(no subject)
Now that am writing this, I realize that I am creating my first deliberate blog meme. The subject is things that evoke conflicting emotions. Feel free to respond, or expand the questions:
1. Name a musician or musical group that you love. Name a song or album by them that you loathe.
Tangerine Dream - Zeit. In general the band does interesting truly unique things with music, mixing synths and electric guitars in a smooth and powerful fashion. In Zeit, they forgot all of the positive adjectives. A double album of random instrument sounds that made me envision the band mellowed out on drugs and throwing the occasional random utensil at the instruments. ugh.
2. Name a musician or group that you used to love and now hate, or vice versa.
This one is hard, because it's usually because my own musical tastes move on and mature rather than the band falling apart. Probably Styx would be the best example. They just don't hold up all that well 30 years down the road.
3. Name an author that you love who has written something that you hate.
Hmmm. probably the best example for me is Stephen R. Donaldson. His Thomas Covenant books are clearly a masterpiece, brimming with power and imagination. But he did just too damn good of a job with the Unbeliever for me -- I just can't take the jerk at all, in retrospect.
4. Name an author that you have changed opinion on completely.
I have several possible answers for this one. First; James P. Hogan. He started out with writing fun stories that dealt with real "hard science" issues. Lately, he's descended more into the fringes of pseudo-science. He is now a strong proponent of Veliskovskism, "AIDS is caused by pharmaceutical companies, not HIV", and other such ludicrous positions. Worse, he uses his writings to push such ideas. I could given Orson Scott Card for his rabid anti-evolution stance based upon his Mormon faith, but he hasn't actually written any crap because of it beyond a few essays.
I could also put Jack Chalker in this category. His first novel was extremely original and interesting, dealing with people forced to undergo large scale changes in their physical, mental, and emotional being, and the consequences thereof. Unfortunately, that summary could just as accurately apply to virtually every book that he’s ever written in his prolific career. That horse is beat dead, Jim!
5. Name an actor that you admire and a stinker that they did.
Kurt Russell. He once made a stinker, bu’s still perfect. Okay, he’s made a LOT of stinkers, but every time I see a new one with his on it coming out, I run out and get a ticket. We all have our irrational bits. I realize that or me, I am always watching in hope that it will be have as good as Big Trouble in Little China. Sue me.
6. Name an actor that you have changed opinion on completely.
Jack Nicholson. His intensity used to be… intense. Now, he’s just “ooh look at me be Jack!!!” And Tom Cruise. He just can’t get intense an more without me snickering and pooping out with a Scientology joke. Come out of the closet, Tom!
7. Name a movie director/producer that you admire that has done a complete piece of crap.
I can't think of one, but I'll leave the question in for compatibility...
8. Name an movie director/producer that you have changed opinion on completely.
George Lucas. Say no more. In the opposite way, the Coen Brothers. For reasons many others have discussed to death, the Matrix trilogy just utterly failed to work for me. But they seriously kicked ass with V For Victory.
1. Name a musician or musical group that you love. Name a song or album by them that you loathe.
Tangerine Dream - Zeit. In general the band does interesting truly unique things with music, mixing synths and electric guitars in a smooth and powerful fashion. In Zeit, they forgot all of the positive adjectives. A double album of random instrument sounds that made me envision the band mellowed out on drugs and throwing the occasional random utensil at the instruments. ugh.
2. Name a musician or group that you used to love and now hate, or vice versa.
This one is hard, because it's usually because my own musical tastes move on and mature rather than the band falling apart. Probably Styx would be the best example. They just don't hold up all that well 30 years down the road.
3. Name an author that you love who has written something that you hate.
Hmmm. probably the best example for me is Stephen R. Donaldson. His Thomas Covenant books are clearly a masterpiece, brimming with power and imagination. But he did just too damn good of a job with the Unbeliever for me -- I just can't take the jerk at all, in retrospect.
4. Name an author that you have changed opinion on completely.
I have several possible answers for this one. First; James P. Hogan. He started out with writing fun stories that dealt with real "hard science" issues. Lately, he's descended more into the fringes of pseudo-science. He is now a strong proponent of Veliskovskism, "AIDS is caused by pharmaceutical companies, not HIV", and other such ludicrous positions. Worse, he uses his writings to push such ideas. I could given Orson Scott Card for his rabid anti-evolution stance based upon his Mormon faith, but he hasn't actually written any crap because of it beyond a few essays.
I could also put Jack Chalker in this category. His first novel was extremely original and interesting, dealing with people forced to undergo large scale changes in their physical, mental, and emotional being, and the consequences thereof. Unfortunately, that summary could just as accurately apply to virtually every book that he’s ever written in his prolific career. That horse is beat dead, Jim!
5. Name an actor that you admire and a stinker that they did.
Kurt Russell. He once made a stinker, bu’s still perfect. Okay, he’s made a LOT of stinkers, but every time I see a new one with his on it coming out, I run out and get a ticket. We all have our irrational bits. I realize that or me, I am always watching in hope that it will be have as good as Big Trouble in Little China. Sue me.
6. Name an actor that you have changed opinion on completely.
Jack Nicholson. His intensity used to be… intense. Now, he’s just “ooh look at me be Jack!!!” And Tom Cruise. He just can’t get intense an more without me snickering and pooping out with a Scientology joke. Come out of the closet, Tom!
7. Name a movie director/producer that you admire that has done a complete piece of crap.
I can't think of one, but I'll leave the question in for compatibility...
8. Name an movie director/producer that you have changed opinion on completely.
George Lucas. Say no more. In the opposite way, the Coen Brothers. For reasons many others have discussed to death, the Matrix trilogy just utterly failed to work for me. But they seriously kicked ass with V For Victory.