“I feel like I’m taking crazy pills!” (W. Ferrell, Zoolander)

We’ve all been there. You’re having a friendly conversation about movies when someone pops in with a trendy opinion that is bonkers to you. Or maybe you’re reading a “Best [insert genre] Movies of All Time” list that leaves you perplexed at the number one title. Or maybe there is a new movie that everyone thinks is the greatest thing since sliced bread, yet you’re left scratching your head as to why. This recently happened to me with Sinners.

Now, don’t get me wrong; Sinners is fine. But it’s only fine (check out my review HERE). It’s not “a shoo-in for Best Picture,” it’s certainly not “the greatest vampire movie ever made,” and it most definitely isn’t “the first truly original movie in years” — all direct quotes I’ve heard from multiple people. To reiterate, it’s not a bad movie, but I do not understand the level of hype, love, acclaim, and superlatives being piled on it. I just don’t get it.

Given this recent experience, as well as the fact that Sinners hits digital platforms next week, I started thinking about other movies and shows that are universally loved and well-regarded that I simply don’t get. Not so much things I dislike that others love, but more along the lines of “why did this become the thing?” How did something I find so middle-of-the-road land in the “Best of…” conversation collective? Much to my surprise — and maybe yours given my reputation as Bitesize’s OG (Old Grump) — I somewhat struggled to come up with titles. Granted, I tried to rein in my more ranty, old-man-yelling-at-clouds thoughts so as not to come off too much like Andy Rooney (look him up, youngins). I’m sure that drained the swamp a bit, so to speak.

First, I didn’t consider any major IP with a devoted fandom, meaning no Marvel, Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, and the like, because even if I’m not a fan of a certain franchise, I can appreciate the fun and community connection that comes with enthusiastic and sprawling fanbases. For example, I don’t adore Harry Potter, but between the amusement parks, conventions, merchandising, “which Potter House are you?” quizzes, and ingrained camaraderie, I completely understand why people do. It’s nice to be a part of something. I’m part of a few fandoms myself, so to put it in simpler terms: I get it.

Second, I avoided any movies that were, in my opinion, only loved by the pretentious arthouse critic scene and awards panels. For the most part, these are movies that pundits rave about during the short awards season, then are generally forgotten about by almost everyone except armchair scholars who want to make the “Marvel is not cinema” argument. I admit this is anecdotal, but no real person I’ve ever met is still singing the praises of The Artist, Power of the Dog, The English Patient, or Phantom Thread (all Best Picture nominees, two of them winners). I get the echo chamber of awards season, so it seems unfair to consider movies that were overhyped in a singular moment. Did I get all the love for Best Picture nominee Mank? Nope. And considering this is likely the first time you’ve heard anyone mention it in the past five years probably means that most everyone else didn’t get it either, so am I really alone on that one?

After setting the rules, giving it some thought, and considering my word count, I’ve come up with three titles that, in most conversations, I’m the outlier. Things that cause my friends to look at me with slack-jawed bewilderment while audibly gasping when I say, “I don’t get it.” Every time this happens, I think back to Mugatu and his crazy pills. Can I really be that wrong about a movie or show? Am I on crazy pills? I suppose it’s possible. But then again, “the greatest vampire movie ever made” rings out in my head, letting me know that I’m not the one on crazy pills because that’s a fucking bonkers take.

With that in mind, let’s jump straight into the deep end and piss some people off…

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