Secret 19…I only like to watch films I’ve seen before
Posted under 30 Secrets in 30 Days, Lists of things, People I love
A bit 'take a letter Miss Freak' - no?
So, I only like to watch films I’ve seen before. It’s not as daft as it sounds; watching a film takes a couple of hours of my life and I need to be confident it’s going to be worth the bother. Naturally there is a ‘bit’ of a flaw here in terms of actually watching any new films and getting them on to the Approved List. Generally I stick to the following categories:
1. Films with a near identical plot to a film on the Approved List
2. Films without Keira Knightly in them
3. Films which are sequels to those on the Approved List
4. Films of books I have read and loved (VERY dicey though, trade off between ruining my love of the book v safety net of knowing what the plot is)
5. Films with Michael Palin in them
Films that I categorically refuse to watch:
1. Anything MrSpud says is ‘an absolute classic’ (dong: hear that? that’s its death knell)
2. Anything involving war, violence, subtitles, conflict, horror, hobbits or sci-fi
3. Anything with dead horses heads in it
4. Anything with John Wayne in it
5. Anything involving historical reenactments of any kind
I’m perfectly happy with my Approved List but not so MrSpud who has tried to instigate Movie Night, each Saturday, in the desperate hope of him being allowed to watch something not directed by Mike Leigh. I’m not that keen on the idea as I think the list is just fine as it is. One or two new films have slipped through the net despite my best efforts at distraction, but for the most part the Approved List remains reassuringly static.
Occasionally I allow MrSpud to watch films that are not on the Approved List, as long as he doesn’t try to make me watch them or engage me in any kind of discussion about his movie du choix. The absolute exception to this rule is the Lord of the (sno)Ring trilogy which I cannot abide.
MrSpud having a turn with 'the eyes'
When I very first met MrSpud I got hoodwinked in to trip to the cinema with him and his extended family to see Lord of the Rings. I really thought that film would never, ever end and that I would be stuck forever in some kind of recurring nightmare involving Shires and people with bad ears and a terminally poor grip on reality. Three hours of misery, contemplating ripping off my own arm and eating it to alleviate the tedium, whilst trapped between a couple of Nanas who slept soundly throughout. Straight in to the Grudge Book for MrSpud for that little jaunt – he has a whole page to himself you know…
Yay, someone else who doesn’t like the films of John Wayne and Keira Knightly.
oh oh, you’ve been photoshopping. is that because you’re all RAW now?
i feel the same way about the lord of the rings…and i’ve never read it either. and am not gonna.
or is that just a LR preset? if so, i think i have it too…and LR is totally ok. :-)
Julie…PS has crashed and burned on my macbook. Sob. I generally currently only use LR. I did that in Picnik!
Indeed I am all RAW, huge files though Urgh.
I’m totally doing this, because I keep thinking that very few films are actually worth my time (you know, my time is reaaaaally valuable!). And I’m banning Keira too!
Well, obviously I now want to know what is on the Approved List. I can’t approve of your KK ban, as I love both Atonement and Pride and Prejudice.
I use the same tactic when it comes to films – why bother with a new movie when you can see an old one you know you’ll like :-)
I approve of the ban on LOTR – carry on
You are hilarious. I love it. Love these pictures!!!
I am the same way. I watch the same ones over and over. To the consternation of my poor hubby.
I’m so utterly with you on banning Keira Knightley – can the woman NEVER close her mouth or what?
So what DO you like? and how can they get on your list if you only watch the ones you like? I am pretty much a film snob and hate long boring stuff like LOTR and anything with fake monsters…. I also can’t stand to discuss movies with people and I really puke when someone QUOTES LlNES FROM MOVIES…. unless it’s Scarlet saying Tomorrow is another day… that is now my motto.
Ali, my love, read the post? I know it’s long but, you know…keep up? Stuff gets on to the list through my pre-approved process as listed. Or by stealth ie on a plane, or MrSpud forces me, or VERY strong recommendation by trusted source…
You are too humourous.
[...] we all loved each other. There was a ‘bit’ of a moment when they forced me to endure 3 hours of Hobbit related nonsense at the cinema but I was full of bonhomie and only penciled them in to the Grudge Book, for review [...]
[...] in to my seat and congratulated myself on my good fortune and cunning. I selected my movie choices (only ones I’d seen before, obviously), picked up a couple of trashy magazines and started making selections from the [...]
Cracking up over here. Rolling on the floor laughing at the bad ears thing.
[...] previously confessed as one of my 30 secrets in 30 days, I only like to watch films I’ve seen before. Whilst readily admitted the rather limiting nature of this part of my personality I did, as part of [...]