Film Review: 5 Films I Never Need to See Again

As a film blogger, I feel I'm too often telling people what they *should* be watching. However, I got to thinking recently about some films that, perhaps, I'm glad I could tick off my list - but once was enough. Here's a few films I never need to see again...ever. 

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Requiem for a Dream (Darren Aronofsky, 2000) - Quite possibly my least favourite film of all time is Requiem for a Dream - a film following the relationships of four people struggling with drug addiction and mental health. In particular, the film centres around Harry (Jared Leto) and Marion (Jennifer Connelly) who are forced in to a desperate situation in order to feed their heroin addiction. 

As you can imagine from the description, Requiem for a Dream has some deeply disturbing themes; ones which will certainly stay with you. In true Aronofsky style, no graphic detail is spared and, whilst I understand the artistic portrayal, I can't help but question why it insists on being so grotesque. My conclusion is that it's just Aronofsky being Aronofsky. 
mother! (Darren Aronofsky, 2017) - A couple's relationship is tested when a series of uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence. 

I know what you're thinking but I don't have it in for Darren Aronofsky. I genuinely loved The Wrestler and Black Swan but mother! was easily one of the worst films of 2017. Again, I totally understand what he's trying to do here. *Spoiler* I can fully appreciate that it is essentially a retelling of the Bible. I fully understand each metaphor and that everything is symbolic and there were moment when I thought "oh this makes perfect sense". However, my opinion is still very much that Aronofsky needs to get over himself and calm down a little bit. 

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Eraserhead (David Lynch, 1977) - Henry (John Nance) resides alone in a bleak apartment surrounded by industrial gloom. However, his life is turned upside down when he learns that an old flame is pregnant with his child. Determined to do the right thing, he marries the expectant mother and has her move in with him. Things take a decidedly strange turn when the couple's baby turns out to be a bizarre lizard-like creature.

Unpopular opinion: I'm not a fan of David Lynch. I know as a Film graduate I'm meant to bask in his glory but I just get on board with any of his work. As you can guess from the description, Eraserhead is no exception to Lynch's utterly bizarre universe and arguably the strangest of all. The soundtrack is used as a metaphor for Henry's chaotic mind, but instead it just left me wanting it to be over with. Sorry but I'm not sorry. 

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Happiness (Todd Solondz, 1998) - This dark ensemble-comedy centres itself around the three Jordan sisters. Joy (Jane Adams) moves through aimless jobs with no sense of purpose but finds herself employed teaching adults and dating a student. Helen (Lara Flynn Boyle) is an esteemed poet who becomes amused by her perverted neighbour, Allen (Philip Seymour Hoffman). And, eldest sister, Trish (Cynthia Stevenson) who is married to Bill (Dylan Baker), a psychiatrist with a very disturbing secret. 

Certainly among the most ambitious of Solondz' films is Happiness. It really does have to be seen to be believed but it comes with many potential triggers. Containing scenes of rape (including suggested child rape), it is easily one of the most sobering and bizarre films I've ever witnessed. I definitely do not need to see this one again.  

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The Neon Demon (Nicolas Winding Refn, 2016) - Jealously ensures among a group of models when an aspiring 16-year-old, Jesse (Elle Fanning) takes Los Angeles by storm. Caught up in a fame and youth obsessed industry, both her innocence and vitality are devoured by a trio who will stop at nothing to possess her power. 

Now I actually really enjoyed The Neon Demon but it's just not a film you typically would need to see again and again. Love him or hate him, Refn is a truly lover of shocking cinema and as a creative, spectators cannot question his ability to make film-goers feel and provoke response - whether that be fear, rage or disgust - they are all equally as valid. It is an ultra-stylised, narrative which will dazzle as much as it disturbs but perhaps once is enough. You can read my full review here. 
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Well, that's a just few films I never need to see again. Honourable mentions go out to A Clockwork Orange (Stanley Kubrick, 1971),  (Federico Fellini, 1963) and I Spit On Your Grave (Meir Zarchi, 1978). But tell me, what films do you never need to see again? Or maybe there are ones you can't un-see? As always, I love reading your comments so please do leave me lots of lovely ones below.

Until next time film fans,

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16 comments

  1. The only one of these I have seen is Neon Demon and I'd have to agree with you here. It's an interesting watch, but not one I'd be particularly fussed with seeing again!

    http://www.curiouser-and-curiouser.co.uk

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    1. I'm glad I saw majority of them, just to tick them off the list. Also I say quite a few films at uni that I hated but I needed to see - just don't need to see them ever again haha. The Neon Demon was great, I really enjoyed it. Just happy with the one viewing x

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  2. Mother! is definitely a film I can agree with you on. It's probably one of the most pretentious, self-indulgent films I've ever seen x

    Rhi | www.rinkydinkyrhi.com

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  3. I saw 2001: A Space Odyssey for the first time recently (at the cinema) and I understand why it's such a classic visually but I just DIDN'T GET IT. Totally agree with your choice of Requiem for a Dream; it's very on the nose. DRUGS ARE BAD, KIDS!
    I think if a woman was as self-indulgent as Aronofsky, they wouldn't get much work...

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    1. I know exactly what you mean. Bar The Shining, I don't think I've needed to see ANY Stanley Kubrick more than one. I nearly included A Clockwork Orange in this list as it's probably my least favourite film of all time haha.

      I could not agree with you more! Aronofsky is all ego in my opinion. Sometimes it works for him but not lately! xx

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    2. I thought the exact same thing when I watched 2001: A Space Odyssey! My film tutor gave it to me and told me to tell him what I thought, he wasn;t expecting it when I told him I didn't get it

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    3. Haha yep! That's another odd one too. I think a lot of the films I hate (like 8 1/2) were actually ones I saw at uni. I'm glad I saw them but never need to watch them ever again haha. I think a lot of film tutors and scholars expect us to just love every single thing by Kubrick and Lynch xx

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  4. I haven't seen The Neon Demon nor Happiness but yeah, definitely agree with the others!

    Although I could probably watch mother! again. I'm all for unpopular opinions, people are far too afraid to go against the current these days - although I understand because, backlash and all. Which is silly, it's all just a matter of opinion. Let us love and hate in peace, together.

    And that is why I forgive you! 😂 Because damn me if I have to rewatch Requiem again (did it a couple of months ago for my podcast and found out the movie is very much engraved in my mind even after 10 years or so), but I do love that movie. It is disturbing but I find it brilliant! And I also really enjoyed mother! as you might've guessed, though, I hadn't read anything about it and totally skipped the biblical interpretations. But I can deal with that, I've seen The Tree of Life multiple times 😅

    Aaaand I do love me some Lynch but I most certainly do NOT have to watch that freak of a movie ever again. I wrote something similar a while back but with a focus on body horror, I had Eraserhead of course, plus Audition and Tetsuo. I like all of them, but nope.

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    1. I would definitely recommend them to a film fan, although you won't need to see them again afterwards haha.

      Yeah I agree with what you mean. I didn't think mother! was a bad movie as such, it just felt like Aronofsky's ego was the main character. I did like all the metaphors and things but thought some of it was just too obvious, like we get it - it's Jesus dying. Wow, well done for Tree of Life though. That's a lot of man hours.

      Good choices, I wouldn't need to see those again either. Although I have seen Audition a few times now! xx

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  5. I've never seen these...I saw Hacksaw Ridge the other day and I cried my eyes out and definitely wouldn't want to see it again. Also, Fences gave me a headache. TOO.MUCH.TALKING haha
    Pam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥

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    1. Haha yeah I get what you mean. I can't handle a lot of sad films, like I just don't want to see them again. Like Green Mile and My Dog Skip haha. Yeah Fences is taken from the play and it really felt like watching a play to be honest - not a lot of utilising the spaces around them x

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  6. Agreed,Happiness is the most bizarre and uncomfortable film and not in a good way.I have no idea what the goal or point of it was it was just way off.
    http://www.susanetc.co.uk

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    1. Haha I think you might be very right. It was such a weird film - I can't even see the artistic merit really. The same director also did another film recently called Weiner Dog and I kind of felt the same about that too sadly. I think his goal is to make you leave questioning why you bothered leaving the house haha

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  7. Yes to not watching mother! or The Neon Demon again!

    I felt the same about mother! - I was disinterested, then overwhelmed, and then happy when it was over... As for The Neon Demon, much like Only God Forgives, I could fully appreciate the visuals, but that's probably where my interest ends! 👀

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  8. I have to be honest, I have not seen one or two of these but I can tell that they might be a bit freaky hehe. I'm not a big fan of Todd Solondz as his films always tend to be a little weird so I understand why he's on this list. Fantastic post, Sophie XD

    Ashley xx
    http://www.imamovienerd.wordpress.com

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