I always secretly hoped that the film was part of a two part series. The first one designed to intentionally bomb and create Phoenix as an outsider in Hollywood.

@ Logoboros.

To those mentioning all the great romantic comedies of the past:

I agree with most of the above sentiment about the movie. It was generally funny, but far from the "funniest movie of the year" hype. I think there was a lot to like about it overall, but it wasn't funny enough that I didn't have time to sit there and nitpick at some flaws.

coryp is spot on.

The best thing Mayer ever did was get sampled for a Wale song. It doesn't make me like him, but at least it makes him somewhat useful.

I always enjoyed the ridiculousness that is the spoken word portion of "Clumsy." It always reminds me of early '90's R&B, when seemingly every song contained a spoken paean of love.

Also, we could try doing the math correctly. Let's try this again:

Why, thank you, El Crab.

Star catcher's a bit generous.

Of course music movements are reactions against previous movements. If you start at 1950, popular music has pretty consistently had a new movement about every 7 years, each reacting against the previous one. It oscillates between corporate/record label control and more independent artists.

I agree with what gobshite said. I was a hip hop kid. I liked grunge, but never bought any of the albums despite being 12-14 in the grunge golden years. I was too busy listening to Death Row. I don't feel like I really identified with it. I just thought it was good.

Even if Jay's verse on "Monster" isn't any good, why do people willfully ignore how nice he is on "So Appalled?"

I love the Black Sheep album, but it'd be hard to count them as part of a failed movement. The album's introduction even says outright that they're part of the larger Native Tongue's family.

Fergalicious isn't worse than both. There's a 2o second slice of a damned enjoyable pop song in it.

Reading this review makes me wonder what the hell happened to Singleton. Boyz n the Hood is a classic, and despite their flaws, I'm personally a fan of both Poetic Justice and Higher Learning. At least they were interesting. He's gone from those to making 2 Fast 2 Furious and not beeing able to make a better…

Did "Man Getting Hit by Football" come out before or after "The Great Train Robbery?"

Big cosign on "You Got It." Orbison's voice is absolutely amazing. Though, I guess I'm not breaking new ground on that one.

I'd put "Hey Ya" in the class of impeccable pop songs, along with "Billie Jean" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand." That's not the entire list, but those are the two that come to mind first. Other suggestions?

You're probably not still checking this thread, but thanks for the suggestions. I'll be sure to check them out.