8. Amelie (8.5)
I've never really had time for these style of films. Films that strive desperately to be as quirky and arty as possible have forever irritated me, and Amelie stands no different. After witnessing and just about coping with the first few minutes, it just becomes insufferably annoying to watch thereafter. Everything, from the exaggerated camera movements, pretentious interior monologues and over-grandiose cinematography, annoyed me to my very soul. I am of the belief that in cinema, there is a line between the stylish and the ridiculous and unfortunately, this movie crosses that line considerably. The main character Amelie, is chockfull of such artificial cuteness and humanity, that at times simply seeing her on the screen made me want to be physically sick. (No exaggeration). The ghastliest aspect of her character, has to be the creepy smiles she cracks to the camera from time to time. It's these uncessary features that make the movie come across as nothing but plain obnoxious. I know that as you read this, I may come across as a heartless chump and as a philistine to fine cinema, but I hope I'm not alone in the believe that to watch this histrionic piece of French cinema without cringing into the depths of your seat is an impossible task. It's hard to comprehend that the same users that gave Inception a ridiculous 8.8, can give this calamity of a movie an 8.5 and in the process, classify it as one of the top 50 films of all time, amongst the likes of Taxi Driver and Citizen Kane.
My Rating: 7.2