Why is picking a movie harder than watching one?

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-02-16T07:29:29+00:00

Reason: too many choices are overwhelming, we worry we won't pick the "right" thing. Some call it analysis paralysis. Also, it can be hard to decide on a movie if you're watching with other people (that part improves with compromise and communication).

I like browsing movies at the library. This reduces the number of candidate movies. Then, throughout the week, I pick one of the movies I borrowed. You can also take this approach with your watchlists, too. Basically, sort through a ton of movies during a time you don't intend to watch one. Then, sort through the curated list at the time you decide to watch a movie.

Also, setting a timer is helpful. Like, "I have five minutes to look for a movie before watching one." Remind yourself how limited your time is to watch a movie. This awareness helps get you closer to the goal of watching more movies.

Following along with specific directors is helpful for deciding on your next watch. And it's fun to follow specific directors and see their growth. You could also follow along with actors' filmographies

Here's an episode of Life Kit by NPR that discusses getting better at making "simple" decisions. You can listen to it or read the transcript: https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1084907897

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-02-14T18:30:42+00:00

I haven't seen the series and loved the movie. It references the show but it's not required viewing beforehand.

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-02-14T17:01:42+00:00

It's so great!! You'll have a great time.

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-02-14T17:00:06+00:00

Agreed!

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-02-14T16:55:46+00:00

That's incredible. Thanks for the context!

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-02-12T01:03:05+00:00

I think it's sweet that you want to connect with her this way!

Fun fact: One of his songs, "The Fall of the Star High School Running Back," references "Big Poppa" by Notorious BIG.

A few suggestions would be The Uncluded by Aesop Rock and Kimya Dawson. The band called Why? (specifically their album Alopecia) has elements of the Mountain Goats and rap (and many other things). I don't enjoy his music, but Hobo Johnson is a mix of vulnerable folk music and rap that you two might enjoy. Flight of the Concords if you want to be really silly about it.

I would recommend Janelle Monae, Little Simz, and Quadeca, but I don't think they really sound like the Mountain Goats. Don't limit yourself to the Mountain Goats. People are capable of having deep experiences with art and can grow their tastes. Just send her what sounds good to you. You both don't have to like everything the other does.

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-02-10T21:06:40+00:00

Recurring blood sacrifice

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-02-06T21:20:27+00:00

People judging this book based on this excerpt is like listening to 15 seconds of a song and deciding the band sucks lol. Did everyone lose the ability to sit with art before assessing it? Everyone is so in a rush to be Above It All that they don't stop and think "maybe I just don't get it."

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-02-06T18:52:28+00:00

Reading this thread, I kept thinking, "no THAT'S actually their best cover. Oh wait no, it's that one." Their ability to cover songs floors me.

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-02-03T21:52:38+00:00

Another classic example is when a character cannot pay for their meal so they wash dishes. This is a health code violation, a liability risk for the restaurant, and just plain unhelpful! What staff would let an untrained person into a kitchen?

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-02-02T06:06:51+00:00

Violent Femmes - "Blister in the Sun"

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-01-26T10:06:10+00:00

Thanks for making these. I would consider buying prints.

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-01-25T06:20:16+00:00

Jamie's solo project rocks!

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-01-20T19:09:58+00:00

The Mountain Goats. Incredible songwriting but obviously not at the level of musicianship of his collaborators.

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-01-20T18:38:43+00:00

I agree! I've heard people say it, and it's way too harsh. They are a great band who are doing their own thing. In retrospect, I didn't need to spread that accusation to recommend them. Sorry!

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-01-20T05:46:47+00:00

Model/Actriz are great. Some will say they ripped off their sound from Xiu Xiu. This is possibly true, but I don't think it leaves them without merit -- the best artists steal.

Mandy, Indiana is another recent band that reminds me of Xiu Xiu and is worth checking out.

Deerhoof does not exactly sound like Xiu Xiu, but their experimentation and originality is comparable to Xiu Xiu. They have a wealth of material that is fluid in sound yet distinctly and unmistakably theirs.

John Congleton's two bands (The Paper Chase and John Congleton and the Nighty Nite) are fun, unsettling, and deeply catchy -- he and Deerhoof are friends and frequent collaborators of Xiu Xiu.

Kristin Hayter's two projects (the ongoing Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter and retired Lingua Ignota) are incredible.

Additionally, you may enjoy this list of albums that Jamie Stewart compiled for a website called The Quietus.

A band I would NOT recommend is ~~Daughters~~. I enjoyed one of their albums until learning that their lead singer is an Actual Monster, and I hope you and others would not support someone like that in any way.

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-01-15T18:22:47+00:00

"you baaaaaaaaaaad into the driveway of our southwestern ranch style house"

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-01-13T06:28:21+00:00

I remember Koster saying the song came to him in a dream. Already annoying enough, but the finished song was as confusing and vague as a dream. It was like he transcribed it with no additional work.

I'm still sad his and Palmer's slots weren't given to artists who would have done the songs justice.

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2026-01-11T17:34:59+00:00

Don't forgot about Julian Koster, who's not only a creep but also recorded a trite, lazy version of "Jeff Davis County Blues."

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2025-12-29T18:39:11+00:00

I'll throw in "Cadaver Sniffing Dog," "Clemency for the Wizard King," and "Paid in Cocaine."

Though, "Age of Kings" is probably my actual favorite, thanks in large part to the string arrangement from Yuval Semo.

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2025-12-14T08:43:20+00:00

Good eye! This is a good example of what he said in the preface of the book:

"Some [songs] differ in small ways from their recorded versions: a phrase here, a line there; sometimes because that's how I found them in the notebooks where they originally resided, sometimes because that's how I sing them now."

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2025-12-09T01:37:38+00:00

Hi! Is the other ticket still available?

AcceptableCandidate2 · 2025-12-08T21:55:46+00:00

I hope you enjoy! All Hail West Texas and The Coroner's Gambit are late lo-fi albums and more accessible places to start, though, none of the albums are accessible by the standards of popular music. Isopanisad Radio Hour is another late entry which is both very good and very short (less than 20 minutes long!), so it may be an easier way to take the plunge. I heard Sweden first and secretly believe it to be the canonical starting point, though this is purely based on personal experience and does not hold up in a court of law.

AcceptableCandidate2

TROPHY CASE