Posts
Just call me Susie Sunshine, because this week we are talking about DEPRESSING movies! Not the tear-jerkers, friends, but the ones that make you want to drive your car into a wall. Usually the movies I list here each week are ones I would recommend, but not this time around. Unless you feel like a big dose of melancholy (and sometimes you do), you should avoid these at all costs.
1. The Squid and the Whale - Great director, great cast. But I was sorely tempted to throw something large and destructive at the TV screen when I finished this one. If you ever wanted to watch a slow, disturbing example of the horrors of divorce on the children, wallow in a couple of hours of this.
2. Winter's Bone - yes, yes, I know it was nominated for four Oscars, and Jennifer Lawrence did a fine job of acting. But really. The idea of a 17-year- old raising her two younger siblings, caring for her insane mama, and trying to find her druggy daddy that skipped bail so she won't lose the house and have to live in the woods? And more awfulness that I won't get into? It all gave me a stomachache.
3. Grave of the Fireflies - This little ray of sunshine is about two starving street orphans trying to survive in post WWII Japan. It is a realistic and disturbing bit of animation, and has been deemed "profoundly human", but I'd rather not watch children die, thanks.
4. House of Sand and Fog - Again, more Oscars. Oscar likes depression I think. I will admit to being in awe of Ben Kingsley and Jennifer Connelly. Their acting here was second to none, but there is nothing happy here. I wanted to crawl under my covers for a week.
5. Requiem For a Dream - I hesitated in putting this movie on my list. Again, nothing happy here. Absolutely NOTHING. But yet it is so horrifying, you can't help but staring like a Looky Loo driving by a bad traffic accident. You turn off the DVD with not so much depression as revulsion. It is a fine line.
This is a therapy session of sorts! So let it out...which movies make you feel horrid? Get it off your chest, you'll feel better.
17 comments:
Great, depressing list! I guess that's a compliment... I definitely agree with the last 3 movies, but I haven't seen the others on your list. Thanks for hosting the meme!
The Bicycle Thief is the saddest thing I've ever seen. You must watch it sometime. It's a wonderful movie.
I started out watching Winter's Bone, but left the room for my husband to finish it. Too dark for me! But I did want to see a little at least, since it was so praised, and since the star will be Katniss!
Funny (in the not funny sense, ha!) little story about House of Sand & Fog...I picked up the book and read it first thinking it was a GHOST story...or something paranormally inclined. I had this notion because somewhere it my head I had glimpsed the preview of the film 'way back when' and it registered as a horror inspired film.
And I guess, it is kinda like a horror film. Because MAN was it horrific? Like a train wreck happening and you couldn't stop it. The book was brilliant and the film was too. (This rarely happens, yes?)
Now, one that I would add to this list and don't know if you've seen is Happiness. (Look it up!) (But don't blame me afterward!) It's one of those films that you don't really want to recommend because as soon as I finished watching it I just wanted to take a hot shower because I felt dirty. It was THAT sad. Melancholy even.
I haven't seen any of these and won't run out and look for them either now.
I'm with you on the ones I did see (and the others I just avoided). Requiem for a Dream is quite possibly one of the most depressing movies I've ever seen-to the point of revulsion. But, hey, great list. So glad I got back to blogging so I remember what not to watch.
The only ones I have seen on this list are Requiem for a Dream and The House of Sand and Fog. They were both pretty depressing movies for sure. If I had to add one to this list it would be SherryBaby with Maggie Gyllenhaal. That movie made me want to bang my head against a wall!
Yowza, I'm depressed just thinking about some of these. House of Sand and Fog and Requiem For a Dream were particularly depressing.
All I remember from The Squid and the Whale is the kid wiping semen on a school locker and Jeff Daniel's beard.
Winter's Bone = dull
Grave of the Fireflies is one of the greatest animated films like evah
Requiem for a Dream was quite good but I think the soundtrack by Clint Mansell is the best part of it
The Squid & the Whale wasn't depressing to me but just plain awful. Requiem For a Dream was dark but very powerful & well made. Dancer in the Dark is by far the most depressing film I've seen and it has musical numbers (!). It's the ending that's just heart-wrenching.
I read and saw The House of Sand and Fog. I think the book was better than the movie ... but you're right ... so depressing!
Requiem for a Dream is a great choice for this week's meme. It is a sad and depressing movie, for sure. The movie inspired a friend of mine to want to stop smoking weed, so I guess some good does come of the story though, as lessons that can be applied in reality.
I'm actually looking forward to watching House of Sand and Fog. From what I've read among reviews and such, it appears to be a really good movie. I'll be watching it within the next week or so and hope that it is a good movie, despite the depression factor highlighted here. One thing for sure....it goes have a great cast.
The Madlab Post
I don't even remember the details on House of Sand & Fog - just that overall I felt it was such a pity.
As you know, I love Req. for a Dream. I guess I never really thought of it as depressing - just incredibly powerful.
Train Spotting had some pretty damn depressing moments. That's one I didn't think of earlier this morning.
A Star is Born depressed the heck out of me. Mostly I avoid depressing movies.
I would like to watch Winter's Bone.
Of these, I have only seen #4. I was definitely depressed by both the book and the movie of that one!
Post a Comment