Movies I Like (That I Might Not Watch Again)

Director: Gaspar Noé


Plot: Events over the course of one traumatic night in Paris unfold in reverse-chronological order as the beautiful Alex is brutally raped and beaten by a stranger in the underpass.

To date, this is the only movie I have watched that I cannot decide on a rating for. I cannot decide if I like it or not. I will never watch it again for sure, as it's incredibly uncomfortable viewing, but it's a credit to the filmmakers that it's so competently made and disturbing.

I dunno. This movie broke me.

Director: Tomas Alfredson


Plot: In the bleak days of the Cold War, espionage veteran George Smiley is forced from semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6's echelons.

I saw this movie at the cinema with my mother and father. It had attracted a strong critical reception, which made us all curious. All of us walked away a bit unsure of it. Yeah, it's beautifully-made with superb actors, but it's all a bit convoluted and peculiar.

I would never feel inclined to buy this movie. Even if I did watch it again, I would only watch it once or twice.

Director: Justin Kurzel


Plot: Based on true events, 16 year-old Jamie falls in with his mother's new boyfriend and his crowd of self-appointed neighborhood watchmen, a relationship that leads to a spree of torture and murder.

Snowtown is a decent little Australian film, but it's also incredibly disturbing and uncomfortable viewing. Of course this is by design, but nevertheless I will never feel inclined to buy this movie, or watch it again if I can avoid it.

Director: Andrew Dominik


Plot: Jackie Cogan is an enforcer hired to restore order after three dumb guys rob a Mob protected card game, causing the local criminal economy to collapse.

Looking back, I probably overrated this movie by a fair margin. I don't remember be overly entertained by it, and it was a bit of a drag despite the competent technical presentation. I might watch it again, but I certainly would not find myself buying it.

Director: Oliver Stone


Plot: Two victims of traumatized childhoods become lovers and psychopathic serial murderers irresponsibly glorified by the mass media.

I usually gravitate towards Oliver Stone movies, but I remain indifferent towards this one. Insanely violent and unpleasant, it's no doubt the movie Stone wanted to make, but again it's not a movie with much replay value. I feel the enterprise wasn't pulled off with enough class.

Director: Kathryn Bigelow


Plot: A chronicle of the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks, and his death at the hands of the Navy S.E.A.L. Team 6 in May 2011.

We have reached the first movie on this list I actually do own, but more for my interest in military movies than its value as a motion picture. I've watched it a couple of times, and it remains an overlong picture with vague structuring that comes to life in isolated set-pieces. The takedown of Osama bin Laden's compound remains a superb piece of cinema, extremely exciting and gripping, on top of being a realistic depiction of a military op. Everything that comes before it? A bit meh.

Director: Jean-Luc Godard


Plot: A U.S. secret agent is sent to the distant space city of Alphaville where he must find a missing person and free the city from its tyrannical ruler.

I've written a full review of this movie which is worth reading if you want my analysis, but here's the thing: Alphaville is pretty freaking slow-moving, occasionally boring. You appreciate the film's various themes and satiric messages from a film critic standpoint, but as someone who likes to watch movies, I have no shame in admitting I prefer to watch something entertaining. You admire this movie, but you don't feel compelled to watch it again.

Director: Danny Boyle


Plot: An art auctioneer who has become mixed up with a group of criminals partners with a hypnotherapist in order to recover a lost painting.

Like most movies on the list, I have written a full review, and I still stand by what I said. This is an impressive visual experience with Boyle at the top of his filmmaking game, but it's just not any fun despite being so skilful. If I ever bought the movie on Blu-ray, it'd gather dust, so there is no point.

I admire it. I just don't derive any entertainment value from it.

Director: Steven Spielberg


Plot: As the Civil War nears its end, President Abraham Lincoln clashes with members of his cabinet over the issue of abolishing slavery.

We've reached the second item on the list that I do own, though strictly because of the Spielberg connection. It's a very talky film and it's not overly entertaining, but the acting is so good and the production values so solid that you have to admire it.