2008 Woodie Awards
Letter to the Editor
'90s more entertaining than this decade? Not even close.
Issue date: 2/4/08 Section: Opinions
In response to your "'90s far more influential than current decade for entertainment" [Jan. 28]. I just want to say that I think you're wrong.
As much as I like looking back at those Nickelodeon gems (and feel that kids today don't know what they missed), I do not think the '90s were superior to today's entertainment options. I saw Titanic multiple times, but it didn't leave near the impression on me as a film such as 2005's Crash did.
Despite the remakes and comic flicks, the 2000s have been rich with great films like "Memento," "The Royal Tenenbaums" and "Little Miss Sunshine." As far as music in films, how about Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova in "Once?" You mentioned Grunge, but failed to bring up the boy band craze...perhaps on purpose?
Since 2000, hip hop music has blossomed in ways that the '90s was only hinting at. Today's most influential artists are writing their own songs and infusing musical styles that don't necessarily fit under one label.
There's also the excitement of being able to discover bands in ways that were impossible in the '90s. Yes there was Napster, the advent of "American Idol" and the death of radio-but I like to think that blemishes like these provide new opportunities and force exciting new ideas and changes, such as the mp3 player and satellite radio, for instance.
Often, one looks back at a certain time in their life and associates it with the popular culture around them, defining that period of time. This is understandable, and everyone has different tastes. However, I still believe that we're offered more entertainment than ever before today.
Quantity isn't quality, but when there's more to choose from and more people getting involved (Ricky Gervais, Diablo Cody...YouTube.com), it's not too terribly hard to find something good to entertain and influence us. I can not, and I will not comment on fashion.
In a political sense, we didn't get off to the greatest start. But again, challenges bring opportunities. Here's hoping that Barack Obama will be leading us into the next decade.
So, after I check my Facebook, I think I'll go watch my "Arrested Development" DVD-or listen to the new Cat Power on vinyl-and thank the Lord that I don't have class on Mondays.
Trace MacAlister, Murfreesboro, Tenn. resident
As much as I like looking back at those Nickelodeon gems (and feel that kids today don't know what they missed), I do not think the '90s were superior to today's entertainment options. I saw Titanic multiple times, but it didn't leave near the impression on me as a film such as 2005's Crash did.
Despite the remakes and comic flicks, the 2000s have been rich with great films like "Memento," "The Royal Tenenbaums" and "Little Miss Sunshine." As far as music in films, how about Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova in "Once?" You mentioned Grunge, but failed to bring up the boy band craze...perhaps on purpose?
Since 2000, hip hop music has blossomed in ways that the '90s was only hinting at. Today's most influential artists are writing their own songs and infusing musical styles that don't necessarily fit under one label.
There's also the excitement of being able to discover bands in ways that were impossible in the '90s. Yes there was Napster, the advent of "American Idol" and the death of radio-but I like to think that blemishes like these provide new opportunities and force exciting new ideas and changes, such as the mp3 player and satellite radio, for instance.
Often, one looks back at a certain time in their life and associates it with the popular culture around them, defining that period of time. This is understandable, and everyone has different tastes. However, I still believe that we're offered more entertainment than ever before today.
Quantity isn't quality, but when there's more to choose from and more people getting involved (Ricky Gervais, Diablo Cody...YouTube.com), it's not too terribly hard to find something good to entertain and influence us. I can not, and I will not comment on fashion.
In a political sense, we didn't get off to the greatest start. But again, challenges bring opportunities. Here's hoping that Barack Obama will be leading us into the next decade.
So, after I check my Facebook, I think I'll go watch my "Arrested Development" DVD-or listen to the new Cat Power on vinyl-and thank the Lord that I don't have class on Mondays.
Trace MacAlister, Murfreesboro, Tenn. resident
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