Never Trust Your Friend's Movie Recommendations #GBE2

Let's make something perfectly clear. Movie recommendations and criticisms that close friends and associates share with us are very useful when choosing a title to watch. Their reviews from an average movie goer's perspective are what convinces other people to give a relatively unheard of movie such as "The Way Back" starring Saoirse Ronan and Colin Farrell a chance. It's also what causes movie lovers to add a crazy title like "The Experiment" starring Forrest Whitaker to his or her Netflix queue.

Still, it is never wise to always trust movie recommendations from your friends as the sole reason to ignore a title (or even watch a title that you may not be interested in, unless your friend's comments are positive and very pursuasive) or prepare yourself for possible disappointment. Friends may know what they are talking about when telling you that a movie sucks or is the greatest thing since "Avatar" or whatever, especially if they share your preferences in movies. However, many of us often miss out on what could become our favorite films to date by judging a movie's quality based on our friends ratings of them.

"Love & Basketball" was popular during its release and became a favorite film among what seems like a majority of the movie going public or at the very least, African-American movie goers. I have several friends who are among the very vocal and devoted "Love & Basketball" champions that think my utter dislike for this title is outrageous. It is kind of funny and ironic, as I feel the same way about the movie. "Love & Basketball" is outrageous......to me.

On the flip side, I happen to love "Blue Valentine" but know at least two people who do not like this film. One of them, Smurfdok, did not watch it because the subject matter turns him off and the other person is Fiercechick, who saw it in the movie theater and did not become a fan of the film. No matter how much she loves Ryan Gosling, I am in no more a position to convince her to place “Blue Valentine” on her list of top ten favorite films than anyone who can persuade me to enjoy watching a movie as annoying as “Love & Basketball.”

If I refused to check out “Blue Valentine” based on the fact that I know people who do not like the film, I would have missed out on a really good picture. If you are into sporty romance dramas that have a particularly strong focus on African-American relationships at home, in the community and higher education, then asking me if I think you should watch “Love & Basketball” is not the best idea.

The next time a friend (or co-worker, fuck buddy, neighbor or even a bartender who has no friends of his or her own) tells you that a movie sucks OR tells you that a movie is awesome, get a second opinion from, um.....yourself....before overlooking a possible gem at the box office or wasting your time on a title that isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be such as the oh, so boring “In the Bedroom.” Is this movie good (in my opinion)? Yes. However, it is too damn long! Or is it? Don’t take my word for it. Watch “In the Bedroom” for yourself and then let me know if you agree or disagree with my assessment of the boring scenes and lengthy running time.

How much influence does Your friends have on which movies you decide to watch?

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The Other Side of Disneyland: Depressing Marriages in Film #GBE2 #MondayMovieMeme #MovieRentals

Hollywood may have the reputation for painting romantic relationships like a fairytale where someone gets swept off of his or her feet, married and then live happily ever after in love. Film always tends to have an impact on real-life relationships whether that was the writer, producer or director’s intention or not. Do I need to even mention that whole “The Notebook” fiasco where Ryan Gosling’s romantic gesture cost one real-life guy his fiance’s hand in marriage? Fortunately, there are films offering more practical stories on the big screen and thus providing a healthy balance of real-life scenarios that remind us all that not every relationship has a happy ending.

“Revolutionary Road” is one of these films and I am both appreciative and saddened to watch it this past weekend. I appreciate watching it finally because Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet are actors whom I like in most of the films that they choose to star in. I also appreciate developing a different stance on abortion while watching this movie but that is an entirely different post and discussion to have altogether. For all of the aspects that I enjoy....and there are many that I won’t name here, “Revolutionary Road” still made me sad because I wanted the main characters’ marriage to get better, not worse.

The couple in this film had a relationship that was so unpredictable at times, it was like a seesaw. One minute, they are laughing and complimenting each other and the next minute, they are arguing and reminding each other of what makes them either regret or loathe their relationship and home. What makes matters worse is that these two characters are parents, so children are involved in the equation and it is a shame because the little ones always seem to suffer the most in the end. The big kicker in “Revolutionary Road” though is that no matter their problems, Frank and April Wheeler’s marriage did not end in a divorce. Unfortunately, divorce may have been a little easier for viewers.....and at least one of the Wheelers to handle.

*This post serves as my interpretation of this week’s Group Blogging Experience picture prompt and focuses on a film in honor of the Monday Movie Meme, which has been on a little hold upon the introduction of the oh, so precious Baby Bumbles.

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"Instinct" in a Nutshell #GBE2 #VOD #Blockbuster #Netflix #Oldmovies #MovieRentals

In March, “Instinct” was listed at one of those insane movies for a monday movie meme highlighting films that have madness in them. Here is a quick review on “Instinct,” which is the first attempt at shortening my “In a Nutshell” movie reviews to 140 words or less.


This movie poster reads: "Nothing is more strange than civilization"....something to think about, huh?

Anthony Hopkins and Cuba Gooding Jr. slowly build a story around unanswered questions investigated by a psychiatrist seeking to learn the inner-workings of the mind of a prisoner serving time for murdering several people. Hopkins plays the psychotic (or is he traumatized or just plain vicious?) inmate who won’t talk until warming up to the psychiatrist but it isn’t long before his new-found confidant’s life is in jeopardy as well. While “Instinct” was not a popular movie critically nor at the box office, it is worth watching at least once. The film shows how man can become one with nature....not just by living in the woods but also by adapting to survival methods of animals in the wild as well as interacting with them in ways that make them more than creatures to observe, fear, attack and/or exploit.

Despite the negative reviews and audience reactions of this film, my instincts got me to buy "Instinct" many years ago based on the movie trailer and the all-star cast. I wasn't disappointed in my purchase. Still, if anyone is willing to buy a this used VHS movie that is in Like-New condition, these same instincts will help me realize that it's time to let it go and move on.

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