#3, Soylent Green

Soylent Green is one of those films that everyone seems to know about, but not many, at least in my generation, have actually seen. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, however, as I think Soylent Green's legacy is superior to the actual product. Easily the worst film I've watched that I've included on this list, I simply found myself unsatisfied when the end credits began to roll.

For one thing, I loathe Charlton Heston and everything he stands for. Politics aside, I think he's a terrible actor, and although I have not seen Ben Hur, do not understand why he's garnered so much respect on-screen. Maybe it's just for particular moments, such as the big twist at the end of Planet of the Apes, or his big one-liner at the end of this film.

Besides that, I simply found the film boring. Soylent Green, the miracle food-source that supposedly keeps society functioning, is really nothing more than a MacGuffin, barely relevant to the story except towards the very end. In addition, the "environmental" message that I'd heard so much about in relationship to the film is rather weak. There are also many other plot elements that are barely expounded upon, most notably those riot-control scooper-things. Despite a surprisingly touching curtain-call performance from Edward G. Robinson, and a few interesting visions of tomorrow's world, I found Soylent Green spectacularly mediocre.

Highlights: A moving last few scenes by Edward G. Robinson, surprisingly decent direction and suspense. Some interesting ideas.

Downers. Charlton Heston in every way, shape, and form. Interesting ideas did not go far enough. Shallow on very many levels.

4/10