Enough Ebert April 2, 2008 9:37 AM Subscribe
What is the fucking deal with Roger Ebert?
Why is the metafilter community so obsessed with this guy? At some point, isn't a new Roger Ebert post a double?
Why is the metafilter community so obsessed with this guy? At some point, isn't a new Roger Ebert post a double?
Roger Ebert is a pretty popular guy and introduced a lot of kids in the 80s and 90s to the love of movies (myself included). He's beloved by most everyone I know in the same way a longtime radio host (Studs Terkel? Ira Glass?) or cartoonist (Charles Schultz? Bill Waterson?) or tv host (like say Johnny Carson) is loved and he's gone through a rough patch of some fairly serious cancer. I didn't know he lost his voice to cancer or that he's kind of on the mend, and it's a pretty big story that he's back to writing reviews.
He gets mentioned a lot because people like him, and news about him going back to his job of writing reviews is kind of big news to people that like him, in the way that Bill Waterson news (however infrequent) would get posted to mefi.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 9:45 AM on April 2, 2008 [3 favorites]
He gets mentioned a lot because people like him, and news about him going back to his job of writing reviews is kind of big news to people that like him, in the way that Bill Waterson news (however infrequent) would get posted to mefi.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 9:45 AM on April 2, 2008 [3 favorites]
OK, well, now that that fucking deal has been dealt tell me: What is the fucking deal with crassholes on the internet?
posted by carsonb at 9:47 AM on April 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by carsonb at 9:47 AM on April 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
$20, same as in town?
getting them to stop being crassholes... that will cost you.
posted by heeeraldo at 9:51 AM on April 2, 2008 [2 favorites]
getting them to stop being crassholes... that will cost you.
posted by heeeraldo at 9:51 AM on April 2, 2008 [2 favorites]
You can never have Enough Ebert.
I'm quite relieved myself that the latest post about the old fart is not filled with "."s, and anyone who disagrees should sit down and watch a good movie.
posted by wendell at 9:57 AM on April 2, 2008
I'm quite relieved myself that the latest post about the old fart is not filled with "."s, and anyone who disagrees should sit down and watch a good movie.
posted by wendell at 9:57 AM on April 2, 2008
And while we're at it, why so little info on Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Guru Dev?
posted by Meatbomb at 9:58 AM on April 2, 2008
posted by Meatbomb at 9:58 AM on April 2, 2008
Why is the metafilter community so obsessed with this guy?
The posts will stop when he finally gets an account and starts reviewing the internet with us. Until the day that dream becomes reality, an occasional post about him is the closest we can get.
posted by Tehanu at 10:05 AM on April 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
The posts will stop when he finally gets an account and starts reviewing the internet with us. Until the day that dream becomes reality, an occasional post about him is the closest we can get.
posted by Tehanu at 10:05 AM on April 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
He gets mentioned a lot because people like him
Alright. I more or less get it. The play-by-play about his life with updates ever few months on his latest adventures and difficulties seems pretty unprecedented even compared to the frequency of posts about Ira Glass or Waterson. However, I know that doing something unprecedented doesn’t lead to the collapse of humanity as we know it so I’ll turn off the rant-o-matic.
posted by serazin at 10:08 AM on April 2, 2008
Alright. I more or less get it. The play-by-play about his life with updates ever few months on his latest adventures and difficulties seems pretty unprecedented even compared to the frequency of posts about Ira Glass or Waterson. However, I know that doing something unprecedented doesn’t lead to the collapse of humanity as we know it so I’ll turn off the rant-o-matic.
posted by serazin at 10:08 AM on April 2, 2008
"Roger Ebert is a pretty popular guy and introduced a lot of kids in the 80s and 90s to the love of movies (myself included)."
*kicks a rock*
Roger Ebert never took me to the movies as a kid.
posted by Eideteker at 10:15 AM on April 2, 2008 [4 favorites]
*kicks a rock*
Roger Ebert never took me to the movies as a kid.
posted by Eideteker at 10:15 AM on April 2, 2008 [4 favorites]
It's only going to get worse after Obama announces Ebert as his running mate.
posted by burnmp3s at 10:19 AM on April 2, 2008 [10 favorites]
posted by burnmp3s at 10:19 AM on April 2, 2008 [10 favorites]
This thread reminded me that while we're discussing Roger Ebert yet again, it's been about 36 long hours since MeFi's last FPP on Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, or John McCain. I'll get right on that.
posted by Prospero at 10:19 AM on April 2, 2008
posted by Prospero at 10:19 AM on April 2, 2008
It's this post, people talking quietly to each other about Roger Ebert, that gets your blood a-boiling?
posted by dirtdirt at 10:19 AM on April 2, 2008 [4 favorites]
posted by dirtdirt at 10:19 AM on April 2, 2008 [4 favorites]
Nice touch to shit in both the thread you link and here, serazin. Two thumbs up!
posted by Dave Faris at 10:20 AM on April 2, 2008 [7 favorites]
posted by Dave Faris at 10:20 AM on April 2, 2008 [7 favorites]
Roger Ebert never took me to the movies as a kid.
You were the one who didn't want to see "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls."
posted by klangklangston at 10:21 AM on April 2, 2008 [2 favorites]
You were the one who didn't want to see "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls."
posted by klangklangston at 10:21 AM on April 2, 2008 [2 favorites]
Roger Ebert never took me to the movies as a kid.
You never took the candy and got in the van? We always had a blast. At least I think his name was Roger.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 10:23 AM on April 2, 2008 [15 favorites]
You never took the candy and got in the van? We always had a blast. At least I think his name was Roger.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 10:23 AM on April 2, 2008 [15 favorites]
Audio/Visual Geek Loved by Millions; NATION OUTRAGED!
posted by blue_beetle at 10:37 AM on April 2, 2008
posted by blue_beetle at 10:37 AM on April 2, 2008
I know that serazin has stood down, but isn't this more of a "flag the offending post and move on with your life" situation rather than grounds for a Metatalk callout?
posted by KokuRyu at 10:49 AM on April 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by KokuRyu at 10:49 AM on April 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
FWIW I'm guessing this was posted now because Ebertfest is at the end of April.
posted by Sailormom at 10:50 AM on April 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Sailormom at 10:50 AM on April 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
serazin...
I don't what to say...
The man's not just a fixture, he's THE movie reviewer. Being young, I never remember a time when he wasn't around, and reading his collected work more or less introduced me to movies as art. Mefi, collectively, has just been giving the man his due.
There are always other reviewers. But as for me, make mine Ebert.
posted by StrikeTheViol at 10:54 AM on April 2, 2008
I don't what to say...
The man's not just a fixture, he's THE movie reviewer. Being young, I never remember a time when he wasn't around, and reading his collected work more or less introduced me to movies as art. Mefi, collectively, has just been giving the man his due.
There are always other reviewers. But as for me, make mine Ebert.
posted by StrikeTheViol at 10:54 AM on April 2, 2008
This needs to be a form...
What is the fucking deal with _______?
Why is the metafilter community so obsessed with _______? At some point, isn't a new _______ post a double?
posted by Artw at 11:00 AM on April 2, 2008
What is the fucking deal with _______?
Why is the metafilter community so obsessed with _______? At some point, isn't a new _______ post a double?
posted by Artw at 11:00 AM on April 2, 2008
Without Roger, people wouldn't know which movies to like.
posted by joaquim at 11:05 AM on April 2, 2008
posted by joaquim at 11:05 AM on April 2, 2008
You never took the candy and got in the van? We always had a blast. At least I think his name was Roger.
Two thumbs up, if I remember right.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:17 AM on April 2, 2008 [6 favorites]
Two thumbs up, if I remember right.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:17 AM on April 2, 2008 [6 favorites]
And while we're at it, why so little info on Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Guru Dev?
Because our resident "Magical mystical guru" is falling down on the job? Get cracking, spooky.
In other news, although he comes up frequently in movie- and actor-related posts, it looks to me that the last post just dealing with him and his health issues was a year ago. This complaint seems a bit overkill.
posted by nanojath at 11:18 AM on April 2, 2008
Because our resident "Magical mystical guru" is falling down on the job? Get cracking, spooky.
In other news, although he comes up frequently in movie- and actor-related posts, it looks to me that the last post just dealing with him and his health issues was a year ago. This complaint seems a bit overkill.
posted by nanojath at 11:18 AM on April 2, 2008
I've gotten pretty damn sick of hearing about Richard Dawkins, but installed a personal filter to not have to deal with Dawkins-related posts or comments. It's compatible with every OS and browser. It's the Fuzzy Skinner "not-this-shit-again" brain-installed filter, and it allows me to skip right over all things Dawkins-related, with no side effects. In fact, even this very comment will be bleeped over, once I see the name Dawkins in it.
My Ebert Magnifier works just as well. Because Ebert is one of the most entertaining and insightful writers around. I've been in withdrawl by not be able to read his reviews, and, even worse, having no new Movie Answer Man articles to read. So, the update was welcome news, both for me, selfishly, and for Ebert who I hope continues on the mend.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 11:38 AM on April 2, 2008
My Ebert Magnifier works just as well. Because Ebert is one of the most entertaining and insightful writers around. I've been in withdrawl by not be able to read his reviews, and, even worse, having no new Movie Answer Man articles to read. So, the update was welcome news, both for me, selfishly, and for Ebert who I hope continues on the mend.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 11:38 AM on April 2, 2008
Today's post is weak but that doesnt mean Roger Ebert is weak.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 11:47 AM on April 2, 2008
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 11:47 AM on April 2, 2008
Blazecock: different van.
Because I distinctly remember three thumbs up.
posted by pineapple at 11:47 AM on April 2, 2008
Because I distinctly remember three thumbs up.
posted by pineapple at 11:47 AM on April 2, 2008
The man wrote Beneath the Valley off the Ultra-Vixens, That should be enough to qualify as a national treasure, surely.
posted by goo at 11:47 AM on April 2, 2008
posted by goo at 11:47 AM on April 2, 2008
Ooh, and I was just coming to Metatalk to start a thread about having the first ever Central Illinois Mefi meetup at this year's Ebertfest. Awkward.
posted by MsMolly at 11:57 AM on April 2, 2008 [3 favorites]
posted by MsMolly at 11:57 AM on April 2, 2008 [3 favorites]
Because I distinctly remember three thumbs up.
Siskel had to keep one hand on the steering wheel.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:58 AM on April 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
Siskel had to keep one hand on the steering wheel.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:58 AM on April 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
Today's post is weak but that doesnt mean Roger Ebert is weak.
Well, after multiple bouts of cancer and multiple surgeries with complications, he's not exactly strong.
posted by eriko at 12:11 PM on April 2, 2008
Well, after multiple bouts of cancer and multiple surgeries with complications, he's not exactly strong.
posted by eriko at 12:11 PM on April 2, 2008
I'm not even saying that Roger Ebert is weak Jessamyn (although he's not that interesting to me, but whatever). I just think the frequency of posts about one person - ANY one person - is kind of unusual.
But yeah, I'm over it.
posted by serazin at 12:14 PM on April 2, 2008
But yeah, I'm over it.
posted by serazin at 12:14 PM on April 2, 2008
Ebert definitely got me deeper into film appreciation than I would have been without his reviews. I remember just poring through them, chronologically, as a teenager. I'm more interested in what's-the-deal-with-hating-on-Ebert. Jeez, I know his appreciation for camp falls ironically short in his reviews, and he's being a medium specificity purist to the detriment of his discourse on interactive media. Tthough experimental media isn't his thing to begin with, I bet he'll come around a bit in the near future, now that there are MA programs and whatnot specifically fostering theoretical frameworks for video games, but anyhow, he did NOT piss in your Cheerios.
I think people like to go oh-ho! eureka! and pretend they've found his feet of clay if their special movie is underappreciated by him, as if it's proof he's an outmoded automaton, or as though it's his personal, arrogant fault his opinions are broadcast as the law of the land, and that it's his evil regime's doing that their *cue violins* special delicate sensibility for Trey Parker or Julian Sands is getting them herded into the tomatometer ghetto by the SS. Write a letter to Chris Gore and burn it, pansy.
Actually, that reminds me. I think he's got one thing I think puts him head and shoulders about other major reviewers: humility!
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 12:28 PM on April 2, 2008
I think people like to go oh-ho! eureka! and pretend they've found his feet of clay if their special movie is underappreciated by him, as if it's proof he's an outmoded automaton, or as though it's his personal, arrogant fault his opinions are broadcast as the law of the land, and that it's his evil regime's doing that their *cue violins* special delicate sensibility for Trey Parker or Julian Sands is getting them herded into the tomatometer ghetto by the SS. Write a letter to Chris Gore and burn it, pansy.
Actually, that reminds me. I think he's got one thing I think puts him head and shoulders about other major reviewers: humility!
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 12:28 PM on April 2, 2008
Quick search reveals (total of tags+posts+comments using the keyword)
Dawkins: 1,188
Ebert: 1,092
But even combined they don't hold a candle to:
mathowie: 8,843!
You'd think he owned the place.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 12:30 PM on April 2, 2008
Dawkins: 1,188
Ebert: 1,092
But even combined they don't hold a candle to:
mathowie: 8,843!
You'd think he owned the place.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 12:30 PM on April 2, 2008
pudding: 461
I think it's clear what topic needs more posts.
posted by lore at 12:56 PM on April 2, 2008
I think it's clear what topic needs more posts.
posted by lore at 12:56 PM on April 2, 2008
Mmmmmmmmm... pudding...
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 1:13 PM on April 2, 2008
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 1:13 PM on April 2, 2008
I can see liking the guy, and I used to watch his show as a kid. But it's pretty amazing that people could develop a "serious appreciation of film" or label the guy a "purist" when his entire shtick was reducing complicated works of art to a binary good or bad, indicated by the direction of his thumb.
I would have an issue with that even if he wasn't so consistently, amazingly, mind-bogglingly wrong. Go back and look at his old "year's best" lists sometime. Wow.
posted by drjimmy11 at 1:23 PM on April 2, 2008 [2 favorites]
I would have an issue with that even if he wasn't so consistently, amazingly, mind-bogglingly wrong. Go back and look at his old "year's best" lists sometime. Wow.
posted by drjimmy11 at 1:23 PM on April 2, 2008 [2 favorites]
pudding...PUDDING! That reminds me, thanks to a helpful shopper, I have about a dozen of those single serving pots of Jello pudding in the refrigerator. Is there any use for them besides
(shudder) eating them? I do not have a dog, but I do have a garbage disposer.
Second question: should this be on AskMe?
posted by Cranberry at 1:27 PM on April 2, 2008
(shudder) eating them? I do not have a dog, but I do have a garbage disposer.
Second question: should this be on AskMe?
posted by Cranberry at 1:27 PM on April 2, 2008
Except that his entire schtick wasn't reducing things to thumbs-up or down, even on the TV show with Siskel.
And no, his "Years Best" are pretty much right on: they're the movies that Roger Ebert enjoyed the most that year, usually with a very good description of why he liked them. Looking at Ebert through any other lens is a total misreading of his work.
posted by klangklangston at 1:31 PM on April 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
And no, his "Years Best" are pretty much right on: they're the movies that Roger Ebert enjoyed the most that year, usually with a very good description of why he liked them. Looking at Ebert through any other lens is a total misreading of his work.
posted by klangklangston at 1:31 PM on April 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
so I’ll turn off the rant-o-matic.
You know, the new 5000 series has an adjustable sleep-mode timeout that'll save you energy costs and extend component life significantly. No more worrying about leaving it on over night! It's the perfect fit for the budget-conscious, on-the-go ranter.
pudding: 461
I find this idea of topic scoring kind of charming. What else:
huey lewis: 151
asshat: 1,072
nomic: 23
kibo: 107
I don't know what any of it means, exactly, but it was worth those two minutes of my life.
posted by cortex (staff) at 1:40 PM on April 2, 2008
You know, the new 5000 series has an adjustable sleep-mode timeout that'll save you energy costs and extend component life significantly. No more worrying about leaving it on over night! It's the perfect fit for the budget-conscious, on-the-go ranter.
pudding: 461
I find this idea of topic scoring kind of charming. What else:
huey lewis: 151
asshat: 1,072
nomic: 23
kibo: 107
I don't know what any of it means, exactly, but it was worth those two minutes of my life.
posted by cortex (staff) at 1:40 PM on April 2, 2008
Why is the metafilter community so obsessed with this guy?
"Obsessed" is a bit strong of a word, it suggests a sort of stalker mentality. And those restraining orders he filed were for a totally different reason. Not because we were hiding behind his house, hoping to get a glimpse of him through the fence. Trying to find out if he was seeing anyone new. Or pawing through his trash, attempting to find out where he spent last night.
Nothing like that at all.
posted by quin at 1:59 PM on April 2, 2008
"Obsessed" is a bit strong of a word, it suggests a sort of stalker mentality. And those restraining orders he filed were for a totally different reason. Not because we were hiding behind his house, hoping to get a glimpse of him through the fence. Trying to find out if he was seeing anyone new. Or pawing through his trash, attempting to find out where he spent last night.
Nothing like that at all.
posted by quin at 1:59 PM on April 2, 2008
Cortex, that's the power of love. You have a new drug. Or something.*
* I once made the mistake of reading "The Ten Hollywood Celebrities with the Biggest Cocks" or something like that in some seedy porno mag (Likely title: Slippery Speculum Sluts) found in the woods** when I was a kid. Both Huey Lewis and Steve Martin were on the list, and my perception of them has been permanently colored by that (surely factual) information.
** Of course.
posted by maxwelton at 2:05 PM on April 2, 2008
* I once made the mistake of reading "The Ten Hollywood Celebrities with the Biggest Cocks" or something like that in some seedy porno mag (Likely title: Slippery Speculum Sluts) found in the woods** when I was a kid. Both Huey Lewis and Steve Martin were on the list, and my perception of them has been permanently colored by that (surely factual) information.
** Of course.
posted by maxwelton at 2:05 PM on April 2, 2008
his entire shtick was reducing complicated works of art to a binary good or bad, indicated by the direction of his thumb.
Ohhhhh heavens no, no, no. In fact, he has said numerous times that he hates even having to give a 1 through 4 star rating, because it's too limiting. But, that's what the papers and the public demand.
The thumbs up or down rating is even more limiting, but is probably closer to how most people deal with movie recommendations with their friends. "Yes, go see it, I'll think you'll like it," or, "No, stay away."
Actually, the closest one to what I usually use is See it now (at full ticket price), See it later (at a discounted theater), Wait and rent it, or Don't bother.
But anyway, no, the the thumbs up thing is far from his schtick, it's just what he is most famous for.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 2:26 PM on April 2, 2008
Ohhhhh heavens no, no, no. In fact, he has said numerous times that he hates even having to give a 1 through 4 star rating, because it's too limiting. But, that's what the papers and the public demand.
The thumbs up or down rating is even more limiting, but is probably closer to how most people deal with movie recommendations with their friends. "Yes, go see it, I'll think you'll like it," or, "No, stay away."
Actually, the closest one to what I usually use is See it now (at full ticket price), See it later (at a discounted theater), Wait and rent it, or Don't bother.
But anyway, no, the the thumbs up thing is far from his schtick, it's just what he is most famous for.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 2:26 PM on April 2, 2008
dr. jimmy, I apologize for tossing critical studies jargon at someone so clearly disinclined to such lines of thought.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 2:34 PM on April 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 2:34 PM on April 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
"Obsessed" is a bit strong of a word, it suggests a sort of stalker mentality. And those restraining orders he filed were for a totally different reason. Not because we were hiding behind his house, hoping to get a glimpse of him through the fence. Trying to find out if he was seeing anyone new. Or pawing through his trash, attempting to find out where he spent last night.
Nothing like that at all.
Yeah... you went through his trash, but didn't find anything, did you? That's right. You were just a little too late. Watch for my ebay auctions.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 2:36 PM on April 2, 2008
Nothing like that at all.
Yeah... you went through his trash, but didn't find anything, did you? That's right. You were just a little too late. Watch for my ebay auctions.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 2:36 PM on April 2, 2008
I understand the Ebert love. The man truly loves the art form, and is a good reviewer. He's not a fraud like most other critics who've never been involved in making a film, yet take it upon themselves to opine on filmmakers' craft. And he seems like a genuinely nice guy, both by how he comes across on camera, and peoples' anecdotes who've met him. And I don't know if he still does it now that he's ill, but he used to take HS (or college, don't remember which) students out on movie nights, where they'd watch a film and then go discuss it over junk food.
But the one that I don't understand is Randy Newman. Seems every single MeFite almost worships him. I was really surprised when I came across a thread a few months ago in which every single commenter was fawning over him, when I always thought of him as a really boring songwriter who wrote samey sounding songs for Disney flicks, and penned that stupid I Love LA ditty. And on top of that I think he has a really whiny voice. But I was too afraid to pipe up and voice my opinion in that thread for fear of getting my ass handed to me. I guess it's not too late though, I'm going to be tarred and feathered now. *barricades himself in the storm cellar*
And yes, I've heard some of his 70's stuff and don't like those either.
posted by Devils Slide at 3:41 PM on April 2, 2008
But the one that I don't understand is Randy Newman. Seems every single MeFite almost worships him. I was really surprised when I came across a thread a few months ago in which every single commenter was fawning over him, when I always thought of him as a really boring songwriter who wrote samey sounding songs for Disney flicks, and penned that stupid I Love LA ditty. And on top of that I think he has a really whiny voice. But I was too afraid to pipe up and voice my opinion in that thread for fear of getting my ass handed to me. I guess it's not too late though, I'm going to be tarred and feathered now. *barricades himself in the storm cellar*
And yes, I've heard some of his 70's stuff and don't like those either.
posted by Devils Slide at 3:41 PM on April 2, 2008
I find this idea of topic scoring kind of charming. What else:
Douchebag is leading scumbag by 2:1.
posted by Armitage Shanks at 3:44 PM on April 2, 2008
Douchebag is leading scumbag by 2:1.
posted by Armitage Shanks at 3:44 PM on April 2, 2008
having my ass handed to me
posted by Devils Slide at 3:45 PM on April 2, 2008
posted by Devils Slide at 3:45 PM on April 2, 2008
Ebert used to come out to Boulder for the World Affairs Conference and give massive amounts of commentary during a movie of his choosing. So you'd see a minute or two, he'd stop the film, and start discussing the finer points of what we just saw. It was like laserdisc commentary, only not fawning director commentary, but a critic talking about what he liked and didn't like about a particular movie, or doing a total justification for why he really, really liked a movie (Pulp Fiction was a total Tarantino tongue-bath.)
And it was great. Ebert loves film and film criticism, and it showed. And he really loved coming to Boulder every year.
posted by dw at 4:02 PM on April 2, 2008
And it was great. Ebert loves film and film criticism, and it showed. And he really loved coming to Boulder every year.
posted by dw at 4:02 PM on April 2, 2008
But I was too afraid to pipe up and voice my opinion in that thread for fear of getting my ass handed to me. I guess it's not too late though, I'm going to be tarred and feathered now. *barricades himself in the storm cellar*
I'm in there with you. Two words: Short People. I get it. I get the ironic humor. But I've met people who take the song at face value, and it's understandable why. I didn't find it terribly incisive, and it's hardly funny haha like say, Tom Lehrer...and every so often, I find someone who finds the lyrics funny "straight"...it's like watching someone enjoying Springtime For Hitler without being in on the joke.
posted by StrikeTheViol at 4:12 PM on April 2, 2008
I'm in there with you. Two words: Short People. I get it. I get the ironic humor. But I've met people who take the song at face value, and it's understandable why. I didn't find it terribly incisive, and it's hardly funny haha like say, Tom Lehrer...and every so often, I find someone who finds the lyrics funny "straight"...it's like watching someone enjoying Springtime For Hitler without being in on the joke.
posted by StrikeTheViol at 4:12 PM on April 2, 2008
Ebert loves film and film criticism
If you haven't watched it in a while, rent or buy the Citizen Kane 2-disc dvd, which has a great audio commentary track by Ebert, as well as one by Peter Bogdonovich.
posted by Dave Faris at 4:29 PM on April 2, 2008
If you haven't watched it in a while, rent or buy the Citizen Kane 2-disc dvd, which has a great audio commentary track by Ebert, as well as one by Peter Bogdonovich.
posted by Dave Faris at 4:29 PM on April 2, 2008
The posts will stop when he finally gets an account and starts reviewing the internet with us.
No, he'll get an account and start reviewing us, one at a time. 'jonmc was busy, but never precocious. Thumbs up.'
posted by jonmc at 4:38 PM on April 2, 2008
No, he'll get an account and start reviewing us, one at a time. 'jonmc was busy, but never precocious. Thumbs up.'
posted by jonmc at 4:38 PM on April 2, 2008
After Siskel died, Ebert should have partnered with someone named "Ernie".
posted by Tube at 4:43 PM on April 2, 2008
posted by Tube at 4:43 PM on April 2, 2008
Another reason to love: His zero star review of Deuce Bigelow, European Gigolo is legendary. Pertinent excerpt:
According to a story by Larry Carroll of MTV News, Rob Schneider took offense when Patrick Goldstein of the Los Angeles Times listed this year's Best Picture Nominees and wrote that they were "ignored, unloved and turned down flat by most of the same studios that ... bankroll hundreds of sequels, including a follow-up to 'Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo,' a film that was sadly overlooked at Oscar time because apparently nobody had the foresight to invent a category for Best Running Penis Joke Delivered by a Third-Rate Comic."posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 4:46 PM on April 2, 2008
Schneider retaliated by attacking Goldstein in full-page ads in Daily Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. In an open letter to Goldstein, Schneider wrote: "Well, Mr. Goldstein, I decided to do some research to find out what awards you have won. I went online and found that you have won nothing. Absolutely nothing. No journalistic awards of any kind ... Maybe you didn't win a Pulitzer Prize because they haven't invented a category for Best Third-Rate, Unfunny Pompous Reporter Who's Never Been Acknowledged by His Peers."
...
But Schneider is correct, and Patrick Goldstein has not yet won a Pulitzer Prize. Therefore, Goldstein is not qualified to complain that Columbia financed "Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo" while passing on the opportunity to participate in "Million Dollar Baby," "Ray," "The Aviator," "Sideways" and "Finding Neverland." As chance would have it, I have won the Pulitzer Prize, and so I am qualified. Speaking in my official capacity as a Pulitzer Prize winner, Mr. Schneider, your movie sucks.
pudding: 461
thumb: 261 posts, 4,003 comments, 15 tags and 2 users.
What is the fucking deal with Tom Thumb?
posted by tellurian at 4:52 PM on April 2, 2008
thumb: 261 posts, 4,003 comments, 15 tags and 2 users.
What is the fucking deal with Tom Thumb?
posted by tellurian at 4:52 PM on April 2, 2008
Don't forget the flowers, Fuzzy Skinner.
Yeah, that was lovely. Movie still sucks though. And I say that as a prizewinner.*
*1974 Priest Elementary School, Detroit, Clothing Drive Runner-Up.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 5:14 PM on April 2, 2008
Yeah, that was lovely. Movie still sucks though. And I say that as a prizewinner.*
*1974 Priest Elementary School, Detroit, Clothing Drive Runner-Up.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 5:14 PM on April 2, 2008
Devils Slide, StrikeTheViol: Have you heard Rednecks? Definitely not fit for Disney.
posted by A dead Quaker at 5:42 PM on April 2, 2008
posted by A dead Quaker at 5:42 PM on April 2, 2008
His dead bald partner was better.
posted by orthogonality at 7:42 PM on April 2, 2008
posted by orthogonality at 7:42 PM on April 2, 2008
But the one that I don't understand is Randy Newman.
Sail Away or Louisiana 1927 are good starting points. Not everything is funny, though he's got plenty of wry wit in most of his stuff. Think of him as a more laconic Warren Zevon, or a lugubrious Steely Dan (though I don't get Steely Dan love; the clichéd "They're named after a dildo" seems pretty apt to me).
posted by klangklangston at 7:48 PM on April 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
Sail Away or Louisiana 1927 are good starting points. Not everything is funny, though he's got plenty of wry wit in most of his stuff. Think of him as a more laconic Warren Zevon, or a lugubrious Steely Dan (though I don't get Steely Dan love; the clichéd "They're named after a dildo" seems pretty apt to me).
posted by klangklangston at 7:48 PM on April 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
I first heard Randy Newman when the Sail Away album first came out in 73. I was 12, and my big brother bought it. After the first listening, wondering if this guy's voice was for real, or a spoof, the songs really grew on me.
But, like a typical fanboy, when Short People hit big, I was disappointed. It was like someone broke into my private club. I tried to tell people how I had been listening to him for 4 years, and just felt like a dork every time I did that.
Cut to... years later. Watching Toy Story with my daughter, I started blabbering on about how that was Randy Newman singing, and how I first heard him in 1973, and he had a big hit called Short People, and, and, and... she just looked up me, and I knew what she was thinking. Dad. You are a dork.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 8:12 PM on April 2, 2008
But, like a typical fanboy, when Short People hit big, I was disappointed. It was like someone broke into my private club. I tried to tell people how I had been listening to him for 4 years, and just felt like a dork every time I did that.
Cut to... years later. Watching Toy Story with my daughter, I started blabbering on about how that was Randy Newman singing, and how I first heard him in 1973, and he had a big hit called Short People, and, and, and... she just looked up me, and I knew what she was thinking. Dad. You are a dork.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 8:12 PM on April 2, 2008
My parents were truly offended by the song "Short People." I'd never heard them comment about any music before that, and very little since, so it must have been a strong offense. (And they aren't short, and not very PC, either. And they both loved Siskel and Ebert! Hm.)
posted by not_on_display at 8:50 PM on April 2, 2008
posted by not_on_display at 8:50 PM on April 2, 2008
But the one that I don't understand is Randy Newman.
Hey, I didn't like the Replacements or Tom Waits.
I'm coming around to The Big Lebowski, thouigh.
posted by yhbc at 9:01 PM on April 2, 2008
Hey, I didn't like the Replacements or Tom Waits.
I'm coming around to The Big Lebowski, thouigh.
posted by yhbc at 9:01 PM on April 2, 2008
Another reason to love: His zero star review of Deuce Bigelow, European Gigolo is legendary.
The better reason to love him, if we're talking about his Deuce review, is this.
posted by secret about box at 9:52 PM on April 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
The better reason to love him, if we're talking about his Deuce review, is this.
posted by secret about box at 9:52 PM on April 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
Devils Slide, StrikeTheViol: Have you heard Rednecks? Definitely not fit for Disney.
Those lyrics are great. I'll give him that.
Sail Away or Louisiana 1927 are good starting points. Not everything is funny, though he's got plenty of wry wit in most of his stuff. Think of him as a more laconic Warren Zevon, or a lugubrious Steely Dan (though I don't get Steely Dan love; the clichéd "They're named after a dildo" seems pretty apt to me).
Yeah, I can see the Steely Dan comparison/vibe to a certain extent. Never been big on them either, but my wife loves them. I saw a SD concert on PBS a few years ago, and they must have had the greatest living unknown blues guitarists in their touring band. Just an unassuming white guy with glasses in his 30's or 40's (obviously not Walter Becker), playing incredibly soulful, intricate blues/jazz guitar.
OK, now that that non sequitur's over and done with, I'm off to YouTube to listen to Sail Away and Louisiana 1927. This is your last chance, Randy!
posted by Devils Slide at 9:58 PM on April 2, 2008
Those lyrics are great. I'll give him that.
Sail Away or Louisiana 1927 are good starting points. Not everything is funny, though he's got plenty of wry wit in most of his stuff. Think of him as a more laconic Warren Zevon, or a lugubrious Steely Dan (though I don't get Steely Dan love; the clichéd "They're named after a dildo" seems pretty apt to me).
Yeah, I can see the Steely Dan comparison/vibe to a certain extent. Never been big on them either, but my wife loves them. I saw a SD concert on PBS a few years ago, and they must have had the greatest living unknown blues guitarists in their touring band. Just an unassuming white guy with glasses in his 30's or 40's (obviously not Walter Becker), playing incredibly soulful, intricate blues/jazz guitar.
OK, now that that non sequitur's over and done with, I'm off to YouTube to listen to Sail Away and Louisiana 1927. This is your last chance, Randy!
posted by Devils Slide at 9:58 PM on April 2, 2008
Some of Randy Newman's stuff I don't like so much, but "Burn On" (on the Sail Away album) is one of my favorite songs (not just of his stuff).
posted by leahwrenn at 4:09 AM on April 3, 2008
posted by leahwrenn at 4:09 AM on April 3, 2008
Yeah, he's gone into a long decline (a la Woody Allen), but Sail Away is a tremendous album. Try to ignore the later stuff and pretend it's some guy you've never heard of. His biting take on history is right up there with Brother "D" and the Collective Effort ("America was built, you understand,/ With stolen labor on stolen land").
posted by languagehat at 6:43 AM on April 3, 2008
posted by languagehat at 6:43 AM on April 3, 2008
Dear god I hate Randy Newman's music. I mean really. Hate. There is absolutely nothing that can change my mind on the matter. That is all.
posted by slogger at 8:12 AM on April 3, 2008
posted by slogger at 8:12 AM on April 3, 2008
Jesus: 373 posts, 15,276 comments
Satan: 92 posts, 1,974 comments
Cthulhu: 26 posts, 511 comments
Hubbard: 11 posts, 401 comments
Flying Spaghetti Monster: 5 posts, 199 comments
Menachem Mendel Schneerson: 4 comments
posted by kosem at 9:24 AM on April 3, 2008
Satan: 92 posts, 1,974 comments
Cthulhu: 26 posts, 511 comments
Hubbard: 11 posts, 401 comments
Flying Spaghetti Monster: 5 posts, 199 comments
Menachem Mendel Schneerson: 4 comments
posted by kosem at 9:24 AM on April 3, 2008
There was this comment in a podcast a few episodes ago where Matt and Jess were commenting that he's got the bad eye and her hearing in one of her ears is shot and how that could be their whole podcast gimmick, and I thought that that could make for a nice little song. And I sat down and wrote something close to this:
Blind in one eye [uh duh duh duh]
Deaf in one year [uh duh duh duh]
Matthew and Jessamyn have
Had it up to here [uh] with Meta-
Filter
Yeah Metafilter
So Metafilter you better watch out
And once I sat down and played it and sang it to myself I realized there was no description for it other than Newmanesque. I never got around to recording it, though I might at some point, but you can't really fault Randy for having a workable aesthetic, that's for sure.
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:50 AM on April 3, 2008
Blind in one eye [uh duh duh duh]
Deaf in one year [uh duh duh duh]
Matthew and Jessamyn have
Had it up to here [uh] with Meta-
Filter
Yeah Metafilter
So Metafilter you better watch out
And once I sat down and played it and sang it to myself I realized there was no description for it other than Newmanesque. I never got around to recording it, though I might at some point, but you can't really fault Randy for having a workable aesthetic, that's for sure.
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:50 AM on April 3, 2008
If I need a good cry, I play Randy Newman's Marie. So, he can do that, too. Jeff Buckley? Leonard Cohen? Tori Amos? No guaranteed tears for me. It's Randy all the way.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 10:00 AM on April 3, 2008
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 10:00 AM on April 3, 2008
For tears, I usually go straight to "Midnight at the Oasis" by Maria Muldaur.
posted by not_on_display at 11:59 AM on April 3, 2008
posted by not_on_display at 11:59 AM on April 3, 2008
Sail Away and Marie are both almost bearable....ok, they're bearable, period. But I still won't be ordering any RN albums.
posted by Devils Slide at 2:16 AM on April 4, 2008
posted by Devils Slide at 2:16 AM on April 4, 2008
"Flying Spaghetti Monster: 5 posts, 199 comments"
Once again, no equal time for the Parmesatanists.
posted by Eideteker at 7:38 AM on April 4, 2008
Once again, no equal time for the Parmesatanists.
posted by Eideteker at 7:38 AM on April 4, 2008
Wow.
As the person who did the weak post, sorry about that.
Crikey.
posted by willmize at 10:05 AM on April 4, 2008
As the person who did the weak post, sorry about that.
Crikey.
posted by willmize at 10:05 AM on April 4, 2008
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posted by the other side at 9:40 AM on April 2, 2008