I was pretty excited last week when I got an email that this blog was nominated as a top writing blog by eCollegeFinder! This was me when I got the email:
You can vote for the blogs you love that have been nominated! You can vote as many times as you want for as many blogs as you want, and there are some other fabulous writing blogs that have been nominated. I'd love it (and I'm sure the other bloggers would too) if you'd hop over and vote at least once! (If you love my blog, that is. If you don't...I guess I'll never know.)
Now, on to the post.
So for Christmas, we got a brand new huge TV from my in-laws. We were just a little shocked and ecstatic (our own pawn shop TV had been dying a staticky death). I was even more excited when I discovered it connected to the internet. I get all my Doctor Who on Amazon, so now I can watch it on el giganto flat screen!! *dies*
Ahem. Anyway. One of the options we get is a bunch of free movies via the internet from Crackle. Most of them...well, they're free for a reason. The other night, I found one with Val Kilmer and Cuba Gooding Jr. They're good actors, I thought. It can't be THAT bad.
It was that bad. And it was so much more than that bad.
First off-- this is the cover:
And here is how Val Kilmer actually looked in the movie:
Sorry. That's a lot of caps.
You'd think I'd have turned it off. I didn't. I hoped I would maybe learn something to help in my writing, because I usually can even if the movie/book is terrible. Not this time. I already know not to make everything boring and one-dimensional. For the first time ever, I actually had that "I can never get those hours of my life back" moment.
So, my friends, do you finish books and movies you don't like? Why or why not? Do you try to learn from even the bad ones?
34 comments:
Sometimes. I'm more apt to finish a movie, since it's less of an investment in terms of time...and yet I sometimes walk away from something that looked entertaining but is terribly written. Terrible writing--as evidenced in dialogue in particular--is a fatal flaw for me when it comes to film or TV.
Books: I give them 50 pages. It's not often I have chosen something that is truly so bad I can't finish it, but it does happen from time to time. I used to feel really guilty about walking away from a book, but I have had to get over it. For me, it's almost always a matter of character and voice: if the voice doesn't compel me, if I don't like or care about the protagonist within 50 pages, I'm not going to stick with it. Life is too short and there are too many other good books out there!
LMAO!!!
Really? It sounds HORRIBLE.
However I'm guilty of finishing a book or a movie even if they are horrible. Something about me being stubborn. If there are anything I learn, they're usually the no-no or what not to do type.
First of all, Congratulations!
Second of all...Hahaha! I've never seen 'Hardwired' and I don't think I ever will! Even the name is bad! I am also more likely to finish a bad movie than a bad book...a book takes more time and concentration..if it's horrible I put it down, but it doesn't happen all that often with a book...if it's a bad movie I will walk away without any feelings of guilt at all..great post Shallee!
Ha-ha! I rarely finish a book or movie I don't like. In fact, I stopped watching a movie just last night. Okay, actually I fast forwarded to the last five minutes to see if it ended exactly the way I thought it would (it did). I try to learn from the bad ones, but mostly it's by identifying what I didn't like and then I can stop reading or watching it.
I almost always finish everything (unless it is graphic or has terrible language). I think I learn more from the bad ones. WHAT NOT TO DO :)
As far as movies go, I have never walked out of or turned off a MOVIE I PAID FOR in some way. And yes, there were some real bombs! But when it comes to books I have put down books I puchased before I finished them. This only started happening once I started considering myself a writer. I guess I have less patience with sub-par books now because I know what it takes to get something published. :)
We pretty much only watch movies via Redbox, and if it's boring, then I start folding laundry.
Books I always used to finish...but there are so many books I *want* to read that if a book feels tedious to read, I put it down. Reading's supposed to be enjoyable!
There are some books that I just can't finish, movies too.
I only finish a bad book if it's for a review. But it can be tortuous.
And I can't say I'll finish a bad movie. Usually, I end up falling asleep.
You're hilarious. I tend to finish movies and books, but lately, if a book doesn't grab me from the beginning, I put it down. I've NEVER been like that before. I always had to finish, even if it was awful. But I just don't have time anymore. If a book isn't interesting, I find something else. :)
I've always said that one of the best parts about audiobooks is that I make it through books I'd give up on if I were reading them.
You're right, reading/listening to the bad ones, or even just the ones I wouldn't normally be interested in helps me learn as a writer.
As for movies, I'm more likely to give up on them now that I'm older...and there are a lot less of them I even try to watch these days.
It depends on my mood, but I've definitely finished movies, tv episodes, and books that I don't like. I think at some point it becomes a matter of being obstinante and needing to FINISH IT. Other times, it might be that something is so bad I can't take my eyes away.
So in short, yes I do finish awful things, and sometimes I don't regret it completely. Other times, I'm really sad I wasted those hours of my life. Haha.
I've only ever walked out of the cinema once. The film was Shock Treatment - the sequel to Rocky Horror.
Don't think I learnt anything. I still watch awful films all the way through.
On teh book front, if it's bad, I continue reading to see if I can think of better ways it could have been written.
Haha, that looks AWFUL. I definitely stop reading books I don't like, but for some reason, I will usually watch a movie all the way through, even if it's terrible.
I usually stop the book but ill end up finishing the movie. Some times though I wont, like with the watchmen. Dumbest shit Ive seen in theaters. I fell asleep for about 2 hours of it no lie
I laughed so hard when I saw the two pics of Val. HAHAHAHAHA.
And no, if it's really bad I won't keep watching a movie and I won't keep reading a book. Time is too valuable to be wasting it on rubbish.
Life's too short to finish, lol.
LOVE Doctor WHo - and I TOTALLY voted for you :D
Lol, I laughed so much at those two pictures!
Congrats on the nomination :)
Oh wow, I can't believe how awful Val Kilmer looks in that picture. Scary!
I usually force myself to keep reading a book if I paid for it. It might take me a lot longer to finish, but I eventually will. Same with movies. If I pay or rent it, I force myself to watch.
Congratulations on the nomination! :)
I usually finish books and movies I don't like, unless the characters do something that pushes things over the edge--I can stand a few bad decisions, but if they (the characters or the creator(s) of the story) keep making them then I'll give up. I do try to learn from the bad ones; I don't want to get caught making the same mistakes.
I totally voted! YAY! So much fun, and what an honor for you.
I am laughing out loud at your post. Oh, man! Sucks to see such awesome actors in such a crappy movie. I love your line, "I can never get those hours of my life back." bahaha. So true.
Yes, I struggle to put down a book or movie I don't like. It's like I have a compulsion to finish it. On the other hand, I've learnt some great lessons because I stuck through to the end.
:-)
Yes, I have left many books after reading just a few pages as I was just not into the story or the plot was filled with cliches. There are so many good books to read that I neither have the time or the patience for the bad ones. The same rule applies for the movies.
Congrats Shallee, for your nomination. Already voted for you few times, will vote some more.
I hate not finishing a book or film, and I always give them a chance. I'm afraid if they're really dire, they get the big no-no. I just keep thinking of all the things I could be doing, like...cleaning the windows.
OLD follower.
I am stopping by from the Top Writing Blog competition.
Just wanted to say hello. This is a great way to find new blogs and visit ones you haven't visited in a while. :)
Elizabeth - Silver's Reviews
http://silversolara.blogspot.com
LOL! Last time I felt that way was last week, but thank heavens I was on the exercise bike the whole time. However, it might have slowed down my excercise time so it felt like I exercised twice as long with no added benefit.
But at least you got a blog post out of it. :)
David Tennants Face...so much love!
And congrats :) :) :) Fantastic news!
Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)
I was just convincing a good friend today to put a book down she was waffling with. Who has time? I don't stay with something that can't hold my attention.
Haircut = cracking me up!
And Congrats on the nomination! And I love Africa, too!
~ Wendy
Hey Shallee - had to let you know that I gave you an award on my blog today! Come chk it out when you can :)
Wow, thank you for the un-recommendation. I will stay away! :)
Yeah. I tend to finish stuff. This one time I lost a book that I didn't like and was almost done with it, but never bothered to search for it. That was a long time ago. I can't even remember what it was called now.
I keep watching. It helps tell me what not to do in my writing. :)
Life is too short to finish crappy books and movies. Although, it is harder for me to quit a book than a movie ... because I keep hoping it gets better. I want to like it because I don't want to hurt the author's feelings when I write an awful review! (YIKES!) But, movies, I've walked out of theaters and asked for my money back!!
Congratulations on receiving the blog award.
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