Watching High Fidelity

[supernova]

for the first time. Yes, I'm way behind. And what too me so long?! :D :crazy:

What did you like about it?

[dolo amber]

1. The fact

that it has dreamy John Cusack in it. :loveya:

(Btw, he is secretly in love with me, always calling, writing, sending extravagant gifts...:eyes:...sometimes it's almost embarrassing. :D)

[supernova]

3. Hee Hee our informant

on the Johnny Depp board went to a premiere with John Cusack last month and came back to the board that evening exclaiming "I want to marry John Cusack!" You could practically hear her sigh through the board. LOL! Apparently he is a very sweet person.

[Kat45]

2. Then I must be way, way behind--I haven't seen it yet either.

[supernova]

4. It's really good

if you're a music lover and appreciator of Jack Black and John Cusack.

Jack Black: "I never thought I'd say this but, can I go do some work now?!" LOL!

[peekaloo]

5. Jack Black's "dance" while blasting 'Walking on Sunshine'.

For some reason Bruce Springsteen giving advice on women made me laugh......must be all those "little girl" references he uses. :shrug:

[mitchum]

6. I liked the fact that it was much better than the novel

Also the movie makes it pretty clear that the protagonist is essentially a solipsistic self-pitying shit. For such an obsessive record collecting fan boy, he doesn't find much aesthetic pleasure in music, but instead merely uses the records as time markers for significant events in his oh-so-important life.
I also really enjoy how Jack Black's character ultimately loses his nerve. He's been such an elitist fan boy who loves to play obscurer-than-thou, but when it's time to perform he falls back on the very safe "come on up to my crib" belly-rubbing R&B.
In short, the film has a clear-eyed and very healthy contempt for its characters

[supernova]

9. Nick Horsby

Isn't this a Nick Hornsby novel? Just curious.

[mitchum]

11. Yep, Hornsby is the guilty party

The film is really much better than the book. And I'll never get back the two hours I wasted on the latter...

[supernova]

12. I see something else

In short, the film has a clear-eyed and very healthy contempt for its characters

I see a love letter of sorts to those of us for whom music is more than entertainment. It's a way of life. A way of expressing ourselves in a world that often misunderstands us. That's why all the careful attetion to plastic sleeves and endless classifying. Or all the rules surrounding a good complilation tape. Because you want it to matter. You want it to matter to the audience as much as it matters to you.

As for the falling back on the "com on up to my crib" stuff. Hey Al Green is NEVER out of style. ;-)

[mitchum]

You're right, "Al Green is never out of style"...

and that's why Black's character plays it safe. For all of his obscure bullshit, he really just wants to be accepted by the status quo. There's nothing wrong with Al Green.
I do have one quibble though. How can consuming a commodity (pop music) be "a way of expressing ourselves in a world that often misunderstands us"? If one didn't create said pop music, just what/how is one expressing anything?

[Melodybe]

16. I totally agree! Plus the movie has WAY better music!

The book has all these cheesy ass pop songs, while the movie has cool things like a poster for the Replacements on the wall. The movie is MUCH better!

[Ellen Forradalom]

7. I very nearly married a guy EXACTLY LIKE THAT CHARACTER

When I saw the movie I kept punching my boyfriend in the arm and saying, "It's him! It's him!" (my previous beau.) Even down to the plastic sleeves around the records and spending his spare time cataloging them umpteen different ways. And, of course, the fact that we lived five blocks north of where the movie was shot.

[supernova]

8. Yanni T-shirt!!!????

Jack Black is wearing a Yanni t-shirt?! :wtf:

[RetroLounge]

10. Great movie!

I recognize the characters. Hell, I relate too..

and anything with Lisa Bonet in it is okay with me!

[Colin Ex]

13. What did I like about it?

Gee, it's only the best movie known to man.

EVER.

-C

[supernova]

14. Heh

What does it say to you?

[Zomby Woof]

15. I love that movie!

I am obsessed with music, and can relate to many of his failed past relationships. I make tapes based on themes and I have weird friends. It's all in there.

Great soundtrack too, and the movie mentions both Zappa AND Captain Beefheart.

It's just a cool film.

[ewagner]

17. One of my favorite movies

In a way, it's a "coming of age movie". Cusak's character learns to pay attention to the needs of others instead of becoming self-absorbed. That is the beginning of adulthood....and the only rational basis for a solid, caring relationship.

[He loved Big Brother]

18. The fact that it was so realistic

And mostly revolved around moozik. And the Mr. Black love is of course in the air. ;)