Films I wish I had never seen.

[George Fry]

I am really enjoying all the banter going backwards and forwards, but by and large we are all talking about films we have enjoyed. It suddenly struck me that there are several films which were outstanding as film art but I wish I hadn't seen them because they have left me with some revolting and disturbing images which are lasting through my now fairly long life. I am not talking about bad movies but the top of the line productions. Two that immediately come to mind are "The Devils" and "Quills". UGH!

George.

[Harbottle]

Straw Dogs, a deeply unpleasant film in my view. I actually felt a bit grubby after watching that one.

[George Fry]

I never went to see it as I was sure I wuld hate it, but maybe I'm just squeamish.

George.

[DB7]

name='Harbottle']Straw Dogs, a deeply unpleasant film in my view. I actually felt a bit grubby after watching that one.

Felt ok with that one despite the controversial scene but I Spit on your Grave made me slightly uneasy.



I enjoyed Quills. My bad.

[George Fry]

Going to another link i.e. Michael Caine. Another example of his virtuosity is in "Quills" where he was an absolutely nauseating villain.

George.

[christoph404]

Peter Greenaway films.....ugh....

Also "Ressurrection Man" made me feel quite ill!

[aphra]

SHINER with Michael Caine, THE BUSINESS, TWIN TOWN

[Redstar]

Yes "HIDDEN" I went because of the great reviews, but was left feeling very uncomfortable by the two bloodthirsty scenes.

[Harleybloke]

........things like, 'Carve Her Name with Pride', 'Let Him Have it', 'Dance with a Stranger'...........the real life human tradegy, can't take it.



Must be a wooss............

[Torquemada]

The worst film I have ever seen was Gung Ho! For too many reasons to even start on.

[ChristineCB]

There are so many bad ones and repressed memories can be a good thing.



But the worst film I've sat thru had to be LOVE & DEATH ON LONG ISLAND with John Hurt and Jason Priestley (1997). I couldn't believe the movie was THAT bad; I kept thinking, "Surely, this HAS to get better in the next scene... or the next... or in the next 20 minutes..." Just awful. John Hurt, in comparison, should get an Oscar for KING RALPH instead.



THE CLEARING (2004, Robert Redford, Helen Mirren, Willem Dafoe) had the cast to be interesting but, wow, talk about a Nothing Movie. Maybe this was a case where star-power so inflated my expectations that nothing could stand up to it? Interesting story-line delivered in the most uninteresting way, uninspired performances and it achieved a very uninspired goal. Sleeping is definitely a better use of time.



Bad films like ON LONG ISLAND are few and far between. The uninspired bores like THE CLEARING are all too common.

[Carmel]

The "Naked Cival Servant" really stuck in my mind after seeing it and "10 Rillington Place", i think it sticks in your mind more because they are true stories and knowing that someone went through these tragedies is awful.

[veel03]

name='ChristineCB']

THE CLEARING (2004, Robert Redford, Helen Mirren, Willem Dafoe) had the cast to be interesting but, wow, talk about a Nothing Movie. Maybe this was a case where star-power so inflated my expectations that nothing could stand up to it? Interesting story-line delivered in the most uninteresting way, uninspired performances and it achieved a very uninspired goal. Sleeping is definitely a better use of time.

i had the same reaction to this film. couldn't wait to watch it - and couldn't believe is was so bad!

[ChristineCB]

V, any idea why?



I mean - the story sounds pretty interesting-to-me - retired biz exec, kidnapped and ransomed. Wifey-poo gets a note, la de da da... there are bound to be some skeletons in closets, and there are. The kidnappers are, of course, not what they seem to be.



Thinking of the story and events along its way, and realizing how well I recall those details, I am even more confused about my poor and dulled reaction to it.



I think I don't care about Robert Redford's character from the outset, and it just gets less as the story unfolds - not bad, just less. Helen Mirren's gets my sympathy, but even then, I find myself going, "Oh well... who cares..." And of course, Willem Dafoe and "my sympathy" are never going together. He almost always earns a loathing. But an interesting loathing, at least. Here, though... no...



Was there anything specifically wrong that you detected in this film? I mean, other than "putting in the DVD"? ha ha

[Brett Sinclair]

name='ChristineCB']V, any idea why?



I mean - the story sounds pretty interesting-to-me - retired biz exec, kidnapped and ransomed. Wifey-poo gets a note, la de da da... there are bound to be some skeletons in closets, and there are. The kidnappers are, of course, not what they seem to be.



Thinking of the story and events along its way, and realizing how well I recall those details, I am even more confused about my poor and dulled reaction to it.



I think I don't care about Robert Redford's character from the outset, and it just gets less as the story unfolds - not bad, just less. Helen Mirren's gets my sympathy, but even then, I find myself going, "Oh well... who cares..." And of course, Willem Dafoe and "my sympathy" are never going together. He almost always earns a loathing. But an interesting loathing, at least. Here, though... no...



Was there anything specifically wrong that you detected in this film? I mean, other than "putting in the DVD"? ha ha

I have the same feelings, but I narrowed my dislike for this film down to being the hype prior to release ( I had expectations of a top notch thriller) and the fact that the outcome is such a let down. It really does leave you thinking why did those three actors (that I love) end up in such a dullard...and I paid money for this

[Brett Sinclair]

On the issue of films that I wish I hadn't seen because of the subject matter or discomfort....I recently saw 'Hostel' which left me having to watch the 'extras' on the DVD just to reassure my mind that this was a load of hokum (albeit based on factual accounts of similar happenings in Thailand and Vietnam).



I'm not averse to blood and gore but it was the basic premise of the film that left me uncomfortable.

[Lord Brett]

name='aphra']SHINER with Michael Caine, THE BUSINESS, TWIN TOWN

Funnily enough, I really enjoyed Twin Town. The one I really wish I'd never seen was an American one, although by a British director: Copycat.



I saw it with a female friend who found it extremely upsetting (I was reviewing it, so we had to stay), while I found it a cynical excercise in pushing the buttons of its target audience.



Its star, Sigourney Weaver, later said it was the only movie she's ever acted in that she actually disapproved of.

[Torquemada]

I hate to say it but I didn't think it was that bad

[ChristineCB]

The point of Discomfort is well-noted. SOPHIE'S CHOICE is that film, for me. Strong film, great, etc, but very very hard for me to take. I've owned all the copies of it but never watched it again. Never plan to, either. It gets my Maximum Discomfort Vote. PULP FICTION does, too - I enjoy it in a big-theatre setting with a large enthusiastic crowd, but have never tolerated it at home, watching it on TV, even when we have the Expert sitting among us.

[Brett Sinclair]

It's interesting to note the different sensitivities.



While I can understand the differences of opinion and some may argue that women may view certain films with a differing attitude to men (and vice-versa), I am astonished at what I perceive to be radically differing levels of discomfort/distaste. I would have thought that with my own sense of morality being quite highly tuned I would have been one of the more shell-shocked victims...obviously not.