
The Piano I thought was a load of rubbish. I remember renting it thinking my Mum would enjoy it and she thought it was crap too. Easily a half hour too long and felt no sympathy for the characters at all. Anna Paquin’s role was especially annoying.
Brian
missed this one–but I luv that ya flipped to the end to see how it ended–thar are movies like that whar’ ya wanna scream “WHAT”S THE POINT HERE??”
Happy MCW
aunty belle recently posted..MCW- Most Overrated Movie
Hey Mago! But you do promise to watch LA Confidential because that’s a great film! :)
Karl, you’re doing just fine as you are. Stay away from such time wasters :)
Buzz, My kids hated ND when they were younger, perhaps they will appreciate it now they’re teenagers…? Im not risking it tho! And thank the lord for more agreement on Magnolia :)
I rather enjoyed The Piano, Brian, although I agree it was too long. But… Harvey Keitel!!! :)
Aunty, it had such good write ups that I thought it must be me missing the point, so I skipped to the end to see if there was some great revelation… but no!