Are these Popular Movies- Overrated, Underrated, or Appropriately Rated?

This blog also may contain some spoilers for some of the movies you may not have seen but it is mostly spoiler free.

I feel like movies have really changed in recent times. I was watching a YouTube video where this YouTuber was reacting to a movie (her channel is called Trin Lovell if you want to check it out) and she said that back in the 2000s the camera quality was a little grainy and the color was a little off but that it kind of what made it feel like a movie- like this world you enter for a few hours and then it’s back to reality. Nowadays, the camera quality is so clear but in trying to make everything look real- it just ends up not feeling like a movie. The lines between our reality and the movie are blurred. I think that it perfectly sums up one of the reasons why up why cinema does not get the hype that it used to.

So, lately, I have been on a movie kick. I never used to enjoy watching movies as much as I enjoyed watching tv-shows but I wanted to watch some of the most “iconic” movies and see what is all the hype about.

1. Shutter Island

Director: Martin Scorsese

Cast (main): Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, and Ben Kingsley

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Year released: 2010

Summary (without spoilers): Teddy Daniels and his partner Chuck Ale, who are US Marshalls, are called to Shutter Island to investigate the case of a missing patient. While investigating, lots of secrets are revealed, true motives and shocking twists are unveiled. The lines between reality and fantasy start to blur and Teddy starts to question everything he once knew

Review: Appropriately Rated (I think even a little underrated)- it was an absolutely phenomenal movie that kind of left me confused until the end but in the best way possible. I did not see any of the twists coming and I was completely engrossed the whole time. I thought there was more horror but I think there was just the right amount. This movie messed with my mind but again, in the best way possible. The moment I finished the movie- I wanted to watch it again. The acting was phenomenal, the direction was flawless and the plot was amazing. There was not even one part of the movie where I felt as if it was boring; it had me hooked the whole time.

Quote from the movie: “You’re smarter than you look, Marshall, that is probably not a good thing.”

2. Gone Girl

Director: David Fincher

Cast (main): Rosamund Pike, Ben Affleck, Neil Patrick Harris, Emily Ratajkowski

Genre: Thriller/ Mystery

Year released: 2014

Summary (without spoilers): Amy Dunne has disappeared on the day of their fifth wedding anniversary and who is the main suspect? That’s right, her husband: Nick Dunne. As the investigation begins, lots of truths, deception, and secrets are discovered. The media has painted Nick as this villain and his image is shattered and everyone starts to question the truth of the marriage between Nick and Amy Dunne.

Review: A Little Overrated- This movie is very critically acclaimed and I can see why because of the direction. There are some absolutely beautiful shots in this movie that literally gave me chills (for those of you who have seen the movie- that end scene gave me chills). Also, for those of you who get it- that “cool girl” monologue gave me chills for sure. Overall, I think the movie was a little predictable, for me personally, I saw the first plot twist coming and I was a little bored at part. The movie was not able to completely draw me in and I think Nick and Amy’s characters should have been fleshed out a little more, along with their marriage. this movie introduced me to the concept of an unreliable narrator. I think the movie could have been a little better and I think the beginning is what put me off a little. Nonetheless, it was enjoyable.

Quote from the movie: “When two people love each other, and can’t make it work, that’s the real tragedy.”

3. La La land

Director: Damien Chazelle

Cast (main): Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling

Genre: Musical/ Romance

Year released: 2016

Summary (without spoilers): Sebastian, who is a pianist, and Mia, who is a struggling actress, are both trying to make their careers take off. They meet each other and sparks fly. Soon, life takes a turn and they both are forced to choose between their careers and each other

Review: Appropriately Rated- This movie is one of the only “iconic” movies for which I genuinely get the hype. The direction was so flawless, I think the use of colors was a very smart idea and it really elevated the movie. The acting, of course, was phenomenal. I could see the dedication that the actors had toward their roles. Of course, the music was beautifully composed and I will forever listen to “City of Stars.” I loved the choreography of all of the dances. The story was so mundane but so brilliantly encapsulated into a movie. There is a lot of talk about the ending, let me just tell you- there was no other way I would’ve wanted this movie to end. I think the ending is so fitting and it really adds to the story.

Quote from the movie: “And here’s to the fools who dream”

4. The Notebook

Director: Nick Cassavetes

Cast (main): Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams

Genre: Romance

Year released: 2004

Summary (without spoilers): Allie and Noah come from very different backgrounds. They are separated by society but they still manage to fall in love. It is the telling of the love story between two star-crossed lovers who cannot really be together. They are separated when Noah has to go serve in World War 2 but fate brings them back together and Allie has to choose between her new lover and her old lover.

Review: A Little Overrated- So, I totally see why this movie is so iconic but it just didn’t do it for me. the romance was amazing and that ending was what actually made me like the movie because it genuinely destroyed me, but overall, I felt as if the movie did not have much going for it. It felt a little repetitive for me and slightly predictable and I was bored at times, waiting for the plot to progress but I loved the chemistry between Ryan and Rachel. I also really did like the acting in the movie. I think it was missing that big “impactful” scene that should’ve accompanied the ending.

Quote from the movie: "I wrote you 365 letters. I wrote you every day for a year. It wasn't over… it still isn't over."

5. The Dark Knight

Director: Christopher Nolan

Cast (main): Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, Gary Oldman

Genre: Thriller/ Action

Year released: 2008

Summary (without spoilers): The Joker is absolutely wreaking havoc over Gotham City and always seems to be one step ahead of Batman. The Joker is hired to kill Batman and bring Gotham City to its knees. Batman tries to contain the chaos and what seems like the eventual doom of Gotham City.

Review: Appropriately Rated- This movie was absolutely amazing. I usually don’t watch this genre of movie, but this is the movie that got me into action movies. Heath Ledger’s performance was absolutely brilliant, his interpretation of the Joker is something I don’t think any other actor who takes on this role, will be able to match. The direction, the acting, and the entire story are absolutely mesmerizing. I literally am always at a loss for words when I think about this movie. It is one that is at the peak of cinema and I don’t think any superhero movie (including Marvel, even though I am a Marvel fan) has come close to this movie.

Quote from the movie: "You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."

6. Oceans 11

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Cast (main): George Clooney, Brad Pit, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Julia Roberts, and Don Cheadle

Genre: Crime/Comedy

Year released: 2001

Summary (without spoilers)- Danny Ocean wants to pull off a heist by stealing money from three casinos and puts together a team of eleven people with different skills and talents in order to pull off this grand plan

Review: A Little Overrated- I did not enjoy this movie as much as I thought I would enjoy it. The concept was interesting in theory I think the execution was not the best. I much preferred Oceans 8. They did not really introduce the team members very well- it was very brief and the climax just fell short for me. it felt like the movie completely changed plots for me halfway and I was just really bored throughout. There were some fun comedic elements but for me, the movie fell flat. I felt that the group did not have enough chemistry especially since I recently rewatched Ocean’s 8

Quote from the movie: “I'm not sure what four nines does, but the ace, I think, is pretty high.”

7. Titanic

Director: James Cameron

Cast (main): Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet

Genre: Romance

Year released: 1997

Summary (without spoilers): Rose sets aboard the Titanic, she is from a high-class family, and she is set to be married. As the journey on the Titanic continues, Rose finds herself falling in love with Jack Dawson, who is an artist. Their love quickly develops until great tragedy falls.

Review: Appropriately Rated but also a little bit overrated (JUST A TINY BIT)- This movie is so iconic and is practically known by everyone. I absolutely loved the chemistry and the love between Rose and Jack. It was so pure and so amazing (also I loved it when she referred to herself as Rose Dawson without hesitation at that one part- those who have seen it, basically everyone, will get it). I loved the development of the plot and all the iconic moments but the beginning was very slow and I think the movie spent way too much time on the sinking part I felt as if the plot was not developing towards the end and I got a little bored but other than that I really did love the movie and I can totally see why this movie is so iconic.

Quote from the movie: "Now you know there was a man named Jack Dawson, and that he saved me in every way that a person can be saved. I don't even have a picture of him. He exists now only in my memory.”

8. Inception

Director: Christopher Nolan

Cast (main): Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon- Levitt, Cillian Murphy, Elliot Page, Tom Hardy

Genre: Thriller/ Action

Year released: 2010

Summary (without spoilers): Dom Cobb is able to steal people’s secrets by entering into their dreams. He has been given offered a seemingly impossible task to plant an idea in his enemy’s mind to make it seem like his own. This task is offered with some rewards that Dom cannot refuse. This is a complicated task and Dom’s past seems to leak into his present

Review: Appropriately Rated- This movie was absolutely mind-boggling. It was so interesting and complicated at the same time. There was not one second where I wanted to switch off this movie because the plot was insane. How does someone even come up with something like that? I liked the emotional elements that were added to the film. Overall, I totally get the hype that is given to this film. I love Christopher Nolan’s movies

Quote from the movie: "Dreams feel real when we are in them. It's only when we wake up that we realize something was actually strange."

9. Pride and Prejudice

Director: Joe Wright

Cast (main): Keira Knightly, Matthew Macfadyen

Genre: Romance

Year released: 2005

Summary (without spoilers): The Bennet family is trying to find appropriate husbands for themselves and Mrs. Bennet wants to marry off all her daughters. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy seem to have some kind of attraction but they both need to overcome their pride and prejudice in order to be together due to the difference in their backgrounds in society.

Review: A Little Overrated- This movie was cute but I just don’t get the hype around it. Yes, it did have some of the most amazing lines I have ever heard but I found that the movie dragged on a little bit. I understand that the main point was the love story that was developing but I don’t think that the subplots were done very well. I was often bored in the movie and found myself wanting to skip some parts but I will say- that scene in which Mr. Darcy flexes his hand (the girls that know, know) literally killed me. I loved the chemistry between the actors but overall the movie could have been slightly more interesting

Quote from the movie: “My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love--I love--I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.”

10. Mamma Mia!

Director: Phyllida Lloyd

Cast (main): Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried

Genre: Romance/ Musical/ Comedy

Year released: 2008

Summary (without spoilers): Sophie is getting ready for her wedding in Greece and invites three men, one of whom could potentially be her father. Her mother’s life, Donna, is turned upside down. Memories are revisited and preparations are made for the wedding while Sophie tries to find out who her real father is.

Review: Appropriately Rated but also a little bit overrated (JUST A TINY BIT)- This movie is literally nostalgia wrapped into a movie. Can I just say, there is not a single movie that emulates as good vibes as this one? There were some parts of the movie where I felt the movie was a little slow but overall the song, the direction, the vibes- every single thing was amazing and I really do understand why everyone loves this movie.

Quote from the movie: “The best things in life, the very best things happen unexpectedly.”

I absolutely loved writing this blog and I hope you enjoyed reading it. Let me know what your take on these popular movies are. I’m off to watch more iconic movies to see the hype!!!

Thanks for reading,

Xx Mahika

(Ps: follow my Instagram: @blogbanterandbigwords where I share polls and put teasers for my upcoming blogs, you might also find some nice quotes in there)