Unpopular Opinions Thread

[GoPokes83 2,240]

Christmas Vacation doesn’t hold up and the original Vacation is a vastly funnier (and overall, much better) movie. 

The work holds up, it’s the constant barrage of it from early November until January that kills it. Same with A Christmas Story. Stations playing a marathon for 24 hours on Christmas Eve/Day have almost ruined it for me and I refuse to watch a minute of it, but I’ll pop it on around July every couple of years and thoroughly enjoy it.

[DigglerontheHoof 21,273]

I'm a big fan of the original Vacation and Christmas Vacation, no need to trash one for the other.  They're both awesome seasonal comedies. 

[Sam Lin 3,564]

13 hours ago, GoPokes83 said:

Hot or cold?

Yes

[Al_4_ISU 12,526]

Christmas Vacation isn't quite as good as Vacation, but it's best moments are just as good.

It has more truly dumb gags (the sledding hill is the worst), but some of the exchanges are straight comedic genius.

"So Eddie.  Can I refill your eggnog?  Get you something to eat?  Drag you out in the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?"

"Nah, I'm doing just fine Clark".

[52-80 19,277]

anya taylor joy has replaced taylor swift as the fetishized celebrity who actually looks like the weird movie creature

 

 

 

 

[Prepuce of Doom 21,112]

4 hours ago, 52-80 said:

anya taylor joy has replaced taylor swift as the fetishized celebrity who actually looks like the weird movie creature

 

I don't know that she falls into the "fetishized" category, but I firmly believe that Reba McIntyre (sp?) is some kind of Muppet. 

[stc 1,467]

inspired by the leslie talk in the other thread...most people forget, or never knew, that leslie was a deranged asshole pervert that sexually harassed everyone he met. i don't know anyone that had an interaction with him who came away from it thinking, "damn, what a great guy and an austin legend". 

[stc 1,467]

each time i saw him he was aggressively begging for free booze or weed and would throw a screaming shit fit if you didn't give it to him. every year at bob marley fest he would walk around and try to hit your joint and then literally show you his ass if you didn't comply. had this conversation with friends a few weeks ago and everyone had the same recollection of him being a piece of shit. 

[Born to Run 6,582]

Dang. Didn't know that. I only saw him once or twice in my decade+ of living in Austin and it was always anticlimactic. 
I didn't go to Eeyore birthday or Bob Marley fest or anything cool, so maybe that's why I missed out on the antics, ETA

Literally ran into him at one of the first ACLs. Sweaty as fuck, got up in my face and honked my dick before walking away.
Horrible.

[CooterBrown 18,089]

He was also a racist piece of shit.

[T’Boo Ted Marshall 2,741]

each time i saw him he was aggressively begging for free booze or weed and would throw a screaming shit fit if you didn't give it to him. every year at bob marley fest he would walk around and try to hit your joint and then literally show you his ass if you didn't comply. had this conversation with friends a few weeks ago and everyone had the same recollection of him being a piece of shit. 

He was a complete piece of trash.
With a group after a game and went to Casino el Camino for food.
I had no idea who he was but my local friends did and they invited him to sit with us and eat. My Gf was with me at the time and Leslie is making a couple of comments. I blow it off as I can see how impaired he is.
Finally he gives her one more gesture and I got in his face. He tucked tail and left.

[52-80 19,277]

Still surprised at and dont understand how Bourdain became such a revered A list icon. 

I liked him too. Have the book. Ate at Les Halles. Saw him first time on an Iceland episode where he was being all sarcastic and cynical and found it refreshing…but after a while the turn into a backpacker guru became a cliche. Ohhh hey look at me im sitting on a plastic stool in cambodia and this 30 cent noodle cooked by this sweating 1-armed man in flipflops contains the essense of 700 years of civilization and is the greatest food in the world actually. 

Now people cry on the anniversary of his death like hes John Lennon or Jim Morrison or something. 

[Prepuce of Doom 21,112]

1 hour ago, 52-80 said:

Still surprised at and dont understand how Bourdain became such a revered A list icon. 

I liked him too. Have the book. Ate at Les Halles. Saw him first time on an Iceland episode where he was being all sarcastic and cynical and found it refreshing…but after a while the turn into a backpacker guru became a cliche. Ohhh hey look at me im sitting on a plastic stool in cambodia and this 30 cent noodle cooked by this sweating 1-armed man in flipflops contains the essense of 700 years of civilization and is the greatest food in the world actually. 

Now people cry on the anniversary of his death like hes John Lennon or Jim Morrison or something. 

It's my theory that a certain subset of boring and unadventurous people feel like they're edgy and "anti-establishment" by worshipping at his altar. Doesn't cover his entire fanbase or anything, but I think he's perceived as instant street cred for these folks. 

[Born to Run 6,582]

Still surprised at and dont understand how Bourdain became such a revered A list icon. 
I liked him too. Have the book. Ate at Les Halles. Saw him first time on an Iceland episode where he was being all sarcastic and cynical and found it refreshing…but after a while the turn into a backpacker guru became a cliche. Ohhh hey look at me im sitting on a plastic stool in cambodia and this 30 cent noodle cooked by this sweating 1-armed man in flipflops contains the essense of 700 years of civilization and is the greatest food in the world actually. 

Now people cry on the anniversary of his death like hes John Lennon or Jim Morrison or something. 

Meh. Erroneous take.

He was a flawed and complicated individual who celebrated food and travel with a nuanced and unique voice and perspective. He was a terrific writer and, as such, a great narrator.
He wasn't a backpacker. He loved high-end hotels and lavish meals. But he also loved street food and never got so famous that he forgot his roots. He was funny, kind and generous. And moody and full of demons. He was a champion for the little guy and a lot more interesting than John Lennon.

He wrote many books and regretted much about "the book" after the fact.

[52-80 19,277]

1 hour ago, Born to Run said:

Meh. Erroneous take.

He was a flawed and complicated individual who celebrated food and travel with a nuanced and unique voice and perspective. He was a terrific writer and, as such, a great narrator.
He wasn't a backpacker. He loved high-end hotels and lavish meals. But he also loved street food and never got so famous that he forgot his roots. He was funny, kind and generous. And moody and full of demons. He was a champion for the little guy and a lot more interesting than John Lennon.

He wrote many books and regretted much about "the book" after the fact.

Missing the point of my post, which wasnt about his nature or character but rather the size of his reach and celebrity. 

Lennon was lead vocalist for the most popular band in history. 

Bourdain writes, narrates, and presents well. Okay. But the scope of his output is still in a specific narrow’ish category.  Attenborough and Steve Irwin has similar levels of reverence, but their appeal was global and multi-generational. Just saying im surprised his adoration is so much closer to them than to a Jeff Probst. 

[ztejas 43,741]

On 1/21/2024 at 5:47 PM, 52-80 said:

Now people cry on the anniversary of his death like hes John Lennon or Jim Morrison or something. 

Morrison is a low-bar for Bourdain. I don't think anyone still gives a fuck about Morrison who wasn't a teenage girl and wanted to fuck him when The Doors were in their heyday (or is a teenage girl that wants to fuck him now). Sure he was hugely influential for his time but his legacy isn't particularly lasting in the way that someone like Hendrix or SRV is. 

Bourdain was a much more complex, controversial and interesting figure, and I think his legacy will wind up being both more lasting and important.

Edited January 23 by ztejas

[Steamboat1874 4,152]

1 hour ago, ztejas said:

Morrison is a low-bar for Bourdain. I don't think anyone still gives a fuck about Morrison who wasn't a teenage girl and wanted to fuck him when The Doors were in their heyday (or is a teenage girl that wants to fuck him now). Sure he was hugely influential for his time but his legacy isn't particularly lasting in the way that someone like Hendrix or SRV is. 

Bourdain was a much more complex, controversial and interesting figure, and I think his legacy will wind up being both more lasting and important.

Than Morrison for sure but he is not in the same universe as Lennon in importance or more lasting.

[Gil Bang 26,099]

Bourdain was such a talented storyteller that David Fucking Simon hired him as a writer. 

[SHOOTER12 8,852]

On 8/23/2023 at 7:19 AM, beer said:

Women's dodgeball on ESPN 8 is pointless

It should be played in the nude, with a dodge ball a little bigger than a softball.........I wanna see welts on those tites!

[Tex Long 4,509]

38 minutes ago, SHOOTER12 said:

It should be played in the nude, with a dodge ball a little bigger than a softball.........I wanna see welts on those tites!

I agree, assuming that when you say "tites" you mean "ass cheeks"...

[SHOOTER12 8,852]

18 minutes ago, Tex Long said:

I agree, assuming that when you say "tites" you mean "ass cheeks"...

Those too!

[closetohumping 17,547]

18 hours ago, 52-80 said:

Missing the point of my post, which wasnt about his nature or character but rather the size of his reach and celebrity. 

Lennon was lead vocalist for the most popular band in history. 

Bourdain writes, narrates, and presents well. Okay. But the scope of his output is still in a specific narrow’ish category.  Attenborough and Steve Irwin has similar levels of reverence, but their appeal was global and multi-generational. Just saying im surprised his adoration is so much closer to them than to a Jeff Probst. 

Strike 2.  Bourdain was a great story teller.  Went through the wringer in life.  Stuck up for the little guy.  Traveled to far away places and promoted multi culturalism.  Thought he was a pioneer in entertainment.  There weren’t a lot of shows like no reservations when he started

 

 

he worked in hot kitchens most of his life.  Was a drug addict. He’s far more relatable than Lennon or Morrison.  Not sure why I should cry for those two over bourdain

Edited January 24 by closetohumping

[futureman 22,565]

I went to see Anyone But You last night.  Sydney Sweeney is a shit actress with a shit personality and she looks like she has Down syndrome.  I don't get the rampant infatuation with her.

carry on.

[futureman 22,565]

I will add that her rack is 10/10 and the ass is great.  but the rest of my previous post applies.  she's built for porn, not stardom.

[UncleSonny 6,618]

56 minutes ago, futureman said:

I don't get the rampant infatuation with her.

 

30 minutes ago, futureman said:

I will add that her rack is 10/10 and the ass is great. 

Seems like you do get it 

[ABSR 5,327]

22 hours ago, UncleSonny said:

 

Seems like you do get it 

Futureman has confirmed two things.  Apparently he is gay (NTTAWWT), and apparently he thinks we all live in 'Nam. 

[52-80 19,277]

23 hours ago, futureman said:

I went to see Anyone But You last night.  Sydney Sweeney is a shit actress with a shit personality and she looks like she has Down syndrome.  I don't get the rampant infatuation with her.

carry on.

in some photos she has that amanda seyfried look going on -- where theres something about her thats a bit off, not quite classical beauty, but still oddly magnetic. in other photos shes straight fire and the rack is 11/10

[Guest]

Ok, here goes...

I watched Blazing Saddles for the first time a few nights ago. It's... ok? The funniest moments are the 3-4 that are always posted here in gif form. Not bad by any means, but I wouldn't care to watch it again.

This guy perhaps made me laugh the most:

[Vic Mackey 47,303]

Ok, here goes...

I watched Blazing Saddles for the first time a few nights ago. It's... ok? The funniest moments are the 3-4 that are always posted here in gif form. Not bad by any means, but I wouldn't care to watch it again.
This guy perhaps made me laugh the most:

Same thoughts I had on this when i first watched it over a decade ago. I gave it another shot last year and it was the same, very meh. I'm sure that comedy in those days was seen as funny and edgy

[closetohumping 17,547]

I will have a side of steak sauce with my steak

[Helobious 9,503]

On 2/11/2024 at 3:17 PM, FirstTimeCaller said:

Ok, here goes...

I watched Blazing Saddles for the first time a few nights ago. It's... ok? The funniest moments are the 3-4 that are always posted here in gif form. Not bad by any means, but I wouldn't care to watch it again.

This guy perhaps made me laugh the most:

It was super edgy and offensive to straight-laced white picket fence types who never heard that word thrown around a lot. Not so much to anyone else. My generation grew up on family guy and South Park and YouTube comments and video game lobbies. Blazing Saddles humor is rated G compared to any of that. 

[kingkoopa6 8,466]

On 1/19/2024 at 3:22 AM, 52-80 said:

anya taylor joy has replaced taylor swift as the fetishized celebrity who actually looks like the weird movie creature

 

 

 

 

Anya hella fine 

 

[GoPokes83 2,240]

Ok, here goes...

I watched Blazing Saddles for the first time a few nights ago. It's... ok? The funniest moments are the 3-4 that are always posted here in gif form. Not bad by any means, but I wouldn't care to watch it again.
This guy perhaps made me laugh the most:

It was groundbreaking for its time, we’d never seen a movie like it, but not many mid 70’s movies really completely hold up. Godfather is the main exception that comes to mind. I watched The Exorcist with my kid the other day and I told her how scary it was for everyone back when it came out. She was laughing at the effects half way through.

[DigglerontheHoof 21,273]

6 hours ago, GoPokes83 said:

It was groundbreaking for its time, we’d never seen a movie like it, but not many mid 70’s movies really completely hold up. Godfather is the main exception that comes to mind. I watched The Exorcist with my kid the other day and I told her how scary it was for everyone back when it came out. She was laughing at the effects half way through.

Agree w/ most but, IMO, Blazing Saddles more than holds up.  It is fantastic satire.

[deadshank 24,653]

On 1/23/2024 at 2:16 PM, Steamboat1874 said:

Than Morrison for sure but he is not in the same universe as Lennon in importance or more lasting.

On topic: importance.   I find naming a song or musician as “important” to be ridiculous and silly.  Certainly Lennon’s music with the Beatles is groundbreaking and lasting.  I quite enjoy it.   But important?  Nah.  

[tigol 2,421]

On topic: importance.   I find naming a song or musician as “important” to be ridiculous and silly.  Certainly Lennon’s music with the Beatles is groundbreaking and lasting.  I quite enjoy it.   But important?  Nah.  

To help me understand, is there any piece of music that you consider important? If so, why? Please exclude the national anthem(s), unless you consider them unimportant in which case I’d be interested in the why as well.

[irishtexan 11,530]

Music is important to me. Musicians that make the music that I like are important to me. Some songs/albums are more important than others, including:

Social/Political Change:

Billy Holiday - Strange Fruit

Blowin in the Wind - Dylan

Change is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke

What's Going On - Marvin Gaye

Fight the Power - Public Enemy 

There's a Riot Going On - Sly Stone 

Both Sides, Now - Joni Mitchell 

 

Innovation in songwriting/recording

Robert Johnson

Hank Williams

Revolver & Rubber Soul - Beatles 

Bob Dylan - Pretty much everything he did in the 60s

Jimi Hendrix

Exile - Stones

Redheaded Stranger - Willie 

The Ramones S/T

Pet Sounds - Beach Boys

Nevermind - Nirvana

OK Computer - Radiohead

 

I don't even listen to most of that shit regularly. But I recognize and understand the impact and importance of each in the evolution of popular music. There's a lot more shit but that's what I thought of off the top of my head.

 

 

[deadshank 24,653]

4 hours ago, tigol said:

To help me understand, is there any piece of music that you consider important? If so, why? Please exclude the national anthem(s), unless you consider them unimportant in which case I’d be interested in the why as well.

Perhaps we need to define how "important" is used as a descriptor.  Certainly the word can be used within the realm of music, its development, originality, so on and so forth. The same can apply to individual songwriters and musicians.  All within the framework of music.  Innovators, virtuosos, classics, etc.  Sure.  There are surely important people, songs and compositions.  

Using "important" as a descriptor when referring to any particular music or musical piece itself or to the musician / composer / singer as if its importance is somehow world-affecting on the macro level seems aggrandizing and silly to me.

I recall a few years ago that Guns and Roses had a new album or a tour that was kicking off and the promotional spot on TV delicately mentioned that it was "the most important" such and such of the last so many years.  Important?  Really?  What makes those meatheads and their music so important?   We're talking GnR here.  Sure, you can really dig them, rock out to them and enjoy them.  Important?  Hardly.  

Similarly, Brandi Carlile released The Joke and someone on Surly decreed the song to be "so important!"  Certainly they can like the song.  I agree it is thoughtful, well sung and arranged.  Important?  For someone?  Sure.  Just important because,  "well it's important!"  Nah.

It's just my opinion.  I'm not looking to fight over it.  You asked.

 

 

OK....let's fight.

[UncleSonny 6,618]

1 hour ago, deadshank said:

Using "important" as a descriptor when referring to any particular music or musical piece itself or to the musician / composer / singer as if its importance is somehow world-affecting on the macro level seems aggrandizing and silly to me.

Maybe “important” is overused when it comes to some art, but using the Beatles as your example for this doesn’t really help your point. 

They actually did change society on a macro level. There is an entire Wikipedia page dedicated solely to their cultural impact. 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_impact_of_the_Beatles

I think you are underestimating how linked popular culture is to capitalism, politics, and pretty everything else that you think of as “important”. 

Edited February 20 by UncleSonny

[Sam Lin 3,564]

I think that's it, important meaning it influences the development of music to come. I don't think there's any music that is actually important from the perspective development of mankind. Closest music to "important" are classical staples like Beethoven 5th or Vivaldi Four Seasons. Even the Beatles mentioned above only influenced certain cultures, the rest of mankind dgaf.

[deadshank 24,653]

22 minutes ago, UncleSonny said:

Maybe “important” is overused when it comes to some art, but using the Beatles as your example for this doesn’t really help your point. 

They actually did change society on a macro level. There is an entire Wikipedia page dedicated solely to their cultural impact. 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_impact_of_the_Beatles

I think you are underestimating how linked popular culture is to capitalism, politics, and pretty everything else that you think of as “important”. 

I respect your opinion.  It’s why we have horse races.  

[tigol 2,421]

3 hours ago, deadshank said:

Perhaps we need to define how "important" is used as a descriptor.  Certainly the word can be used within the realm of music, its development, originality, so on and so forth. The same can apply to individual songwriters and musicians.  All within the framework of music.  Innovators, virtuosos, classics, etc.  Sure.  There are surely important people, songs and compositions.  

Using "important" as a descriptor when referring to any particular music or musical piece itself or to the musician / composer / singer as if its importance is somehow world-affecting on the macro level seems aggrandizing and silly to me.

I recall a few years ago that Guns and Roses had a new album or a tour that was kicking off and the promotional spot on TV delicately mentioned that it was "the most important" such and such of the last so many years.  Important?  Really?  What makes those meatheads and their music so important?   We're talking GnR here.  Sure, you can really dig them, rock out to them and enjoy them.  Important?  Hardly.  

Similarly, Brandi Carlile released The Joke and someone on Surly decreed the song to be "so important!"  Certainly they can like the song.  I agree it is thoughtful, well sung and arranged.  Important?  For someone?  Sure.  Just important because,  "well it's important!"  Nah.

It's just my opinion.  I'm not looking to fight over it.  You asked.

 

 

OK....let's fight.

Nah, no fights.  I can live with that.  Thanks for taking the time.

[SHOOTER12 8,852]

7 hours ago, deadshank said:

Perhaps we need to define how "important" is used as a descriptor.  Certainly the word can be used within the realm of music, its development, originality, so on and so forth. The same can apply to individual songwriters and musicians.  All within the framework of music.  Innovators, virtuosos, classics, etc.  Sure.  There are surely important people, songs and compositions.  

Using "important" as a descriptor when referring to any particular music or musical piece itself or to the musician / composer / singer as if its importance is somehow world-affecting on the macro level seems aggrandizing and silly to me.

I recall a few years ago that Guns and Roses had a new album or a tour that was kicking off and the promotional spot on TV delicately mentioned that it was "the most important" such and such of the last so many years.  Important?  Really?  What makes those meatheads and their music so important?   We're talking GnR here.  Sure, you can really dig them, rock out to them and enjoy them.  Important?  Hardly.  

Similarly, Brandi Carlile released The Joke and someone on Surly decreed the song to be "so important!"  Certainly they can like the song.  I agree it is thoughtful, well sung and arranged.  Important?  For someone?  Sure.  Just important because,  "well it's important!"  Nah.

It's just my opinion.  I'm not looking to fight over it.  You asked.

 

 

OK....let's fight.

Important,  is an individual point in how it touches the individual listener..what touches one heart may not touch any other. It's dependent on one's personal situation,  timing and mood at that moment. What's important to me, in this moment is probably unimportant to anyone else, but that doesn't matter. For example, I'm living in hell right now with a woman who has gone totally insane. The most important music to me, right now at this very moment is "Woman" by Legs Diamond, the lyrics express my feelings in a way I never could have on my own. 

[deadshank 24,653]

7 hours ago, SHOOTER12 said:

Important,  is an individual point in how it touches the individual listener..what touches one heart may not touch any other. It's dependent on one's personal situation,  timing and mood at that moment. What's important to me, in this moment is probably unimportant to anyone else, but that doesn't matter. For example, I'm living in hell right now with a woman who has gone totally insane. The most important music to me, right now at this very moment is "Woman" by Legs Diamond, the lyrics express my feelings in a way I never could have on my own. 

Dang.  Legs Diamond.  Haven’t heard them mentioned in years.  Opening act for Triumph back in 1980 or so.  Texas Hall on UTA campus.  
 

Good luck with your woman.  

[SHOOTER12 8,852]

8 hours ago, deadshank said:

Dang.  Legs Diamond.  Haven’t heard them mentioned in years.  Opening act for Triumph back in 1980 or so.  Texas Hall on UTA campus.  
 

Good luck with your woman.  

Thanks deadshank, I'm going to need it.

[Horn Under a Bad Sign 20,619]

Miller's Crossing and Goodfellas premiered within three days of each other in 1990.  Miller's Crossing is the better movie. 

[ztejas 43,741]

9 hours ago, Horn Under a Bad Sign said:

Miller's Crossing and Goodfellas premiered within three days of each other in 1990.  Miller's Crossing is the better movie. 

I haven't seen Miller's Crossing and I will remedy that but I'm fairly confident that it isn't a better movie than Goodfellas. 

[Horn Under a Bad Sign 20,619]

13 minutes ago, ztejas said:

I haven't seen Miller's Crossing and I will remedy that but I'm fairly confident that it isn't a better movie than Goodfellas. 

It's a conclusion I came to slowly, after several watchings of both. Goodfellas has a 95% approval on Rotten Tomatoes, Miller's Crossing 93%, but Miller's Crossing is better. 

After Big Lebowski it's my 2nd favorite Coen Brothers movie.

 

Edited February 22 by Horn Under a Bad Sign

[ztejas 43,741]

18 minutes ago, Horn Under a Bad Sign said:

It's a conclusion I came to slowly, after several watchings of both. Goodfellas has a 95% approval on Rotten Tomatoes, Miller's Crossing 93%, but Miller's Crossing is better. 

After Big Lebowski it's my 2nd favorite Coen Brothers movie.

 

Yeah I'll give it a watch. The only reason I have a hard time believing it's better is that Goodfellas is like a top 10 movie ever for me. I like it more than The Godfather.

[uoftorange 1,388]

Also think it's important that 1 movie may be objectively "better or higher quality" than other and still not be something I want to watch over and over again.  I personally consider that the hallmark of a what it takes to be a good movie for me.  But I can say one movie is "better" but I'd rather watch something else.