Seeing Classics Late in Life: A Question

[ChaosTheory]

This weekend I sat down & watched the GODFATHER movies (well, parts 1 & 2 anyway) for the first time ever.  And, well, I was a little underwhelmed with Part 1 - I was into it for the first half but once Sonny got killed it began to feel really disjointed; also had a hard time investing in most of the characters, apart from Tom and maybe Michael (in the beginning).  If I were to put it up against some of the other gangster movies I've seen in the past, like most notably GOODFELLAS, HEAT and CARLITO'S WAY, it would come up short for me -- which I realize isn't really fair because those movies obviously came much later and were influenced by GODFATHER.  I don't know if it was having seen those other movies first, or if my expectations were too high, or what.   
Weirdly enough, I loved pretty much every frame of Part 2.

Has this happened to anyone else?  Is there a window of discovery for movies as prominently classic as this, or am I just being a philistine?

[Jack]

Same here.  I didn't see Suspiria until a few years ago and my attitude towards it falls into the philistine category as well.  Heretical even  

Don't think I could possibly make it all the way through Rocky these days either.  If I ever hear another "Adriaaaaaaannnnnnnn!!!" I think I'd hang myself.

[The Burgomaster]

I think the problem may be if you wait a long time to see a movie, you will probably hear about it, read about it, see parodies of it, see clips of it, and see other movies that were influenced by it so many times that when you finally watch the movie it will seem "watered down."  GODFATHER and GODFATHER II are my favorite movies by a wide margin.  Other movies drop in and out of my top 10 list, but GODFATHER and GODFATHER II are always at the top.  I have seen the GODFATHER at least 50 times (no exaggeration) and I've probably seen Part II at least 25 or 30 times.  I've seen these movies one or more times in each of the following formats: drive-in, videotape, pay movie channels, commercial televison, DVD.  To me, they are classics . . . but I originally saw them when they were "new."  

[JaseSF]

I've yet to see the Godfather movies myself but I do like the old black and white gangster films from the 40s-50s.

[Flick James]

I think the problem may be if you wait a long time to see a movie, you will probably hear about it, read about it, see parodies of it, see clips of it, and see other movies that were influenced by it so many times that when you finally watch the movie it will seem "watered down." 

Great assessment, Burgo. 

I do love both Godfather I and II. Everybody has a preference, sure. I don't think I've ever spoken to somebody who loves them equally. I used to prefer I, but over the years I've grown to prefer II.

[The Burgomaster]

I think the problem may be if you wait a long time to see a movie, you will probably hear about it, read about it, see parodies of it, see clips of it, and see other movies that were influenced by it so many times that when you finally watch the movie it will seem "watered down." 

Great assessment, Burgo. 

I do love both Godfather I and II. Everybody has a preference, sure. I don't think I've ever spoken to somebody who loves them equally. I used to prefer I, but over the years I've grown to prefer II.

I think the original has better characters, but I think Part II is an overall superior movie.

[ChaosTheory]

I think the problem may be if you wait a long time to see a movie, you will probably hear about it, read about it, see parodies of it, see clips of it, and see other movies that were influenced by it so many times that when you finally watch the movie it will seem "watered down." 

Good point.  So many of the key scenes/shots have been referenced and parodied so much from the first movie that I knew what was coming a lot of the time, that probably didn't help.  Might also explain why I liked Part II more, less familiarity - although I really enjoyed the whole parallel/contrast between Michael and young Vito and thought II was overall edited better.

[Ed, Ego and Superego]

I did a Charlie Chaplin film fest...all his movies in a row in chronoligial order. He was undoubtedly a genius. Buit you could see that people didn't really knwo what made a film good, or even funny .  They were figuring it out as they went.

[The Burgomaster]

I haven't seen GIGLI yet.  I hope seeing it so many years after its release won't ruin it for me.

[Flick James]

I haven't seen GIGLI yet.  I hope seeing it so many years after its release won't ruin it for me.

And the longer you wait, the more the film will have lost it's lustre. I'm expecting a review from you next week.

[akiratubo]

You will be disappointed in Gigli.  It isn't all that bad, frankly.  It's certainly nowhere close to good but there's nothing that stands out as exceptionally bad, either.  The only reason it has such a reputation is because Affleck/Lopez were in the media spotlight when it came out and people jumped at a chance to tear them down.

[Hammock Rider]

  Films are subjective, like any art. If you don't like one all that means is that you didn't like it.

[Flick James]

  Films are subjective, like any art. If you don't like one all that means is that you didn't like it.

Well, yes, there is no lack of subjectivity, but I would argue that there is plenty of objectivity as well. This doesn't mean that everybody is going to appreciate Citizen Kane, but most semi-rational people are going to acknowledge the importance and greatness of the film, even if they never see it. I for one have seen it and don't really care for it. That's the subjectivity part. But I understand it's importance and would never call it a piece of s**t. A few would, but most are going to accept that it's a great piece of film art whether they like it or not. That's the objectivity part. So, I don't agree that art is completely subjective.

I love The Godfather Parts I and II. But even if I didn't it would be kind of foolish of me to refuse to acknowledge it's iconic presence and influence. That makes them great films. But I don't have to like them.

[The Burgomaster]

Iagree with Flick James.  There is a difference between "good movies" and "movies you like."  I like PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE, but it definitely isn't a good movie.  CITIZEN KANE isn't in my top 10 favorite movies (nor is it in my top 20 . . . maybe not even top 50).  But it's definitely a well-made movie and did some great things with cinematography and sound that were ahead of its time. 

[bob]

When I first saw Citizen Kane several months ago I was extremely disappointed and let down....but as the months passed and I started to think about it the more and more I liked it.