Save the Cat

I'm currently working my way through a few screenwriting books in an attempt to put to paper an idea that I've been kicking around for a few months. One of the books that's been recommended to me over and over is Blake Snyder's "Save the Cat." "Just read 'Save the Cat'" my professional screenwriting friends say to me time and time again.

So I borrowed it from one such friend (they didn't have it at the library) and am currently working through it. And it's good. There is a lot of good advice in there that I am totally enjoying and will definitely help me with my movie. But at the same time, Blake Snyder is constantly losing me in one department:

Examples.

All of his examples are...how should I put this...in-congruent. I can't get behind them! Every movie he says is great I think is...not good, and every movie he thinks sucks I thought was awesome. (Well, it's not 100%, but it's pretty close)

Movies Blake Snyder Likes:
Miss Congeniality
Legally Blonde (didn't hate this movie, but come on! Great?!)

Moves Blake Snyder Hated:
Memento
Unbreakable
Outbreak
Spiderman

What?! Am I taking crazy pills? Was Memento not a super smart thrill ride? Was Spiderman not a beast of a super hero movie? Didn't Outbreak have you glued to your seat?

(Many people don't agree with me about Unbreakable, so we'll just leave that one be)

I understand where Mr. Snyder is coming from. He's probably judging these movies by the money they made in addition to their structure and story and whatnot.

But still...Memento?