Great films that sound dull on paper.

montyburns56 · 30/03/15 - 21:12

I was watching Apocalypto on TV last night, but I remember when it came out and from it's description it sounded like a really dull and worthy Oscar bait type of film, as opposed to a thrilling and brilliant piece of entertainment that it actually is.

So I was thinking about what other films sound like a bore fest from their description, but are actually really entertaining.

Shawshank Redemption is another one, because if someone has said to me "you'll really enjoy this 2 and half hour film set in a 1940s US prison" I would have thought that you were mad!

Midsblue · 30/03/15 - 22:26

Whiplash.

I was completely turned off when I read it was a film about a schoolkid who wanted to drum. I then read some promising reviews and decided to watch it and was really impressed with the story, acting and also liked the music even though I thought jazz would be boring.

necromancer20 · 30/03/15 - 22:35

The Social Network - a film about the beginning of Facebook.

Jim_McIntosh · 30/03/15 - 22:45

Glengarry Glen Ross.

Bunch of salesmen sit in an office and try to get the best business leads.

ShaunIOW · 30/03/15 - 22:53

Jim_McIntosh wrote: »

Glengarry Glen Ross.

Bunch of salesmen sit in an office and try to get the best business leads.

I was going to suggest that one, so I'll go with Quiz Show about the fixed TV show 21 in the 50's.

Jim_McIntosh · 30/03/15 - 22:55

Good Will Hunting

Young guy doesn't know what to do in life, goes to therapy a bit, and is pretty good at maths.

mgvsmith · 30/03/15 - 22:59

The Breakfast Club

5 teenagers spend a Saturday morning in detention!

revolver44 · 30/03/15 - 23:34

Jim_McIntosh wrote: »

Glengarry Glen Ross.

Bunch of salesmen sit in an office and try to get the best business leads.

Yes indeed. A masterclass in acting from Lemon, just imperious.

Another I thought sounded underwhelming but was fantastic is The Station Agent, where Peter Dinklage buys a disused railway station to live in. Wonderful, life-affirming movie, really moved me.

Lee_Smith2 · 30/03/15 - 23:44

The King's Speech sounded dull as dishwater on paper. But it was a mesmerizing two hours.

tombigbee · 30/03/15 - 23:52

Midsblue wrote: »

Whiplash.

I was completely turned off when I read it was a film about a schoolkid who wanted to drum. I then read some promising reviews and decided to watch it and was really impressed with the story, acting and also liked the music even though I thought jazz would be boring.

I'm trying to get people to watch that and they're like "a film about drumming???"

Same problem I had with Fight Club, trying to explain it as a film about men who meet up and fight.

Some films you just have to see to understand.

Johnny Clay · 31/03/15 - 10:55

A doctor learns his wife once fantasised about a sailor, and goes for a walk to mull it over (Eyes Wide Shut).

An American GI wanders around Kent, and who's pouring glue into women's hair? (A Canterbury Tale).

As with all narrative forms, the magic lies in the telling. For a very long time the alleged Best Film Ever Made was about an old man getting a bit weepy over a toy sledge. Hardly sounds thrilling, but in a way it epitomised the brilliance of the medium like no other.

pete137 · 31/03/15 - 11:46

The Constant Gardener - troubled man looking for his wifes murderer...........and he likes to do a bit of gardening.

Alrightmate · 31/03/15 - 12:02

The Conversation (1974)

12 Angry Men (1957)

mike65 · 31/03/15 - 12:17

Goodnight and Good Luck - half a dozen men talking intensely and looking angry in black and white

idlewilde · 31/03/15 - 13:36

Vanishing Point

Man has to deliver a car

jrmswfc · 31/03/15 - 13:52

Beauty and the Beast : peasant girl develops Stockholm Syndrome.

Virgil Tracy · 31/03/15 - 18:13

My Dinner with Andre .

2 blokes having dinner and talking .

tombigbee · 31/03/15 - 18:52

Before Sunrise - two people wandering around having a chat

bluefb · 31/03/15 - 19:30

Wavelength - A single, blurry 45 minute shot of a small, mostly empty room, with no audible dialogue. Admittedly, most people will still consider it tedious after watching.

Will_Bennetts · 02/04/15 - 13:06

Exam - a bunch of people attending an entrance exam for a new job.

tahiti · 02/04/15 - 13:54

12 angry men

rfonzo · 03/04/15 - 01:07

Sideways and Little Miss Sunshine.

Sez_babe · 03/04/15 - 01:15

I also agree with 12 Angry Men. Having seen the film and the play, it's so not boring!

Ancient IDTV · 03/04/15 - 08:31

Amadeus - Rivalry between two composers in the 18th century.
The Music Box (Laurel and Hardy short) - Two blokes delivering a piano. Actually, quite a few L & H films sound dull on paper, but once those two get going.........
The Hustler and The Color of Money - People playing pool.
Hell Drivers - Lorry drivers transporting gravel.

Doghouse Riley · 03/04/15 - 15:16

"Lone Star."

You'd think from the title, it was a run of the mill western, but it's far from that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCVzzRXc5Ws

Spacedone · 04/04/15 - 10:45

The Shawshank Redemption - Banker goes to prison for 30 years.

Oh wait you asked for movies that sound dull, not movies that sound like they'd never happen in the real world.

Hey there!

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Great films that sound dull on paper.

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