upworthy

films

Wil Wheaton speaking to an audience at 2019 Wondercon.

When you find out an actor whose work you enjoy is blatantly racist and antisemitic in real life, does that realization ruin every movie they've been a part of?

What about an author who has expressed harmful opinions about a marginalized group? What about a smart, witty comedian who turns out to be a serial sexual assaulter? Where do you draw the line between a creator and their creation? As someone with his feet in both worlds, actor Wil Wheaton weighed in on that question and offered a refreshingly reasonable perspective back in 2021.

"Question: I have more of an opinion question for you. When fans of things hear about misconduct happening on sets/behind-the-scenes are they allowed to still enjoy the thing? Or should it be boycotted completely? Example: I've been a major fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer since I was a teenager and it was currently airing. I really nerded out on it and when I lost my Dad at age 16. 'The Body' episode had me in such cathartic tears. Now we know about Joss Whedon. I haven't rewatched a single episode since his behavior came to light. As a fan, do I respectfully have to just box that away? Is it disrespectful of the actors that went through it to knowingly keep watching?"

And Wheaton offered this response, which he shared:

"Answer: I have been precisely where you are, right now. In fact, we were just talking about this a few days ago, as it relates to a guy who wrote a ton of music that was PROFOUND to me when I was a teenager. He wrote about being lonely and feeling unloved, and all the things I was feeling as a teenager.

He grew up to be a reprehensible bigot, and for years I couldn't listen to one of the most important bands in my life anymore.

But this week, someone pointed out that he was one member of a group that all worked together to make that thing that was so important to me. And the person he was when he wrote those lyrics is not the person he is today. And the person I was when I heard those lyrics doesn't deserve to be shoved into a box and put away, because that guy is a shit.

This is a long way of saying that Joss sure turned out to be garbage. Because of who my friends are, I know stuff that isn't in the public, and it's pretty horrible. He's just not a good person, and apparently never was a good person.

BUT! Buffy is more than him. It's all the actors and crew who made it. It's all the writers who aren't Joss. Joss is part of it, sure, and some of the episodes he wrote are terrific.

At least one of the episodes he wrote was deeply meaningful to you at a moment in your life when you'd experienced a loss I can only imagine. The person you are now, and the 16 year-old you were who just lost their dad, are more important than the piece of shit Joss Whedon revealed himself to be.

His bad behavior is on him. He has to live with it, and the consequences of it.

Wil Wheaten, celebrity, wisdom, advice, knowledgeWil Wheaton | Wil Wheaton speaking at the 2012 Phoenix Comic… | Flickrwww.flickr.com

16-year-old you, who just lost their dad, shouldn't have to think about what a shit Joss Whedon is for even a second. That kid, and you, deserve to have that place to revisit when you need to go there.

I can't speak for the other actors, even the ones I know. But I will tell you, as an abuse survivor myself who never wanted to be in front of the camera when he was a kid: it's really okay for you to enjoy the work. The work is good and meaningful, and if nobody is going to watch it because of what one piece of shit did two decades ago, what was it all for?

I'm not the pope of chilitown, so take this for what it's worth: I believe that when some piece of art is deeply meaningful to a person, for whatever reason, that art doesn't belong to the person who created it, if it ever did. It belongs to the person who found something meaningful in the art.

If it feels right to you to put it away and never look at it again, that's totally valid. But if it brings you comfort, or joy, or healing, or just warm familiarity to bring it out and spend some time with it, that's totally valid, too.

I've written a lot of words. I hope some of them make sense and are helpful to you."

Wil Wheaton, Star Trek, celebrity, wisdom, thoughtsWil Wheaton in Star Trekupload.wikimedia.org

As with practically everything in this world, the question of whether art can or should be separated from the artist is complex. It involves philosophical questions about the nature of art—where it comes from and who it belongs to—as well as questions about how imperfect a person has to be for us to reject everything they create.

In 2023, The Atlantic published a poignant opinion piece by contributing writer Judith Shulevitz, in which she suggests that art does indeed transcend the (problematic) artist. Wheaton's response and overall take on the matter feels right, especially when we're regarding art that is collaboratively created.

This article originally appeared four years ago. It has been updated.

People adore these movies, but they have intriguing reasons not to recommend them.

When you finish a good film, a natural first reaction is to tell someone about it. I don’t even feel like I’ve seen a movie until I nerdily break down the plot with a friend. But for one reason or another, sometimes you can’t make that recommendation—a unique scenario illustrated in a viral post.

The prompt: "What’s a movie you think is incredible but wouldn’t recommend to anyone?" The picks ranged from too-guilty pleasures to stories too heavy and taxing for the general public. Here, listed in no particular order, are 9 of the most fascinating choices.

1. Aftersun (2022)

Most people in the Reddit thread seemed to mention heavy, dark dramas—films they thought were powerful but took a piece out of them. One example was Charlotte Wells’ coming-of-age project Aftersun, which, per IMDB, follows a character named Sophie as she "reflects on the shared joy and private melancholy of a holiday she took with her father twenty years earlier." The Reddit user wrote, "Amazing film, felt genuine grief for about 3 days after it."

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

2. Boys Don’t Cry (1999)

Directed by Kimberly Peirce and starring Hilary Swank, the Oscar-winning Boys Don't Crytells the story of Brandon, a young transgender man who "navigates love, life, and trying to pass as a boy in rural Nebraska." One Redditor wrote, "Watched it once, 24 or 25 years ago. That was enough."

3. Schindler's List (1993)

Lots of these films are highly acclaimed—including Steven Spielberg’s historical drama Schindler’s List, which boasts a rare score of 95/100 on Metacritic—and the reputation for being a particularly emotional watch. The movie is set during WWII in German-occupied Poland, where "industrialist Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis." A Redditor called it "a superb movie" but added, "I’m happy to just remember that fact and not actually experience it again."

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

4. Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Darren Aronofsky's psychological drama is...a lot. A whole lot. This would also be my personal pick. I watched it shortly after it came out, thought it was incredible, and now have no desire to experience it again.

5. American History X (1998)

Same feelings about Tony Kaye's intense crime-drama exploring neo-Nazism. Given the subject matter alone, this was a tough one.

6. Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

This satirical David Wain comedy, set at a summer camp in 1981, features a cast of heavy hitters, including Janeane Garofalo and Paul Rudd. But it was a critical and box office flop, only later developing a cult following. I love this movie, but I do realize the humor is very specific and might translate to the average moviegoer.

7. Beau Is Afraid (2023)

I savored every second of Ari Aster's divisive tragicomedy epic. But like the Redditor who picked this one, I would find it hard to recommend—at least outside of my small circle of likeminded friends. I just assume most people wouldn't be open to a surreal, three-hour film with a very non-linear story.

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

8. Skinamarink (2022)

Other users also said they wouldn’t recommend a beloved film for practical reasons—they realize their taste is somewhat niche. Naturally, multiple horror movies made the cut, including Kyle Edward Ball’s debut, Skinamarink: "I thought it was the scariest movie [I’ve] seen in a few decades," someone wrote. "I can also see why others think [it’s] the worst movie in decades. It requires all your patience and attention and still [doesn’t] give much back."

9. Battlefield Earth (2000)

On the other end of the spectrum, someone picked the universally panned sci-fi flick Battlefield Earth—partly because they want to keep their guilty pleasures a private matter. "What? I like garbage," they wrote. "[I]t’s dumb and it's fun. I don't recommend it purely because I don't want to be judged for enjoying it."

There’s also the opposite scenario to consider: It’s natural to think some films are terrible on a technical level—perhaps a B-movie filled with plot holes and cringe-worthy dialogue—yet want to watch them over and over again. In fact, as someone who recently attended a 24-hour "so bad it’s good" marathon at my local art-house cinema, I can attest that many of us feel this way.

But why? What’s the difference between a bad movie that you would’t recommend and one you would? Actor/comedian Paul Scheer, who hosts an incredible podcast about this very topic called How Did This Get Made?, discussed this subject with The Cut in 2017. “There’s the type of movie we don’t really like, which is being bad for bad’s sake, because then I feel that’s cheating,” he said. “I feel like that’s ‘I don’t care.’ When you look at Birdemic or The Room, they care! They just missed the mark.”

The Princess Bride (left) Everything, Everywhere all at Once (center) The Godfather (right)

The 96th Academy Awards, better known as The Oscars, will be taking place in less than a week. Meaning some films will be recognized forever as the best of the best for 2024.

…But how many of us have sat down to watch an award winning, cult classic, incredibly popular movie, only to think…is everyone else watching what I'm watching? I don't get the hype!

You're not alone. Art, as we know, is subjective, and just because a movie is liked by many, it doesn't mean it will be liked by everyone.

When Reddit user u/imnachos asked: "What is a film you didn't really enjoy that everyone seemed to like?" their question got thousands of comments from less-than-enthused moviegoers. Some choices were to be expected, such as classics that maybe don't hold up so well with a modern lens. But then a few films that seem completely harmless and universally loved made the list.

Check out the titles below:


The Notebook

"I first watched this movie when I was like 15 and of course at that age you think it’s romantic and the most beautiful love story ever. As an adult that has now experienced young love and mature adult love…. If my high school boyfriend had ever shown up out of nowhere while I was with my fiancé/now husband he would have no hold over me lol. Like I get the premise is that their love is so strong and eternal and that they’re soulmates blah blah blah but they didn’t even give her a bad fiancé. The guy she was engaged to was handsome and super kind and successful lol but sure, go back to your grouchy hermit ex you haven’t spoken to in yearssss."

A Quiet Place

"'S'on, we can talk as loud as we want next to this waterfall. Now let’s go home to our creaky home with wood floors where we have to tiptoe and use sign language….' My guy… just move next to the waterfall!"

Avatar

"Unobtainium?? That’s the best name they could come up with?"

"You could argue that it's a story about how humans gathering natural resources are blind to the devastating effects of their greed... But no, that's just a literal description of the plot. Avatar takes the nuance and context and human characters out of real-world conflict and replaces everything with a one-dimensional min-max placeholder."

The Princess Bride

"Sorry folks, but 'The Princess Bride' blows. The only interesting thing about the movie was actually in the Andre the Giant documentary, detailing the pain Andre was in throughout the filming."

Everything Everywhere All at Once

One person lamented, "I had to take breaks to watch it because it was just too much going on."

To which someone quipped, "The title does warn you."

Saltburn

"I watched it last night and did not get the hype, just the ick."

Fast & Furious

"I find them all to be ridiculously stupid. Just awful."

The MCU

" I like comics but I despise the cinematic universe."

Barbie

"It was fine. I get it’s standing as a cultural phenomenon…But it’s not as great as what people were celebrating it as. But if people found enjoyment in it then that’s good for them."

The Godfather

"I think you would have had to see it when it came out. It paved the way for the modern mafia movies. Before it, there was nothing like it, and it was probably amazing at the time."

Oppenheimer

One person referenced a review of "Oppenheimer" by writer Sam Kriss, who called it:

“…bafflingly pointlessly soulless…Less an actual film than a three-hour-long trailer: just snapshots, stitched together, each scene lasting a few minutes at most, until you start to get something like motion sickness…You get the sense that Nolan isn’t really interested in much. Not nuclear physics, not the terrible responsibilities of the atomic age, or the romance of Communism, or the cruel machinery of the US government; in fact, he doesn’t even seem to care at all about J Robert Oppenheimer, as a man or a totem. What he cares about are the following: firstly, shoving as many scientists and politicians in front of our faces as possible, so we all appreciate how thoroughly he’s done his homework, and secondly, employing a Mirror-wannabe non-linear storytelling technique for no apparent reason whatsoever. It sucks.

Elf

"I hate 'Elf'. I can’t stand Will Ferrell. He’s not funny; he’s just loud."

Wonder Woman

"It was cool for a woman-led superhero film. But the plot was pretty mid."

You know what they say—everyone's a critic! But that's all the more reason why we need a variety of films, focusing on different perspectives, cultures, genres, you name it, so that there can be something for everyone.

Pop Culture

Couple advertises their rundown Honda as a luxury vehicle in hilarious parody ad

Their spot-on impression of most luxury vehicle commercials says a lot about how we are trained to view consumerism.

Fularious/Youtube

Luxury, it's a sate of mind

When Carrie Hollenbeck needed to sell her 1996 Honda Accord, with over 140,000 lifetime miles on it, having a filmmaker boyfriend paid off. Big time.

Max Lanman had the idea to produce an actual commercial to advertise his girlfriend's jalopy. But this wouldn't be some low-budget production for a 4 a.m. run on the local access cable channel. Oh no. Not at all.


“I thought it would be hilarious to make a high-end car commercial for a really junky car,” Lanman told ABC News. “And she had just the car.”

The ad begins like any high-gloss, self-important, sleek car commercial, with a deep-voiced narrator uttering some vaguely inspiring patter: "You, you're different. You do things your way. That's what makes you one of a kind."

Cut to — instead of a luxury vehicle with a slick dash, leather interior, and impeccably dressed anonymous driver — Carrie's old Honda, complete with coffee spills, random objects rolling around in the back, and one of those cassette things you use to play your iPod in a car without Bluetooth.

"You don't do it for appearance. You do it because it works," the narrator adds triumphantly.

Check out the finished product:

Lanman may have intended the piece to be more silly than satire, but the faux ad inadvertently makes an important point about the car buying experience in America.

As commonplace as the ads he's lampooning are, the majority of Americans cannot afford a new car. Things are only getting worse — the average price of a new vehicle has skyrocketed 35% since the 1970s, while the median household income is only up about 3% for the same time period.

Cars have always been a status symbol, but somewhere along the line — between the time of horse-drawn carriages and the modern era of Matthew McConaughey selling Lincolns by falling backward into an infinity pool while wearing a tuxedo — cars have become an extreme symbol of status.

Car commercials would have you believe that cars are not something you buy because of how well they can get you from Point A to Point B, but because of how they made you feel and how they make you look to other people. For every person buying a $60,000 car that fits their "lifestyle," (or to sit in their garage, barely touched) there are dozens more people buying a used junker on Craiglist or eBay because it's all they can afford. And there's nothing wrong with that.

Though it wasn't intended to be, Max and Carrie's viral ad is almost a digital middle finger to those who want the rich to get richer and income disparity to get worse. It reminds us to be proud of our ability to successfully live our own lives, even if it's not always pristine or glamorous. This ad ... is practical and real and ... well, it's all of us.

"Luxury is a state of mind," the narrator bellows at the end. Finally, a car slogan everyday Americans can get behind.


This article originally appeared on 11.09.17