Long term perceptions after watching a film

[LegacyCosts]

Often times when I view a film that has multiple layers or has something tangible or real I can grab on to, I find myself thinking about it long after my initial viewing. Whether or not I hate it or love it at first, my perceptions of a film often changes over time.

What are some films that you either loved or despised at first, but after mulling it over, you found yourself to be wrong? Preferably without a second viewing but either way works.

I'll start it off. The more I think about the Wolf on Wall Street the less I liked it. I still respect the film a great deal and Jonah Hill was fantastic. However, I can't help but still think of how much more I would have loved it without Dicaprio as lead. I also find that the film's themes of money/power/corruption have been more effectively and consistently told elsewhere.

[L.J.]

Apocalpse Now use to think it was just a dark war movie, watched it one day when I was feeling down and the movie became something else. Actually appreciate it more now.

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by LegacyCosts

I'll start it off. The more I think about the Wolf on Wall Street the less I liked it. I still respect the film a great deal and Jonah Hill was fantastic. However, I can't help but still think of how much more I would have loved it without Dicaprio as lead. I also find that the film's themes of money/power/corruption have been more effectively and consistently told elsewhere.

I agree on WOWS. Except the part about being better without Leo. He was fine (though nothing award-worthy). The film's problems were it's directing, editing, script, and the fact that it focused on a bunch of very unlikable people.

[The Great Owl]

I was underwhelmed the first time that I watched Paris, Texas, but I really warmed up to it during subsequent viewings. It's now one of my all-time favorite movies.

[cinemaphile]

I saw Blair Witch Project at a screening a few weeks before it opened, and I thought it was really good.

But the more I thought back on it, the less impressed I was. When it opened I watched it again and was just plain bored. Then with the ensuing box office success and people over-praising it and giving it undeserved hype, I couldn't stand it.


Then there was Paranormal Activity. When I saw it, I thought it was boring and complete crap. But as time went on, I decided that.... oh, wait... it's still boring crap.

[mikesncc1701]

Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas. Could never make it 15 minutes past the opening for the first three times I tried to watch it. Was just really boring then for some reason I tried again, while intoxicated and fell in love with it. Not saying you need to be trashed to appreciate it, but it brought a whole new meaning to the film for me and now I love it.

[SilentDawn]

I absolutely hated The Tree Of Life on my first viewing; now it's in my top 10 of all time.

I always grow on movies; there are very few films that I love right away. (Etc: There Will Be Blood, her, Pan's Labyrinth)

Every one of Michael Mann's films have grown on me as well; thought he was a mediocre director when I was younger. Boy, was I wrong.