Should I watch Titanic?

[Bryan]

No, don't bother. I suspect even the FX wouldn't be that impressive 13 years later. But Grote's right about the Celine Dion book by Carl Wilson. It is really good.

[JustNicole]

I saw it in the theater with this guy I had a crush on. I think we were on a date. And his ex-girlfriend showed up and sat in the row in front of us. Does that help your decision?

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

Yeah, I'm dead serious, the Carl Wilson book is fantastic.  Probably the best piece of criticism I've ever read.

So far there has seemed to be an inverse relationship between the quality of the 33 1/3 books and the quality of the records they discuss: the worse the record, the better the book, and vice versa.  But I've only read a few of them.

[Bernard]

I haven't seen it either, but you should read the 33 1/3 book about Celine Dion.  I'm serious, it's great.

Agreed.  It's not so much about the album ("Let's Talk About Love"), but more about how she got the huge, megastar status she has.  Highly recommended.  I actually listened to the entire album after reading the book.  I still don't "get" the fandom of Celine Dion, but the book made me more of a fan. 

I don't believe there is a need to see Titanic.  However, "Celine Dion: Through The Eyes Of The World" is in theaters now.

[Chris L]

I've seen the sinking part.  Don't bother.

Incidentally, Gloria Stuart is STILL ALIVE!

[masterofsparks]

Yeah, I'm dead serious, the Carl Wilson book is fantastic.  Probably the best piece of criticism I've ever read.

So far there has seemed to be an inverse relationship between the quality of the 33 1/3 books and the quality of the records they discuss: the worse the record, the better the book, and vice versa.  But I've only read a few of them.

I haven't found a pattern that holds for me - I've read 33 1/3 books about great albums that range from terrific (the Kick Out the Jams volume) to abysmal (Ramones debut). On the other hand, the Aja volume actually bears a lot of the responsibility for me giving Steely Dan another chance after years of hating them, only to discover that I actually kinda like them now.

The In the Aeroplane Over the Sea and Bee Thousand volumes are both pretty great and probably the ones I'd recommend as entry points. I have not read the Celine Dion one but I'm intrigued now.

The worst ones I've read are Armed Forces, Aqualung, Ramones, Gentlemen, and Horses.

How's THAT for a thread derail?

[erika]

I think you should watch it just because the idea of Buffcoat + Titanic = funny to me. I don't know why. It'd be better if you sang along with Celine, I think.

[Regular Joe]

NEVER watch that movie. It wants to get inside you, to control you. Don't let it happen.

[Wes]

Not familiar with this one. What's it about?

[buffcoat]

Not familiar with this one. What's it about?

Wes, from watching the first part, it's the story of Perseus, played by Harry Hamlin, as he fights to survive and win glory in Ancient Greece.  It also stars Burgess Meredith of Rocky fame, Dame Maggie Smith and (Sir) Larry Olivier in his final screen role.  Also, a cool mechanical owl.

Two and half stars!




PS I don't know what all of you were talking about with a boat.  But thanks anyway!

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

I also couldn't get through the Trout Mask Replica book.  Or the Captain Beefheart record.

[harris]

It sinks.

[mackro]

I watched it.  I cried. No joking, I did. 

It's Cameron's best movie... part of what made Avatar seem so silly in comparison.

Titanic is well within the satire range of course, and 75% of that is Leonard DiCapreo, who's also the worst thing about the movie.  Thankfully, the story is strong enough to keep the Leonard factor from being toxic.  I liked Kate Winslet in the movie.  Gloria Stuart should have won best supporting actress for the 1998 Oscars for her role in it.

I completely understand why many don't like the film, but I'm a sentimental fool, so I really got into it.

[Adblau1]

I haven't seen it either, but you should read the 33 1/3 book about Celine Dion.  I'm serious, it's great.

Hi Jason Grote. That 33 1/3 book is completely fantastic.  I was veeeery skeptical after a few recommends, and it wowed me.  The part that sticks with me at the moment is Elliott Smith's run-in with Ms. Dion on Oscar night -- and how he staunchly defended her as a person thereafter.

Re: Titanic -- eh, why not watch it?  It won some fancy awards, and it's good for something--even if only to back yourself in an argument with adoring fans.

Full disclosure: I saw it twice, 2 days in a row, back in 1997--and not once since--mostly for fear that I would not enjoy it as I did back then.  Those were different times.  We were all a little different.

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

Yeah, that part actually made me like Elliot Smith more (not that I ever disliked him, just that I never got on that particular bus).  I also liked the part where Wilson sees Celine in Vegas and cries.