The PopWatch Confessional (Vol. 16)

Robert Sat, May 26, 2007 at 11:57 AM EST

John Wayne is great and people just don't understand the power of his minimalist style. Drive-in is a good idea except for the crappy sound.

Jim Fri, May 18, 2007 at 01:57 PM EST

With the announcement of the new film version of Get Smart, I will be forcing my friends to watch as many episodes as I can unearth. And I agree with Mark, if they don't watch with you... Find new friends!!

www.classictelevisionblog.com

Kagero Fri, May 18, 2007 at 12:46 PM EST

I've turned many of my friends onto Ninja Scroll, just THE best Japanese animation ever!

Torin, I'm w/ you there! Chow Yun Fat rules!

Cece, how old are you?

nightcrawler666 Fri, May 18, 2007 at 09:27 AM EST

Arrested Development, MST3K, Larry Sanders Show and The Gary Sandling Show. Various people and most of them ended up being converts, especially for MST3K. But for some reason, no matter how much I tried, I could not get my ex-boyfried to watch either of the Garry Shandling series. Probably one of the reasons he is now an ex.

Mo Thu, May 17, 2007 at 10:07 PM EST

My friends and I have a long history of "exposing" one another to films that we each enjoy individually. It often ends with most of us mercilessly mocking the exhibitor for their poor taste and general lack of intelligence. However, I think it's kinda nice that we agree to share these things with each other despite our disparate tastes(I REFUSE to watch The Suite Life of Zach and Cody EVER again), and on more than one occasion it has introduced me to movies and TV shows I would up loving that I would never have watched otherwise. So, while I guess I'm biased, I think a group of friends who won't share one night with you to watch a movie that you love, even if only because you love it and want to share it, well, pardon me for talking like a 22 yr old, but they're kinda lame.

steph Thu, May 17, 2007 at 09:43 PM EST

Once during a visit to LA, I talked my friends into driving me around looking for cemeteries that housed dead celebrities. At one point I got out at Forrest Lawn ( I think) to ask if there was a celebrity map. Before I opened my mouth I realized I was being really insensitive and got back in the car.
True Story

Stacey Thu, May 17, 2007 at 06:44 PM EST

I dragged one of my really girly-girl friends with me to The X-Files movie, mainly because I was in high school and it was lame to go to the movies alone. It came back to bite me in the butt, actually; she was so confused that she kept interrupting my viewing by asking me questions that I knew would take ages to properly answer. In the end, I had spent so much time whispering X-Files mythology to her that I felt I'd completely missed out on the movie. At least one of us got something out of it, though. Much to my dismay, she ended up a converting to X-Files fandom. . . all because of that movie that she didn't understand!

Michelle Thu, May 17, 2007 at 06:22 PM EST

My 16th birthday was a Steve Buscemi film festival. I forced all of my female friends to watch Reservoir Dogs, Mystery Train, The Imposters, Ghost World, Living In Oblivion, and Trees Lounge. I was in heaven, they were just really confused.

Zoe Thu, May 17, 2007 at 06:19 PM EST

In my defense, this was 17 years ago, but the guilt remains. Driving through San Francisco on a shopping trip, I made my aunt listen to a MIXED TAPE of New Kids on the Block "highlights" (as I believed them to be). Not full songs, which might have been okay (not really); just short snippets I compiled of some of their...what? Best lyrics? Most soulful harmonies? Ugh. She was kind enough to host me in the greatest city for the weekend, and I subject her to THAT. Am calling her immediately to apologize.

jonathan Thu, May 17, 2007 at 06:03 PM EST

As per one of your writer's article from last week, this past weekend I forced my friend into watching El Topo (it was my first time seeing it as well). Needless to say, we were shocked and in complete awe of what we saw. He has made me watch some pretty strange movies before (i.e. most Almodovar's films and a lot of strange Czech films) but me forcing him to watch this definetely takes the cake.

Amber Thu, May 17, 2007 at 05:31 PM EST

I forced my friend to go with me to see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire at midnight on Thurs. night when we both had to work at 8 the next morning. I bought his ticket though!

frogprof Thu, May 17, 2007 at 05:27 PM EST

Well, if it weren't for the end of "Red River," [I almost spoiled it, but thought better of it -- but you know what I'm talking about and THERE'S NO EXCUSE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN IN ANY MOVIE!!], I'd say it's a great way to spend your b'day and to count me in ... but nope. Not that one. Nor "The Cowboys," nor "The Shootist," nor "Sands of Iwo Jima," ... can you sense my problem with the THEME here?! :)

Ep Sato Thu, May 17, 2007 at 05:23 PM EST

oooh, I like that Bill & Ted Idea. And the thought of bringing back "no way....Way" gives me reason to think Wayne and Garth might also be kinda excellent!

Lea Thu, May 17, 2007 at 05:16 PM EST

A friend and I forced the rest of our group to have an Arrested Development marathon because we feel it's necessary for everyone to enjoy that show (they did). And once the BBC America show Robin Hood goes on DVD I'm making my friends watch that as well.

paula Thu, May 17, 2007 at 04:22 PM EST

El Dorado and Red River - the perfect double feature - from the sublime to the ridiculous. Why is is no one ever believes me?

step Thu, May 17, 2007 at 04:20 PM EST

The minute the Friday Night Lights (tv show) DVDs come out, I'm going to sit every single one of my friends down and I will not let them leave until they have seen every single episode. I'm not joking. Until then, I've bought the episodes off iTunes and shown them to people (and forced other friends to do the same.)

wontonjon Thu, May 17, 2007 at 04:06 PM EST

Shows: Grey's Anatomy, 24, Six Feet Under, Wonderfalls, Serenity

Movies: Reefer Madness, Some Like It Hot, Wet Hot American Summer, Scotland PA, and above all Angels In America

Alyson Thu, May 17, 2007 at 03:36 PM EST

When Lord of the Rings: Return of the King came out on DVD in the extended version, I made my big brother come over and watch all three Lord of the Ring flicks, in the extended version. Yes, we started at sunrise and went past sunset, but can you really put a price on watching Viggo Mortensen kick butt for over 12 hours?

McGee Thu, May 17, 2007 at 03:26 PM EST

I once had a Super Sloppy Double Dare birthday party, where the losing team in each game got Silly-Strung by the winners and we played Musical Pies. We didn't really have to force anyone, though, except for one girl, and my cousin chased her around the yard with a can of Silly String.

In the name of Christmasy fun, I have forced my friends to watch A Very Brady Christmas and Waiting for Santa, the Barney Christmas video. On more than one occasion.

toepsato Thu, May 17, 2007 at 03:21 PM EST

my friend an i also enjoy the blonde/brunette dynamic duos: might i suggest wayne and garth and bill and ted! they were both big hits :)

Jen Thu, May 17, 2007 at 03:14 PM EST

I made my friends watch the original "Star Wars" trilogy on my birthday this year, except they wussed out and would only watch the first two! Who cares that "Return of the Jedi" would have finished at about 2:30 a.m.?

Andi Thu, May 17, 2007 at 03:14 PM EST

Our department (only 5 people) generally goes out for lunch for each others' birthdays with the birthday person picking the location. Plesae note: We've got a picky eater who doesn't like most restaurants. To satisfy her, we pick one of the 1-2 places she will eat at in town -- BECAUSE WE ARE WEAK! It's your 30th birthday, do what you want to do!

Jenny Thu, May 17, 2007 at 03:13 PM EST

I made my friends watch the original "Star Wars" trilogy on my birthday this year, except they wussed out and would only watch the first two! Who cares that "Return of the Jedi" would have finished at about 2:30 a.m.?

Tommy G Thu, May 17, 2007 at 03:04 PM EST

The Rocky Horror Picture Show marks my birthday every year!

Mark Thu, May 17, 2007 at 02:44 PM EST

If they don't want to watch Westerns with you they aren't really your friends!

Tim Thu, May 17, 2007 at 02:38 PM EST

Mandi, let's make it a double feature and show the Searchers, too!

My buddies from college and I get together once a month or so and watch cheesy movies. Some times it's a zombie double-feature, sometimes it's action. And one time it was 2 1/2 hours of Ultra-Man!! It's great fun.

Tim Thu, May 17, 2007 at 02:36 PM EST

Mandi, let's make it a double feature and show the Searchers too!! I love Red River. Need to get it on DVD.

I've said, God forbid, if something happens to me, I want the family to rent a theatre out and show my favorite movies.

My college buddies and I get together once a month or so and watch cheesy movies. Some times it's a zombie double-feature, sometimes it's action. And one time it was 2 1/2 hours of Ultra-Man!! It's great fun.

Torin Thu, May 17, 2007 at 02:32 PM EST

After hearing so many good things about Battlestar Gallactica, I decided to watch Season 3 and I am now hooked, even without watching any of the previous seasons. I got 2 of my roommates hooked on it (they NetFlix'd the entire series and watched it in about a month).

I always try to get people to watch The Killer and/or Hard Boiled so that more people can see that Chow Yun Fat is the best action star of all time!

Torin Thu, May 17, 2007 at 02:30 PM EST

After hearing so many good things about Battlestar Gallactica, I decided to watch Season 3 and I am now hooked, even without watching any of the previous seasons. I got 2 of my roommates hooked on it (they NetFlix'd the entire series and watched it in about a month).

I always try to get people to watch The Killer and/or Hard Boiled so that more people can see that Chow Yun Fat is the best action star of all time!

anon Thu, May 17, 2007 at 02:16 PM EST

i make my friends watch "drive me crazy" and "who's that girl."

Michael Thu, May 17, 2007 at 01:56 PM EST

re: whol - YES! Another "Drop Dead Gourgeous" lover!

"The next thing I know, I'm flying through the air like a lawn dart!" Ellen Barkin

"My dad left my mom and I for his career. What was it Mom always said? Once a carney, always a carney." Kirsten Dunst and Allison Janney

That's only a sample. If you like funny, you have to see this movie.

faabmom Thu, May 17, 2007 at 01:52 PM EST

Made my friends and family sit through a viewing of Basqiat after reading EW's stellar review. Also made them go to double feature of Remains of the Day/Age of Innocence. My husband NEVER lets me pick the movie anymore!

mjryan Thu, May 17, 2007 at 01:48 PM EST

You should be able to choose whatever activity you want on your own birthday. It's your day, after all.

I'd probably make everyone sit through the 1995 BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. All 5 hours of it.

Count me in on watching Red River on the big screen. Sounds like a wonderful birthday party to me.

Middento Thu, May 17, 2007 at 01:45 PM EST

Oooh -- invite me! I'd love to see Red River on a gigantic screen! What a great flick.

Tim Lade Thu, May 17, 2007 at 01:24 PM EST

I'll see you there Rebecca.

Me, I just make them hang out with me and eat my cooking. Which is probably painful enough!

Rebecca Thu, May 17, 2007 at 12:56 PM EST

This year for my birthday I am making all my friends come with me to Medieval Times, to partake in Cheesy Renaissance Goodness.

Elaine Thu, May 17, 2007 at 12:55 PM EST

Forcing your friends and relatives to a fun game that I call "Cheesey song tolerance". Pick out the most annoying song that you have at your disposable (iPod, cd, mp3, whatever), and play it until it ends, then it is the other person's turn. Whoever has the worst song, wins.

My pick for this game is Aqua's "Barbie Girl". What a horrible song.

whol Thu, May 17, 2007 at 12:44 PM EST

Re: Micheal "Drop Dead Gourgeous" which is a hilarious beauty pagaent mockumentary with Kirsten Dunst, Denise Richards, Brittany Murphy, and Kirstie Alley."

LOVE...Drop Dead Gorgeous is one of my favorite movies of all time. It's seriously underappreciated. I make people watch that all the time, and they usually like it.

Brie Thu, May 17, 2007 at 12:43 PM EST

I used to have a sad addiction to the radio program Delilah. There's nothing like sappy love songs to entertain you while driving.

My sister hated riding with me and my boyfriend (now my husband) back to college because we would sing really bad duets to the really bad songs at the top of our lungs. She asked to change to the station once, I refused (my car- my radio), I think she just brought headphones after that.

Jessica Thu, May 17, 2007 at 12:32 PM EST

I made my friends see Twister in the theatre. I made them sit in the second row. I swear the air conditioners came on every time there was a tornado on screen (created a nice "wind" effect). I still have lived that birthday down.

My sister made me and a couple of my friends play the *NSYNC board game that she got for her birthday. Of course, my boyfriend at the time won, and he hated boy bands.

No Brand Woman Thu, May 17, 2007 at 12:30 PM EST

This isn't a birthday thing, but I used to be a part-time manager at a Suncoast video store (before they filed for ch. 11 and closed my store) and I was pretty much the only person who liked Napoleon Dynamite. If I got there first, my coworkers were forced to watch it on repeat all day until I agreed to let it go. (Although Pirates of the Carribbean was another favorite. A little Johnny D. at work... mmmm...) But I was far less tyranical than my store manager and assistant manager who submitted me to endless viewings of The Eagles or Tina Turner in concert.

Cece Thu, May 17, 2007 at 12:23 PM EST

My birthday was yesterday. Every year for as long as I can remember I send out reminders about my upcoming day. I start April 16th with the 30-day reminder and keep it going from there. After a while, they get really annoying to others, but I don't care. All I ask for is a phone call, an e-mail, a myspace message, etc. Something to let me know that you were thinking of me on my day. It works, too. I got dozens of calls and messages. My birthday week rules!!!

Ep Sato Thu, May 17, 2007 at 12:13 PM EST

My birthday's 6 days before halloween, so I frequently submit my friends to cosplay style parties. One year, I forced my big friend to don a fake beard and go out as "Silent Bob" while I donned a blonde wig and went out as "Jay". It was fun to live it up at his expense, but dood took it soo badly that he left early.

Other birthday/halloween costumes of fame/shame: Bleach Blonde haired Flash Gordon, Super Barrio, one of the Warriors, Dr. Evil, Jayne Cobb, Kramer, and Wolverine from the X Men movies.

Stef Thu, May 17, 2007 at 12:13 PM EST

When I was in high school, I got the "Buffy" board game for Christmas, and I forced my best friend and her mother to play it with me. The rules were so complicated and confusing, and they hated it so much that my friend's mother made me leave before dinner.

empressoedt Thu, May 17, 2007 at 11:40 AM EST

When I drive, my friends are forced to listen to Miss Molly and The Whips. If you're from Houston, you'll probably understand. Overdrawn at the Bank of Love, baby!

Liz Thu, May 17, 2007 at 11:36 AM EST

I constantly get ribbing from my friends over my love of all things B'Way. I watched the Tony nomination announcements online and made sure to "warn" (their words, not mine) that I will be planted in front of my TV June 10. Of course, after my constant nagging, they listened to "Avenue Q" (it helped that I was driving at the time and controlled the CD player). Puppet porn! Yearning for the self assuredness that only comes from being in college! Proposing that maybe world peace can be attained by being a little bit racist! Who knew musicals can be so gosh darn funny, poignant, irreverent and all-around wonderful? (For the record, I did).

Diana Thu, May 17, 2007 at 11:34 AM EST

This is not something that I did but what my husband did to me. For his 2005 birthday his favorite comic hero Batman came out with a movie (Batman Begins)he then proceeded to make us watch the movie 8 times 3 times on it's release date. This year his b-day movie is Fantastic 4. I know there will not be as many viewings but so far this is how my husband enjoys spending his birthdays....geeking out on comic movies.

Caitling Thu, May 17, 2007 at 11:31 AM EST

when i read about Edison Force, a movie staring Kevin Spacey, Morgan Freeman, LL Cool J, Dillon Mcdermott and Justin Timberlake that was so bad it was going straight to video, i counted down the days until its release. i then tricked my friends into watching it, though they quickly lost interest.

Michael Thu, May 17, 2007 at 11:28 AM EST

"Drop Dead Gourgeous" which is a hilarious beauty pagaent mockumentary with Kirsten Dunst, Denise Richards, Brittany Murphy, and Kirstie Alley.

"Rent" on DVD. Nuff said.

Tim Thu, May 17, 2007 at 11:17 AM EST

Regarding Stevie's Wonders. Good list, particularly the Stones' Dead Flowers. Didn't know anyone but me had ever heard or liked the song. Glad to see John Cafferty included as well. Seldom has music been so well wedded tp a picture. I would add Buddy Holly's That'll be the Day, or the later Foghat cover of same. Rock n roll in all it's three chord glory.

Joe C Thu, May 17, 2007 at 11:17 AM EST

How about if I require my friends to watch a Jessica Alba film festival, complete with the first season of Dark Angel thrown in? Then again, the guys wouldn't mind, would they?Lol...

Mopsy Thu, May 17, 2007 at 11:12 AM EST

If you want to be my friend(And, really, who doesn't?), you will be subjected to viewing The X-Files and Gilmore Girls. At least 3 episodes of each.

And if you happen to be my sister, I might actually lock you in a room and make you watch The X-Files movie. What? I let her out once she admitted that she liked it. Jeez.

Jill Thu, May 17, 2007 at 10:54 AM EST

I am a huge Adam Sandler fan, and around my birthday I had discovered his little known first movie - Going Overboard. An Allan Covert cameo and costar Billy Zane could not really save this movie, although I did love seeing a basically teenage Adam Sandler and recognized some early jokes used later in his career. Since my friends do not share my love of all things Adam, they were pretty much complaining the whole time. I did give them cake though, and who doesn't like free cake?

Ceballos Thu, May 17, 2007 at 10:53 AM EST

The fact that my girlfriend saw one episode of "Lost" after the pilot, which focused on Kate (my least favorite character on the show), hated it, and then promptly refused to watch any more episode irritates me to no end for some reason.

What's more, she randomly decided to sit down and watch the show on TV over the last three weeks. (Wha, wha?!)

April Thu, May 17, 2007 at 10:51 AM EST

I've never forced anybody to stuff on my birthday, but *I* was forced, by my sister, to see The Ring and The Pink Panther (the new one) on her birthday. I have still not forgiven her.

Ceballos Thu, May 17, 2007 at 10:51 AM EST

The fact that my girlfriend saw one episode of "Lost" after the pilot, which focused on Kate (my least favorite character on the show), hated it, and then promptly refused to watch any more episode irritates me to no end for some reason.

What's more, she randomly decided to sit down and watch the show on TV over the last three weeks. (Wha, wha?!)

Tina Thu, May 17, 2007 at 10:42 AM EST

I've forced my friends to watch "Girls Just Want to Have Fun". The embarassingly cheesy 80s movie starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt and Shannon Dougherty. Its one of my faves, but guys will only watch it if its a birthday thing and even then they whine though the whole thing.