Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Cruel_Sandwich
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/30/05
#1Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 2:26am
Any movies that you cannot bring yourself to watch because of upsetting subject matter or triggering some sort of unpleasant psychic trauma within you, despite the fact that they are brilliantly made?
UNITED 93 - Obvious reasons. Still one of the most brilliant films I've seen this year but I'm not sure I'd want to see it again anytime soon.
FAR FROM HEAVEN - Far From Heaven is one of the most incredible pieces of filmmaking I've seen in years. And yet...I'm not sure I can bring myself to watch it again. I saw it last month after being away from home for a rather long time due to college and whatnot. I'm not sure what it is about it that compelled me to watch it four times in one day, but it existed. Something about the complete suffocation and blind ignorance of the suburban community really got to me, and Julianne Moore and Dennis Haysbert as the only sane individuals, just suffocated me to the point where I couldn't breathe. I walked out of the movie feeling like I had just gotten punched in the testicals over and over again.
FINDING NEMO - Well, I actually *can* bring myself to watch this movie but I pretty much spend most of the movie in tears. There's just something about the overall idea of a parent risking their life for the sake of their child that just really gets to me.
NathanLaneStalker
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/06
#1re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 2:30am
the ending of Fox and the Hound always tears me up. But I'm a softy.
Any movie where someone dies.
I LOVE The Life and Death of Peter Sellers but when his mom dies.....
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#2re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 2:42am
Backdraft.
My father was a firefighter when I was growing up, and that scene where the roof is caving in behind him as he runs off of it does it to me every time, because the same thing happened to my father and he ended up in the hospital.
Yawper
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/13/04
#3re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 2:55am
Dracula - and the book started freaking me out even more so I never finished it. I think it comes from reading Salem's Lot on a camping trip when I was in junior hgh.
(you wrote 'upsetting' not 'sad')
#4re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 3:01amEverytime I try to watch Amistad, I cant stop crying when they show the scene where they throw slaves overboard to save rations.
#5re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 3:05am
I have yet to see "Boys Don't Cry."
Just this year I saw "Philadelphia" for the first time.
Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted. - Randy Pausch
#6re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 3:12am
There have been two movies that have left me a total wreck.
The ending of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST really disturbed me. The idea of having your identity "stolen" and being powerless in the face of authority really bothered me. I had trouble falling asleep after I watched it.
Ditto for THELMA & LOUISE's finale. The ending was disconcerting to me because it was so unexpected. I didn't know what the film was going to be about when I'd rented it, so it really took me by surprise. I cried for 20 minutes afterward.
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia
#7re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 3:46am
FINDING NEVERLAND.
As someone who's lost a mother, the final 20 or so minutes are just a blurry mess.
Peter Highmore should've won an Oscar for the park bench scene. Brilliant, quite brilliant.
Updated On: 11/21/06 at 03:46 AM
#8re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 6:58am
Testament
Amistad
The Piano
Sophie's Choice
But I still watch them.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#9re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 7:37amThere's one coming out called HOME OF THE BRAVE that's about soilders who return from a tour of duty in Iraq. I lost a friend in the war, and I and highly doubtful that I'll be able to watch this movie. I was in THE QUEEN the other night and saw a preview for it and cried my eyes out. I can sit through UNITED 93 and WORLD TRADE CENTER, but this... this is too much foe me.
#10re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 8:27am
'night, Mother
I'm sure I'll watch it sometime again far in the future, but once was enough for a very long time.
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
Mamie
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/26/04
#11re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 8:45am
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN.
I can't get past the beginning - with the D-day invasion. I find myself crying so hard that I can't even get through that whole sequence. I had the DVD and ended up giving it away without ever seeing it all.
A click for life.
mamie4 5/14/03
mattnyc2
Broadway Star Joined: 9/27/06
#12re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 8:52am
I have a really hard time with any movies where an animal gets hurt or killed. I have yet to watch the ending of MY DOG SKIP without bawlining my eyes out. Don't get me started about the part in THE NEVER ENDING STORY where the horse slowly drowns...
And Fiction Writer I totally agree with you about FINDING NEVERLAND. As some who lost a parent childhood, movies like NEVERLAND, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, and MY LIFE are very difficult for me.
Link Larkin Wanabe
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/1/04
#13re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 8:53am
I haven't seen Schindler's List yet. My mother's parents were holocaust survivors, and she felt that when it first came out I was not ready to see it. I have just never had the chance to see it since. Whenever I have the time to rent movies nowadays I usually do so on my Saturday nights that I want to spend alone with a burger and a movie. It's not quite a "Burger and a Movie" kind of a movie, so I usually bypass it at the video store. I think the fact that its the only movie I remember my mother cencoring me from may have scared me a little.
One day I'll find the appropriate time to sit down and watch it with the respect it deserves.
Akiva
ShbrtAlley44
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/1/03
#14re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 8:53amExorcist: The Beginning, not only because it was a piece of crap, but because of the hyenas ripping apart the little boy.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#15re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 9:02amAny movie on Lifetime TV that's a stomach turning movie like 'Our Mother's Murder' Which was based on a true story. I saw it a long while ago. But never will I watch it again.
#16re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 9:20am
No contest-REQUIEM FOR A DREAM.
Although Ellen Burstyn gave the most riveting performance I've ever seen, and the film was flawless in its message, it's hard to watch (during the last 20 minutes especially). When I first saw this film in a theatre, the entire audience sat stunned in their seats. No one moved or said a word for a good long time. Even though I've seen it several times since then, I still react the same way.
What a film-I think it should be mandatory viewing for its message.
#17re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 9:24am
Roger & Me -- for that rabbit skinning scene
The Deer Hunter --- for the Russian roulette scene
Goodfellas --- for too many scenes
Most recent horror movies with intense torture scenes.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
SorryGrateful
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/10/05
#18re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 9:34am
The Babe -- John Goodman absolutely breaks my heart as Babe Ruth.
American History X-- I've watched it once and I think it's an incredible movie, but the hatred hurts my eyes.
The Fox and the Hound -- Whoever brought that up is totally right. I cannot STAND the end because I end up sobbing.
Winter Passing -- I watched it, but had to leave the room when the cat is thrown into the river.
Chrysanthemum62001
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/04
#19re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 9:42am
Dumbo. When the momma rocks the baby with her trunk, I loose it.
And Amistad. I haven't watched that since I saw it in the theater years ago.
#20re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 9:50am
"La Vita è Bella"--I was a sobbing mess the first time I saw this movie. I was litterally still in a ball on my couch and clutching a box of kleenex a good 15 minutes after the film ended. It is an absolutely gorgeous movie, but not one that I could watch again.
As for movies I still haven't seen due to subject matter, the only one that comes to mind is "The Passion of the Christ." I can't handle torture ANY film, much less when it's Jesus that is being tortured. I also haven't been able to bring myself to see "World Trade Center" or "Flight 93."
"Shut up! It's been 29 years!!!" --the incomparable Patti LuPone in her MUCH DESERVED Tony acceptance speech for Gypsy.
Kitzy's Avatar du Jour: Kitzy as Little Red Ridinghood in her college's production of "Into the Woods"
#21re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 9:57am
The Count of Monte Cristoe - I watched that movie once and it was very sad. I'm not watching that one again.
Saw 3- I like the Saw movies.There are the only scary movies I can watch. My sister saw the third movie before I was planning to see it. She told me about thee guy being twisted all the way around and that guy ripping chains from him body. I think I'll pass on that.
Cruel_Sandwich
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/30/05
#22re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 9:58amIf John Goodman breaks your heart as The Babe, check out Barton Fink. One of the most heartbreaking performances ever.
mejusthavingfun
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/12/06
#23re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 10:02amI have never gotten past the beginning of "Braveheart." The first few minutes are like a lifetime to me. It broke my heart.
SorryGrateful
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/10/05
#24re: Movies You Can't Watch Because They're Too Upsetting
Posted: 11/21/06 at 10:09amI really liked Barton Fink! I think John Goodman is a seriously underrated actor. I think he's incredible.
Videos