Why Haven't I Watched the Must-See Films Everyone Loves?

As a film enthusiast, I often hear from a friend or two which I 'must' see, but sometimes, it doesn't quite make it to my to-watch list. Here's a rundown of some of the popular films that nearly everyone has watched, but I've yet to see:

A Personal Losing Streak

Indiana Jones, Avengers, Black Panther, Fight Club, and Pulp Fiction

Oh, the classics! From the adventures of Indiana Jones to the raw power of Fight Club and the stylish Pulp Fiction, there are a few movies I have yet to embark on a cinematic journey with. Sure, I've seen the first Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter, but those are the exceptions, not the rule. Back when I was younger, my religious upbringing played a significant role in my disinterest in films with magic or witchcraft. My parents threw away all my animated collections like Pokémon and Sailor Moon, and that’s how it stayed.

Here are a few more movies that I've never seen, but nearly everyone seems to have:

Gone with the Wind, Harry Potter, Titanic, Shawshank Redemption

Gone with the Wind: I've always put it off, waiting for the perfect and possibly big-screen experience. Given it's a four-hour movie, I just haven't been in the mood to strap myself in that long. Harry Potter: My parents’ strong stance against anything magical meant no watching HP for me. I can only imagine the world-building and magic it offers. Titanic: Personally, I find the romantic drama to be cringe-worthy. Shawshank Redemption: I just haven't felt compelled to watch it yet.

Missing the Classics: My Journey of Discovery

I can't claim to be a true lover of cinema unless I’ve seen the classics. Movies like Taxi Driver, Léon, Memento, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, Friday the 13th, Forrest Gump, and Raging Bull are considered classics, and yet, they remain unseen. I grew up in the 90s, and I started watching films outside my Disney VHS collection only when I was a teenager, with whatever was the latest release at the time. It's only in the past few months that I began catching up on the oldies. Watching the Star Wars films was a decent time, and I could say the same for the Indiana Jones, Terminator, Predator, Jaws, Godfather, Back to the Future, and Hannibal Lecter franchises, but my favorite definitely was Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

Rejection Streak with Christopher Nolan and Quentin Tarantino

When it comes to modern cinema, a few directors have a notorious reputation, and I haven't been impressed. Since everyone raves about Christopher Nolan and Quentin Tarantino, I decided to give them a shot based on their reputations. However, the experience was less than ideal.

Christopher Nolan: The Dark Knight Trilogy and Interstellar

The Dark Knight Trilogy: My initial thoughts were so-so, and no, I didn't find anything special in the later films. Then came Interstellar. I thought the idea of not reading the script and wondering if it was a mistake was absurd. Suffice to say, these films didn't make me a fan of Nolan's work.

Quentin Tarantino: Kill Bill Vol. 1

Kill Bill Vol. 1: Honestly, I found it to be more of a silly spectacle than a compelling narrative. Tarantino's style is undoubtedly unique, but this film didn't lose me in its charm. So, while I’ve seen one of his films, I'm not interested in diving into the rest of his extensive and lauded movie collection.

There you have it—a list of films that everyone seems to have watched, but for various reasons, I just haven't found the time or inclination. I'm well aware that I'm missing out on significant cinematic moments, and in the coming months, I hope to bridge that gap by watching these classics and modern hits alike.