LovesHeels
06-13-2006, 01:41 PM
Entertainment Weekly came out with a list of the 25 most controversial movies ever made. Here’s the list, with some commentary by yours truly.
NOTE: I haven’t see every film, so some of the comments were said by EW magazine, or what I’ve heard from others.
1. Passion of the Christ (2004)
This is the most controversial movie of all time?? Pfft. I doubt it. Because it’s gory? Big deal. I’ve seen more gore in tons of other movies. As for the anti-Semitic charges, those came out because Mel Gibson’s dad is suspected of being a holocaust denier. Maybe the film is a bit controversial but calling it the most controversial of all time is stretching it.
2. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
This one still creeps me out when I see it. :)
3. Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
The ultimate Bush-bashing film. Typical Michael Moore (i.e. he spins everything his way) but he does get some points across that really hit nerves in the Bush camp.
4. Deep Throat (1972)
Really, really nasty porn posing as mainstream. Saw it once and I don’t know about you, but 70s porn is just disgusting, period. :)
5. JFK (1991)
Nobody plays looser with facts than Oliver Stone but, I think, still a great performance by Costner.
6. The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
Christians went berserk over a scene of Christ making love to Mary Magdalene, but taken in context, there’s really nothing controversial about it (the whole thing is the “last temptation” sent to Him by Satan as he hangs on the cross, hence the film’s title.) If anything, the scenes of Christ making crosses and helping the Romans crucify people early in the film were more controversial than the “love” scene.
7. Birth of a Nation (1915)
Never saw this one, but I can see how it became a recruiting tool for the KKK.
8. Natural Born Killers (1994)
An okay film that (in my opinion) just goes too far over the top to be taken seriously.
9. Last Tango in Paris (1972)
Never saw it. Supposedly was very X-rated for its day.
10. Baby Doll (1956)
Never saw it. Another one that got Christians riled up.
11. The Message (1977)
Tells of Islam’s origins. Pissed off Muslims something fierce. God forbid they re-release this one in today’s day and age!
12. The Deer Hunter (1978)
The Russian roulette scene raised a lot of eyebrows when it came out.
13. The Da Vinci Code (2006)
Too much has been said about this one already. Not a bad film, but not Ron Howard’s best.
14. The Warriors (1979)
Controversial film about gang warfare. Saw it once, didn’t find it memorable.
15. Triumph of the Will (1935)
Chilling documentary about the Nazi party. Still haunting to this day.
16. United 93 (2006)
Haven’t seen it, but most of the controversy is because people think it came out “too soon.”
17. Freaks (1932)
Featured actual circus “freak sideshow” attractions. Audiences in 1932 were as shocked as shocked can be.
18. I am Curious (Yellow) (1969)
Full-frontal nudity shots were too risqué, even in 1969.
19. Basic Instinct (1992)
Introduced Sharon Stone (and her crotch) to the world. Gays and lesbians protested it when it came out, but personally, I thought it was a mediocre thriller at best.
20. Cannibal Holocaust (1985)
Film about cannibal tribes in the Amazon. Yum. :)
21. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Deemed too overly-violent by 1967 audiences.
22. Do the Right Thing (1989)
Spike Lee at his best (or worst, depending on your point of view). I’ve seen this film a dozen times and still can only come to the conclusion that Lee’s stance is that if you get pissed off enough, it’s okay to burn down your employer’s store, and then demand money from the (white) guy later. Seems awful racist to me, but whatever.
23. Kids (1995)
If you like this film, more power to you. I thought it was one big snooze-fest. Controversial because it showed kids (supposedly underage) having sex and doing drugs.
24. Caligula (1980)
Upon its release, Variety described it as a “moral holocaust.” Not for the faint of heart.
25. Aladdin (1992)
What’s that, you say? A Disney film? Yep, because when it initially came out, the opening song had lyrics about Arabs cutting off your hand if they didn’t like you, or words to that effect. Those lyrics were re-dubbed for later releases.
NOTE: I haven’t see every film, so some of the comments were said by EW magazine, or what I’ve heard from others.
1. Passion of the Christ (2004)
This is the most controversial movie of all time?? Pfft. I doubt it. Because it’s gory? Big deal. I’ve seen more gore in tons of other movies. As for the anti-Semitic charges, those came out because Mel Gibson’s dad is suspected of being a holocaust denier. Maybe the film is a bit controversial but calling it the most controversial of all time is stretching it.
2. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
This one still creeps me out when I see it. :)
3. Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
The ultimate Bush-bashing film. Typical Michael Moore (i.e. he spins everything his way) but he does get some points across that really hit nerves in the Bush camp.
4. Deep Throat (1972)
Really, really nasty porn posing as mainstream. Saw it once and I don’t know about you, but 70s porn is just disgusting, period. :)
5. JFK (1991)
Nobody plays looser with facts than Oliver Stone but, I think, still a great performance by Costner.
6. The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
Christians went berserk over a scene of Christ making love to Mary Magdalene, but taken in context, there’s really nothing controversial about it (the whole thing is the “last temptation” sent to Him by Satan as he hangs on the cross, hence the film’s title.) If anything, the scenes of Christ making crosses and helping the Romans crucify people early in the film were more controversial than the “love” scene.
7. Birth of a Nation (1915)
Never saw this one, but I can see how it became a recruiting tool for the KKK.
8. Natural Born Killers (1994)
An okay film that (in my opinion) just goes too far over the top to be taken seriously.
9. Last Tango in Paris (1972)
Never saw it. Supposedly was very X-rated for its day.
10. Baby Doll (1956)
Never saw it. Another one that got Christians riled up.
11. The Message (1977)
Tells of Islam’s origins. Pissed off Muslims something fierce. God forbid they re-release this one in today’s day and age!
12. The Deer Hunter (1978)
The Russian roulette scene raised a lot of eyebrows when it came out.
13. The Da Vinci Code (2006)
Too much has been said about this one already. Not a bad film, but not Ron Howard’s best.
14. The Warriors (1979)
Controversial film about gang warfare. Saw it once, didn’t find it memorable.
15. Triumph of the Will (1935)
Chilling documentary about the Nazi party. Still haunting to this day.
16. United 93 (2006)
Haven’t seen it, but most of the controversy is because people think it came out “too soon.”
17. Freaks (1932)
Featured actual circus “freak sideshow” attractions. Audiences in 1932 were as shocked as shocked can be.
18. I am Curious (Yellow) (1969)
Full-frontal nudity shots were too risqué, even in 1969.
19. Basic Instinct (1992)
Introduced Sharon Stone (and her crotch) to the world. Gays and lesbians protested it when it came out, but personally, I thought it was a mediocre thriller at best.
20. Cannibal Holocaust (1985)
Film about cannibal tribes in the Amazon. Yum. :)
21. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Deemed too overly-violent by 1967 audiences.
22. Do the Right Thing (1989)
Spike Lee at his best (or worst, depending on your point of view). I’ve seen this film a dozen times and still can only come to the conclusion that Lee’s stance is that if you get pissed off enough, it’s okay to burn down your employer’s store, and then demand money from the (white) guy later. Seems awful racist to me, but whatever.
23. Kids (1995)
If you like this film, more power to you. I thought it was one big snooze-fest. Controversial because it showed kids (supposedly underage) having sex and doing drugs.
24. Caligula (1980)
Upon its release, Variety described it as a “moral holocaust.” Not for the faint of heart.
25. Aladdin (1992)
What’s that, you say? A Disney film? Yep, because when it initially came out, the opening song had lyrics about Arabs cutting off your hand if they didn’t like you, or words to that effect. Those lyrics were re-dubbed for later releases.