Time Magazine Names 'Cloud Atlas' The Worst Movie Of 2012; 'John Carter' Comes In Second Place

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• Anonimous | May 19, 2013 5:41 PMReply

  Yeah, makes you wander who paid for that ranking. I would think Time would be over the today's sponsorship ass liking behaviour. Maybe, just maybe worst movies lists should be made by people knowing the film business, and not just by paid-per-piece grocery felietonists?
  BTW
  Have you not seen "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2"

• miclaf | May 18, 2013 11:28 PMReply

  What a horrible movie. There is no there there. I'm glad I only paid $5.00 thru on-demand to watch this crap and not the price of a theater ticket.

• Shores | May 18, 2013 1:16 AMReply

  Hahaha. Cloud Atlas totally blows. One of the worst movies I've ever seen. Tom Hanks, you sir, should be ashamed of yourself.

• Cornerman | May 9, 2013 6:56 AMReply

  Cloud Atlas cannot be on the list !!
  I can hate a movie, but I still can tell it's good or bad.

• Antimari Pols | February 2, 2013 2:35 PMReply

  Well, seems like Mary Pols had too many bong-fueled conversations in college, as if it's even possible.

• John | March 16, 2013 12:41 AM

  PretentiousCloudAtlasFan. Quite simply, shut the fuck up.

• Kyle | March 4, 2013 2:08 AM

  Let's say we remove the disputed portion of Cloud Atlas which I suppose is the movie's message. Let's say we ignore everything about how we're all connected and whatnot. Everything that a critic might find objectionable let's just take out. Better yet, let's agree for the sake of argument that the movie has the worst message it could possibly have and is pretentious to the extreme. What are we left with? The spectacle, the cinematography, the acting, the makeup, the costumes, etc. All of which would preclude the possibility of Cloud Atlas being the worst movie of the year.

• PretentiousCloudAtlasFan | February 23, 2013 10:30 AM

  I think the reactions from some of these fans is hilarious. Here are these boorish dorks who get off on thinking they are intelligent because they have an apreciation for this rediculus movie and are so jarred by negative critic responses that they reject any notion that these critics might actually be more intelligent than them and may have actually seen flaws that were not apparent to them. Every comment is "wow this critic is so stupid". Instead maybe these fans should realize that the reason a movie like this gets the number one spot is because of THEM. This mediocre film would have probably died quietly in a corner due to indifference if not for the hoardes of pretentious simpletons who's opinions on this movie are conflated to the point of being insufferable.
  
  I agree, obviously, there were worse movies this year. Abraham Lincoln: VH literally hurt the brains of my girlfriend and I. I guess what really irks me about this movie, though, is the false veneier of complexity. It reminds me a lot of how I felt about Avatar. At it's core it was really just a special effects extravaganza with a plot that was shamelessly lifted from a silly children's animated movie called Fern Gully. I really hate when things that are so one dimensional and banal are passed off as if they are masterpieces and Cloud Atlas is no exception. The Wachowskis are hacks. The only good movie they ever made was The Matrix 1.

• Lily Underwood | January 24, 2013 3:32 PMReply

  Worst movie of the year? This from the magazine who named Hitler and Stalin as their "person of the year." Hahahahahaaaaa...

• Chris | January 12, 2013 4:20 PMReply

  Mary Pols is a fucking idiot. How is someone this obtuse writing for TIME?

• ryan | January 7, 2013 4:35 PMReply

  So you're telling me Cloud Atlas was worse than Battleship.... Are you fucking high?

• Carlos Guimarães | January 6, 2013 8:06 PMReply

  Sorry guys, but just can't stop laughing. Cloud Atlas?! Really? Maybe not one of the best but still a really good film, taken from an outstanding novel almost impossible to translate to the big screen. And they did it. The simple fact of mixing it with the other movies on that list it's a sin, offensive and ingorant. Christ...

• Marc | January 4, 2013 9:52 AMReply

  Do yourself a favor and read the book first or be prepared to leave the movie with much anger. This movie is a hodgepodge of back and forth that will leave the unprepared in want of a refund.

• Sam | January 3, 2013 11:53 PMReply

  Time Magazine needs to redo this list. Cloud Atlas the worst movie than Adam Sandler "Thats My Boy", Eddie Murphy "A Thousand Words", Brad Pitt "Killing Me Softely", "The Dictator", that bs "Piranha in 3DD", and Spike Lee "Red Hook Summer". These movies should replace "The Lomax", "Alex Cross" "Hyde Park on Hudson" on the list. Someone must be drinking or smoking some bad stuff.

• Dan | January 7, 2013 3:00 AM

  I agree. What a stupid list.

• Cruella | January 3, 2013 7:34 AMReply

  Its a shame these lists put people off seeing these films because some are really not that bad at all. We've all enjoyed films at some point that had bad reviews. Its subjective. These lists usually target big films that had big expectations so theyre not really the worst films at all. Many low budget obscure films stank worse Im sure.

• Brian | January 2, 2013 9:53 AMReply

  This is typical baiting to drives sales. Name a movie that has passion on both sides and watch fuel the fire. If they named a movie that everyone thought was bad, people would go oh yeah, that was pretty bad and then move on.
  
  I personally thought Cloud Atlas was pretty good. It was very ambitious and for the most part, pulled it off. The make-up was a bit distracting. But the story was very moving and epic.

• Warren Bonesteel | January 1, 2013 8:22 PMReply

  This is one of the best movies of the year. The only problem it has is in asking people to think for themselves, instead of offering mindless entertainment.
  
  If people don't like this one, I have to sincerely wonder about their sanity, if not their IQ.

• BOO | January 5, 2013 3:54 PM

  It does ask that, but critics always think for themselves and prefer mindful entertainment. It's also not fair to say that people who don't like the movie are dumb, because some people think the movie is flawed, even though they get it. And it's easier to understand than you think.

• Arseniy | December 29, 2012 10:04 AMReply

  I don't really get it. Cloud Atlas is like best movie of 2012, but also it seems like another masterpiece that comes out only once a few or several years. Maybe it's the problem that critics too much compare to standards?

• Cloud | December 21, 2012 10:18 AMReply

  Cloud Atlas is definitely one of the worst movies of 2012. Trying to make white people look Korean and the worse is trying to make the Asian girl look latina and white. The make up ws so obvious.

• Denise | January 8, 2013 12:06 PM

  Look at the story, not the makeup. Great movie! You just didn't get it (and probably never will).

• Liliane | December 17, 2012 6:55 PMReply

  And where is Breaking down part2??

• tmack | December 15, 2012 9:31 PMReply

  In terms of expectations, I can see why Cloud Atlas & John Carter would head her list of worst films. Cloud Atlas just wasn't about anything worthwhile that I could make out. And I couldn't understand the dialogue half of the time. It would have been better as a mural.
  
  Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter. I'm sure the film appealed to pot smokers in Washington and Colorado states but if you saw it stone cold sober, like I did, you probably were behind me when I made a beeline for the door. I stuck it out as far as the train sequence then I got the heck out of Dodge.

• Denis | December 15, 2012 12:34 AMReply

  I think "Cloud atlas" is the best movie I've ever seen.

• Ali | January 12, 2013 11:44 PM

  Me too Denis. Check out the Anime film Metropolis (Based on the Manga by Osamu Tezuka) I think you'll like it. Or Bladerunner.

• SloppyJ30 | December 14, 2012 8:26 PMReply

  Many truly ambitious, unique films generate effusive praise and derisive howls in equal measure, and that's the case here. I saw Cloud Atlas, and though I wouldn't call it "great," I was definitely interested and admire what they were trying to do. I think it's the kind of movie that will become more appreciated over time. It's an odd movie; one that must've been a bitch to market, but then that's not an insult. Certainly not a "crowd pleaser."
  
  That said, to put it on a "worst" list is unfathomable. The technical expertise and performances (Jim Broadbent in particular) alone should keep it off those lists. Putting it on this list says much more about the reviewer than the film itself.

• Denise | January 8, 2013 12:07 PM

  I agree

• Rick | December 14, 2012 9:19 AMReply

  I hated Cloud Atlas, but to rank worse than Lincoln Vampire Slayer and This Means War seems like a mistake. Apparently this guy didn't see The Cold Light of Day or Jack and Diane or Thin Ice or The Dictator

• Sarah | January 26, 2013 9:30 AM

  The Dictator is a great great comedy, with really clever jokes and criticism among all the silly (yet hilarious) stuff Baron Cohen does and says. Some people just don't get it's different sense of humor.

• BOO | January 5, 2013 3:56 PM

  Why do you think that just because The Dictator isn't on here that he didn't see it? Plenty of people liked it. Just cause you didn't doesn't mean he shouldn't

• Anne | December 14, 2012 12:02 AMReply

  WHAT!!!! Cloud Atlas was one the of the best films of the year! This is the most idiotic list...boycotting Time. Complete idiots. Mary Pols...biggest freaking idiot.

• Scarlet | December 9, 2012 3:28 PMReply

  Please fire Kevin Jagernauth. He wouldn't know a good film if it took him wildly in the night. What an idiotic list. This guy needs to be blacklisted and never be able to find work again. He should be collecting carts at Wal-Mart.

• Meshach | January 8, 2013 5:40 AM

  Wow, thanks for that.
  
  I collect carts at Walmart, and I also disagree with this list. Granted he probably has finished college and has a career. I am still part time work and part time school. Still kinda gets me though.

• Sean | December 9, 2012 3:52 PM

  Y fire Kevin Jagernauth...? He is reporting/writing the news. It wasnt his opinion it was Time Mag 's Mary Pols list.... Have no idea what u r talking about "SCARLET"... But talking reckless esp about a website & writer you visit is str8 up retarded lol.

• Scarlet | December 9, 2012 3:30 PM

  Mary Pols too. Anybody to do with this idiotic travesty. Just plain disgusting.

• Paul Allen | December 9, 2012 8:22 AMReply

  This Cloud Atlas? 93% rating from audiences on RT: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cloud_atlas_2012/
  8.2 / 10 on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1371111/
  
  This is just click-bait ,no? I'm basically never visiting this site again. And I'm going to seek out this movie.

• Kyle | March 4, 2013 2:11 AM

  And Roger Ebert gave the movie four out of four stars, but apparently Mary Pols knows so much better than a Pulitzer prize winner who has dedicated his life to reviewing movies. My conclusion is that she is indeed a troll.

• soytim | December 8, 2012 8:00 PMReply

  That's ridiculous. "Cloud Atlas" is obviously one of the best films of the year, not the worst.
  I haven't seen any of the others on this list, because they all looked like they would suck at first glance.

• Jeff Rittenour | December 6, 2012 9:20 AMReply

  ARE YOU KIDDING!? Get John Carter and ESPECIALLY Abe Lincoln OFF this list. Bunch of 'tards. People are such sheep. Let's all hate on john carter cuz it lost money...oh yeah that definitely means the movie sucks. I saw WAY worse SHIT than John Carter this year...How about a little piece of crap starring BATMAN? Yeah THAT movie was a long boring pile of shite...not John Carter. baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

• bob hawk | December 7, 2012 5:09 AM

  Hey, YOU'RE DUMB. Guess what? Although I agree with you on RISES being a a lot better than just better, YOU'RE DUMBER by responding to Jeff R's overwrought rant by suggesting that he "should probably jump off a cliff." Neither funny nor clever nor an appropriate response to anything that you may think is dumb or stupid or clueless. It's just not acceptable. Ever.

• You're Dumb | December 6, 2012 6:23 PM

  If you thought Carter was good and Rises bad, then you should probably jump off a cliff

• ESTELLA | December 6, 2012 3:13 AMReply

  no one will ever take time mag seriously ever again. buffoons.

• Alan | December 5, 2012 11:46 PMReply

  Mary Pols to The Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer: 'Yeah, take that for having ambition, bitches!' You can hate the film, sure, but to call a film that is at least trying for something the worst of the year is a cheap call. Olli and Aaron have both created good lists for films that are super-cynical and more deserving of scorn than a film that's very much aiming to create a dialogue with its audience. Can someone explain what 'Rock of Ages' was trying to do?

• Denise | January 8, 2013 12:11 PM

  Loved the movie Cloud Atlas -- think less highly of Mary Pols

• Jimmy K | December 5, 2012 11:09 PMReply

  What about 'Dark Shadows,' 'The Rum Diary' and 'The Hunger Games'? All dire and a waste of time, talent and money.

• Ryan | December 5, 2012 7:32 PMReply

  Whoa, just a minute Time Magazine! The Lorax was a fantastic film and one of my favorites. I didn't even have to get to the bottom of this list to know it was bogus. This is just another example of film critics being completely out of touch with average movie goers. I'm not sure what they expect from a film, but obviously it isn't what the rest of us are looking for. I don't know how an intelligent and heart-warming children's movie made it as #6 on the worst films of the year list, but I can you that Time Magazine is now #1 on my shit list.

• sen2860 | December 5, 2012 1:47 PMReply

  I will never read another Time Magazine movie review again. As a huge fan of the book I naturally loved the movie, but this is just stupid... So now I don't read the New York Times reviews because of their terrible reviews and Time Magazine.

• Jawsphobia | December 5, 2012 10:22 AMReply

  This list begs the question -- how many movies did writer/reviewer Mary Pols and her team of half-wits actually sit through this year? I'm looking forward to Bill Murray in Hyde Park on Hudson (the very same film advertised before this page). Cloud Atlas was unusual, and is its own thing, but I never found it boring. I've heard only good things about The Lorax. And even John Carter despite its under-wealming box office and the moronic decision to drop "Mars" from the title tends to be liked by people who get around to seeing it. Putting the Vampire Hunter flick on this list suggests that those on Time's panel are clueless to the kind of movie it celebrates. But having Cloud Atlas on this list - let alone at number one - is a symptom of something wrong with your team. Clean house, Time.

• Sean | December 5, 2012 4:53 AMReply

  Horrible just horrible choice. Yes obvi Cloud Atlas is flawed but THE SINGLE worst of the year? No fucking way!!!!! I wouldn't even put it in the top 10 w/ some of the films listed by other comments here, gimi a fuckin break wow. Ugh so pissed. Oh HEY TIME MAG, your writer/reviewer Mary Pols, u ma'am have LOST ALL YOUR CREDIBILITY. *shakes head* just ridiculous

• Olli | December 5, 2012 2:31 AMReply

  Naming „Cloud Atlas“ the worst film of the year is simply laughable. And putting the admittedly mediocre “John Carter” on 2 is just as laughable.
  Where are “Taken 2” or “SnowWhite and the huntsman” or "Battleship" or "Twilight” on that list? No, I can`t take that list seriously, not for a second.

• Daniel | December 5, 2012 1:55 AMReply

  This is a ridiculous choice that was obviously intended to provoke reaction. So here's mine: shock value reviews only succeed in making the people who write them look foolish. "Cloud Atlas" wasn't perfect, but anyone can see it's vastly superior to some of the genuinely terrible shit that came out this year, like "Rock of Ages" or "Battleship." Idiotic ranking on Mary Pols' part.

• Eric | December 5, 2012 12:11 AMReply

  Cloud Atlas? Really? Even if you didn't like it, it's far from the worst movie of the year. At the very least it offers something new and different and isn't boring. This is a horrible choice.
  
  Yeah, well, fortunately for you, not too many people I know read your little Time Magazine, or whatever it's called.

• shark | December 4, 2012 11:58 PMReply

  This list could basically be called "easy targets". Also, basically anyone listing Cloud Atlas as the worst of the year is a jackass.
  Also, any worst of the year list that doesn't include Ruby Sparks is invalid.

• BOO | January 5, 2013 4:00 PM

  "Anyone who doesn't hate a movie I hated is dumb, even though it's critically acclaimed because my opinion is right and everyone else is wrong."

• nightgoat72 | December 4, 2012 8:18 PMReply

  Cloud Atlas is absolutely the worst movie of the year and I applaud them for having the balls to say it.

• Denise | January 8, 2013 12:17 PM

  Cloud Atlas is definitely not for you, nightgoat. All of the people I've talked to loved the movie -- some saw it twice. Twilight, on the other hand ...

• nightgoat72 | December 5, 2012 8:15 PM

  Yeah, that must be it. Not like anyone could genuinely hate this movie or anything.

• Josh | December 5, 2012 11:08 AM

  Guess you haven't seen many movies this year, then.

• nightgoat72 | December 5, 2012 9:23 AM

  Gotta love the irony of that comment, Sean.

• Sean | December 5, 2012 4:49 AM

  your an idiot

• d | December 4, 2012 8:28 PM

  I don't agree or disagree with it but I don't see what's so "ballsy" about calling a not-well-recieved box office flop the worst film of the year. If they had said The Avengers or TDKR -- that would be ballsy.

• Lorena | December 4, 2012 8:16 PMReply

  Yes it was confusing at first...but everything comes together in the end. There was not a dry eye in the movie theater. Everyone I've talked to either loved it or hated it.
  
  Cloud Atlas was a great movie. I'm not sure why people don't take the time to think anymore. They would rather have everything in plain English. It was a masterpiece in my opinion.

• Andy | December 8, 2012 2:53 AM

  Thank you for that! I totally respect that not everyone is going to love the film, but I feel like everyone who is hating on it is hating on it because they didn't understand what it was trying to convey. Why does that make it a bad film?!

• cirkusfolk | December 4, 2012 7:57 PMReply

  Everyone here is right in that Cloud Atlas is not the worst movie of the year. The Dark Knight Rises is!!!

• Red | December 10, 2012 10:23 AM

  Goddammit, you don't get it do you... None of those movies were the worst, be logical please. Dark Shadows, Ted, and I can think of a couple others but there are so much more I bet that were by far the worst this year. Ted had a decent story, granted, but the comedy was badly timed and didn't feel witty at all, it was witty comedy for only 2 scenes. Aye, Ted was one of my most anticipated films of the year mainly because it was directed by Seth MacFarlane, and we all know how witty and smart Family Guy's comedy is, but in Ted, it was like for only two scenes that I sensed Family Guy XD

• kitcon | December 4, 2012 7:41 PMReply

  CA does at times look "bong-fueled"-- and that by itself isn't fatal -- but there was just enough to keep me engaged. There are other films I couldn't wait to end and some aren't even on her list. But she has her points.

• Aaron | December 4, 2012 7:40 PMReply

  Especially when you have film such as; A Thousand Words, Rock of Ages, Dark Shadows, The Watch, That's My Boy, The Apparition, LOL, Paranormal Activity 4, Ghost Rider 2, The Dictator, The Devil Inside, The Woman In Black, Chernobyl Diaries, Battleship, Silent House, The Three Stoogers, Red Tails, Tim&Eric, Madea, not even on the list, even if Cloud Atlas was bad(which it's not) shouldnt be before any of those films or even on the list, calling Cloud Atlas the worst film of the year is a down right JOKE!!!!!!! Hate me for saying that but i'm alittle pissed off now!

• zac | December 4, 2012 7:44 PM

  I agree, but Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie was not bad

• Aaron Cotham | December 4, 2012 7:29 PMReply

  It's a slap in my face because Cloud Atlas is my favorite film this year, I don't get why Cloud Atlas and The Lorax are on this list to be honest!!! But whatever doesn't change my opinion I still love and adore Could Atlas

• Aaron | December 4, 2012 7:52 PM

  I never said it was bad, but if Tim And Eric was on here id be ok with it

• BobBurger | December 4, 2012 7:11 PMReply

  What's wrong with something being like a bong-fueled conversation?

• BobBurger | December 4, 2012 9:36 PM

  If that's what she means I suppose I get it. Thanks

• d | December 4, 2012 8:10 PM

  Generally speaking, bong-fueled conversations are not as profound as stoners think they are.

• Mitch | December 4, 2012 7:04 PMReply

  To put Cloud Atlas before "This Means War" and "What to Expect When You're Expecting"- scratch that.. to put "Cloud Atlas" before any of these films as the worst of the year is absurd. But in accordance to Pols' "bong-filled college discussion" comment, what else have the Wachowski's offered? And when thinking of this, consider each of their films and the demographic that goes with them.
  
  second, "Cloud Atlas" is based off of a very admirable book. Is the book fueled by the same Pols-esque stoner stigma?
  
  third, this movie was very smart. I agree that it is maybe too smart for an american audience. In 2012, America sees Transformers 7 as great sci-fi. Or District 9 (Not a bad film, but a best picture nominee? really? mindless fun and nice to look at, at most). For something like "Cloud Atlas" to come around, with big names like Hanks and Berry, maybe Pols was expecting something more mainstream.

• Denise | January 8, 2013 12:19 PM

  Too many bong hits, Mary...

• penny | December 4, 2012 6:52 PMReply

  I disagree with this list for the most part (there were WAY worse movies this year), but I especially think 'The Lorax' doesn't belong on this list. It's really not so bad for a Seuss adaptation, and it's a fun movie for kids (who ARE the target demographic--don't take it so seriously, Time!) And the animation was great!

• Phillip | December 4, 2012 6:41 PMReply

  I can't believe this...is this a joke?

• PRESIDENT MAO | December 4, 2012 6:12 PMReply

  I'm totally agree with Time: 'Cloud Atlas' is the 'Atlas Shrugged' of this year. Worst than 'The Room'.

• Travis | December 4, 2012 6:35 PM

  There is only one "The Room"...

• Marko | December 4, 2012 6:25 PM

  Except Atlas Shrugged: Part 2, is really the Atlas Shrugged of the year.

• Cody B | December 4, 2012 6:06 PMReply

  What in the hell are they talking about?! John Carter and Cloud Atlas the two worst movies of the year?! Those are two of the BEST movies of the year!

• ari | December 4, 2012 6:15 PM

  Say HELLO to the new Warner Bros. community manager. And to his friend Rich Ross too.
  
  :-)

• Katie Walsh | December 4, 2012 5:47 PMReply

  WTF Time. John Carter was infinitely worse than Cloud Atlas (WHICH SHOULDNT BE ON THIS LIST IN THE FIRST PLACE).

• Daniel Delago | December 4, 2012 5:46 PMReply

  'Cloud Atlas' is a complicated but brilliant film. It was too intellectual for many to comprehend including Time Magazine. It will be on my Top Ten list of 2012. It was the most daring and ambitious film of the year. Kudos to the Wachowskis for their vision. It is one of those films that will be appreciated more over time.

• BOO | January 5, 2013 4:04 PM

  I hate when Cloud Atlas fanboys think everyone who doesn't like it is not smart enough to understand it. Most critics understand it. I understood it (it wasn't very complicated) and thought it was flawed, but still good. The Master was probably more ambitious.

• A | December 5, 2012 9:39 AM

  Damn NightGoat what's up with you, did Halle Berry dis you in a bar or something?

• Jeff | December 4, 2012 8:38 PM

  Daniel has confused "intellectual" with "pseduointellectual." See more movies, kiddo.

• nightgoat72 | December 4, 2012 8:20 PM

  Hahaha oh my god, thank you for that. I needed a good laugh. The "too intellectual for many to comprehend" was my favorite part, I think.

• Oh | December 4, 2012 5:45 PMReply

  The Watch, That's My Boy, Total Recall, Ghost Rider 2, A Thousand Words, The Apparition, and Paranormal Activity 4, and you pick Cloud Atlas?

• Jenny | December 8, 2012 3:46 PM

  EXACTLY!!!

• Aaron Cotham | December 4, 2012 7:33 PM

  My thoughts exactly!

• jimmiescoffee | December 4, 2012 5:45 PMReply

  nice list. i disliked all of these movies (except haven't see 'hyde park on hudson'.....ouch). i thought 'cloud atlas' was a complete mess but couldn't include it on a "worst" list due to pure ambition.

• AS | December 4, 2012 5:42 PMReply

  You gotta love people like this; who could possibly take them seriously? Even if Cloud Atlas was a bad movie (which it isn't), it would be far from the worst film of the year. Did you see The Dictator? That's My Boy? Saying Atlas is worst than those films is just laughable.

• BrianZ | December 4, 2012 5:39 PMReply

  Yeah, this is pretty bad. Way to knock down some easy targets Time.

• rotch | December 4, 2012 5:33 PMReply

  Time Magazine needs to watch more bad movies.

• Christopher Bell | December 4, 2012 5:43 PM

  Yeah, this list is quite mild and unsurprising. Raise some hell, Time!