There are some classic movies that I couldn't bear to watch more than once. I'm not saying that these movies are crap, I'm just saying that I would find it incredibly hard to sit through them a second time. What brought this on? Last weekend I began watching some of the films I had DVR'd on TCM and The Grapes of Wrath (1940) was one of them. The first thing I noticed about this film was the 2.5 hour running time. Right away I thought "oh man, this one's gonna be a long one!" but then I thought that since Henry Fonda was in it, the 2.5 hours would fly by. Nope. That was wishful thinking on my part!
Let me just say this: I finally finished watching this movie last night. Thursday! So, from Saturday to Thursday I would watch little bits of it at a time because I couldn't sit for longer than that on the couch! But again, I'm not saying this movie was awful -- it wasn't, and I can totally understand the hype behind it and all the accolades it received and such. I'm just saying that it lagged in places, didn't keep my attention and was a bit too preachy for me. I will, however, say that it was beautifully photographed and inspirational. Yes, it's something that everyone should watch at least once (but a second or third time? I think not).
Another film that springs to mind is Citizen Kane (1941). A masterpiece? No doubt. But a masterpiece that I could watch on repeat? Holy Moses, spare me! Twice was enough - and yet, I still purchased it on DVD because I knew it was something I'd love to have in my collection. See? This is proof that I acknowledge the greatness that is this movie, but I haven't watched it again since I purchased it. Maybe if I give myself another couple of years, I'll be ready to sit through it again in its entirety without shutting it off after half an hour.
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| Rosebud? Yeah yeah I get it. Onwards! |
What are some of your picks for films you couldn't sit through more than once? I could name a few others, but I'm scared that some of you would boycott me. Heh. Please don't do that.
Have to disagree with you on both of these, particularly The Grapes of Wrath. It's my favorite John Ford film -- I once watched it twice in a week, which is rare because I like to discover "new to me" films and try to keep my number of re-watches fairly low. To me, it never feels as long as its running time because I get so wrapped up in the family's struggle. To each their own, though! :)
ReplyDeleteMy favourite part of The Grapes Of Wrath was when the cops showed up at the second camp for a "riot" and there was none :P I did a little fistpump there. If the whole movie had been like that, I would have liked it a little more.
DeleteI could never sit through another viewing of "The Postman Always Rings Twice". I find that movie a real endurance test.
ReplyDeleteHmmm ... really? See, that movie I could EASILY watch again. I could stare at Lana Turner all day if I had to ;)
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