And I’m a bit confused at how you give “it’s pure entertainment” as your reason for liking Pirates, and yet with Titanic you criticize it for being “meaningless”. Why is it that you can you enjoy Pirates purely on entertainment grounds, but not Titanic?

I do want to say, for the record, that I do not buy into the “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” when it comes to movies. I actually think there are good movies and bad movies, even though a handful of people will think bad movies are good and good movies are bad. That is the only way to explain the movie review industry. It wouldn’t exist if the beauty was purely in the eye of the beholder.

“and the idea that there is real good and real evil in this world and ultimately we must choose one or the other, and finally, that in the end love conquers all.”

Wait, you’re talking about Star Wars right? Because I didn’t see any of that in Titanic…

I didn’t read any of those articles on what makes a good movie. I don’t really have time right now, but I do want to comment that I don’t really care what someone else tries to tell me makes a great movie. A movie is art, and as with all art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In my opinion, the Batman comic I read last week is better than the Mona Lisa. Why? Because I get absolutely nothing out of the Mona Lisa. Not even entertainment. Batman? Well, I get not only entertainment, but existential/theological/intellectual ideas/discussions. Good vs. Evil. Christ-like self sacrifice. Etc. So, is the art in Batman better semantically than the Mona Lisa? uh… I don’t know or care. I’m not even “qualified” to decide that, but I’m betting “no” is what some pointy headed elitist art-freak (expert) would say. Bah hum-bug.

Titanic was a meaningless chick-flick out of which I got no lasting ideas or moralistic debates/values. Pirates was pure entertainment. They are both on equal footing in my opinion since neither of them really “meant” anything. Now, a film like Batman on the other hand, that’s different entirely…

Now – here’s the kicker – the PAT and the examples listed by the Cracker only prove the quote,

Great people talk about ideas.
Average people talk about things.
Small people talk about other people.

In the examples listed above for why folks either liked or did not like the movies, the PEOPLE in the film accounted for half of them. Modern men and women rarely care anymore about the essence of the film and even less about the message and ideas conveyed. The same goes with music and fashion. Modern idiocy dictates that we simply care about the entertainment value and the people in the film, the beat and grind of the music and the artist that sings/raps it rather than the lyrics, and the models and celebrities that wear the clothes, rather than the quality and beauty of them.

Perfect example…Pirates vs. Titanic. Pirates – lots of swashbuckling and sexy stars, but thin story and no real ideals/ideas conveyed. It’s for entertainment.

Titanic – sexy stars and some action, but a great story based on factual events, and the idea that there is real good and real evil in this world and ultimately we must choose one or the other, and finally, that in the end love conquers all.

I’m not saying I thought nothing was wrong with Titanic, as I could definitely list some “Hollywood-izing” that I didn’t care for. (Although I don’t recall any gratuitous nudity…) But overall, the film itself, as well as films like the Matrix, LOTR, etc. and the ideas and ideals they convey touch on the truth inherent in all of us – that there is more to this life than just possessions and popularity, a higher calling than reveling in the basest of human desires, love and good worth fighting for, true justice for the oppressed, and that ideas and actions can change the world.

My two cents worth.

“Unnecessary gratuitous nudity” – Where was this? Did I get the made-for-TV version or something?

So you thought Braveheart had a stupid ending too, I take it.

And to address your question of what makes a good movie, I would direct you to this article and this article which I highly agree with. Also, take a look at AFI’s top 100 films of all time if you still aren’t clear.

Yes, Austin Powers is a great movie, but I would never rate it above The Shawshank Redemption – even though I would rather watch Goldmember tonight than Shawshank if given a choice. It’s highly entertaining, as is Pirates, but not a better film than Shawshank or Titanic.

POTC: Are we talking the first one? Or the second and third ones? The movie was highly entertaining, somewhat re-watchable, witty, nostalgic (instantly, because of the ride), funny, and absolutely stupid. 3/5

It all depends on what you expect from a movie. If you expect it to entertain you, or if you expect it to be artsy, or if you expect it to educate/make you think, you are going to get completely different things out of it.

Proper expectations are crucial to enjoying a movie. I thought the Matrix was a vampire film going into it, and because of that, was extremely pleasantly surprised/shocked by what it turned out to be, which actually made it better (it exceeded my expectations). Had I thought it was going to be about math proofs, I would have been very disappointed and not liked it as much…