Wednesday, April 16, 2014

The Average Films Volume I: 1915-2008



I was surprised how few C+ films I have that are pre-2009: a total of 11.   I like to think it is because the lesser films of a bygone era are justifiably forgotten, not that movies in the future were better.

Now, what exactly makes a film a C+ picture?

Well, this for me means that it is an average film, good but not as good as it could have been.  

Sometimes it means that it is a bad movie, but one I found enjoyable based on its merits.  If it doesn't ask much of me apart from mild, almost camp entertainment, I can roll with it.

Sometimes it means that it could have been so much better if only the people in front or behind the camera had made a few different decisions.  It's a bit frustrating to find that a movie is so close to being good, only to trip over itself. 

However, for me, a C+ Film is one that I would give a mild positive recommendation.  Mind you, I'm not saying that these films are great...not by any stretch.  Again, some of these films are pretty weak, and I'm not blind to its flaws.  On the whole though, if it is on television, I could do worse.

Curiously, a few of these Average Yet Positive-Scoring Films are Best Picture Winners, sadly now forgotten. 

With that, my Eleven Average Films from 1915-2008.

Berserk! (1967)



The Broadway Melody (1929)


Cimarron (1931)



Conquest of Planet of the Apes (1972)


Diamonds Are Forever (1971)


Glory Road (2006)


The Great Ziegfeld (1936)



Harry Potter and the
Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Moonraker (1979)


Spider-Man 2 (2004)


Under the Same Moon (2008)

Next time, the C+ (ie. Average But Good) Films from 2009 to today...all 56 (57 if I write one more review between now and then).

Too Low?  Too High?  Let me know and I'll take a "Second Look".  

2 comments:

  1. I'd like you to take a second look at Spider-Man 2 because I believe you heavily underrated it.

    I agree with your ratings for the Bond movies. Moonraker was entertaining in a "So cheesy it is funny" type way with the ridiculous space stuff that tried to capitalize on Star Wars' success.

    -James

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  2. Ah, Spidey 2...my friends have gotten on me about this more than just about any other review. The first time I saw in the theater, I LOVED it. The second time I saw it, I wondered why I liked it. The third time I thought, 'it's OK, but not great'.

    I've known only two people who liked "Moonraker", and I know it's not a great film, but it is so self-conscious about its own lunacy I enjoy it. Besides, it has Jaws, and that alone makes me forgive much.

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