If Don’t Know What to Watch, These 15 Movies Won’t Let You Down

1. The Great Wall 2016，IMDB Rating: 5.9, IMDB Votes: 149401, ID: 2034800
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Matt Damon’s ‘The Great Wall’ is a visually stunning but ultimately shallow action film. The movie faced significant backlash for its ‘white savior’ narrative and lack of cultural sensitivity. Despite its impressive special effects and epic battle scenes, the film’s weak plot and character development leave much to be desired. It’s a popcorn flick that entertains but fails to leave a lasting impact.
2. Aloha 2015，IMDB Rating: 5.4, IMDB Votes: 71600, ID: 1243974
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Cameron Crowe’s ‘Aloha’ is a romantic comedy that misses the mark. The film was criticized for its lack of narrative structure and poor pacing, as well as its insensitive portrayal of Hawaiian culture. Despite a star-studded cast, including Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone, the movie fails to deliver a coherent and engaging story. It’s a disappointing effort from a director known for his heartfelt films.
3. The Help 2011，IMDB Rating: 8.1, IMDB Votes: 497489, ID: 1454029
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‘The Help’ is a heartwarming yet controversial film that explores the lives of African-American maids in the 1960s South. While it received praise for its performances and emotional depth, it also faced criticism for its ‘white savior’ narrative and historical inaccuracies. The film’s strength lies in its ability to evoke strong emotions and spark important conversations about race and history.
4. Green Book 2018，IMDB Rating: 8.2, IMDB Votes: 585556, ID: 6966692
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‘Green Book’ is a feel-good road trip movie that tackles race relations in the 1960s. Despite its heartwarming message and strong performances by Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali, the film was criticized for its simplistic portrayal of racism and ‘white savior’ narrative. It’s an enjoyable film that offers a glimmer of hope but falls short of fully addressing the complexities of its subject matter.
5. Dumbo 1941，IMDB Rating: 7.2, IMDB Votes: 143231, ID: 0033563
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Dumbo, the 1941 Disney classic, is a heartwarming tale of an elephant with oversized ears who learns to fly. Despite its charming animation and touching story, the film has faced criticism for its racial stereotypes, particularly the portrayal of the crows. These elements have made it a controversial piece, yet its emotional core and timeless message of overcoming adversity continue to resonate with audiences.
6. Song of the South 1946，IMDB Rating: 6.9, IMDB Votes: 15384, ID: 0038969
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Song of the South, a 1946 Disney film, is infamous for its portrayal of African Americans and plantation life, which many consider racist. Despite its catchy tunes and innovative blend of live-action and animation, the film’s controversial depiction of race relations has overshadowed its artistic achievements. This has led to its limited availability and ongoing debates about its place in cinematic history.
7. Sixteen Candles 1984，IMDB Rating: 7.0, IMDB Votes: 128001, ID: 0088128
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Sixteen Candles, a 1984 teen comedy, is beloved for its humorous take on adolescent angst and memorable performances by Molly Ringwald. However, its use of racial stereotypes and insensitive jokes has sparked criticism over the years. While it remains a nostalgic favorite for many, these problematic elements have led to a reevaluation of its cultural impact.
8. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom 1984，IMDB Rating: 7.5, IMDB Votes: 539353, ID: 0087469
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Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, released in 1984, is a thrilling adventure that has been criticized for its portrayal of Indian culture and its ‘white savior’ narrative. Despite its action-packed sequences and iconic moments, these controversial aspects have led to mixed reactions from audiences and critics alike.
9. The Toy 1982，IMDB Rating: 5.8, IMDB Votes: 14660, ID: 0084809
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The Toy, a 1982 comedy starring Richard Pryor, is a film that has faced backlash for its insensitive premise of a black man being ‘purchased’ as a toy for a rich white boy. While it attempts to deliver a message about friendship and understanding, its execution has been widely criticized, making it a contentious piece in Pryor’s filmography.
10. The Conqueror 1956，IMDB Rating: 3.7, IMDB Votes: 3914, ID: 0049092
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The Conqueror (1956) is a historical drama that has been widely criticized for its insensitive portrayal of Mongolian culture and the miscasting of John Wayne as Genghis Khan. Despite its grandiose production and impressive battle sequences, the film’s narrative is dull and contrived, and its dialogue is stilted. The film’s controversial filming location near a nuclear testing site has also added to its notoriety. Overall, The Conqueror is a film that fails to deliver on its promise and leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
11. The Searchers 1956，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 97328, ID: 0049730
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The Searchers (1956) is a classic Western that has been both praised and criticized for its portrayal of Native Americans. John Wayne’s performance as Ethan Edwards is compelling, but the film’s depiction of Native Americans as ruthless savages has been seen as highly disrespectful. Despite its flaws, The Searchers is a visually stunning film with a deeply emotional storyline that continues to resonate with audiences.
12. The Green Berets 1968，IMDB Rating: 5.6, IMDB Votes: 13984, ID: 0063035
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John Wayne’s ‘The Green Berets’ is a heavy-handed, old-fashioned war film that fails to capture the complexities of the Vietnam War. Its portrayal of the conflict is more akin to a World War II movie, filled with clichés and stock characters, making it offensive to both supporters and opponents of the war. Despite its action-packed scenes, the film’s lack of authenticity and sensitivity towards the real struggles of the Vietnam War make it a disappointing watch.
13. The Deer Hunter 1978，IMDB Rating: 8.1, IMDB Votes: 365311, ID: 0077416
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Michael Cimino’s ‘The Deer Hunter’ is a haunting exploration of the Vietnam War’s impact on a group of friends from Pennsylvania. The film’s emotional depth, powerful performances, and unflinching portrayal of war’s horrors make it a masterpiece. However, its intense and graphic depiction of Russian roulette scenes has been criticized for being insensitive and exploitative.
14. The Adventures of Tintin 2011，IMDB Rating: 7.3, IMDB Votes: 244692, ID: 0983193
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Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Adventures of Tintin’ is a visually stunning and action-packed adventure that captures the spirit of the beloved comic series. The film’s motion-capture animation and thrilling sequences make it a delight for fans of all ages. However, some critics have found its fast-paced action and lack of character depth to be overwhelming and superficial.
15. The Wolf of Wall Street 2013，IMDB Rating: 8.2, IMDB Votes: 1606234, ID: 0993846
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The Wolf of Wall Street is a wild and excessive film that has been criticized for its moral ambiguity and lack of sympathy for its victims. Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the film follows the rise and fall of stockbroker Jordan Belfort. The film’s energetic and chaotic style, combined with its dark humor and satirical take on greed and excess, make it an entertaining watch. However, its explicit content and controversial subject matter may not be for everyone.