Yup. I much prefer the original ending of King's novella, which is so much better.

I really appreciated that documentary, and I'm not sure that I'm clear on the article's reference to it as "problematic." Is there some consensus opinion on a flaw in this move that I'm not aware of?

Yup, that comment completely floored me - we're considering Jack White an asshole now?! Because he answered a few questions honestly and candidly, and points out every once in a while that there's another, mediocre band out there that sounds like a shitty version of The White Stripes? Jeeeesus.

During my first few years at college, I was really into ska during the prime Third Wave craziness - lots of Mustard Plug, Skankin Pickle, Bim Skala Bim, the Bosstones, etc. - and I remember so, so much hate for No Doubt amongst people in that scene for selling out once this album came out. Cool story, bro alert: I…

Great piece, Todd. Challengers is my favorite NPs record, and the title track is my favorite song of theirs. I was worried you weren't going to break it down in detail, and was so happy that you did. At times I think AC Newman's impressionistic lyrics can be frustratingly close to meaningless and a bit too…

Yes! One of the first songs my son sang along to aloud.

No! is awesome, as well - good call.

Totally understandable, and I share your wish. Have you listened to any of their childrens stuff? Honestly, as goofy as it sounds, if you haven't, you should (maybe not the entirety of them, but at least "Alphabet of Nations," "C is for Conifers," "Infinity," and a few others).

I love this album, and TMBG in general - although I have to partially agree with Chartex and others who have a more fierce devotion to Lincoln, Flood, and Apollo 18. But I'm posting to express my undying gratitude to TMBG for the childrens albums they've done, which are just absolutely fucking incredible. If you've…

Yup. Mirror Traffic was my favorite album of that year, and I still listen to it often. Great, tightly crafted songs on that thing, Malkmus' best work since the grand ole days.

I hope you approve of the fact that, in my mind, I hear Paul F. Tompkins read all of your posts aloud.

Well, this new album is fucking gorgeous.  Can't wait to see her next month.

Thanks for putting that up… I love Monty's speech in the mirror, but honestly this one is far more affecting to me.  And Brian Cox's delivery of it is just goosebump-inducingly great.  God damn I love this movie.  Certainly in my top 10 of the 00s.

Yeah, I'm with you.  Just watched this movie again the other night after having kids and, I mean… it's not necessarily a *good* movie, but it's certainly not anywhere close to as terrible as its reputation suggests.  Its got the same problems that all of Kevin Smith's movies have, but there's a sweetness and an…

*dream on*

Thanks, Zack, for a very well written, comprehensive, thoughtful, and appropriate send-off to one of the grandfathers of genre fiction.  I'm always impressed by what this staff is able to do on such short notice with these kinds of pieces, and this is no exception.  Great, great work.

I said this in reply to a suggestion of Brokedown Palace above, but I was at a funeral this year for a friend who was a huge Dead fan and died way too young, and his family played Ripple as they carried his casket out. It was pretty breathtaking.

HELP ME bro and Miller: totally agreed on Brokedown Palace.  Relatedly, I was at a funeral this year for a friend who was a huge fan and died way too young from cancer, and his family played Ripple as they carried his casket out.  It was pretty breathtaking.

Good list, although I'd move up The Incredibles, but I had to chime in because I'm also one of those people who absolutely love WALL-E and was affected by it in a way that's almost crazy.  When I saw it for the first time in the theater, I started tearing up the second I heard the opening music from Hello Dolly, and…

What a great call.  He brought such an emotional nuance and complexity, and tenderness, to that role, it's making me tear up just thinking about it.  If you've got a child of your own, watching portions of that movie is almost impossible to do without turning into a blubbering mess, and he's a big reason why that is.