i swear, i can still be an active member of society.
While reading a non-Bostonian fellow blogger’s blog stating that everyone should see The Departed, I realized that it’s pretty pitiful I haven’t seen it. I was born and raised in Boston and call myself “Boston Girl,” and haven’t even attempted to check out the Boston movie of the year/decade/all time.
But this got me thinking about all of the other movies I haven’t seen that I probably should have. I am a horrible, awful movie watcher and openly admit it. I am not capable of just sitting down and watching a movie; I think it goes back to my always feeling like I have too much to do and not enough time to do it in. If I’m going to be watching a movie, I HAVE to be doing something else at the same time. Multi-tasking. Plus I seem to have zero attention span when it comes to movies. My friends generally refuse to watch movies with me because I tend to talk throughout them. Apparently, this is not socially acceptable. Who knew.
Apparently, it’s some sort of mortal sin if you haven’t seen these movies…my bad:
I haven’t watched a single Star Wars movie- Some people are shocked by this but I’ve actually met a few who are in it with me. My best friend in college and I first bonded over our mutual “never seen a Star Wars movie,” until she met a guy and he brainwashed her. She actually went and stood in line with him to see one of the movies at midnight on opening night. Pure betrayal on her part, but I guess that’s what love does to you. My last bf had also never seen any of the movies, a definite plus in datability, in my opinion. Since I’ve made it 24 years without seeing a Star Wars movie, I think I might try to go the rest of my life without seeing one. I just don’t get the point of them and have zero interest.
The Shawshank Redemption- I get the most serious reactions from this one. I honestly have no clue what this movie is about or what’s so good about it, but people seem to be obsessed with it. Mention the name and people are bound to say, “THIS is my FAVORITE movie everrrr.” I’ll probably watch it sometime soon because, from what I hear, my life is not complete until I view it.
Dirty Dancing/Pretty Women- I group these two movies together because I get the same response from every girl I tell: “Whatttt is wrong with you?!?!” I mean, I’ve seen bits and parts of each, but have never seen either of the movies in their entirety. And honestly, I don’t really care. When movies are so hyped up, it makes me not care about them. I’m not a big fan of dancing movies either. I’ll probably watch Pretty Woman at some point, though; I guess it does feel kind of wrong that I haven’t.
The Sixth Sense- Someone told me the ending and I lost all interest in watching it.
It’s a Wonderful Life- I actually feel really bad about this one. Someday I’ll get around to it. Even my parents are shocked I’ve never seen it. I think we actually have it on VHS, but at the age of 7, when given the choice between the black and white It’s a Wonderful Life and The Grinch who Stole Christmas, The Grinch always won out.
Any of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies- I am still thoroughly confused as to how anyone could think Johnny Depp is even remotely hot. He seriously creeps me out and as far as I’m concerned, most people watch the Pirate movies just because they’re obsessed with him. In my humble little opinion, he completely destroyed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Willy Wonka, my ass.
I’m sure there are lots more movies I should have seen by now but haven’t. Sometimes I want to make a list (ha!) and take a couple of weeks to sit down and watch them all. But I probably never will. I need someone to force me to watch the important ones, though, so I don’t feel so culturally inept. It’s not like I never watch movies, just not a whole lot. I have, however, seen most movies starring Jennifer Lopez, Matthew McConoughey, and the Muppets. You can call me sad if you want to. Are there any other movies I should have seen by now that I’m missing out on?
September 18th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
You can skip “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I watched it for the first time in college, and afterward declared to my roomful of friends that, “Eh, I’ve seen it before” — because the theme (and really, the whole set-up and execution) has been trotted out repeatedly since this movie, and I’ve seen plenty of it.
This, it turns out, isn’t what you’re supposed to say after watching such a beloved movie, and my friends let me know it. So, save yourself the trouble.
September 18th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
When I started college, I got so much shit for not having seen “The Goonies.” Apparently, the Truffle Shuffle helped define our childhoods.
I have a list of movies that I think I should see, but they’re mostly older, like “Roman Holiday” and “Casablanca.”
And I, too, do not see what women see in Mr. Johnny Depp. He’s a little creepy if you ask me.
September 19th, 2007 at 11:09 am
Creepy, huh? Almost every girl I know thinks he is hot.
I think his fashion sense is completely whack, and he’s a Freedom-Fry loving Frenchman, but he’s a good actor.
Some people are movie-snobs or just watch too many movies. That being said, you miss out on a lot of pop-culture references if you miss certain movies. My must-see movie for people is Swingers. If you haven’t seen that one, you’re dead to me.
I’m a little ADHD myself, so I don’t see a lot of movies either.
September 19th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
My daughter and I always made time to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” every Christmas. We’d sit and weep as Clarence got his wings. I’m not a crier, but that one gets me every time. Now that she’s away at school and she doesn’t always make it back for Xmas, watching it is all the more special.
Of course, last year I went to watch it when I was staying at my folks place. They are both in their 70′s and they had never seen it before! They weren’t impressed. Who knows.
I don’t see many movies either. Usually only on dates and they are so few and far between that I’ve missed more of the cultural moments of the last ten years. I also don’t have a TV either, so cable and DVDs don’t help.
I’ve got a list I what to see, but I’ll wait until I’m too old and infirmed to be out at the bars before I start working on it.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:44 am
Jason- I actually agree…I think that’s why I haven’t watched it yet; I feel like I’ve already seen it a million times. AND one time frosh year of college, my friends and I were playing Monopoly and I was winning ridiculously. They were clearly jealous of my mad Monopoly skills and taunted me by calling me “Old Man Potter.” I’ve had ill feelings toward the movie ever since.
Stacey- I was soo going to add The Goonies! I haven’t seen it either and have heard the same thing from my friends, especially in college. When I was a kid, my neighbor would talk about it all the time, but I was probably scared to death of creatures called Goonies. And my mom probably wouldn’t let me watch it anyway for fear I would be in her room with nightmares every night. And yes, Johnny Depp=major creepshow.
Phantom Hater- I can stay alive to you because I’ve actually seen Swingers…yesss! This was the beginning of freshman year of college–before my new friends realized what kind of movie watcher I was. So I saw it, but I probably talked through the whole thing. Even though I don’t really watch movies, I always stay on top of all thing pop-culture. And I’m an amazing faker when need be.
Bass Man- No TV?? No cable?? How do you do it?? I’m no movie watcher, but I couldn’t live without reality TV (NOT ashamed). Of course, bars always win over TV, especially when nachos from CCC are involved.
September 20th, 2007 at 10:35 am
“And I’m an amazing faker when need be”
What woman isn’t?
December 20th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Don’t worry about Star Wars…at the time it was a big deal, but now…eh. The new ones suck too, I saw part of one and stopped.
As for The Goonies….stop whatever you are doing RIGHT NOW, and go BUY it on dvd. It is a classic movie for anyone who grew up in the 80′s.
The Shawshank Redemption is a GREAT movie, so you should see it eventually.
I don’t see movies in the theatre much anymore (1-2 a year?) because most people suck at watching movies, they talk, text, etc. I’m a purist….I want to be able to drink my spiked drink (SoCo and Coke is my fav) and enjoy the movie.