The Butterfly Effect Nathans Movie Challenge, Week 15

Publish date: 2024-05-07

“Just think of your mind as a movie, you can pause, rewind or slow down any details you want.”

This is another example of an interesting idea with a less-than-stellar execution.

Maybe it’s the lackluster casting of the leads? Maybe it’s the poorly written dialogue? Maybe it’s the mostly lame acting?

I watched the “director’s cut” which had the “baby” ending. From watching the other endings afterward, I’m glad I saw the best ending first. Even though it wasn’t a particularly satisfying ending, it was the best of the four variations they shot. It’s also the only one that actually explains a fairly significant plot point about Ashton’s mom, so it makes the most sense.

Eric Stoltz plays an excellent bad guy, but my favorite character was Ashton Kutcher’s cellmate Carlos played by actor Kevin Durand, who is currently a badass on the Guillermo Del Toro vampire show The Strain.

The Butterfly Effect was at the time of this review at #1782 on my Flickchart list of shame (ranked #2569 among the best movies of all time). Here’s how it entered my chart:

The Butterfly Effect vs. GoldenEye

One of the best (if not the best) Brosnan Bonds will definitely beat The Butterfly Effect.

The Butterfly Effect vs. Meet the Fockers

Eh. Meet The Parents was ok. Meet The Fockers was rough. Butterfly wins.

The Butterfly Effect vs. Deliverance

It’s known for its banjos and rape, but it’s also a satisfying film aside from those elements. It’ll win over Butterfly.

The Butterfly Effect vs. King Kong

King Kong remains one of my most disappointing experiences in a movie theater ever. It pissed me off so much that Butterfly wins this matchup.

The Butterfly Effect vs. Jurassic Park III

I like Sam Neill. I like how much he desperately doesn’t want to go back, but does anyway. He (and the movie) wins.

The Butterfly Effect vs. Atlantis: The Lost Empire

One of the most overlooked Disney films. Doesn’t deserve quite as much dislike as it receives. It’ll win over Butterfly.

The Butterfly Effect vs. Stargate

Stargate. For sure.

The Butterfly Effect vs. Top Secret!

It’s no Airplane! or Naked Gun, but it has its charm. Top Secret! beats The Butterfly Effect.

The Butterfly Effect vs. Last Action Hero

The much misunderstood Arnie-metafilm wins over Butterfly.

The Butterfly Effect vs. Young Sherlock Holmes

Haven’t seen it in some time, but I remember loving it. Young Sherlock Holmes wins.

The Butterfly Effect vs. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

It’s a wonderful performance from Sam Rockwell, and well directed by George Clooney. Probably deserves to be higher on my chart. It beats The Butterfly Effect.

The Butterfly Effect is now ranked #959 out of 1396 movies on my Best Movies of All-Time chart.

It’s now my 38th highest ranked Psychological Sci-Fi movie and my new #36 of 2004.

Last up is Swingers. In the meantime, check out the other films I’ve ranked during the challenge.

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