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The 20 Most Boring Films of All Time


A Seriously Random List / The Pajiba Readership

Seriously Random Lists | September 11, 2009 | Comments (138)


Earlier this week, we ran a comment diversion on the most boring films of all time, which turned out to be more popular than I’d anticipated (I’d originally planned on running an SRL on the five best movies where nothing ever happens, e.g., Before Sunrise, Lost in Translation, until I’d seen that it’d been done quite a few times). When a diversion strikes a chord like that, I like to go back, pore through the comments, and assess them. In doing so, based on the number of mentions and general vitriol, I’ve come up with the 20 Most Boring Films of All Time, as compiled by our readers. I don’t personally agree with all of them (Lost in Translation and No Country for Old Men) but I was taken by just how many of these movies were critically well received. In fact, with one or three exceptions, all of these movies are generally considered to be good films, and yet our mostly high-minded readership concluded that they were the most boring. Interesting.

Many of you have already noted your most boring film; curiously, I’d like to see how many folks would defend any of the following movies, many of which I would put on my own personal list of dullest films.

1. 2001: Space Odyssey

2. The English Patient

3. The Thin Red Line

4. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

5. Broken Flowers

6. New World

7. There Will be Blood

8. The Age of Innocence

9. Atonement

10. Meet Joe Black

11. Eraserhead

12. The Hours

13. Lost in Translation

14. Eyes Wide Shut

15. No Country for Old Men

16. Breakfast at Tiffanys

17. Titanic

18. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

19. Barry Lyndon

20. Legends of the Fall


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Comments

I thought The Age of Innocence was boring when it first came out, and I was 12. But seeing it much later, I absolutely loved it. I admit that I am a sucker for period pieces, but this movie isn't boring. It is one of those movies where it isn't about what is being said, but about what is NOT being said.

Meet Joe Black is fucking unwatchable. Except...

***SPOILER***

...when Brad Pitt gets hit by a car. And then a SECOND car. My brother and I watched that scene over and over and over and laughed our asses off. Mini-div - What is the most unintentionally funny scene in a movie?

Posted by: Commander Strikeher at September 11, 2009 12:09 PM

And I'm sure Moby Dick and Anna Karenina are boring books that can't keep up with popular fiction by Dan Brown or Steven King.

I'd defend at least half of this list:

1. 2001: Space Odyssey

2. The English Patient

7. There Will be Blood

10. Meet Joe Black

13. Lost in Translation

14. Eyes Wide Shut

15. No Country for Old Men

16. Breakfast at Tiffanys


Not that they don't have flaws, but they are worthwhile films with a lot to offer.

Posted by: Yossarian at September 11, 2009 12:13 PM

While "No Country For Old Men" may have been slow moving, I thought it maintained enough tension throughout to keep it from being labeled "boring." The bleakness/starkness made me uncomfortable, but in the end I was able to appreciate it.

Posted by: muttleycrew at September 11, 2009 12:15 PM

No Country? The fuck?

Posted by: becks at September 11, 2009 12:15 PM

The Thin Red Line didn't see many defenders in the original comments, so I'll speak up for it. Not in any particularly eloquent way, just to say I enjoyed it. I'm fine with looking at a landscape for a while, which I guess is why I like Malick, along with Tran Anh Hung (The Vertical Ray of the Sun and The Scent of Green Papaya, if anyone is actually interested in the challenge of a slowly paced but beautiful movie).

Posted by: sansho1 at September 11, 2009 12:16 PM

No way. I love The English Patient. It's not boring if you have half a brain and that goes for a lot of the movies on your list. No Country For Old Men was tense and perfectly paced in my opinion.

But I would second Broken Flowers; I think I looked more at my watch than the screen.

Posted by: Maddie at September 11, 2009 12:17 PM

I'm glad The Fountain did not make this list. The movie is absolutely beautiful and has provided many great conversations amongst my friends. Similarly to Donnie Darko, it allows many various interpretations and these have lead to some of my favorite late night discussions.

Also, I have to strongly disagree with the hate for The Fellowship Of The Ring. I was simply giddy when I saw this movie in the theatre. Specifically the first 30 minutes in the Shire. It was such a beautiful translation of the book onto screen that Tolkien, I'm sure, would approve.

Posted by: Agent Scully at September 11, 2009 12:18 PM

I will defend Legends of the Fall. Damn, I love that movie.

I think I fell asleep during The Hours. I don't remember.

Posted by: Melody at September 11, 2009 12:18 PM

I step up for There will be Blood. While it certainly wasn't action packed, Daniel Day Lewis' performance had me riveted. It's not without flaw, but I've watched it three times.

Posted by: admin at September 11, 2009 12:19 PM

I disagree with:

1. 2001: Space Odyssey

7. There Will be Blood

15. No Country for Old Men

17. Titanic

No defense - I just didn't find them boring.

Posted by: Cindy at September 11, 2009 12:19 PM

fucking shit.

Posted by: Jackseppelin at September 11, 2009 12:19 PM

I would agree with most of them except....

There Will Be Blood. Yes, the pacing was incredibly slow, and there was a good amount of worthless dialogue. But, for me, watching DDL make Plainview come alive was engaging enough.

No Country For Old Men. I don't even know how that ended up on the list. The movie is so full of tension, I don't know how it could have ever been boring to anyone.

I would defend 2001 because I love it, but it really is a slow movie.

Hate, hate, hate.

Posted by: commanderfunky at September 11, 2009 12:19 PM

Oh, "I drink YOUR milkshake!"

Posted by: admin at September 11, 2009 12:20 PM

two words: Twi. Light.

Posted by: nigeltde at September 11, 2009 12:21 PM

The Good Shepherd didn't make the list? That was pure dreck.

I like Legends of the Fall, but I can see how people would find it boring. It's not one of Brad Pitt's better films. Personally, I would defend anything with Julia Ormond.

Breakfast at Tiffany's is overrated, but not boring.

Dustin, I saw an article on Paste Magazine's website yesterday called "Paste Presents the Slowest Movies of all Time, Part 1." Coincidence?

Anyway, they listed The New World, Tideland, Empire, Barry Lyndon, and some others. Just thought it was interesting.

Posted by: Brie at September 11, 2009 12:23 PM

These movies do not belong on this list:
6. New World
7. There Will be Blood
9. Atonement
12. The Hours
15. No Country for Old Men

Fuck The English Patient. FUCK IT. Ralph Fiennes, whom I love, could not make me excited in this. And I'm pretty sure I have half a brain.

Posted by: Agent Scully at September 11, 2009 12:25 PM

I can't watch The Thin Red Line. I keep trying to watch it, and end up falling asleep. I think I just have any patience for the director, because I've found all his movies much, much too slow. They're beautiful...almost lyrical in the way he repeats symbols...but to me, they're damn lullabies.

I don't find Titanic boring because it inspires too much disgust. Does that count as a defense? I mutter and grumble obscenities through the whole thing.

Posted by: Wednesday at September 11, 2009 12:27 PM

I would totally defend The English Patient. I cried and cried after I saw that. Although it is a movie in which nothing happened, I find it very romantic.

One of the first movies I ever rented on VHS was Eraserhead. VHS was still a novelty in those days, so my entire family would watch whatever movie was chosen. After that fateful night, I don't think my parents ever thought the same of me.

Posted by: MonkeyBoy at September 11, 2009 12:28 PM

To me, 2001, Barry Lyndon and Eyes Wide Shut are all feasts for the eyes in different ways. 2001 is my favorite of the three, and the only one I've seen more than once. Yes I've fallen asleep during it. But it's beautiful to watch when you're in the mood for it, and I like it because not everything is spelled out for the viewer.

I'm a Kubrick nut though, so I'm probably biased. And now to validate my declaration of Kubrickian love, I have to go put all of his movies on my Amazon wish list, because I just realized I only have The Shining on DVD...

I'm one of the people who mentioned There Will Be Blood as boring, but I still enjoyed it for the most part. Part of it was the overly-long introduction sequence. The other aspect that lead me to feel bored was the score. It produced so much tension and dissonance throughout the movie that I found myself expecting some huge event to occur. When that event was "I drink your milkshake!" it was a little disappointing. Not that that scene wasn't stellar and classic, I just felt I was worked up for something that never really got delivered.

In its defense, the scenes with the preacher and DDL with the preacher were all worth the rest of the movie to me.

Posted by: janetfaust at September 11, 2009 12:28 PM

I'm also surprised The Good Shepherd didn't make the list.

Posted by: loupoo at September 11, 2009 12:28 PM

No Heaven's Gate?! Shenanigans.

Posted by: Case at September 11, 2009 12:33 PM

I would defend these:

1) The English Patient. I really loved this movie and have watched it quite a few times. The music and the cinematography are beautiful, and the performances are flawless. BUT I can see how people would find it boring, it's definitely not everyone's cup of tea.

2) The Age of Innocence. Same as the first, really. I just love this story and the pacing really suits it well. But it does kind of fall apart towards the end, and it does goes on a bit too long.

3)No Country for Old Men. dude. This was an AWESOME movie. Period.

I won't defend Titanic, because it's just a massively stupid movie, but I really don't think it's boring. Just dumb and very pretty.

But all the others? Boring. Boring boring boring. I don't think I even finished most of them. And I think New World should've been marketed as a sleeping aid. There is seriously not a single thing in that movie that isn't geared towards making you fall asleep.

But all the others? Boring. Boring boring boring. I don't think I even finished most of them. And I think New World should've been marketed as a sleeping aid. There is seriously not a single thing in that movie that isn't geared towards making you fall asleep.

Posted by: figgy at September 11, 2009 12:34 PM

I'll defend "Breakfast at Tiffany's. It's godawful, but it isn't boring. It's too stupid and annoying to be boring. I feel many emotions as I yell, "Shut up, you stupid WHORE!" at the grossly overrated Audrey Hepburn, but boredom isn't one of them.

Posted by: jimbob at September 11, 2009 12:35 PM

So boring I somehow pasted the last paragraph twice...

Posted by: figgy at September 11, 2009 12:36 PM

2001. No Country, Barry Lyndon.

They're all slow.....but you still want to find out what happens next.....and what'll happen now.....and what'll happen now....and man this is a long movie, I can't believe I'm still--oh! that was a surprise!

Doesn't mean you've gotta watch Barry Lyndon every week. It really is the slowest movie I've ever seen, but it was still worthwhile.

Posted by: Jay at September 11, 2009 12:36 PM

You people need to trade in coffee for weed. Seriously.

Posted by: TSF at September 11, 2009 12:40 PM

If it pleases the court, I'm here to defend the following... (There Will Be Spoilers)

9. Atonement
I thought it'd be a stuffy British period piece crossbred with a chick flick. Then again, I thought it was PG13 before I saw it, so that shows how much I knew on entering the film. It's an engaging meditation on guilt, and I was glad it shook out the way it did. The only way it would have been a happy ending was if it was a work of fiction, and Briony saw that even if it was just a fantasy, it was vindication for the spurned lovers. The ending and the soundtrack (Elegy for Dunkirk and Clair De Lune especially), are well worth the effort of watching.

10. Meet Joe Black
Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins work well together, Claire Forlani is hot, Marsha Gay Harden and Jeffrey Tambor should have a show together, and Jake Weber is one of my favorite supporting actors for this and Dawn of the Dead. Great ensemble, and just a generally pleasant movie to watch.

15. No Country for Old Men
Yeah, I fell asleep through it, but that's because it was the final film in the Best Picture Showcase of '08. (Which should have went to either Juno, or TWBB, so I could have slept without guilt.) What I do remember though is a slow, deliberate film that isn't so much a boiler as it is a simmer. Bad deeds are done, the ante is constantly upped, and the results are fun to watch.

17. Titanic
Not James Cameron's finest hour, but it still has greatness in it. I maintain if you trim it to a real time sinking film, and make the love story a B-storyline, you'd have something gutwrenching. It would have been more tragic if Jack and Rose never got together, and there are still parts of the bigger story that make me cry.

18. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Yes, I liked it. Yes, it's very similar to Forrest Gump. But I still find it a beautifully shot, beautifully framed tale of life in reverse. If anything, this trumps Gump because (no offense to Zemeckis or Hanks) but Gump was played a little too hard for sobs and laughs at times. It wasn't human error that ends Daisy and Benjamin, it was cruel fate. (And don't get me started on Jenny in FG. Bitch got what was coming to her, and she thought she could keep coming back to Forrest as if it was all ok.) It has its flaws, but that ending gets me deep in the heart.

Bonus: Twilight
It was the best comedy of last year. I laughed, I snickered, I jabbed and jested. I would watch it again with the RiffTrax and I'd go see New Moon with a group of friends at Midnight just to run a Live MST commentary that crushes all the hopes and dreams of the Sparkletards that go see it.

Posted by: Doctor Controversy at September 11, 2009 12:45 PM

“Meet Joe Black” has got to be the most boring movie of all time, I’m not really surprised though because that fucking Brad Pitt I’ll tell you seems so emotionally empty. Yes ladies he’s a hunk and he’s sexy and he has a great smile, but the guy seems to be so superficial. Him and that damn Clooney acting like two horny teenagers running around down that at Cannes doing all that fucking.

Posted by: Guess Who! at September 11, 2009 12:52 PM

Boring? Nothing's boring when you make up it's PORN NAME!!!! Here we go!

01. 2000 & Buns: Space Banging
02. The English Patient (I'm skipping this one)
03. The Vertical Pink Line
04. Transporners: Robohumping
05. Broken Flowers... uh... and Golden Showers?
06. New World (...this is harder than I thought it would be...)
07. There Will be Blood and... (okay, this was a dumb idea...)
08. The Age of Innocence (...seriously - I've got nothing.)
09. Atonement (...again, I have no... A-BONE-MENT! WHOO!)
10. Meet Joe's Crack (that one there's for the fellas who like fellas)
11. Eraserhead (...aaand back to nothing.)
12. The Hours (ditto.)
13. Lust in Translation (lamelamelamelame)
14. Thighs Wide Shut (oh, fer chrissakes, that doesn't even make any sense...)
15. No Cuntry for Old Men
16. Breakfast in Tiffanys
17. Titanic Weiner
18. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Banging Broad Butts
19. Barry Lynd...
20. ...

I give up...

Posted by: Skitz at September 11, 2009 12:59 PM

"Barry Lyndon" is like Quaaludes without the giggles.

Posted by: Dudeman at September 11, 2009 1:00 PM

Obviously anyone who places 2001: Space Odyssey on a "boring film" list is an epic asshole and has no business running this type of site. Having said that There Will be Blood has to be one of the most excruciating experiences I've ever had...brrrrrother, I became suicidal.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at September 11, 2009 1:03 PM

I would disagree with much of this list...

1. 2001: Space Odyssey
2. The English Patient
9. Atonement
12. The Hours
15. No Country for Old Men
18. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
20. Legends of the Fall

I guess I understand why people might have found the English Patient boring, and I probably like it as much as I do because I loved the book. Ondaatje is a wonderful writer and I thought the film captured his book nearly as well as possible (though I wish they had cast someone other than Willem Dafoe as Caravaggio - dude is way too ugly to be a charming thief).

And yes, fuck it, I am still defending Benjamin Button. I liked it. So there.

Posted by: b at September 11, 2009 1:07 PM

I disagree with the following movies.

1. 2001: Space Odyssey
3. The Thin Red Line
5. Broken Flowers
6. New World
7. There Will be Blood
8. The Age of Innocence
9. Atonement
13. Lost in Translation
14. Eyes Wide Shut
15. No Country for Old Men
16. Breakfast at Tiffanys
17. Titanic
18. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
19. Barry Lyndon

You should see these boring movies

The most boring movie ever made
Batalla en el cielo (Battle in Heaven)

Other boring movies
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Pride and Glory

and there are many more boring movies that are better for this list then the ones you got.

2001 The fuck

Posted by: 13thDuke at September 11, 2009 1:10 PM

You know what WAS mind-numbingly boring though? Wendy and Lucy. Holy mother of poop. I waited and waited and waited for something to happen and NOTHING DID. I want my money and 90 minutes back.

Posted by: b at September 11, 2009 1:11 PM

Quiz Show?

Posted by: twig at September 11, 2009 1:11 PM

Yes, I'd add Heaven's Gate, too. Simply unwatchable.

I'll defend Legends of the Fall on the grounds of major lust. It drags a bit, and nobody has much fun, but DAMN does Pitt look beautiful.

And Titanic, because of the ship. I thought the recreation of the Titanic itself, and it's fate, were infinitely more interesting than the stupid lovers who kept getting in the way. It even made me cry. Not for Jack and Rose, because, never happen.
But when Mr Andrews (Victor Garber), standing in the severely-canting main saloon of the doomed ship, adjusts the hands of the clock on the mantelpiece. A last futile gesture, more moving and noble than anything else in the film.
*shit, I'm misting up just typing it...*

Posted by: Tarn at September 11, 2009 1:15 PM

The Big Blue.

Jesus christ was that a huge French pile of shit.

Posted by: Melanie at September 11, 2009 1:21 PM

I'm going to swim against the tide here and defend...the appearance of No Country for Old Men on this list. I'm sorry but that was one boring damn movie. At no point anywhere in the movie could I bring myself to give a shit whether Josh Brolin's character lived or died. When Anton Chigurh appeared onscreen for only the second time, I turned to my husband and said out loud, "Oh, NO. Him again?" When Chigurh played his little game with the store clerk and the coin toss, I did not feel fear or tension; I felt like screaming "Oh Jesus Christ kill him or don't kill him but make up your mind and do SOMETHING for God's sake!" At least it was fairly short, so it had that going for it, anyway.

(Oh, I guess it had one other thing going for it too -- the much-reviled ending. I thought it was nicely acted, and it did a good job reframing the movie as Tommy Lee Jones' story, not Josh Brolin's. Of course, then I was forced to think back about all the ways the movie was actually TLJ's, so I spent entirely too much time considering a film that actually bored the shit out of me. An ending that interesting deserved a better movie attached to it.)

Posted by: Another Kate at September 11, 2009 1:23 PM

Skitz, The New World could be titled The Nude World. Too confusing?

As one of the people who felt No Country for Old Men was boring, I wanted to like it. But it does nothing for me. I don't see what makes it so remarkable, and it's not just the lack of action, but the fact that I don't care about any of the characters. I felt bad for the wife, but otherwise, I could have cared less about anyone else. It just drags on, some dull stuff happens, and it ends.

Posted by: Brie at September 11, 2009 1:23 PM

I actually love love love The Hours. I've seen it several times, own it on DVD, have watched ALL the special features, and just thinking about it makes me want to watch it again.

... I, uh, am also a grad student in literary studies. I could just be a freak. But, yes, I think The Hours is one of the best films I've ever seen. Gorgeously made, wonderfully acted--the stories are affecting, the dialogue lovely. Now, I have no training in cinema studies or what makes a "good" film, but I fully think that I have never seen anything so well-made before or since.

But, again, that's just my opinion.

Posted by: Fi at September 11, 2009 1:31 PM

What an odd list. I missed the diversion but would have put up "The Thin Red Line" as my own private hell. I also loathed "Lost Highway", that movie gave me a migraine. And I agree 100% with "Transformers 2".

That said, The Hours, Eyes Wide Shut, Titanic, There Will Be Blood and No Country For Old Men really don't belong on the list. I know Titanic bashing is in vogue here but calling that movie boring is a disservice. It may be cheesy, but definitely not boring.

Seems like a lot of folks here don't really like the actoring.

Posted by: TylerDFC at September 11, 2009 1:31 PM

The Thin Red Line is, for me, one of those "I love it but don't really care that other people don't" movies. (As opposed, to, say, Jaws. If you dislike that movie you have no place in my life.) Yes, it's slow, and could easily be boring to some. But I found the dreamlike style of it, even when guys were killing each other and everything around them was blowing up, to be completely entracing. That was the first movie I absolutely insisted on buying in widescreen (even before I had a DVD player), because there is just no end to the beautiful imagery in it. And the acting is great from never-better Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, and Jim Caviezel. Definitely in my top ten (as are There Will Be Blood and 2001).

Posted by: Todd at September 11, 2009 1:33 PM

Hello??? Could someone please react to Skitzes wonderful piece of art? I lmao so hard at Meet Joe´s crack, I farted! Wow, symbolic....

I would defend There will be blood and Titanic (I loved the lin: "Who´s Freud? A passenger?"). And I still haven´t seen No country, but I´m looking forward to and I can´t belive that Javier Bardem is boring, he´s so terrifying, already in the trailer...

Posted by: Zean-Chris at September 11, 2009 1:35 PM

No Country For Old Men is boring? That's just goofy...no way should that make the list alongside true snoozers like Titanic and Meet Joe Black. As tense and violent as the movie can be, I suppose people were put off by how low-key the whole affair is ...read the source material and you'll get why that's so. I can see why Lost In Translation made the list, but I liked that flick anyway. It was more fey than boring...dreamlike almost. That kept it interesting for me.

Posted by: stryker1121 at September 11, 2009 1:40 PM

As an ardent fan of cloud gazing films in which nothing and everything happens at a snail's pace, I can't say I disagree at all with this list. As much as I love There Will Be Blood, it is a boring film for many if they aren't watching it as a masterclass on film scoring, acting, or cinematography. Eraserhead is a beautifully disturbed nightmare that many try to place meaning in that I genuinely don't believe is there. And No Country For Old Men is the closest I'll ever have to come to taking sleep medication as those first twenty minutes put me out every single time.

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring, The Last Year at Marienbad, and The Box segment of Three...Extremes would also fit quite nicely on the list.

Posted by: Robert at September 11, 2009 1:43 PM

Who the heck thinks There Will Be Blood is boring? Dear god, I suppose bravura openings, oil-rig explosions, internecine warfare, political machinations, cruel denouements, riveting performances and enthralling cinematography aren't enough for some people. I think it might be in my top 3 of the most exciting films I've ever seen.

I am so glad that everyone else kept the Meet Joe Black hatred alive in my absence. I somehow didn't comment on that thread and was worried that The Worst Film Of All Time wouldn't get mentioned - but y'all did me proud. Christ, just thinking about it brings tears of misery to my eyes.

I've also got to concur belatedly on the subject of Lord of the Rings. I actually started sleeping at one point; it was just so LONG and dreary.

Posted by: Caspar at September 11, 2009 1:50 PM

Also: Brad Pitt has really knocked this list out of the park! I make that three entries.

Posted by: Caspar at September 11, 2009 1:56 PM

Who the heck thinks There Will Be Blood is boring?

I just couldn't work up enough interest to watch it. Got the impression it was Day Lewis ham though, which isn't appealing.

Posted by: Jay at September 11, 2009 2:02 PM

Hmm, let's start a fight, shall we? 'Cuz I don't see Wall-E on the list anywhere...

Posted by: Xtreme at September 11, 2009 2:04 PM

You people are goddamn heathens. Broken Flowers? The Thin Red Line? There Will Be Blood? There's a couple of months of good Boozehound columns right here, starting with one of my favorite films of all time, The English Patient. It's definitely in my top 100.

Kristin Scott Thomas. Naked boobies and even a little bush. Boring? I think you better check your pulse to see if you're still alive.

Posted by: socalledonlycousins at September 11, 2009 2:05 PM

I like several of the movies on the list, but I could see how others would find them boring. You Breakfast At Tiffanys haters though, you I don't understand.

However - The English Patient. The nine hours it felt like I spent watching that movie? I would like them back. God that movie sucked and it would not end.

Posted by: Jeni at September 11, 2009 2:11 PM

When Chigurh played his little game with the store clerk and the coin toss, I did not feel fear or tension; I felt like screaming "Oh Jesus Christ kill him or don't kill him but make up your mind and do SOMETHING for God's sake!"


uhm ... that sounds like you did feel a lot of tension because it reads as if you were anxious for him to do something. not that I'm defending the film since I haven't seen it yet, but perhaps that wasn't the best example to show how boring you found the film.

anyway ... 2001 and The Thin Red Line are very good films, but I can only watch them when I'm in a certain mood ... 2001 is visually interesting and a nice little meditation on Nietzsche's ideas ... actually, it's even more impressive now, especially when you compare it to the cgi-crap fests of today (i.e. Lord of the Rings, Transformers, etc ...). I prefer The Thin Red Line to Saving Private Ryan although the cameos were a bit distractig ... it should have had a stronger focus, but hey ... at least it attempted to do something beyond pulling your heartstrings and make you feel patriotic (by the way, I like Spielberg ... I think he gets a lot of crap because his films are mainstream ... but they're very well made mainstream films and there's something to be said about that)

I'm surprised Waking Life isn't on this list ... I'm still not sure what people see in that film

Posted by: lelnguye at September 11, 2009 2:29 PM

I'm so glad Legends of the Fall was mentioned; I thought I was the only one to think it was the most hair-tearingly, mind-numbingly, eye-blindingly BORING-ASS experience of my life.

The other film that still makes me shiver from boredom and cry from stupidity years after I saw it on a transatlantic flight, and which I hope you are all fortunate enough not to have seen, is Mr Holland's Opus. Jesus CHRIST.

Posted by: reesy at September 11, 2009 2:30 PM

Picking up where I left off with the Moby Dick/ Anna Karenina comment...

I was taken by just how many of these movies were critically well received. In fact, with one or three exceptions, all of these movies are generally considered to be good films, and yet our mostly high-minded readership concluded that they were the most boring.

I think there is a pretty obvious reason for this. The films that were critically acclaimed are more challenging, more complex, and require more attention from the viewer. I'm not here to put Kubrick and Stephen Daldry on a pedestal, or to play movie-snob at all the people who don't get There Will be Blood, but these films aren't made for mass consumption. What is really notable about this list is it is sort of a backlash against more complex films that got some media attention and, as a result, were exposed to a lot of people who didn't really appreciate them.

When you say a film was boring what you really mean is that it doesn't engage your attention. Instead of taking this failure to appeal to you as a flaw in the movie you should know that it's probably just you. Of course there are bad movies out there, but they don't usually get Oscar nominations.

Look at a film like Dead Man. That movie is going to bore the hell out of the majority of people who watch it. In fact, it's probably much worse than any of the movies on that list. But to the people that love it, it's a masterpiece.

The dissenting opinions should be noted. Most of these movies are good movies for the niche they were made for.

Posted by: Yossarian at September 11, 2009 2:35 PM

I agree with almost all of this list. Atonement put me to sleep. No Country, I'm sorry, bored me. And while Daniel Day Lewis is a brilliant actor, There Will Be Blood was boring too. And long. I know that's not a popular opinion round here, so I'll go back to Lurk Land soon. Also--do not agree with Meet Joe Black being on this list. I think that is a wonderful movie and I could watch it again and again. Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt and Marcia Gay Harden gave amazing performances. Claire Forlani might not be in their acting league, but she sure is pretty to look at. That movie still makes me cry.

Posted by: Lillie at September 11, 2009 2:37 PM

I know LOTR didn't make this list, but I'd be curious to find out if most of those who hated it/thought it was boring did NOT read the trilogy. I enjoyed all three immensely. Having read (and loved) the books maybe I brought something of that into the theater with me...

Posted by: banana at September 11, 2009 2:45 PM

Legends of the Fall: Anyone who thinks this movie is boring is obviously a dude.

Titanic: Anyone who thinks this movie is boring is - once again - a dude. It was probably longer than it should have been and Billy Zane was in full effect with overacting splendor, but this movie wasn't boring.

Everything else was spot on.

Posted by: thebombscribe at September 11, 2009 2:52 PM

The English Patient was a beautiful movie, but I can see how some might consider it boring. It requires an attention span of more than 3 minutes.

Posted by: Lindsey with an 'e' at September 11, 2009 2:56 PM

uhm ...

I think there is a pretty obvious reason for this. The films that were critically acclaimed are more challenging, more complex, and require more attention from the viewer. I'm not here to put Kubrick and Stephen Daldry on a pedestal, or to play movie-snob at all the people who don't get There Will be Blood, but these films aren't made for mass consumption. What is really notable about this list is it is sort of a backlash against more complex films that got some media attention and, as a result, were exposed to a lot of people who didn't really appreciate them.

When you say a film was boring what you really mean is that it doesn't engage your attention. Instead of taking this failure to appeal to you as a flaw in the movie you should know that it's probably just you. Of course there are bad movies out there, but they don't usually get Oscar nominations.

actually, the films were made for mass consumption. they may not be "mainstream", whatever that means, but I have no doubt in my mind that they were made so that a lot of people will watch them. they were green-lighted by a studio who wanted to either make money or gain some sort of reputation so that they can make more money. I know it pains us to think of art as a product, and it shouldn't be ... but when we're arguing about the merits of films being financed by giant studios then say that they aren't made for mass consumption, well that's like saying the people who make gatorade are really interested in providing us with a quality product.

also, Crash was nominated for an Oscar ... and won ... so yeah .... let's not give the Oscars too much credit

Posted by: lelnguye at September 11, 2009 2:56 PM

I think, if more than 7 people had seen Sean Penn's All The King's Men, it most certainly would have made the list. Calling it a "movie" is really a bit of a stretch; it looks more like a bunch of cut footage from a better period piece strung together in no particular order. They tried to pass it off as a non-linear narrative... well, it was certainly non-linear, though I'm not so sure about that "narrative" bit.

I fell asleep. I fell asleep even though the entire cast of the movie plus Buttercup was in the room at the time.

Posted by: Ling at September 11, 2009 3:05 PM

Wrong - this chick thought Legends of the Fall was a snore-fest.

2001 - agreed wholeheartedly. Abysmally boring.

My only disagreements? There Will Be Blood and No Country. Both had plenty of tension to keep them going.

Posted by: Treena at September 11, 2009 3:09 PM

lelnguye:

[i]uhm ... that sounds like you did feel a lot of tension because it reads as if you were anxious for him to do something. not that I'm defending the film since I haven't seen it yet, but perhaps that wasn't the best example to show how boring you found the film.[/i]

"Anxious" may be mis-stating the case here. "Praying for sweet death because if I have to listen to that asshole with the stupid haircut say 'Friend-o' one more time I'm going to cut someone" is perhaps somewhat nearer the mark.

Posted by: Another Kate at September 11, 2009 3:16 PM

What? No "Ninth Gate". That movie was SO horribly boring my wife still remarks about it (we'll be browsing for a movie and I'll pick something up and he'll remark, "Is it going to be like that Ninth Gate crap.")

I'm also going to defend "No Country for Old Men". While it was long, it was far from boring. The same can be said for "Thin Red Line". Watching it I felt like I had either gone insane or was just really, really high.

As for "There Will Be Blood", that flick was a steaming pile of DULL. I fell asleep numerous times and woke only to mumble, "This still isn't over?".

"Eyes Wide Shut" and "Lost in Translation" were both over-hyped crap (and too long and boring).

Posted by: MadameUgly at September 11, 2009 3:19 PM

bombscribe, sorry, but what a dumb assumption to make. I'm a chick, and think Legends of the fall is not only boring, but dumb and ridiculous as hell. I think Brad Pitt trying to be dramatic is one of the most laughable things I can imagine. It's sloppy, cheesy and it just never fucking ends.

So no, not all girls love that shit. I for one absolutely detest it.

Posted by: figgy at September 11, 2009 3:26 PM

Just tell me that when you said this:

When Anton Chigurh appeared onscreen for only the second time, I turned to my husband and said out loud, "Oh, NO. Him again?

you were at home....

Posted by: sansho1 at September 11, 2009 3:26 PM

banana I'm curious to know this too. The Shire in FOTR was exactly how I pictured hobbit life and seeing it on the screen made me want to yell "squee!". I will however, admit fault with TT and ROTK. Especially ROTK. But overall, if you're a fan of the book, I bet you're more inclined to like the movies.

Posted by: Agent Scully at September 11, 2009 3:26 PM

Posted by: Tarn at September 11, 2009 1:15 PM

Agreed. I cried for Mr. Andrews, I cried for Captain Smith, I cried for the kids in steerage and I even cried for the old couple. Nothing for Jack and Rose really. (Side Bar: I think I'll invent the "Titanic Scorecard", in which you tally up the points corresponding to the moments you cried at. The score tells you if you're human or if you're just a frakking cry baby. Automatic cry baby status if you cry at the end of the sequel, Revolutionary Road.)

Posted by: Doctor Controversy at September 11, 2009 3:28 PM

Submitted for your approval:

Syria

SNORE.

Posted by: Amanda at September 11, 2009 3:31 PM

"Submitted for your approval:
Syria"

Seconded

Posted by: Xtreme at September 11, 2009 3:37 PM

I can definitely see why some of these would be considered boring, but as a whore for period films in general, I will defend The Age of Innocence, Atonement, Breakfast at Tiffanys, The Hours and Benjamin Button.


Posted by: bonnie at September 11, 2009 3:42 PM

How is Capote not even mentioned in either of these threads? That movie was so long and boring that I sometimes feel as if I'm still watching it.

Posted by: UptownLibrarian at September 11, 2009 3:59 PM

As I am reading through these comments something occurred to me. I wonder if the movies that people thought were boring were seen in the theater or at home. Out of this list, I saw The Thin Red Line and couldn't wait to leave the theater. However a movie like "There Will Be Blood" is arguably more boring but I liked it just fine. Possibly because I was at home and could pause it and take breaks. I'm curious if there is a correlation between watching a slow movie in a theater vs watching it in your home and your eventual reaction to it. Possibly the idea of not getting your moneys worth or being trapped with something you are not in the mood for.

Posted by: TylerDFC at September 11, 2009 4:08 PM

I have tried to watch Legends of the Fall five times. Five times I have managed to see the first ten minutes. Five times I decided to just make out with the guy sitting next to me. Four of those times I should have shut the movie off, kicked the guy out and gone for a walk.

Posted by: Sassy Rouge at September 11, 2009 4:16 PM

Another chick here who thinks Legends of the Fall is painfully boring as well as cheesy...may I point you to SIR Anthony Hopkins abysmal approximation of a stroke victim...I hope he is ashamed of himself. That was perhaps the only entertaining part, in fact--my mother, sister and I laughed out loud at it, in our home, partly because we were bored silly by then. I know plenty of "dudes" who list that crapfest among their favorite movies, however, because of all the brotherhood stuff.

Posted by: kx2 at September 11, 2009 4:33 PM

Other boring-ass movies:

1. Ready to Wear
2. Public enemas
3. Dances with Wolves.

Posted by: ehass at September 11, 2009 4:49 PM

kx2: Yes, Sir Anthony almost literally chewing the scenery as a stroke victim was hilarious. Legends was a terrible movie. I remember few things about it but Sir Anthony and this one long shot at the end, when whatever "dramatic" climax was being reached, where the music is schmaltzing it up, and the camera pans past each cast member lingering on their sad expressions, and I can remember thinking, "JUST GET ON WITH THE CREDITS ALREADY SO I CAN RIP THIS MOVIE TO SHREDS WITH MY FRIENDS NOW!"

Posted by: janetfaust at September 11, 2009 5:21 PM

I would defend Meet Joe Black. I found that movie hilarious up until the end, then I cry like a bastard.

Still, it WAS like 3 hours long for no reason I can think of.

Posted by: bubblegumshoe at September 11, 2009 5:47 PM

Titanic, there's only one thing about that movie that I really loathe, Celine Dion. The woman is the bastard love child of Satan and Kenny G's Kazoo, and is easily the most annoying, least talented lady singer of all time. Every time Celine Dion sings, a feminist snaps her own neck out of shame for her gender.

I'm dead certain the Jonas Brothers came out of her vagina, just because she hates music that much.

Posted by: George at September 11, 2009 5:52 PM

Agent Scully: Agreed. I was actually pretty miffed by the ending of TT; totally strayed from the books! But I didn't want to bring up my nitpicks, because overall I did feel that they were true to the spirit of the books.

Posted by: banana at September 11, 2009 6:26 PM

Tranformers: Revenge of the Digital Glaucoma made the list. I can now rest peacefully.

On a completely different note, Fargo was also quite boring as well. I'm not implying that it's a horrible movie, because it's not, but it was probably the least engaging Coen bros. movie for me, and I love me some Coen goodness. But that's just a side note. Plus Frances McDormand's performance always manages to make me laugh.

Posted by: Edward Nigma at September 11, 2009 6:32 PM

i have a soft spot for audrey. breakfast at tiffanys is love

Posted by: the chaplain at September 11, 2009 7:06 PM

AND I LOVE FARGO EDWARD NIGMA! If I ever hear one harsh word come out of your keyboard about my beloved Fargo and adopted mother Frances McDormand so help me God...

Posted by: the chaplain at September 11, 2009 7:09 PM

Disagree with so much-
2. The English Patient-one of my favorite films of all time, beautiful from start to finish and heart-breaking. Kristen Scott-Thomas is so freaking beautiful, and the longing between them, plus the end! Jeez...

4. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen-well, this was boring, and awful and pretty much incomprehensible at the end

7. There Will be Blood-seriously?! What was boring about this? The cinematography alone made it exciting. Best film of that year.
8. The Age of Innocence-man, I loved this movie. The acting, and the production design, and that moment Winona Ryder turns around and we see how conniving she is, awesome.
9. Atonement-just a beautiful film, heartbreaking.Plus, the editing is phenomenal.
10. Meet Joe Black-love this, so romantic, i know most people don't, but I think it's fantastic. Claire Forlani? Stunning...
11. Eraserhead-odd, yes, boring, no.
12. The Hours-come, on! The acting alone, Julianne Moore? Freaking amazing.
13. Lost in Translation-ok
14. Eyes Wide Shut-yeah, It was boring.
15. No Country for Old Men-not my favorite film of the year, but it wasn't boring, just overrated.
16. Breakfast at Tiffanys-hate this one
17. Titanic-Yeah, I'll give you this one
18. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button-ok, so you just don't like films that are about love, loss and longing(see English Patient, Atonement, above) This one killed me! The end, when she's holding him, man...just heart-breaking, plus the women in this are so damn good!
19. Barry Lyndon-ok
20. Legends of the Fall-whatever

And Edward Nigma-Fargo?! Boring? I almost had a stroke reading that.

Posted by: bdog at September 11, 2009 7:09 PM

I still stand by my vote for The Royal Tenenbaums. Snooze.

Posted by: MelBivDevoe at September 11, 2009 7:11 PM

Five times I decided to just make out with the guy sitting next to me. Four of those times I should have shut the movie off, kicked the guy out and gone for a walk.

Posted by: Sassy Rouge at September 11, 2009 4:16 PM

----------------------------------------------

You are a whore, madam.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at September 11, 2009 7:29 PM

Mini-div - What is the most unintentionally funny scene in a movie?

The scene in Let the Right One In with all the cats in the apartment....unless they meant for it to be so fucking funny.
A cat even hit the ceiling fan...

Posted by: Jules at September 11, 2009 8:11 PM

the diving bell and the butterfly and Angel Eyes.

Posted by: John W at September 11, 2009 9:19 PM

"Meet Joe Black"!!!- Brad WAS beautiful, yes.
But I could actually feel myself losing little bits of my life as it went on, and on, and on....

Posted by: Jamie at September 11, 2009 9:26 PM

Hmm, let's start a fight, shall we? 'Cuz I don't see Wall-E on the list anywhere...

I'll see your Wall-E and raise you a 500 Days of Summer.

Posted by: Xanthippe at September 11, 2009 10:14 PM

omg, the diving bell made me want to shank my grandma.

Posted by: gp at September 11, 2009 10:23 PM

Fuck you, Fuck you all!

What an excellent example of why focus groups destroy film making. if the eloquents were the focus group for these films, the producers would have went back to the drawing board to spice these films up and instead of giving us some brilliant films with where characters and stories are carefully developed. On the positive side have more car chases, wacky sidekicks and clothes changing montages, and Katherine Heigle.

I can picture it now.

2001: Space Odyssey - with Robin Williams as HAL

There Will be Blood -new title "Blood, and There Will be More Blood

Lost in Translation - would be narrated by the folks from "Most Extreme Elimination Challenge"

No Country for Old Men - 10x the number of shoot outs and car chases, 1/100th the amount of tension, set in L.A. with a young cast.

Breakfast at Tiffanys - with Katherine Heigle (what the fuck was this even doing on the list?)

I don't like all of the movies on this list, but I'm sure those that do can imagine how hollywood would fuck up the rest of them. Really, you probably don't have to guess, eventually a producer will remake the movie and add the explosions and other shiny objects necessary to help your addled brains focus on the screen for more than 5 minutes at a time.

Posted by: lwoodpdowd at September 11, 2009 10:30 PM

you know, I did like "broken flowers" and "atonement".
All of my friends hated the little sister.
I didn't know it was that unpopular around here.

Anyway, as cheesy as it is, I wouldn't say Titanic is boring...they try to capture everyone's attention by using everything that could possibly be used.
maybe when it comes to the old rose...
I don't know...
maybe I should stop writting

Posted by: steve at September 11, 2009 10:37 PM

How is Capote not even mentioned in either of these threads? That movie was so long and boring that I sometimes feel as if I'm still watching it.

Maybe because some, like me, believe it to be one of the most engaging films of the last ten years with performances that don't have to scream "look at me" to be effective. Hoffman is chewey at worst in Capote, but Katherine Keener, Clifton Collins Jr., and the rest of the ensemble are so natural it feels like a documentary. And that ending? It gives me chills just to think about it. Brilliant, underrated film.

Posted by: Robert at September 11, 2009 11:21 PM

WHAT THE FUCK??? 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY? THE NUMBER ONE MOST BORING FILM?

Fuck anyone who thinks that. Seriously, fuck 'em. Fuck 'em with an egg beater. In the ass.

I'm not even some Kubrick worshipper or something, but 2001 is a visual FEAST. No, there aren't tons of explosions and shit, but damn it's a good flick. I've probably seen it dozens of times. And the fact that they don't have explosions and FIRE in space just make it more technically accurate.

I mean HAL fucking READS THEIR LIPS and then arranges to KILL them. One astronaut--we get to watch him die in outer space, squirming around in that suit in utter silence. Dying. Suffocating. Slowly.

There's the whole monolith thing. The soundtrack. Oh fuck anyone who thinks it's boring.

Good day, sir. I SAID GOOD DAY.

Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at September 11, 2009 11:50 PM

There are a lot of Canadian students who leave English class wishing that Mikey O. had never been invented. I've read enough of his books to know that I don't want to sit through any adaptaations.

Casa-Blank-Stare. I don't even know what it is, but I've tried to watch it five times, and all fives times I fell asleep within the first half hour. I don't even know how to explain it.

The only thing more dull than the film The Age of Innocence is the book The Age of Innocence. They should've just called it 'Hushed Silences' and let me take a bleach-y syringe to the carotid artery.

It seems like recently there have been a glut of 'What?: Brad Pitt Accents Edition'. The only scene out of Meet Joe Black that I've seen was the patois. Agape. There was something really embarassing about it--I was afraid that my (Jamacian) mother would catch me watching it and launch into a screed about looseness, or some such.

Lars and the Real Girl. For fuck's... they just kept indulging him and indulging him. Please, read 'Gogol's Wife' by Landolfi--HE'LL show us the way. And with that compound-chic faux-folsky sit-'n'-quilt circle stuff.

Lawrence of Arabia. You know how sometimes you can tell that you're watching something good, but would really like for it end? Put that in your pillars.

Anthony Hopkins. Okay. I'm not saying that he isn't incredible a lot of the time, but when Silence of the Lambs came out, and suddenly he was the 'Greatest! Actor! Alive!', we all forgot that he was a nigh on forgotten classical also-ran.

Waking Life and The Science of Sleep got about 35 minutes of my viewing time combined.

Dirty Movie Name: 'Been Jammin' Butt-On'.
Disgraced?

Posted by: Jo 'Mama' Besser at September 11, 2009 11:50 PM

Terry Gilliam's Tideland. I would never dream of abridging a creative statement by Gilliam, but sitting through that was excruciatingly painful in its boredom.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at September 12, 2009 12:28 AM

"I’d like to see how many folks would defend any of the following movies, many of which I would put on my own personal list of dullest films."

This is a joke, right? A big ha-ha joke?

2001? No Country for Old Men? Barry Lyndon? There Will Be Blood?


These are straight-up, no kidding, essential film classics, especially the Kubrick.

Other films on this list are at worst decent, at best very very good.

Transformers 2 was probably a stinker.

I'd like to see how many folks would defend this site as a serious place to go for film commentary.

Posted by: Julius_Goat at September 12, 2009 1:26 AM

Again, Fargo IS NOT a horrible movie! Please don't beat me, I'm terribly twitchy after my pimp decided to smack me with brass knuckles wrapped around his hand. But it's just a little slow...Big Lebowski appeased me a bit more.

And yes, Frances McDormand is terrific.

Posted by: Edward Nigma at September 12, 2009 2:10 AM

Am I the only one here who was bored to tears by Scent Of A Woman? I will never understand the love for that movie.

Posted by: little ya at September 12, 2009 4:38 AM

Hell to the yes on all of these, especially The English Patient. It's funny, because after I cam out of watching this, people thought I'd loved it and had dressed up Rocky Horror-style as Ralph Fiennes' character with burn makeup. The truth was that I'd just CLAWED MY OWN SKIN OFF OUT OF BOREDOM!

Also: flying your dead girlfriend round in your admittedly-stylish little aeroplane after she's been dead in a cave for like 5 days is NOT ROMANTIC, it's just ICK. Hello? Can you say "necrophilia"?! Jeez.

The only one on here I might defend is Legends of the Fall, but only because it's too unintentionally hilarious to be boring. I defy anyone to be bored while watching A. Hopkins gnaw on the scenery in his character's post-stroke phase.

Posted by: Lohantastic at September 12, 2009 7:40 AM

At first I was going to decry the presence of 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' on this list. Then I remember when I watched it, I kept checking my watch to see when it was going to end. I loved it, but it kind of felt like it could have wrapped up several times before it actually did.

but I'm with the first comment, Commander Strikeher - watching and rewatching Brad Pitt go flying through the air is a hysterically funny way to waste and afternoon

Posted by: redfeathers at September 12, 2009 8:47 AM

i totally disagree with this list except for Brad Pitt movies, Transformers 2 and Eyes Wide Shut!
Funny to see several Brad Pitt and Daniel Day Lewis movies in this list
even if several movies of this list yell "i want Oscar",they're beautifull and talk on love

Posted by: carrie at September 12, 2009 10:03 AM

You are a whore, madam.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at September 11, 2009 7:29 PM

---------------------------------------------------

Whore is such a strong word. I prefer tart.

Posted by: Sassy Rouge at September 12, 2009 11:38 AM

Sassy, How about "trollop"? Can you be a "trollop" instead? I like saying "trollop."

Posted by: , (TCFKAB) at September 12, 2009 11:44 AM

The word trollop makes me think of gargoyle snot. Perhaps we could compromise with 'strumpet'?

Posted by: Sassy Rouge at September 12, 2009 12:08 PM

I've always been partial to "slattern"...and slatterns.

Posted by: sansho1 at September 12, 2009 12:40 PM

While I am not going to defend its integrity as a movie with plot or anything. You are watching Transformers wrong if it was boring.

Posted by: James at September 12, 2009 2:36 PM

Where the HELL is Barry Lyndon??

Posted by: Bucko at September 12, 2009 2:42 PM

schindler's list was really boring
i mean it was sad
but everyone in my class fell asleep

Posted by: cindy at September 12, 2009 3:36 PM

Erm, how else are you supposed to watch Transformers 2? On acid? Wouldn't that cause the type of insanity in which you believe Optimus Prime is Jesus and Shia Labeouf is Moses?

Posted by: Edward Nigma at September 12, 2009 5:04 PM

And although I did enjoy the shit out of 2001: A Space Odyssey, my whole high school class fell comatose half an hour into it. Probably not a wise choice to show Kubrick films to the high school crowd(exception would be honor students), seeing that most of the lot thought highly of Step Up and Meet the Spartans. I believe my parents may have accidently sent me to a mentally handicapped school, which would explain the coloring book I had to complete for my senior project.

Posted by: Edward Nigma at September 12, 2009 5:09 PM

Edward: I thought for about five seconds about having my high school kids do a film study of 2001. Five seconds because my next thought was "Oh my GOD they'd all fall asleep and then think it's a boring flick for the rest of their lives and never try to watch it again."

Some movies were not meant to watch in the classroom unless you're an actual film studies major or something.

So I didn't.

Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at September 12, 2009 6:44 PM

Snuggiepants, be glad you made an incredibly WISE decision. You don't want your hopes in the younger generation dashed by their inability to watch anything void of nudity or CGI-somethings.

Posted by: Edward Nigma at September 12, 2009 10:02 PM

Interesting, how different the movies on this list are... I mean - Transformers and The English Patient?! How can they EVER be both boring (in the same way - we're talking OhmyGodnothingatallishappeningpleasesomebodydosomething-boring here, right?) if they are so very different?
Totally agree on anything Jarmuschian, though. Broken Flowers was boring even in fast forward. (And I so wanted to like that movie. Tilda Swinton. Damn.) How come Dead Man is not on this list?
Also - and I know people will hate me - I'm missing anything 'Godfather' on this list. Nothing against Brando and Pacino at all, but these movies were (and felt) longer than [insert witty comparison here].
I think Pajiba needs a Most-pointless-movies-list right next to this...

Posted by: Padame at September 13, 2009 6:16 AM

Titanic boring? But but but but it's Leo!

And I'll say it again: I HATE Terrence Malick. New World is not just boring, but terrible. It had nothing to say but "Hi I'm Terrence Malick and I went to film school." I have trees outside, I can go stare up at them pensively all I want.

Posted by: Mr. Tusks at September 13, 2009 8:29 AM

Wow, New World is one of my favorite movies. I understand the criticism though.

The most boring movie I've ever seen was The Good Shepard. Unbelievably boring.

Posted by: kayla at September 13, 2009 9:32 AM

No Country has action and tension that kills me every time. Not boring.

Atonement is straight up beautiful to look at. Not boring.

Transformers could only be a boring film if 1) I acknowledge that it's a film and 2) I watch it.

Posted by: Christian H. at September 13, 2009 6:06 PM

I will go to the fucking mat for The English Patient, and not just because it deals with two of my most favorite themes in life: infidelity and the desert.

Bring it, bitches. You can't tell me it's not super hot when he rips her dress off.

Posted by: ziggy at September 13, 2009 6:33 PM

Oh Padame seriously, stop with the Godfather hate. Stop that RIGHT NOW.

Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at September 14, 2009 12:27 AM

Firefox.
I was twisting in my chair like I'd sat through almost all of a 30 hour plane flight. All my extremities were going numb and I had Ray Parker Jnr stuck in my head.
- Thankfully, because it drowned out the movie.

Posted by: Cran at September 14, 2009 2:33 AM

This one list (and acommpanying thread) has done irreparable harm to Pajiba's reputation, in my opinion.

2001 at number one for boring?

WHAT. THE. FUCK?

Fuck you, cunts.

Posted by: Peter G at September 14, 2009 3:10 AM

Oy, Snuggiepants the Deathbringer (awwwsum name!), come on, this is an opinion-based thing, right? In my opinion, The Godfather was boring. I know everybody loved those movies (except for the third) and they're legendary and its a proof of taste to have a poster of it on the wall and so on, but I still found it immensely boring. Nothing happened. It was confusing and obscure. People kept killing each other for no good reason and it looked trivial when they did. Just doesn't excite me in the least, that mix. I'm not saying that it's a bad movie - there are so many VERY good movies in that list up there, that's not the point.
(I myself find it quite funny that academies showered No country, There Will Be blood, Lost in Translation and The Curious Case with prizes when obviously many people fought against falling asleep watching... funny there doesn't seem to be much correlation between entertainment/tension-value and prize-worthy-ness (sorry for making words up.). And there I went thinking "good but boring" doesn't exist in movies...)
And to top it all, I also find myself admitting that I thought "Scarface" was boring. And "Taxi Driver", too (mostly). And "The Life of the others". There. Now kill me for having an (unique?) opinion on it.

Posted by: Padame at September 14, 2009 8:53 AM

The more Japanese cinema I watch, the more I appreciate slow, thoughtful movies. If you've ever seen Nobody Knows or After Life, you know what I'm talking about. I appreciate a movie that takes its time and doesn't spell everything out in neon letters (I picture a blinking, "THIS IS A PIVOTAL SCENE).

I love Lost in Translation, even with its flaws. Just like I love Gosford Park (another movie that could be called boring).

But my reason for writing this is my extreme hatred of Atonement, which seemed to be a mastabatory excuse for the director to do a 20 minute one-shot scene on the beach. I could see no other point for it.

That is all.

Posted by: masonwasp at September 14, 2009 11:21 AM

Hmm I can not stay awake for that Tom cruise movie the one with all the jets and stuff, jeez can't even remember the name of that one..

Posted by: Doreen at September 14, 2009 12:14 PM

I disagree with Atonement, The Hours and especially, Breakfast at Tiffany's. It kept me entertained enough as a 10th grader to dress up as Holly Golightly for Halloween and debut my cleavage to my guy friends for the first time.

Posted by: Agente Provocatrice at September 14, 2009 12:37 PM

I only saw the last 15 minutes of "There will be Blood" and THAT was anything but boring!

Posted by: NeoCleo at September 14, 2009 1:14 PM

Ok, I have to say this because I believe that it's awfulness makes it fly under the radar: Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End was boring as shit. Imagine, an epic movie that has a 2 hour lull in middle where deal after deal is bartered with little or no explanation as to where all of it was going. I had the unfortunate experience of seeing it twice in the theaters (I saw it once because I thought it might be entertaining then I was with a bunch of people who hadn't seen it the second time...or I am Just masochistic) and the only things that kept me awake were the liter of pop I was sucking down and my desire to see two creatively designed pirate ships blow the crap out of each other. I had to put toothpicks under my eyelids just to make sure I didn't miss the final battle only to have that ruined by a stupid ass marriage in the middle of a battle scene (and what was the deal with the giant black lady who turn into crabs? is this supposed to be some kind of social commentary?). Seriously, how do you make a movie about pirates so fraking (BSG bitches!) boring.

Posted by: Brian at September 14, 2009 1:15 PM

Legends of the Fall? Really? I am crushed. Daddy ends up with special needs! Please tell me how that can be boring? Brad Pitt's native american bride dying, how is that boring too?

And The Age of Innocence is absolutely beautiful to watch (but I may have soft spot for the book, oh yes, and period pieces too)!

Oh, and reacting to Skitz; LMAO, although I did not fart as someone else claims they did.

Posted by: Chiquis at September 14, 2009 2:21 PM

Seven Years in Tibet
Dead Man
AI: Artificial Intelligence
Elephant
*Broken Flowers
Melinda and Melinda
*Lost in Translation
Showgirls
The Waterdance
Bodies, Rest and Motion
The House of Mirth
Forces of Nature
The Comfort of Strangers
The Golden Compass
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Illuminata
Congo
The Spanish Prisoner
The Invasion (2007)
*No Country for Old Men

*I agree with three out of the 20.

Granted, I pulled the other 17 out of thin air; there are so damned many from which to choose, though, aren't there? To each her own. No particular order -- though I must say, "Seven Years in Tibet" came immediately to mind (Seven Years in A Movie Theatre, I called it then and there and for all time), as did Jarmusch's "Dead Man." Funny, two of his films on the list. I do admire his work, but I don't much LIKE it. Dug "Coffee and Cigarettes," but then, was that because of Blanchett? Depp's presence didn't make "Dead Man" any more tolerable...

Anyhoo.

Posted by: Maryscott O'Connor at September 14, 2009 4:45 PM

Okay, so I am completely devoid of any knowledge of Pajiba etiquette, but I just gotta say this to anyone who wept at the English Patient: IT WAS ABOUT TWO ASSHOLES!!!!!

***VERY ANGRY SPOILER***

Seriously, guy fucks his neighbor's wife while dude is in the next room? And THESE are the protagonists with whom we're to sympathize?!?!? We're supposed to see the nihilistic abandon in all of this--how true love is so passionate, so all-consuming and unstoppable that it leaves not an ounce of goddamn decency in anyone?!?!?!? Seriously, THAT'S the fucking plot?!?!?!?

If Count Laszlo prettyboy-douchebag fucked your wife in the next room, I seriously doubt, upon stumbling in upon said encounter, you'd be all "Wow, you know, I really appreciate your nihilistic abandon. It deepens us all."

And then dude leaves love of his live in a cave and comes back later and she's dead!? Are you some kind of epic dumbfuck who works in the earth's harshest environs with absolutely no survival training at all? After all of the hype I finally watched this movie, and I was very very gratified that one asshole was killed off and the other got nothing but misery. Honestly, I cheered at the comeuppance delivered unto these two worthless, self-important dipshits. One wonders what was going through his head there on his deathbed ...
"I should never have left",
"I should have died with her",
"I should never have pursued her."

My money's on:
"Man, I'm kind of a prick."

Naveen Andrews' character? WAAAAAAY more compelling.

Posted by: Johnnyboy at September 14, 2009 9:38 PM

So it seems that all of the the tasteless fucks came out of the woodwork for this particular comment diversion. I really have nothing more to add, except that you all deserve to die. Painfully.

Posted by: ben at September 15, 2009 1:04 AM

Why do so many people take other people's opinions so very personally?? Especially on THIS website it should be allowed to express one's taste, right? Jeez. Grow some frustration tolerance!

Posted by: Padame at September 15, 2009 5:35 AM

Bonus: Twilight
It was the best comedy of last year. I laughed, I snickered, I jabbed and jested. I would watch it again with the RiffTrax and I'd go see New Moon with a group of friends at Midnight just to run a Live MST commentary that crushes all the hopes and dreams of the Sparkletards that go see it.

Posted by: Doctor Controversy at September 11, 2009 12:45 PM
Oh! doctor! I swoon at your words! Things that make you go....gack!...was that movie..and i read that crappy crap book...and the movie was just as crap...so cheers Sparkletards! insert evil laugh...

Posted by: carrion at September 15, 2009 2:24 PM

"I drink YOUR milkshake!"

This.

Posted by: TurtleFucker at September 16, 2009 11:18 AM

I remember going to "New World" and literally falling asleep and taking a nap on the chairs in the theater and from all the nature sounds and whole lot of nothing going on. By far the most boring film I have ever seen in my life. Ditto for "Atonement",not a bad start but as soon as it gets to the war sequence it's extremely yawn inducing and then everyone dies at the end so it's totally fucked too.

Posted by: Rob at September 22, 2009 8:47 PM

Citizen Kane.

Posted by: Nicole at September 29, 2009 11:22 PM

terrible list, many of the films (2001, there will be blood, lost in translation, no country for old men, the new world, barry lyndon) on here are great if not fantastic. i think this list says more about the people that contributed to it than the films included.

Posted by: Rock at October 28, 2009 7:12 PM

Solid list, though I don't agree with all the selections.
I agree with the guy who suggested the only redeeming part of Meet Joe Black was when Brad Pitt gets movwed down by the car. THAT is awesome.
2001 is the most 0ver-rated, dull POS in the history of cinema. Unless we're willing to include Citizen Kane, in which case it's a tie.
Thin Red Line is brutal. How could you make a boring war movie, for cryin' out loud. Just awful.
No Country for Old Men was violence porn.

Posted by: islander at December 31, 2009 10:26 PM





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