I love being a go-to “movie person” for many of my friends with different hobby priorities. But sometimes this role can backfire. Like the time I thought it was a good idea to blindly watch Ghost World with several of my friends in high school.
I hate being asked for movie recommendations. Friends come to me and say, "Hey...you love movies and stuff, right? We're tired of the same old same old, what's something you would recommend?" I take a deep breath and recommend something I think is relatively approachable but "different" -- for example, a Wes Anderson film like "Grand Budapest." Then these same friends come back to me and talk about how damn weird it was and how in the world could I ever like anything like that and they will never get that time back in their lives, blah, blah, blah. I didn't recommend this film but one of the most awkward moments was at supper club and the talk turned to movies and one of our friends went on and on about how shitty a particular movie was that they happened to walk in to. The film? "The Banshees of Inisherin." Of course, I think this is a brilliant film and spent a bit of time defending it only to have my friends look at me like I had crapped on the table.
I'd say 'Southland' really works better on rewatch. There isn't a director's cut yet but the extended Cannes Cut helps make it easier to follow. I'd say it's really quite amazing in terms of capturing the insanity of modern politics and its culture, and was years ahead of its time. In many ways, I feel it was also made in the wrong medium. Like, its structure, number of ideas, and character ensemble would be perfect for an extended 6-10 hour miniseries or streaming show today. So, I do hope Kelly indeed manages to complete his 3 'prequel chapters' in some live action or animated form.
I can’t imagine trying to get my head around “Ghost World” as a high schooler. Even though it is ostensibly about high schoolers. But I first saw it in when I was around 30 and loved it. And I probably love it more now.
(As for “Southland Tales,” my original assessment was it’s a hot mess. My current assessment is it’s a hot mess that I dig. Not sure if it is a good movie, but it is a movie I am very fond of.)
My film picking rights were not revoked, but there were restrictions placed after I subjected friends during my first attempt at college to “Meet the Feebles”. One of my friend’s younger brother, who did genuinely like me, both loved and hated seeing me because I was always bringing “weird shit” with me.
Your crucial mistake was showing it to friends--Terry Zwigoff's (and Daniel Clowes') work is fundamentally by loners, for loners! In a meta piece of art imitating life, I used to stomp around my town solo like Enid listening to the Ghost World soundtrack, a CD I'd no doubt purchased from a maladjusted Seymour type at a yard sale/used record store/library book sale.
Loved this story, because there are so many times in my life that I’ve been in your position here. I haven’t seen this one in a long time, how’s it hold up?
Had the same thing happen with Southland Tales!
I hate being asked for movie recommendations. Friends come to me and say, "Hey...you love movies and stuff, right? We're tired of the same old same old, what's something you would recommend?" I take a deep breath and recommend something I think is relatively approachable but "different" -- for example, a Wes Anderson film like "Grand Budapest." Then these same friends come back to me and talk about how damn weird it was and how in the world could I ever like anything like that and they will never get that time back in their lives, blah, blah, blah. I didn't recommend this film but one of the most awkward moments was at supper club and the talk turned to movies and one of our friends went on and on about how shitty a particular movie was that they happened to walk in to. The film? "The Banshees of Inisherin." Of course, I think this is a brilliant film and spent a bit of time defending it only to have my friends look at me like I had crapped on the table.
I'd say 'Southland' really works better on rewatch. There isn't a director's cut yet but the extended Cannes Cut helps make it easier to follow. I'd say it's really quite amazing in terms of capturing the insanity of modern politics and its culture, and was years ahead of its time. In many ways, I feel it was also made in the wrong medium. Like, its structure, number of ideas, and character ensemble would be perfect for an extended 6-10 hour miniseries or streaming show today. So, I do hope Kelly indeed manages to complete his 3 'prequel chapters' in some live action or animated form.
I can’t imagine trying to get my head around “Ghost World” as a high schooler. Even though it is ostensibly about high schoolers. But I first saw it in when I was around 30 and loved it. And I probably love it more now.
(As for “Southland Tales,” my original assessment was it’s a hot mess. My current assessment is it’s a hot mess that I dig. Not sure if it is a good movie, but it is a movie I am very fond of.)
My film picking rights were not revoked, but there were restrictions placed after I subjected friends during my first attempt at college to “Meet the Feebles”. One of my friend’s younger brother, who did genuinely like me, both loved and hated seeing me because I was always bringing “weird shit” with me.
I feel this in my bones, Jeremy
Your crucial mistake was showing it to friends--Terry Zwigoff's (and Daniel Clowes') work is fundamentally by loners, for loners! In a meta piece of art imitating life, I used to stomp around my town solo like Enid listening to the Ghost World soundtrack, a CD I'd no doubt purchased from a maladjusted Seymour type at a yard sale/used record store/library book sale.
Loved this story, because there are so many times in my life that I’ve been in your position here. I haven’t seen this one in a long time, how’s it hold up?