Posts by amberfalcon172

amberfalcon172 said:Look, if you're talking about the absolute last thing—like, the final boss before the end of the line—then we aren't talking about Wax, we're talking about my Donnuts, God Damn it! But hey, both are solid picks if you ask me.

The very last one right before the big finale.

Thomas Myers6 said:By the way, it might be nice to actually back up your opinions with some actual arguments, you know?

Oh, I’ll get right on that. Look, as much as you’re easily my favorite person—or most confused person, or just the guy wearing the best retirement-home-chic T-shirt I've seen on a stage at a local club in ages—dude, your drumming is straight-up tragic. 🙂
I mean, you were playing totally limp and disinterested, just scratching at the walls like you’d rather be back home staring at a wall, all while trying to pull off this supposedly "energetic" set. Also, given how much you guys were messing around with your gear, the band really should have been tighter—half the time it sounded like everyone was playing in different zip codes. Peach Pit can pull that off; you guys aren't there yet. Before the show, people described you guys as the American version of Mars Volta. And honestly, even though those kinds of comparisons usually sound ridiculous to me, this one actually hits the mark. You sound almost gloriously terrible, just like them. 😁
Alright, fine, I'll take it back—their show opening for Apes of the Forest and Les Savy Fav was freaking legendary, it's just their studio stuff that sucks. And since we're talking about it, your first track was actually decent; it briefly reminded me of Les Savy Fav. Unfortunately, the rest was pretty mid, though I'm sure there's an audience out there for it. Anyway, I'll stop here, gotta leave some room for hollowseal33pennie.

Personally, I wasn't feeling the Haymarket Riot at all. Maybe if they weren't so deafeningly loud, I actually would have heard the music. They righteously sucked. 😛

Like someone somewhere already put it: the funniest. movie. ever.

Tyler Grant86 said:I was standing outside the Staples for like thirty minutes straight just staring at him—totally mesmerized by every little move, every smirk, every single expression he made 😳

awww, how precious! did you at least get a kiss out of it? 😁

awesome, so you're basically gonna fry me then 😁
I guess that goes all the way back to when they were still going by Rocky Dennis

Daniel Bailey7 said:lekman - firecracker (vibing on the way to a New Year's Eve bash)

Wait, I haven't heard this lekman track before? 😕
Where did you even dig that up?

Man, I wish I was there right now 🙂
but I'm stuck here 😢
and honestly—damn

Richard Hernandez13 said:...you're basically reading my mind here. 😛

So, you want me to fill those empty spaces with something better right now? 😛

look, if Helen Mirren were a guy, I’d be 😉

I mean, obviously, it’s pretty ridiculous to expect certain movies to be anything more than just mindless entertainment. But unfortunately, Spider-Man 2 isn't even decent entertainment—the whole movie just straight-up sucks on every single level. 🙂

Brenda Gomez62 said:The Go Find - Summer Quest
Basically the American answer to Postal Service/Dntel and stuff—definitely the best thing coming out of Morr Music right now, i think.

I don't know, man... it doesn't really hit that same Dntel vibe for me. It’s got a tiny bit of Postal Service or maybe even Phoenix in there, but honestly? It feels way more forgettable than both of them.

Album of the week: The Lemonheads - Come On Feel the Lemonheads
Never actually sat down with this one before, but since I'm obsessed with Creator and Button Cloth, I figured it was time to stop playing catch-up. Just finished my first full listen and—wow—it's already growing on me big time.

Song of the week: Mission of Burma - Academy Fight Song
Up until now, I’d only ever heard this track via the R.E.M. cover, but if the rest of their catalog holds up this well, Mission of Burma just gained a massive new fan.

I haven't actually sat down to listen to a single album this week—mostly because I've been way too busy enjoying life—but if I had to pick a standout, the song of the week is definitely Blue Angel by Antony and the Johnsons.

Song of the week: Kylie - I Believe in You

The collab between Kylie Minogue and Scissor Sisters? Honestly, it sounds divine. My only gripe is that it’s way too short—I need more—but hey, if you put it on repeat, everything is golden. 🙂

Album: Antony and the Johnsons - Antony and the Johnsons

This is just a stunning album from back in '97. Antony is this incredibly androgynous singer with a powerhouse voice—he actually performed on two Lou Reed albums, which says it all. The music itself is super dark and dramatic; it gives me those moody vibes you get from Badalamenti’s work on the Twin Peaks soundtrack. It also sits somewhere in that sweet spot between Sigur Rós, Tindersticks, and even Ultrasound—you know, that one band with the eccentric frontman who dropped an underrated masterpiece in the late '90s and then basically vanished into thin air.

I mean, if we’re strictly talking about the emotional impact here—then yeah, obviously. Like, what kind of question is that even?

pardon, Andrew didn't actually kill his mother—he just gave her a little makeover.

Look, I’m not a kid anymore—I don't live in some perfect little bubble, and honestly, I’m not even trying to pretend I do.

Thank God, the big finale is finally within reach... phew.

But let's be real, plenty of us have that kind of personality buried deep down—you know, like Andrew and Sam.

Well, let's just leave it buried then..

Don't go judging everything based on nothing but pure subjectivity.

To all you survivors who actually stuck it out with me until this glorious finish line—my bad. I swear on my life I am never getting mixed up in something like this ever again. My brain feels completely lobotomized right now, and knowing me, I probably sound just as fried. I'm out. Heading to the tub. Goodnight.

Hey Spoon, I am seriously loving that response you put out there. Honestly, it was such a hit that I’ve decided to go full nerd on you—I'm planning to break down and comment on every single sentence you wrote. So... let's get this show on the road.

Look, I hate to say it, but what else am I supposed to expect? Honestly—I can't say I agree with a single damn thing you just wrote.

What can I even say? I honestly thought what I put out there was pretty reasonable—like, totally middle-of-the-road stuff—but I’m starting to realize that you need a very specific kind of mindset to actually wrap your head around it, let alone actually buy into it.

I honestly thought the movie was pretty decent on its own merits, but I’m starting to realize that you need a specific kind of headspace—like, a very particular mindset—to actually wrap your brain around what’s happening and truly vibe with it.

So, apparently they’ve officially stripped away my right to claim I don't like Garden State for some legitimate reason. Honestly? This whole "masterpiece" thing is getting a bit much—I can't even fully wrap my head around why everyone thinks it's such a big deal, so yeah, great. Just great.

I still say *Garden State* hits way deeper than those other little comedies and Ben Stiller flicks you were listing off.

Let's be real for a second—a huge chunk of Ben Stiller's filmography actually goes way deeper and carries more weight than Garden State ever did. But then again, that same logic applies to most of the Farrelly brothers' movies too, so I guess that's not exactly a gold standard for quality.

I honestly don't get why you're making such a huge deal out of all this—like, what's even the point?

Look, I’m not gonna go through the whole ordeal of quoting your first post again—just do us both a favor and re-read that massive, mile-long run-on sentence of yours. Seriously, calling that a "sentence" is a stretch; it was basically just a word salad at that point. Once you've done that, take another look at my response. If it still hasn't clicked for you by then, I guess I'll be more than happy to break it down for you like you're five.

Honestly, looking at everything you just laid out, it feels like you didn't even grasp what the movie was actually supposed to be about.

Yeah, we already established that I basically didn't get the movie at all.

I don’t know what kind of standards you’re living by, man, but honestly? What Garden State is putting out is just more sincere, more meaningful, and way more lived-in than half the garbage being peddled out there today.

More honest? In what sense? Explain yourself a little here. Are you trying to say Braff’s situations and characters actually feel grounded in reality? Let's get real about the characters for a second. *Garden State* is primarily a comedy, and honestly, it feels unfair to tear it apart just because the characters are caricatures—but I feel like you’re seeing some deep, profound connection in them that just isn't there. They’re way too over-the-top to pass as convincing twenty-somethings, yet at the same time, they're incredibly shallow. Look, I personally know plenty of people drifting through life, working dead-end jobs in some tiny rural town they were born in, dealing with massive, heavy-duty problems. I was once in a long-distance relationship with a girl who went through some absolutely horrific stuff during her formative years; I have a friend with epilepsy... you name it. Trying to compare anyone from *Garden State* to actual people like that would be pretty insulting, frankly. And the plot? Returning to your hometown after being gone for years, facing off against ghosts from your past, and finally falling in love—on paper, all of that sounded great to me. It’s exactly why I was actually looking forward to this movie. Unfortunately, Braff is just so green and naive, and it shows. If we set aside the romance (and you're insisting this isn't just some basic rom-com), the movie goes absolutely nowhere. Those little narrative threads that are supposed to weave together a realistic tapestry are nothing more than clichés ripped straight from a thousand other movies. The party scene? Check. That scene (okay, let's be real, there are several) where we see the female lead acting all "quirky" and "crazy," which is supposed to be super cute? Check. The scene where the lead uncovers his dark secret from the past? Check. The scene where everyone screams at each other in the rain? Check. And finally, the big finale where the guy heads for the airport, leaving the girl he fell for behind, only to change his mind at the absolute last second and run back? Yeah, please. Even if the story in *Garden State* is technically better than a lot of the junk being pumped out lately, that doesn't mean it's actually good.

Just try to wrap your head around it for a second.

okay, I get it now—hell, maybe I’m just a total moron who doesn't understand anything at all.

Eternal Sunshine is a more universal film.

I mean, sure, in a way it might be, but you don't judge movies solely based on how much you can personally relate to them.

I think that's why so many people love it.

Personally, I think the reason is simply that Eternal Sunshine is an absolutely brilliant film in every single sense.

Better?

Oh, definitely.

Well, yeah, but that isn't the point.

Yeah, but the point is that you can't even begin to compare these two movies on any level.

Garden State is a smaller film, for a smaller group of people—people who probably build their relationships in different ways.

And what kind of ways would those be?

The kind of ways that probably seem silly, childish, and stupid to someone like you.

Ah, those ☕

I found myself in that movie.

My bad.

It spoke about the individual condition and certain human connections, mindset, and distance in such an honest way that I think anyone could find themselves somewhere in it.

I already told you what I think about that "honesty," whatever you're implying by it.

But maybe you actually need to think about this for a second and read between the lines.

Great, now I’ve officially become some shallow moron who doesn't get anything. I wonder what other ridiculous titles I'll rack up by the end of this.

It's important to catch those little, sweet moments—like that scene in the hospital waiting room where she offers him her headphones while she's listening to Shinsi.

Yeah, sure, let's just imagine an equally "sweet" little moment where a guy is trying to cross the street.

And he hears it too.

Well, he looks left.

But he doesn't know about them.

But a car is coming.

So he asks.

Then he waits. I mean, wtf?

And no, it isn't idealism.

What on earth are you even talking about? What kind of twisted idealism is that?

It's not childish.

How would it even be childish? It's one totally insignificant detail that got you all worked up because—hey—she's listening to Shinsi. I'm seriously curious how much you'd love the scene if she were listening to Britney.

It's a connection, the kind you don't see often.

Oh lordy... they shared—-- a moment!

My connections have almost always formed through those kinds of things.

And then you turn around and accuse me of categorizing everything based on unfounded subjectivity. What even is "unfounded subjectivity" compared to "founded" subjectivity? Do you even know what you're saying, or are you just obsessed with your word count?

From those little situations.

Man, I really regret deciding to respond to every single damn sentence. This is pure mind dumping.

Maybe just messing around, I guess.

I’ve met plenty of people like this—you know the type. They walk up to some girl holding a lighter and suddenly decide the best way to prove how "edgy" they are is by setting their own shirt on fire. Like, okay, cool guy, you're such a rebel. Honestly? All I can visualize is a ten-ton weight dropping out of thin air right on top of them. This was mostly back in high school, which makes it kind of funny looking back, but if you try that move once you're older than fifteen, it just gets straight-up pathetic.

Look, let’s get one thing straight—this isn't some cheesy, Hallmark-style romance flick. Don't go expecting a tear-jerker or a sweeping love story where everything works out in the end. It's definitely not that kind of movie.

Nah, listen—it’s fine right up until about the halfway mark. Once Natalie Portman shows up, you can actually tolerate the thing; it’s relatively decent and even moderately fun in a "hey, this isn't a total disaster" kind of way. But then? Then the whole romance subplot takes over the driver's seat, and the movie just slowly slides straight into a pit of pure mediocrity.

So, I just finished watching this flick, and man, it really hits you right in the gut when it comes to how closed-off people can be—or, more importantly, how much we actually need to open up our minds if we want to get anywhere. It’s one of those movies that doesn't just play in the background while you're scrolling through your phone; it sticks to your ribs. It’s all about that mental openness—or the total lack thereof—and how much our own stubbornness limits us. Just some food for thought, I guess.

Excuse me? Mo-olim?? Seriously? If you had told me this movie was about Iranian terrorists who fund their operations by performing tap dances dressed up like cows, I might actually have a clue what you’re talking about. How on earth did you even reach that conclusion? Honestly, at this point, I'm starting to think you're just pretending not to get it because the actual message is something you'd rather ignore.

I mean, maybe you just need a little more mental flexibility to actually wrap your head around a movie like that.

Alright, my bad—that last bit was just me giving you another opening to shut me down effectively. Basically, I was just taking a swing at some superficial moron who clearly isn't catching a single thing. And honestly? That’s just one of many...

I have no clue what you're even trying to pull with that "Kissing on the Mouth" reference.

I just want to say that, if we’re actually going by the manifesto, that would... I could have. Man, we desperately need a movie that actually nails what being in your 20s feels like right now—like, an actual, honest-to-god representation of our generation. I’m talking about the real stuff, not some sanitized Hollywood version. Honestly, it's like that thing you were arguing about earlier regarding how *Garden State* handled it... look, I know you think it worked, but I totally disagree. It just didn't hit the mark for me.

I honestly don't see how that even fits here—it’s got absolutely zero to do with what we're actually talking about.

So, you have no clue what I was actually getting at with that reference, but you’re still doubling down on the idea that it doesn't work at all? Nice. Typical.

Look, just because a movie claims to be "generational" or tries to tackle some deep social commentary doesn't mean it has to be one giant, depressing middle finger aimed at the current state of society. It’s not always about being an attack piece or some hyper-negative, nihilistic look at how everything is falling apart for our generation. That's just not the only way to do it.

I mean, honestly, nobody even brought that up. You’re basically just mixing negativity with "realism" at this point—which is really just a fancy way of being a buzzkill.

There’s this whole other dimension of people out there—you know, the kind of souls we lean on every single day—that just exists above all the daily grind, the chaos, and the constant little hits life tries to throw at you.

I'm not really following what you were trying to get at with that sentence. It sounds pretty creepy, honestly.

One of those dimensions is shown in Garden State.

Which specific dimensions are we even talking about here?

Life isn't perfect for everyone like it is for Andrew and Sam and their crew, but it's a reflection of a certain kind of society—one that's confused in its own way, yet still feels like it belongs somewhere.

What makes their life "ideal"? The guy killed his own mother, and his dad has been keeping him on antidepressants for a decade for basically no reason—not to mention she had epilepsy and was a compulsive liar. Man, if that's the standard, I must belong to this "confused society" too.

Kissing on the mouth has its place, but watch where it fits and make sure you can tell the difference.

Yes, Dad.

And one more thing.

Yes, Dad?

I can't stand Coldplay, but having The Postal Service, Shinsi, Remy Zero, and Colin Hay on there is enough for me to call the soundtrack relatively good.

Well, at least we finally agreed the soundtrack is just "relatively good" rather than "amazing," which is what you were claiming at first. But honestly, the issue isn't the song selection—it's how they actually use them in the movie. Clearly, Braff's "cringe detector" and yours aren't calibrated quite the same way mine is. If you want to see how an indie pop soundtrack is actually used effectively, check out FLCL for example. Seriously though, this is one of the best coming-of-age stories in any medium, so you should definitely give it a watch. If nothing else, just so we have something to argue about later.

[rest in next post, wouldn't fit all here]

slyowl9 said:yeah, except for that Nazi guy who was seriously unsettling... though his fight choreography was top-tier. totally gave me Ray Park vibes.

for me, he kind of felt like Heihachi from Tekken🙂

I mean, they always lean so hard into this supernatural stuff, and then everything just wraps up with basic old-fashioned brute force (and explosions)...

Preach. I mean, what kind of "god" are we talking about if you can just take them out with a couple of grenades? Unless they were some kind of holy hand grenades, I guess.😁

Spoon said:I don't get why New Jersey is just—average.

eh, if it were actually average, I’d be satisfied.

The movie has this sincere, warm dimension that really sticks with you.

unless you were busy shitting yourself during the screening.

It isn't half-baked at all. I think it communicates with its generation in a way that hardly any other film has done in a long time. Maybe people just need to recognize themselves in it.

It talks about personal change and embracing it, growing up, the weight of friendship, connection versus distance, the human psyche and how that shapes different paths, individual ambitions and the pull of one's environment, but above all—that sense of belonging and alienation and a reflection of the 90s generation—through music and storytelling—which no other film has managed to tackle as effectively on screen.

I honestly don't even know what to say to that. Maybe you seriously haven't seen a single other "generational" movie, but stuff like Singles, Slacker, Reality Bites, Love and Other Catastrophes, and countless others have tackled these themes with at least a shred of originality and way more style (okay, maybe not Reality Bites, but it has Janeane Garofalo 😍). New Jersey, on the other hand, is just a collage of cookie-cutter characters and tropes—predictable as hell, shallow, and totally basic. I can't find myself or anyone I actually know in it because this movie about "real" 20-somethings doesn't say anything at all. The characters in New Jersey are just beautified caricatures that don't exist in real life, and the dialogue is banal and completely predictable because it's so formulaic. I'm still waiting for a film that will speak to this generation in an intelligent way without holding back.

It's not just some half-baked love story between two people—there's much more to it. And the soundtrack is... truly great. It adds so much to the film. I think it's a vital element of what the movie is trying to communicate.

the soundtrack is just okay (for God's sake, Coldplay!), and it's used poorly to ramp up the excessive melodrama in most of those "serious" scenes. It's basically just a key tool for the producers to lure in as many naive indie kids as possible.

Yeah, I think Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is more than excellent—and in a way, the comparison holds up. Even though New Jersey might be a more global film—the primary focus is the connection between two people, but alongside that, it effectively analyzes the state of an entire generation and various human fates.

Man, seriously. It’s like someone trying to argue that *Cool Runnings* and *Citizen Kane* are basically the same movie just because they both feature dreams. Like, give me a break...

Honestly, this one's a blast if you just want to switch your brain off—it doesn't quite hit the heights of LXG, but it’s definitely in the same ballpark. Yeah, okay, the CGI on the dogs looks pretty pathetic, but let's be real, that's not even the biggest issue here. And seriously, why does anyone even think about watching movies like this on a laptop? These things are built for a dark theater, a massive screen, and a sound system that actually shakes your bones. Plus, I sat through what felt like 20 minutes of pure commercial hell before the movie even started—which, for the record, is a total nightmare, and I'm not even exaggerating...