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 am kinda curious about the Cannes Cut, but I was burned so badly the first time that I'm hesitant to try again. Interesting point about it feeling like a precursor to the miniseries boom though! That makes me more curious...
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.)
“Ghost World” feels kind of like part of the tail-end of the indie boom that started in the 1990s? Which I am still very fond of. It was so fun to get to see so many indie (or at least indie-minded) movies play in theaters.
I think you're right about it being the tail end of the indie boom. Sometimes I really wish I'd been born 5-6 years earlier so I could've enjoyed some of the 90s theatrical fare for adults. Alas.
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 must say though, that I will fight you on Southland Tales, sir. and do take the suggestion about the Cannes Cut seriously. I liked both, but I liked the Cannes Cut more. I don’t know how you feel about torrenting, but if it’s the only way to attain it, I’m more than happy to give you a crash course if necessary :)
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.
I can picture you bebopping around with your CD player on! Probably dressed similarly to the two leads here. 😂 But yeah, it was a mistake I should've known to avoid. I hardly ever queue up a group watch of something I've never seen these days!
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?
It's a dangerous game recommending art to other people, isn't it? I haven't actually rewatched Ghost World since that night, sadly. I've always meant to give it another shot (knowing I'll probably enjoy it) but ran out of time before I had to hit publish.
Had the same thing happen with Southland Tales!
They really should've included a warning on the rental box. "Not recommended for group watches." 😂
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.
Bret, that is a brilliant film indeed, and I've come to the conclusion that you need new friends. (Or at least drag them to Sidewalk every August!)
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 am kinda curious about the Cannes Cut, but I was burned so badly the first time that I'm hesitant to try again. Interesting point about it feeling like a precursor to the miniseries boom though! That makes me more curious...
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.)
I definitely need to revisit Ghost World now that I'm old(er). I bet there's a potent nostalgia factor to it now as well!
“Ghost World” feels kind of like part of the tail-end of the indie boom that started in the 1990s? Which I am still very fond of. It was so fun to get to see so many indie (or at least indie-minded) movies play in theaters.
I think you're right about it being the tail end of the indie boom. Sometimes I really wish I'd been born 5-6 years earlier so I could've enjoyed some of the 90s theatrical fare for adults. Alas.
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.
There are worse things to be known as than "the guy that likes weird shit" I suppose! 😂
I feel this in my bones, Jeremy
No one understands our struggle, Davis! They use us and they abuse us!
I must say though, that I will fight you on Southland Tales, sir. and do take the suggestion about the Cannes Cut seriously. I liked both, but I liked the Cannes Cut more. I don’t know how you feel about torrenting, but if it’s the only way to attain it, I’m more than happy to give you a crash course if necessary :)
I'm not opposed to it but I kinda have, like, 1000 other movies I wanna watch first? Is that okay?
that’s the cinephile’s prerogative. let it always guide us.
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.
I can picture you bebopping around with your CD player on! Probably dressed similarly to the two leads here. 😂 But yeah, it was a mistake I should've known to avoid. I hardly ever queue up a group watch of something I've never seen these days!
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?
It's a dangerous game recommending art to other people, isn't it? I haven't actually rewatched Ghost World since that night, sadly. I've always meant to give it another shot (knowing I'll probably enjoy it) but ran out of time before I had to hit publish.