Some movies deserve every bit of hate that they get (I’m looking at you, Batman and Robin.)  However, there are some movies that are widely despised, yet I absolutely love.  Presented here are five such movies.

1.  Lady in the Water

M. Night Shyamalan became an overnight sensation with Sixth Sense, and found moderate hits in Signs and Unbreakable…but everything he has released from The Village or later has been universally crapped on by the public…especially Lady in the Water.  People complained that it was boring, that Shyamalan was an egomaniac because he cast himself as a writer who changes the world, and because there is a despicable film critic character who gets brutally killed by a creature.  There are a variety of other reason that people seem to hate this particular film, all of which seem to focus on Shyamalan rather than the film itself.

Screw all that.  Lady in the Water is an amazingly beautiful movie.  It’s a simple, straightforward, goose-bump-inducing movie.  Watching this film late at night is like being told a bed-time story…it leaves me with happy, fuzzy thoughts.  Forget about all the attention given to Shyamalan’s ego, and just watch the film.  It really is incredible.

2.  Avatar

Most people agree that Avatar is a fantastic-looking movie, groundbreaking in its use of computer effects and the level of detail on the moon Pandora.  Most people also think the movie itself was boring.  Personally, I find it to be quite enjoyable and entertaining…it’s a story that we’ve heard before (Pocahontas/Last Samurai/Dances With Wolves/Ferngully), but it’s still well worth watching.  I wouldn’t necessarily consider myself to be an Avatard, but I still defend it if people talk smack about it.  ::shrug:: I’m sorry…I can’t help it!

You can read our review of the 3D movie-theater version of Avatar here.

3.  Freddie Got Fingered

I thought that Tom Green was hilarious back in the day, and never was he better than in Freddie Got Fingered (on a related note, I have long held the view that, unless you have/had ADHD, Tom Green is indeed boring.)  Come on now, Tom Green and Rip Torn?  Holy crap…hilarious, comedy gold.  It was immature, crude, and not all that creative…but Freddie Got Fingered is absolutely hilarious.  If you’ve never seen it because of what you’ve heard, do yourself a favor and watch it.

4.  I Heart Huckabees

I don’t think this film is generally hated, just not understood.  I personally think it’s brilliant.  The script is extremely well written, the comedy is layered and witty, the acting is appropriate for the overall style and tone, and the situations created in this film are perfect.  Dustin Hoffman and Mark Wahlberg are the highlights for me, but the rest of the cast is extremely effective and well utilized.  That being said, I Heart Huckabees is not straightforward at all. There are some scenes that are generally funny, but most of the humor in I Heart Huckabees has to be discovered…not simply heard or seen.

Sit down by yourself for a first viewing, and watch it with a group for a second viewing.  Really, truly pay attention to what’s being said and what’s going on.  It’s a modern classic, in my opinion.

5.  Waterworld

Words cannot describe the hate that most people have for this film.  Complaints range from the gills behind Costner’s ears, to the exorbitant $175 million budget, to hammy acting, to anything else you can imagine.  But you know what?  Go back and watch Waterworld again.  It’s really entertaining stuff that requires little attention or sophistication to enjoy.  There are some really intense action sequences, and the majority of the movie is all practical effects.  Seriously, if it has been a long time since you watched it, go back and give it another shot.  I can almost 100% guarantee you that you will find yourself liking it more than you may care to admit!

So, there’s 5 movies that I love but most people hate.  What are some movies you love that are generally hated?