What Famous Movies Have You Lied About Seeing?
This has probably happened to you at least once. You're discussing films with friends at a party,when an unequivocal classic gets brought up. The gathered cinéastes are delighted, but your blood runs cold -- you haven't actually seen the film in question. (SFX: Thunderclap.) Do you lie and say it's one of your favorites anyway? If so, you're not alone.
UK film site Lovefilm polled 1500 people, and found that 4 out of 5 participants lied about seeing films to "impress people." Said editor Helen Cowley said: "Whether it is a small white lie about having seen a cult classic or nodding along to friends as they recount the infamous horse head scene in The Godfather, there are some films that we just do not want to admit we have not watched."
What films in particular do people pretend they saw? Well, The Godfather, which topped the list with 30 percent of the vote. Casablanca, Taxi Driver, 2001: A Space Odyssey and, bizarrely, Reservoir Dogs rounded out the top five. You can only assume that those participating in the poll still didn't feel comfortable about admitting they never saw Citizen Kane, either.
All of which begs the question: What famous movies have you lied about seeing, dear Movieline reader? No judgement here -- especially considering yours truly has certainly fibbed about watching Ordinary People. I'll see it eventually! Promise!
· 'The Godfather' tops our film fibs [Press Association via Yahoo!]
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Comments
OH MY GOD. I was just having a conversation about this the other day. What an amazing post.
Totally had this conversation at dinner last night, and the one that most people answered was Gone With the Wind.
I've never seen Raging Bull or Taxi Driver BUT the ones that really horrify people are when I tell them that I've never seen Dirty Dancing or Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
I've seen all of those listed in this article except (I'm not proud to admit) Citizen Kane (Yep - even seen Ordinary People - a couple of times). But I've never said I've seen a movie I haven't. So while not being proud to admit I haven't seen one of the greatest movies of all time, I think I'd feel like more of an idiot if I lied about.
I don't know about this, but I can say that I've lied about *having* watched Bride Wars. And Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.
Never have. Why would I? I either haven't gotten around to seeing it or I don't want to.
Mine is Sunset Boulevard. And if you count lying that I liked a film that everyone loves: Annie Hall.
I've lied for years about "Gone With the Wind," too; I've never sat through it start to finish, even though I suspect I'd enjoy it. I USED to lie about having seen "The Searchers," but I finally crossed that off a few months ago. (Honest!) Recently I started lying about seeing "Major League" -- not nearly the same stature, obviously, but I know a lot of people who just love it, and I got sick of them screeching at me, "WHY HAVEN'T YOU SEEN THAT?"
I feel vindicated The Godfather is at the top of the list. I'm 33 years old and I STILL haven't seen it and continue to take crap wherever I go. The other movie that people can't believe I haven't seen is Jerry Maguire. Yet I've seen Pootie Tang about 50 times.
YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE GODFATHER?!?!?
_Jerry Maguire_, though, you're off the hook; I never saw that either. (Or Almost Famous -- apologies to Cameron Crowe.)
Really? I have no qualms about openly disliking Woody Allen's movies, Annie Hall included.
One time I said I hadn't seen Starship Troopers and heard multiple gasps and "Oh my Gods." That still hasn't inspired me to watch it.
I know, right? I feel like you'd almost have to have accidentally seen The Godfather by 33.
Also, dude, you'll loveAlmost Famous. I get warm fuzzies every time I think about that Tiny Dancer scene.
I know, I know. It all comes down to me worshiping Lester Bangs and having this vague visual/emotional image of him that evolves over the years and not wanting anything but another re-read through _Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung_ to possibly influence that. I don't really care how good PSH is in that role; I just don't want to _see_ PSH when I think of Bangs bleating a saxophone in a landlady's face or having knock-down drag-out arguments with Lou Reed. It's probably sick, but it's all I've got.
I finally saw Almost Famous two years ago, at a midnight showing in L.A. It was great. Gotta say, seeing some old movies at midnight is the way to go. Sunset Blvd was GREAT and creepy at midnight (another one of those I'd never seen). Same with The Wall. The Big Lebowski was probably more hilarious at midnight--in a cinema stuffed full of die hard fans who telegraphed coming humor w/ their "pre-laughs."
The BEST midnight showing of an old film--ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW!! Hands down. Go to a place which does/allows all the theatrics and you'll have a ball.
I haven't seen Scream. Any Scream. Don't hate on me or I'll scream.
I just saw "Last Tango in Paris" tonight at the Egyptian! One less lie to tell or keep to myself...!
The first time I heard an Elvis Presley tune that I can remember was when I was six years old. My parents purchased me my own elvis cassette tape that x-mas, and I'd play that every day. When they realized how much I liked him I would wind up getting yet another new cassette tape of his for each and every x-mas up till I was about 16. I was indeed deeply sadened once they informed me at 6 that he had passed away only a year after I was born. To this day I've an accumulation of his music and films. I would've loved to see him live though.