Even though I discovered this blogathon challenge a little late (as it runs August 21-23), it sounded like fun so I decided to throw together a quick blog post today to take part! The Against the Crowd Blogathon 2020 is being hosted by Dell on Movies and you can read more about it here!
Basically, you chose two movies from Rotten Tomatoes – one to go against, and one to defend. The movie you go against should have a Fresh rating of 75% or more, and the movie you defend should be Rotten at 35% or less. And if you decide to take part, make sure you use the hashtag #AgainsttheCrowd2020 on social media!
Against the Crowd Blogathon 2020:
I had a feeling defending a “rotten” movie would be easy, as most of the movies I love tend to have rotten scores on RT. Finding a certified fresh movie that I hated was a bit more difficult. There were plenty of films that I could rant against that were certified fresh, but they weren’t *quite* at 75%. However… I finally found it. A movie that is 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and one I’ve already ranted about on this blog. So, without further ado, here are my Against the Crowd entries:
Sixteen Candles – 81% on Rotten Tomatoes. How on earth does this movie have 81% on Rotten Tomatoes? To be fair, I had never seen this movie until earlier this year, so perhaps I just had a difficult time keeping in mind that this was written and filmed in the ’80s when casual racism, sexism, and rape culture were more “acceptable” to audiences. But honestly? Even separating the era from 2020, I still don’t think I would have liked this movie compared to Hughes’s other films.
I didn’t buy Sam and Jake’s insta-romance at the end of the film because they were barely in any scenes together prior to the iconic birthday cake scene. Long Duk Dong was a pretty damn racist caricature (did we really need the gong sound whenever he was on screen?), Jake casually passing off his drunk girlfriend to the aggressively creepy nerd, Ted, in order to get rid of her… I just didn’t see what made this movie a “classic” at all. It was a complete mess without any ounce of cohesive narrative.
Before We Go – 28% on Rotten Tomatoes. As I said, most of the movies I tend to love have rotten scores on RT. Chris Evans’s directorial debut really got raked over the critics’ hot coals when it was released in 2014, but you know what? I freaking loved this movie. A simple story about a married woman in New York City who misses her train home and reluctantly accepts help from a struggling musician.
Alice Eve and Chris Evans had some palpable chemistry, and I think it’s fair to compare Before We Go a little bit to Before Sunrise, simply because so much of the film is dialogue as the characters get to know one another and finally begin to open up about their insecurities and vulnerabilities. I found it incredibly romantic, and the end left me wanting more. This is definitely an underrated romance and deserves better!
Sara
August 23, 2020Anytime! Thank you for hosting such an interesting blogathon challenge! I loved going back to previous years to see what other bloggers had chosen for their films as well. I would love to hear what you think of Sixteen Candles now, should you ever re-visit it. I loved St. Elmo’s Fire when I was a teenager, but watching it as an adult, I couldn’t stand it (for the most part), so who knows, I *may* have liked this back in the day. But now? No, thank you! lol
thevoid99
August 24, 2020I grew up on Sixteen Candles and I had no problem with Long Duk Dong at all but it was a different time. Yet, it’s a film that I feel has gotten overplayed and overrated as some John Hughes films haven’t dated well as every high school movie always borrow from that which makes them un-enjoyable to watch and I became quite disdainful towards them when I went to high school which sucked.
Before We Go seems like something interesting as I do like Chris Evans a lot as he’s become one of my favorite actors in the past decade as I’m eager to see what he has to say as a filmmaker.
Sara
August 24, 2020I completely agree! I had always loved The Breakfast Club and I think it still holds up fairly well today. I recently watched Some Kind of Wonderful for the first time and enjoyed that one as well (better than Pretty in Pink IMO). To be honest, my favorite Hughes movies are Planes, Trains and Automobiles, The Great Outdoors and Christmas Vacation (though I know he didn’t direct the last two…). I think his strength was beyond the teen movies.
Joel
August 24, 2020There are certain parts of Sixteen Candles I get a kick out of- the grandparents, Molly Ringwald’s performance and a few other things-but overall it is dumb looking back on it. I haven’t seen it in years.
Before You Go intrigued me until you mentioned Before Sunrise. I hated that entire series of movies with a passion. I do like Chris Evans though so maybe someday.
Sara
August 26, 2020If it makes you feel better there’s more action (the characters interacting with others, finding themselves in various situations) in Before We Go than there was in the Before Trilogy!
sati
August 25, 2020oh I liked that Chris Evans movie too but I’m probably biased 😛
Sara
August 26, 2020I’m totally bias! 😀
Katy
September 12, 2020I haven’t seen Sixteen Candles, but I really liked Before We Go too. Their chemistry was really good, and the film played to a lot of strengths for a first-time director by focusing on two characters around a big location. I liked that they were both vulnerable characters and hope Evans takes up directing again sometime.
Sara
September 14, 2020I was just wondering if he would direct again! I thought he did a fine job with Before We Go. Also, don’t bother with Sixteen Candles. So not worth it!