Movies you thought were great, but never want to watch again (cinema, documentaries)

[b. frank]

Originally Posted by cil

Maybe I will give it another try. I very much appreciated Greengrass' Bloody Sunday.
The younger son watched United 93 and said it was worthwhile, so it did not go back unseen at all.
I'm not one who only wants to see feel-good stuff, but this one intimidated me.

I miss out on a whole lot of movies that I want/need to see but don't because I am never in the mood for a "downer".
I thought United 93 might be one of those but I watched it and, ironically, I did not find it to be a downer at all.
It's very realistic and the events unfolded in a very believable way - for the most part the people on the plane (in the film) don't have much time for any overwrought misery or drama - and there are no over-embellished slow-mo scenes meant to drive a point home.
It's a great movie on many levels: Technically it is extremely utilitarian and the storytelling is smooth and solid.
Historically, it gives us a picture that seems to be quite accurate and, for me, the film made that event seem less mysterious and awe-inspiring than I had built it up to be. I had no real idea about how the events panned out until I saw the movie, and it all made so much more sense to me after seeing it.
The movie does not attempt to downplay or glorify the incident. Instead it shows us how people can and will unite in a pinch to deal with a dangerous situation that is so much bigger than all of our petty differences.

[Moonlady]

I haven't seen Leaving Las Vegas mentioned. I tend to stay away from really depressing movies, but for some reason I watched that one and it was tough.

[DontH8Me]

Bangkok Hilton and Midnight Express

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096540/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077928/

Those 2 were not yet mentioned - others already got my votes for first two - Shindler's List and The Passion of the Christ. In Midnight Express, John Hurt practically steals the show by the way. Ah, back in the good old days, when actors needed to know how to actually ACT. But Brad's acting is top-notch too.

I loved Edward Scissorhands incidentally - it is such a spectacular movie to me. My son likes it too and we've watched it countless times. When they show Winona dancing in the flakes of snow/ice, I always get "all mushy".

[MSJones]

The Exorcist - freaked me OUT
The Deer Hunter - disturbing as hell
Deliverance - see above
Full Metal Jacket - I watched it alone, at 3 AM, and Private Pyle's suicide scene kept me up all night

[tlb71]

Didn't see these 2 mentioned
The Pledge
A Beautiful Mind
Loved them both, just don't want to watch them again.
I agree with Pay It Forward- too sad!

[domergurl]

Forgot about Midnight Express! Good call! I am also amazed at Randy Quaid's performance, whoda thunk it???

It's really sad that Brad Davis died.

[christina0001]

ditto City of Angels and Edward Scissorhands - both too sad to watch again.
The Ring - way too scary for me to ever watch again
Message in a Bottle - I had a headache for hours afterwards, from crying!

[domergurl]

If anyone is interested, Threads (the best nuclear war movie) is on youtube in bits and pieces. I've been watching it again ... why do I do this to myself?? I understand it so much more now.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Thanks, Domergurl.
I agree with a lot of other choices added to the thread.
Last night I watched Rescue Dawn. This movie is based on the survival story of a U.S. fighter pilot who was shot down over Laos during the Vietnam war.
Once again Christian Bale blew me away with his talent, but I don't ever want to watch even a snippet of that movie again.

[gnab gib]

"My Dog Skip." Oh, my gosh. I'm not much of a cryer, but I was bawling my eyes out toward the end. Fabulous movie, but I can never, ever watch it again.

Movies about dogs always tug on my heartstrings.