1. The Great Wall 2016，IMDB Rating: 5.9, IMDB Votes: 149401, ID: 2034800 Photo by diggita.it, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Matt Damon’s ‘The Great Wall’ dazzles with its visuals yet falls flat as a shallow action film, criticized for its ‘white savior’ trope and insufficient cultural sensitivity; although the special effects and battle sequences are impressive, the weak plot and character development leave audiences wanting more—it’s a fun watch, but not one to remember.
2. Aloha 2015，IMDB Rating: 5.4, IMDB Votes: 71600, ID: 1243974 Photo by coyotepr.uk, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Cameron Crowe’s ‘Aloha’ attempts to be a charming romantic comedy but ultimately misses the mark with its disjointed narrative and poor pacing, alongside an insensitive depiction of Hawaiian culture; despite featuring a talented ensemble cast led by Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone, the film fails to weave a coherent and engaging story, making it a letdown compared to Crowe’s usual heartfelt work.
3. The Help 2011，IMDB Rating: 8.1, IMDB Votes: 497489, ID: 1454029 Photo by murasagi37.tistory.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 ‘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 Photo by geekblast.com.br, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 ‘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 Photo by it.wikifur.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Disney’s 1941 classic, Dumbo, tells a touching story about an elephant with oversized ears learning to fly; while the animation is endearing and the narrative resonates with themes of overcoming adversity, it has drawn criticism for racial stereotypes, especially in the portrayal of the crows, making it a polarizing film that still captivates audiences with its emotional core.
6. Song of the South 1946，IMDB Rating: 6.9, IMDB Votes: 15384, ID: 0038969 Photo by allthetropes.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The notorious ‘Song of the South,’ a 1946 Disney film, faces backlash for its portrayal of African Americans and plantation life, often deemed racist; though it boasts catchy songs and an innovative blend of live-action and animation, the contentious representation of race relations has overshadowed its artistic value, sparking ongoing discussions regarding its place in cinema history.
7. Sixteen Candles 1984，IMDB Rating: 7.0, IMDB Votes: 128001, ID: 0088128 Photo by aniwiki.es, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Sixteen Candles, a beloved teen comedy from 1984, captures the humor of adolescent angst and showcases memorable performances by Molly Ringwald; however, its use of racial stereotypes and off-color jokes has led to increasing criticism over time, prompting a reassessment of its cultural significance while remaining a nostalgic gem for many viewers.
8. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom 1984，IMDB Rating: 7.5, IMDB Votes: 539353, ID: 0087469 Photo by Wikipedia, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 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 Photo by wikipedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Toy, a 1982 comedy featuring Richard Pryor, has received significant backlash for its problematic premise of a black man being ‘purchased’ as a toy for a wealthy white child; despite attempting to convey messages of friendship and understanding, the film’s execution has drawn heavy criticism, making it a controversial entry in Pryor’s career.
10. The Conqueror 1956，IMDB Rating: 3.7, IMDB Votes: 3914, ID: 0049092 Photo by Wikipedia, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 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 Photo by Wikipedia, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Searchers (1956) stands as a classic Western that has sparked both admiration and criticism for its portrayal of Native Americans; John Wayne delivers a powerful performance as Ethan Edwards, yet the film’s depiction of Native Americans as savage antagonists has been deemed disrespectful, although its stunning visuals and emotional depth continue to resonate with audiences.
12. The Green Berets 1968，IMDB Rating: 5.6, IMDB Votes: 13984, ID: 0063035 Photo by wikipedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 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 Photo by coyotepr.uk, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Michael Cimino’s ‘The Deer Hunter’ presents a haunting and powerful portrayal of the Vietnam War’s impact on friends from Pennsylvania, showcasing profound performances and an unflinching look at the war’s horrors, cementing its status as a cinematic masterpiece; however, its graphic depiction of Russian roulette has drawn criticism for being exploitative and insensitive, raising questions about its artistic choices.
14. The Adventures of Tintin 2011，IMDB Rating: 7.3, IMDB Votes: 244692, ID: 0983193 Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Adventures of Tintin’ offers an exhilarating, visually captivating experience that pays homage to the beloved comic series; while its motion-capture animation and thrilling sequences delight viewers of all ages, some critics argue that its fast-paced action and lack of character depth can feel overwhelming and somewhat superficial, diverting attention from the narrative.
15. The Wolf of Wall Street 2013，IMDB Rating: 8.2, IMDB Votes: 1606234, ID: 0993846 Photo by bfoliver.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Wolf of Wall Street delivers a chaotic and entertaining exploration of greed, following stockbroker Jordan Belfort’s rise and fall under Martin Scorsese’s direction, with Leonardo DiCaprio at the helm; while the film’s energetic and darkly humorous style captures the excesses of Wall Street, its explicit content and moral ambiguity may deter some viewers, making it a divisive watch.
15 Movies That Are Sure to Entertain, But Might Surprise You
