MovieChat Forums > The Postman (1997) Discussion > Most underrated movie in IMDB

Most underrated movie in IMDB


I think this is the most underrated movie in IMDB. 5.6!!!! are you kidding me!!!!! this has to get atleast 7... one of my very favorite movies

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hahaha good joke man hahaha

you are joking aren't you? at least i hope you are

ive seen better lumps of dog poo steam away

Get off my tractor!!

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Why on earth are you trolling a forum for an old movie that you don't even like?

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(Not the poster you referred to) Well first, we can't be interested in the potential of a movie that ended up bad? I was reminded of this when a friend read the book again. Maybe someday someone will make a good adaptation.

Everyone on IMDb needs to look up what troll really means. Saying it's bad is saying it's bad. If anything, IMDb suffers serious rating inflation due (partly) to the prevalence of mostly fans rating things. Having another viewpoint is having another viewpoint. If I keep coming back saying that Kevin Costner's role in this is like the rise of the Nazi party, maybe in all caps, that's something else and you can try to get me banned.

But some, nay most people if you did an independent poll, do not like this movie. Not for political reasons, but because it is what is referred to in film criticism circles as a "bad movie."

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The book, while good, is too all over the place to make a good adaptation. This movie is a much more streamlined story

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I bought this for $10 today and put it on expecting a bad film. But then as it played on, I found it quite entertaining and watchable. I've always liked Kevin Costner's films (yes including Waterworld, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Wyatt Earp etc.!). The trick is not to expect too much.


Conclusion: Worth Every Penny

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I have only seen The Postman which was years ago I have a copy to rewatch some time but I did like the film.



www.youtube.com/eastangliauk

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Yes, a very entertaining film if you are about 10 years old. It is only underrated if you're a child. Any adult who's seen a few hundred movies knows this is a TERRIBLE movie. It's sappy, dumb and WAY, WAY too long. A good movie to watch if you want to get some sleep. But spend money on it? Hell no.

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[deleted]

I totally agree irresistable_danger, I love it too, and own it. And the fact that alot of people haven't seen it is great when I have weekend houseguests and we can settle in and watch a good film that they haven't seen.

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Yes, a very entertaining film if you are about 10 years old.

A good movie to watch if you want to get some sleep.

Could those two comments describe the same movie? 10 year old kids must love movies that put them to sleep.

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honestly a simply retarded post.. putting down other people's tastes. ignored.

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Why does almost everyone in IMDB always point their own opinions as pure facts? Any adult who's seen a few hundred movies DOESN'T know that this is a terrible movie.
I'm an adult, I have seen thousands of movies from at least 20-30 different countries (including mainstream, artistic, indie and whatnot), and I find this movie really great. Not perfect, it has some mistakes here and there, but it's still very good movie, and not to long at all. If anything, its lenght makes it more epic - in MY opinion. And I don't claim that as a fact, it's just my opinion.

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I agree re Kevin Costner. He plays an ordinary guy, with ordinary fears, and ordinary faults. He plays them well. Some people don't like him, primarily because of this ordinariness, that little-boy-lost routine getting a little old for them, I suppose. But that is what made me like him so much over the years. He stole my heart, like Matthew Modine did. Same kind of actor.

As for The Postman, I bought a copy, of course. I love the movie, and watch it often. Will Patton did a tour de force, his best work ever. As another poster said, the film takes you into this destroyed world and into the lives of the survivors quite effectively. The story is realistic, and heart wrenching. I always cry when the donkey gets killed.

The film's production values are very, very good. Cinematography is superb. The supporting actors are well cast, and do a fine job of fleshing out the concept of "all that's left." The feeling of a destroyed America sits in the pit of your stomach through most of the film. There's enough well placed comedy to keep the seriousness of the story from being a downer. The teens who staff the mail delivery brigade really warm your heart, and break it. And there are scenes that are so unforgettable that they just stay with you, like the firing squad. It even has a good love story.

Oh, and Tom Petty is a nice touch.

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I never go by IMDB ratings. There are too many trolls circling these waters.

However, that doesn't stop me from adding my own say via ratings ;)

I think The Postman is a fantastic film.

It's a great good guy vs. bad guy tale, a wonderful rendition of 'the reluctant hero', and it draws fantastic distinctions between a tyrannical, self-appointed leader who rules by force, and a reluctant leader who emerges based on inspiration, admiration, and a willingness finally to not 'stand down'.

Both leaders came into their destinies: One recognized his early on and is just plain evil, and the other recognizes his destiny a bit later and somewhat begrudgingly. When these two destinies clash in culmination, it really is a battle of who will win: good or evil?

A few scenes could have benefited from a bit of better editing, but I love the plot, love the wide open cinematography, the music is inspiring, and, although I have watched it probably three times now, some scenes still grab me by the throat and bring tears to my eyes while other scenes make me want to stand up and cheer.

Very good film and is high on my list of faves :)




"I can't stand a naked light bulb, any more than..a rude remark or a vulgar action" Blanche DuBois

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I applaud you, denise1234...at last somebody gets it. I love the soundtrack to this movie. It's so awesome. The story is every bit as you described. It's a shame it was pitted against Titanic (nothing was going to stand up against that) and it should have been released in October or November. I hate it when people put it down because they think it's such a failure where the failure is that they don't appreciate it. It's a very good movie with good vs evil.

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one189teen50five^

Thank you :)

And, especially love this comment by you:

"I hate it when people put it down because they think it's such a failure where the failure is that they don't appreciate it."

Well said!




"I can't stand a naked light bulb, any more than..a rude remark or a vulgar action" Blanche DuBois

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Thank you again, denise1234...we fans must stick together. YES!

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one189teen50five^

YES, we fans MUST stick together :)

Against 'Titanic'. *Sigh*

I may incur some wrath from fans for this, but I was not too impressed by 'Titanic', although the true Titanic story has always captivated me. I remember when the first photos of it when it was found were publicized, & those pics literally gave me goosebumps.

Yes -- there were big names in the film, and ~yes~, there were some awesome special effects. And, yes, Ms. Dion got quite a career boost for the lead song.

But, quite frankly, I found the two lead characters incredibly immature & didn't relate to them much.

Kind of lost me after the scene where 'Jack' teaches 'Rose' how to "spit like a man" (so romantic...not), plus I had a hard time swallowing the 'oh I am so sad that I am young & rich, living in a guilded cage' mentality of Rose.

'The Postman' is lightyears beyond 'Titantic' in quality storytelling, IMHO.




"We would have been fine, if there hadn't been any.....mess"

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I never understood all the hype about "Titanic". The effects were good, but the love story was painfully predictable, not to mention not very believable.

There were so many true stories about the passengers on the Titanic. It is such a shame that Hollywood has to make up stories and characters, when there is so much REAL material available.

Yes, The Postman is a far better movie in my opinion as well. I never really understood the harsh criticism it received. For a while it seemed anything with Kevin Costner was automatically deemed a failure without fair consideration.

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The Postman a far better movie than Titanic? LOL.

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When both movies came out, I would have disagreed with you that The Postman is a better movie than Titanic, even though I liked The Postman quite a lot. But now, I can bearly sit through Titanic any more. The movie actually annoys me, mainly because of the 2 leads. Where I once rated Titanic a solid 8.5, I would now rate it a 6.

The Postman, however, still remains a solid viewing experience for me.

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Time is a funny thing, as it often changes our perceptions. The Postman got better and Titanic got worse. I've found this true of numerous movies. I suppose that is why some movies are considered classics.

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Yes, Titanic has a good beginning, and a great last hour. Everything in between is soo brong, I can barely stand it. Postman, however, is not boring ever.

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Yes, Titanic has a good beginning, and a great last hour. Everything in between is soo boring, I can barely stand it. Postman, however, is not boring ever.

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Well said denise1234. I love this movie.

It is about hope; hope for a better future. It shows us that no matter how bad things get there is always a way out.

It shows that the simple act of getting your mail; connecting with other people, which is a basic human need, is enough to bring us out of the dark places.

People who hate this movie obviously have given up.

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Yes i dont understand the hate either. Ive seen far worse stuff then this, like most of the braindead comics put to the bigscreen but yet everybody likes those? What is it cus theres some lines from Shakespeare in it everybody hates it?
Not saying that its a fantastic greatest movie ever either, but its worth the money you pay to watch it.
_____________________
Any last words ?
Shut the *beep* up
-Mutant Chronicles-

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It wasn't a bad movie, bit of a flop at the box office and the critics panned it, but I thought it was okay.

One of the biggest problems at IMDb is that too many people think it makes them sound knowleadgable if they post negative comments about everything to come out of Hollywood, while heaping praise on any foreign movie - basically wallowing in the mire of intellectual mediocrity.

Sure Hollywood turns out a lot of crap, that's because they turn out the most movies - I love foreign films but other countries are equally adept at making crappy movies, just not the same volume as Hollywood.

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stomperrob^

"One of the biggest problems at IMDb is that too many people think it makes them sound knowleadgable if they post negative comments about everything to come out of Hollywood, while heaping praise on any foreign movie - basically wallowing in the mire of intellectual mediocrity."

ROTFL -- Good comment :)


"Sure Hollywood turns out a lot of crap, that's because they turn out the most movies - I love foreign films but other countries are equally adept at making crappy movies, just not the same volume as Hollywood."

Well-stated!


:)





"I can't stand a naked light bulb, any more than..a rude remark or a vulgar action" Blanche DuBois

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Hollywood is great, straight forward no-BS, emotional entertainment and only if you got your brain washed, like I had for a period of time, you can deny that that is the TRUE art, not what claims to feed your intellect.

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It's one of my favorite movies. My only problem with it is the lack of realism in space and time. The characters often seem to travel a good distance apart, but too quickly end up in each others' company again.

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A film that simulates one's intellectual side isn't art? Huh?

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right you are denise...

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I agree with you. Yes, it was very long, but it was very good. Enjoyed every minute.

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Agreed. I enjoyed every minute. Especially Will Patton's performance. The only part that is terrible is the part where he delivers the post to that annoying kid towards the end. It's just super cheesy.

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i agree, this is one of the more under rated movies ever,but what should we expect from a public that put junior in the white house twice

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The Postman is an all-time favorite of mine and my husband's. We are watching it again right now, as a matter of fact.

We love its tale of the universal need for communication for individuals and communities, and even more of the enormous need for hope in the midst of turmoil and oppression.

We love the story of how when people encounter evil, it can be a crucible in which characteristics of resilience, courage, leadership, compassion, and other noble qualities are drawn forth in previously ordinary people as they finally summon the strength to challenge evil and oppression.

That rings true. It's happened throughout human history and throughout the earth. Not always, but often.

America is only one place it's happened - but by our history and culture, it's at least as likely to happen here as anywhere else on the face of the planet.

I personally give it a 9. It's hopeful, well-told, well-acted, and inspirational.

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summerintx^

Wow!

Stunning & extremely well-written and thoughtful post!


:)








"We would have been fine, if there hadn't been any.....mess"

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Always have liked it. Seems like to many folks allow their opinions to be influenced by the critical reviews.

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Good post summerintx, I agree. And I am watching this movie now for the first time in years, exactly 3 years after you. 7/12/15. Pointless I know, but I just found it funny I am watching it 3 years to the day that you watched it yourself.

Funny thing killin' a man. You take away all he's got, and all he's ever gonna have.

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Yes, its a really good movie. I don't know, why after Waterworld the media started to distribute such a negative opinion about Kevin Costner. I guess, this is one of the reasons why The Postman bumped on box office. Another might be, that it came out the same time as James Cameron's Titanic.

Actually, I know why he draw these critics: With both Dances with Wolves and with Waterworld he gave a political statement - the first one about Native Americans and the second one about environmental issues. Some people probably have disliked that and started bashing his films.

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And, btw, in The Postman I saw Olivia Williams for the first time, who was already a very good actress then. Recently I watched Joss Whedon's Dollhouse series, where she has a main role - great... In the end of the series it gets post-apocalyptic, too.

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