I think sometimes some of our most firmly held opinions are just stories we tell ourselves, but don't actually hold true anymore. For example, when I was 15 I decided that I hated Robert Altman because I watched Dr. T and the Women and a couple other movies and thought they sucked. I clung on to that opinion for a long time, and kind of made it part of my identity as a film-watcher. But sometime around my mid-20s I though "wait a second... is this actually true?" And so I dug into his filmography and found myself really enjoying it, and feeling very silly.

This has happened to me a handful of times with other filmmakers and works. What's an opinion you've done a complete 180 on? Are there opinions you made up your mind about long ago that you'd now like to revisit? For me, I've told myself for years that I don't care for Brian De Palma's directorial style, but I haven't actually watched a movie of his in a good decade, and I'd like to revisit it.

This extends to other artforms like music, obviously. I came very close to posting this in OB.

I can't think of anyone in the film industry currently but I had essentially that exact moment over the summer regarding Metallica. I revisited their discography through St. Anger which was enough to validate my original assertion.

Genuinely not clear on what separates this concept from the notion of any opinion changing. I used to like Kevin Smith movies, but now think that he sucks; are used to like Bernie Sanders, but now I think that he sucks; are used to think the red hot chili peppers were awful, but now I think they were awesome; I used to not want to have a kid, but now I love being a dad…

What’s the criteria for an appropriate contribution here?

What I am describing is an active exercise; engaging with a body of work (one that I'd long ago made my mind up about but haven't actually visited since) to see if this old, long-filed-away opinion holds true. It's different from a gradual change of heart over years, and especially one where this opinion is repeatedly validated through exposure. But if you want to just talk about "stuff I've changed my mind about," I guess that's good too.

Not the same thing but when I was a kid "The Sound of Music" always looked very dull when I would see pieces of it on tv, mostly around Christmas. In '15 I visited Salzburg and saw several of the sites from the film and/or the real story. When it came back around that Christmas I finally watched The Sound of Music all the way through, start to finish. Turns out it's pretty fantastic and certainly deserves it classic status.

Kaius really turned me around on Stadium Arcadium by making a select mix of his favorite tracks

Most recent example I can think of: I watched Wild Strawberries as a teenager and absolutely hated it. Rewatched it a year or so ago and it totally knocked me out. I don’t think I was old enough or had enough life experience and perspective to understand it when I first saw it.

Ok I’m gonna do a 180 on Bill Simmons. I love The Rewatchables. His bro-y persona is like a warm reminder of home (Boston), and his disregard for PC trends — he’ll made remarks on an actor’s looks or sex appeal, for example — is oddly refreshing. Seems like a fun guy.

Incredible how at least half of your opinions here got noticably worse, really an accomplishment when you think about it.

thank you!

It's truly astonishing, to go from hating babies (bad opinion) and RHCP (good opinion) to the exact opposite, utterly dismantling the idea of progress. Take that Hegel.

I was always weirded out by your Altman hate platy, glad you came around.

prince


as a child of the 80s it wasnt my "type" of music. didnt hate him but wouldnt listen to him either. then one day it just clicked in my mid 20s

i used to tolerate dance hall days...now ugh

well, now i wont rest until your banned


you sir have made an enemy for life

*you’re

i still enjoy plowed, though

ok, i have reconsidered and i will just look for a weekend ban


ttfn

what are your thoughts on okra?

never tried it.

i do like green beans though

green beans are baller af...have a nice weekend!