Rushing to Judgement.

When watching a film or a TV show, it usually takes me only a few seconds to decide whether or not it's going to be any good. I've lost count of the number of films and TV shows I've rejected in that way and it's exceedingly rare for me to give a doubtful show a chance and be glad I did so.

Having said that, I have made two spectacular errors of judgement by rushing to judgement in such a way.

The first was 'The Blues Brothers' which I initially rejected as a load of bollocks after watching only the first couple of minutes, only to give it another chance years later and discover that it's one of the funniest films ever made.

The other is the sitcom 'Spaced' which I initially rejected as a load of bollocks after watching only the first couple of minutes, only to give it another chance this very week and discover it's an excellent sitcom, years and years ahead of its time.

It all goes to show, one is never too old to learn.

I'm a bit like that but usually give it 20/30 minutes - then get seriously pissed off when I think it will get better and find I have wasted 2/3 hours of my life.

Both those instances you quote though I watched and thoroughly enjoyed from the first moment.

I have watched almost whole films before, thinking they were awful. And then suddenly something clicks and I suddenly get it. Or I hate the whole thing then watch it a second time and love it. I can't explain that. My/our brains are weird.

It happened with a few Kevin Smith films. And the film Cannibal the Musical. And The Usual Suspects - which is really embarrassing as it's obviously brilliant.

I watched about three whole episodes of Spaced before dismissing it as total bollocks

And I still do

Quote: lofthouse @ 10th October 2015, 11:00 AM BST

I watched about three whole episodes of Spaced before dismissing it as total bollocks

And I still do

View original

When I first watched Spaced it blew me away. I liked the humour and Wright's visual style. But when I watched the second series it bored the pants off me. It was just more of the same and style ruled over substance imo. I haven't watched the DVDs since then.

Has happened a few times for me. First time I when I was staying with a mate who said we should watch The Mighty Boosh. I didn't get it. A year or so later I was living with said mate who decided to put the DVD of new series on one night. We only had one telly so ended up watching it as well. No idea why but I really enjoyed it and it remains one of my favourite shows years later.

The other is The It Crowd. The first series broadcast here was series 2. It aired on Wednesday nights between two shows that I really liked. I basically endured the first two or three episodes because it wasn't worth changing the channel between the shows. Then halfway thru the run I just got it. Again, years later it is still one of my favourite shows

Quote: reds @ 10th October 2015, 1:30 PM BST

it wasn't worth changing the channel between the shows.

View original

I love that.

I think most things that were on the other channels were hour long shows that were half way thru by the time IT Crowd started so that was part of it. Also they were probably American "comedies" or reality shows.

Quote: Gordon Bennett @ 10th October 2015, 11:20 AM BST

When I first watched Spaced it blew me away. I liked the humour and Wright's visual style. But when I watched the second series it bored the pants off me. It was just more of the same and style ruled over substance imo. I haven't watched the DVDs since then.

View original

I can't watch Spaced again now too although I loved it in the 90s.

Quote: zooo @ 10th October 2015, 10:42 AM

I have watched almost whole films before, thinking they were awful. And then suddenly something clicks and I suddenly get it...
It happened with ... Cannibal the Musical.

View original

Yes. I have rewatched this recently, regarding it as a kid's movie, and it's surprisingly entertaining (mainly the songs). And the commentary remains fun.

The songs are brilliant!
I think the one who writes the songs studied music at uni or something, so I suppose it makes sense.

Quote: zooo @ 11th August 2016, 2:47 PM

The songs are brilliant!
I think the one who writes the songs studied music at uni or something, so I suppose it makes sense.

View original

That would be Trey Parker, penning pastiches of some of the songs of Oklahoma! in Cannibal! (compare the old song Kansas City to Dian Bachar et al singing That's All I'm Asking For). Yes, he did study music and he thought he would have a career in music.

If you like Trey Parker's songs, you should track down the tape he made while still a school student. His band (he and a friend) was called Immature [EDIT: Or maybe their tape was titled Immature]. One of their best songs was Dead Ballerina. It's on YouTube, along with a few others: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFkTYW6VGQI

I loved, and still love, Spaced, from the start.

I can't stand IT Crowd though. I slogged through the entire show...so I think I gave it a fair chance. Maybe I'd like it if I saw it again, I'm not sure. Maybe I'll give it a chance someday.

Quote: Kenneth @ 11th August 2016, 3:05 PM

If you like Trey Parker's songs, you should track down the tape he made while still a school student. His band (he and a friend) was called Immature (EDIT: Or maybe their tape was titled Immature). One of their best songs was Dead Ballerina. It's on YouTube, along with a few others: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFkTYW6VGQI

View original

Thanks! I will check it out forthwith.