Don't like it? Don't watch it!

[Monotreme]

I fucking hate this excuse.

Many times when I find myself passing judgement on something (recent examples include M. Night Shyamalan and the film Running Scared), I am met with the same reaction from many parties. That reaction is "well, if you don't like it, don't watch it." Excuse me? The message I get from such a statement is that said person simply can't live with himself knowing that there are people out there who DON'T like something they do like. I take it as an insult, as this person dismissing my right to pass criticism on something that doesn't please me. Am I not allowed to dislike Running Scared? Yeah, no kidding - it's not my cup of tea, but sir, I have a right to watch the movie and say whatever I damn well please about it! Important to note is that these people frequently couple these comments with insults directed at things that you like. For instance, in my Running Scared incident, after being told that "if I don't like it, don't see it", I was also told that Running Scared drives all of Martin Scorsese's movies into the ground. I COULD stoop to this person's level and tell him "if you don't like Scorsese, don't watch his movies"... but I'm not retarded.

Not to mention that it makes no sense to tell someone "if you don't like it, don't watch it." If I don't watch it, how the hell am I supposed to know if I like it or not?

Mind you, in some cases this statement might make sense. If someone passes judgement on a movie before he has even seen it (which is also a subject for a rant, but forget about that for now), then I see how this statement can be used. If somebody has seen previous David Lynch's films and hated them, I would see why someone would tell him not to go see Inland Empire, knowing that he'll just hate it anyway. I myself am an advocate of giving every film a chance, but I'm just saying that I can see why in some cases this statement can be used.

But in every other case, such as my Running Scared arguement and many others, this is simply the worst excuse I've ever heard to justify one's opinion and disqualify the opposing opinion.

[BigSugar]

So, the gist of this rant is mean people suck? Why are you taking this particular opinion you have to the doorstep of anyone else anyway (especially over a movie as bad as "Running Scared")? Of course you have a right to your opinion, and you have an even clearer right to express that opinion, but you can't have these rights and deny them to others. That guy hates Scorsese (poor fool) he's got the right to say so in rebuttal. If we all want to wear the badge of free speech, we have to givie it to morons too, that's the way of the world, pal. It would be nice if to get that particular right, you had to ass a test, but until such time as the Bill of Rights only applies to Those Who Earn It, you're stuck with the situation.

[The Postmaster General]

You should see the 1986 Running Scared. Good buddy-cop movie.

Yeah, it sucks not being able to hold a discussion about a film. People are often too quick to just tune you out over a differing opinion. I like hearing the reasons people didn't like a movie - most of the time it's the same things I did like. So it's all cool, and nothing is personal.

[Monotreme]

Originally posted by BigSugar
So, the gist of this rant is mean people suck? Why are you taking this particular opinion you have to the doorstep of anyone else anyway (especially over a movie as bad as "Running Scared")? Of course you have a right to your opinion, and you have an even clearer right to express that opinion, but you can't have these rights and deny them to others. That guy hates Scorsese (poor fool) he's got the right to say so in rebuttal. If we all want to wear the badge of free speech, we have to givie it to morons too, that's the way of the world, pal. It would be nice if to get that particular right, you had to ass a test, but until such time as the Bill of Rights only applies to Those Who Earn It, you're stuck with the situation.
My problem is not that he has an opinion, and I certainly did not imply that I am entitled to my opinion and he isn't. The gist of this rant is that the specific arguement of "if you don't like it, don't watch it" is retarded. It implies that it's like a sin for people who don't like something to see it. I love watching crappy movies. It makes those movies that are good seem even more good in my eyes when I compare them to the crap. But I hate it when someone tells me not to watch something if I don't like it. And as I said at the end of the rant, that's an even stupider thing to say, because how can I know if I like it or not without watching it. I must emphasize, especially in this specific case with Running Scared, that this isn't a movie I had already seen and hated that I went to see again. It's not like I KNOW that I don't like it. Hence, my resentment of this statement.

[The Postmaster General]

I thought I knew what you meant, but now I don't. How can you say you didn't like the movie if you haven't watch it? Isn't the person just saying that you don't have to watch it if you don't like it? Maybe they just don't want to argue with you about the movie. Like in A Bronx Tale when he tells that little kid that he doesn't have to sweat someone who doesn't pay back debts, just take favor in knowing you don't have to lend them anymore money.

[bigred760]

Well, I can pretty much guarantee that if I don't like a movie, I won't watch it again. I've never heard it before, but if somebody does use it, I can assure them that they needn't worry, I won't. And I'd probably start listing reasons why I won't. It's not a very good argument or retort; just sounds like a response from somebody to proud to admit that there's a person out there who doesn't like that particular movie.

[TheDeadWalk]

Every now and again there is a movie that comes along that some people like so much that it brings with them a sort of elitist attitude. Running Scared seems to be one of those films. I think its because of the "hard" and "gritty" nature of the film that you don't tend to see in most mainstream and/or action films, therefore it must be the coolest thing since pickles in a jar. If you don't like Running Scared, then there's obviously something wrong with you, your film taste, or the fact that you're apparently "too pussy" to watch what was on the screen. Therefore they feel justified in making stupid shithead comments like "If you don't like it, then don't watch it."... long after they know you've seen the movie and are just giving your take on it.

When they start running their mouth with that cockwash, I want to explode.

Fuck you, fuck your campy piece of shit movie, and shove it straight up your ass. Why? Because it belongs up your ass where it can sit next to the other pieces of shit that you digest, mother fucker. Fuck Running Scared. Fuck Paul Walker. And Fuck You! Get this movie to the five dollar bin where it fuckin belongs.

[BigSugar]

"Fuck you, fuck your campy piece of shit movie, and shove it straight up your ass. Why? Because it belongs up your ass where it can sit next to the other pieces of shit that you digest, mother fucker. Fuck Running Scared. Fuck Paul Walker. And Fuck You! Get this movie to the five dollar bin where it fuckin belongs."



Okay, see this is a perfect example of why you tend to get the response in question. I don't think there is one thing wrong with being passionate about movies, but this isn't talking about a movie so much as it is an attack on whoever this guy is talking to. Film geeks have this thing where we tend to judge each other based on the movies we like and therefore tend to judge the rest of the people in the world based on the same criteria. I have done this so many times you can almost hear the Villain's Theme play when I walk into the video store. We all have strong opinions about movies, that's why we come here to this website. But having a strong opinion and being overly aggressive in that opinion are two very different things. If you've ever gotten in somebody's face over a movie, you really don't have room to talk about any response you've gotten. This is to say nothing of the fact that, for some strange reason, there are people who love all kinds of movies, good and bad. Even (God Pound Us) Paul Walker movies. What I think the missin piece is here is what did you say to provoke a response that seems terse enough to end the discussion?

[Monotreme]

My conversation was like this: The thread was called "Oscar Possibilities?" Somebody commented that while the film should definitely be nominated for Best Picture, he also said that the film should DEFINITELY win Best Cinematography and Best Editing at the Oscars. He also commented that this film is better than anything Scorsese has ever done. My response was:

Comparing this film to Scorsese? This movie is an insult to anyone who has dealt with the crime genre before. Best cinematography? Half of it was CGI. Best editing? Access to a bunch of flashy effects is not good editing. In fact, the film should be made ineligible for nomination simply for the inclusion of the last three scenes.

The response I got:

Scorsese's the most overrated filmmaker of the last four decades. What has he done that is remotely worthy since GOODFELLAS? Every film since is an overblown, indulgent bore that just sits there on the screen. CASINO had its moments, but it's essentially a cheap clone of GOODFELLAS that's hardly about Vegas after the first hour (of three!). I'm so tired of him getting a constant free pass. He hasn't done anything as entertaining and visceral as RUNNING SCARED since GOODFELLAS, so get off your soap box. And that includes his cartoonish remake of CAPE FEAR. If you don't like the last three scenes of RUNNING, turn the damn movie off before they play out. By the way, the trailer for THE DEPARTED also looks like crap.

But this is just one specific example of a phenomenon I have seen occur many times before.

[Squid Vicious]

Wow. It's a good thing that guy wasn't directing those comments about Running Scared being better than Scorsese towards me. I wouldn't have just complained about it on the Internet -- I would have hunted the guy down and done him some serious physical harm.

Well...okay, maybe not (;)). But Running Scared is a truly atrocious movie.

[TheDeadWalk]

Originally posted by BigSugar
Okay, see this is a perfect example of why you tend to get the response in question. I don't think there is one thing wrong with being passionate about movies, but this isn't talking about a movie so much as it is an attack on whoever this guy is talking to. Film geeks have this thing where we tend to judge each other based on the movies we like and therefore tend to judge the rest of the people in the world based on the same criteria. I have done this so many times you can almost hear the Villain's Theme play when I walk into the video store. We all have strong opinions about movies, that's why we come here to this website. But having a strong opinion and being overly aggressive in that opinion are two very different things. If you've ever gotten in somebody's face over a movie, you really don't have room to talk about any response you've gotten. This is to say nothing of the fact that, for some strange reason, there are people who love all kinds of movies, good and bad. Even (God Pound Us) Paul Walker movies. What I think the missin piece is here is what did you say to provoke a response that seems terse enough to end the discussion?

I have never gotten into anyone's face over a movie. I just can't stand when I'm having a conversation or getting into a serious debate with someone, and they pull out shit like that. It's just a shitty way for you to try to end the conversation by thinking you're the better person for liking the film.

And "Film Geeks" aren't all like that. You and your friends, maybe, but the people I've met that talk to me in that way come off as condescending assholes. I pretty much just let them know that their opinion to me is worthless, and their favored movie sucks. Sometimes I might find where their grandma lives and break her legs. Or go back in time and wipe out their ancestors. Whatever works best.

[LordSimen]

I don't get all the Running Scared hate. I watched it knowing little to nothing about it and fell in love with it right away. I... Don't get it. :(

[NCarter]

Well, if there's a movie out with an actor or premise that doesn't appeal to me, then I simply don't go see it.
I have no interest in seeing something just for the sake of bitching about it.

[AWP82]

Originally posted by NCarter
Well, if there's a movie out with an actor or premise that doesn't appeal to me, then I simply don't go see it.
I have no interest in seeing something just for the sake of bitching about it.

You know what? I like the way you think. We need more of that around here.

[Brando @$$ Fat]

I believe we should all have the right to bitch about films we haven't even seen. I know Uwe Boll is a shit director, but I haven't seen any of his films all the way through (can you blame me?), yet I reserve my right to make fun of him for being a loser who still lives with his mom and challenges his critics to boxing matches.

[BigSugar]

As a rule, I don't complain about anything that I'm no familiar with. I don't bitch about M.Night's new movie I haven't seen, or any other movie that I haven't seen for that matter. and I don't see movies that I have no interest in. I also, as a rule, try not to arge with witless morons who would invoke the dreaded phrase at the heart of this particular rant. Maybe that's what we need a touch more of.

[mutesaint]

Wow. Such hate. I actually thought it was a good movie. I blind bought it for cheap at walmart (took five minutes just to root through all the fullscreen shit copies for the one widescreen) and was completily and utterly surprised. It is, to this day, the only time I have ever sat through an entire Paul Walker movie.

Now that my feelings are established about it, the idea of it winning any sort of Oscar award is laughable, scary even. The movie was fluff. It was like a bloodier version of the transporter. It didnt really have the best anything. It just...was.

The Departed, btw, was abso-fucking-lutly amazing though. I havent quite decided but it may be the first remake that I have seen that was better than the original. I need to see at least one more time to decide. I loved infernal affairs but damn was The Departed good.

Oh yeah, I almost completily forgot. I hate hate hate it when people pull that "don't like it don't see it" shit. Heres my question. How do you know (specific cases aside) if you don't like a movie unless you see it?" I thought Nacho Libre was going to be the shit before I saw the movie, yet when I saw it I didnt laugh once. One of the worst comedies I have ever seen. I went into the Superman movie expecting it to suck balls, and yet it got to me somehow and I loved the shit out of it. Anywhoo, enough with my near incomprehensible post. Ill end with one last note. I blinde bought the special edition of Raging bull the other day because it was for sale. LOVE that movie.

[Quigles]

The argument "if you don't like it, don't watch it" only works when it's in reference to TV shows...

"UGH! lost is soooo lame now! why dont they just answer all my questions and stop having flashbacks, cuz we already know their storees! GAWD!"

"south pakr sucks ! it used to be funny but now its just stupid i hate it now!!! GAWD!"

"man the office has been so shitty this last season. i dont even know why i bother watching it. why arent jim and pam together?!@!?!?! GAWD!"

etc. etc. etc.

Seriously, it's free entertainment that you get every week. Either watch it and enjoy it, or don't watch it and stop bitching.


BTW - I loved RUNNING SCARED.

[powersauce]

I think it's harder to avoid hearing music you don't like than avoiding something you don't like to watch. With watching you can just act like you're dozing off. With music,though, people will look at you as if you're a weirdo if you're plugging your ears. This is unfortunate in my case since I have to deal with the oldies station at work. I swear, if I have to hear Sweet Home Alabama,You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet, or Tonight's the Night one more time...:mad: Why can't they just play the local Jack FM station?

[slasherfan]

I don't get people who watch alot of movies in a movie series if they don't like them. Like when someone says they've seen all the Friday The 13th movies and they all suck, you have to wonder why they watching them all if they didn't like the first few they watched.