Against the Crowd Blogathon

I recently stumbled upon Dell on Movies, and he is hosting a blogathon (side note: blogathons really are an amazing factor when it comes to discovering more blogs). This one seems really fun, as he creates a no judgment zone when it comes to movies you love or just don't like with a passion. So here are the rules:

1. Pick one movie that "everyone" loves (the more iconic, the better). That movie must have a score of at least 80% on rottentomatoes.com. Tell us why you hate it.

2. Pick one movie that "everyone" hates (the more notorious, the better). That movie must have a score of less than 30% on rottentomatoes.com. Tell us why you love it.

3. Include the tomato meter scores of both movies.

So let's get started!

MOVIE "EVERYBODY" LOVES (BUT I DON'T)

Director: Wes Anderson

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 94%

Despite being a fan of Wes Anderson's work, Moonrise Kingdom was one film that I found tedious to watch. It's his most acclaimed work, but I found it so uninspired. Not only was the writing terrible, the main characters were a bunch of unlikeable children, and there was hardly any participation or any interesting quirk about the supporting cast, something that Anderson's films usually have. The film dives into the concept of young love between Suzy and Sam, and tracks their misadventures while being on a lam. At the end of it all, even with the usual Anderson style, I never believed that this was an exhibition of young love. Sure, the stage of perpetual awkwardness was there, but it's not enough to procure that these characters were in love. At most, these characters were just bored with their lives and just needed a little adventure of their own. Neither character has anything remotely interesting about them, or a kind of quality that makes them likable. Suzy, who appears to be of a literary type, doesn't really exhibit much of it with the exception of her accessories. Sam was just a frustrated kid who has been transferring from one home to another, not really finding where he belongs. There wasn't anything about their relationship that screams out the proclamation of the innocence of love. 

The supporting cast, including Anderson's regulars, usually provide humor of their own, but they were all lackluster in this one. It really comes to a point that I had to question, why did these characters exist in the first place? They neither added to the story or made the film better in any way. I usually watch Anderson's films over again, but I really cannot bring myself to sit through this one. I even have a habit of checking out films again when everyone seems to love it, and I try to understand why, but I can't do it with Moonrise Kingdom. Even when it comes on television, I have the urge to switch the channel. That's how much I can't stand this film. 

MOVIE "EVERYBODY" HATES (BUT I DON'T)

Director: Penelope Spheeris

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 27%

I always thought that The Little Rascals was a beloved children's film, until I saw the rating. The movie was quite funny and adorable, and I could not figure out how these little kids could deliver their lines with a kind of snark. Watching them roam around delivering lines that only work for children, the movie was such a delight. There's a lot going on in this movie: love, friendship, fellowship, that are dealt with in a children's perspective, yet a grown up way of dealing with things emerge from some of the scenes.

Primarily what makes the movie work are its cast members who are very adorable. From their delivery, to their facial expressions, and the lines they get to work with? No wonder the movie is hilarious! I love how Spanky is and how he delivers his lines (he's like an old wise man), and Darla's facial expressions are wonderful. Those kids were definitely hilarious, and this movie is adorable!