Controversial opinions about anything

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  • Posts: 17,756
    Ludovico wrote: »
    Ludovico wrote: »
    I do enjoy a bit of Bowie now and then, but can understand that the music isn't for everyone. Madonna is 60 today, by the way - something that got a ridiculous amount of coverage on the news here.

    That's why I mentioned her. It struck me that I don't like her or see the relevance of her birthday.

    It really has no news value either. Plenty of good, popular artist celebrate their birthdays without getting a mention like that.

    When she turns 100 (if she does), then maybe that would make sense. But now it's probably because we're in August.

    August isn't an eventful month for news generally, so that's probably an explanation. No doubt more unnecessary coverage is going to be spent on a lot of stuff throughout the month!
  • Posts: 7,507
    I am shocked we are in a society where Madonnas name is mentioned next to Michael Jackson's. Love or hate him, Michael at least had some talent. What does Madonna have?
  • Posts: 17,756
    jobo wrote: »
    I am shocked we are in a society where Madonnas name is mentioned next to Michael Jackson's. Love or hate him, Michael at least had some talent. What does Madonna have?

    A couple of songs from the 80's/90's that has got some recognition and a more recent song that's only mentioned because of the sample of the ABBA classic Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)?
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,636
    jobo wrote: »
    I am shocked we are in a society where Madonnas name is mentioned next to Michael Jackson's. Love or hate him, Michael at least had some talent. What does Madonna have?

    Relating to that, here's some news that I can relate to you with.

    https://theplaylist.net/scarlett-johansson-avengers-payday-20180817/

    She's not talented. She has like one facial expression. Everyone in Avengers Infinity War played their part well, and had something to do in the story. She had two fight scenes, that's it. She treats average people bad, and she steals roles from other races and cultures.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    I believe nuclear war is bad, utterly regardless of who advocates or starts it.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 4,009
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    I am shocked we are in a society where Madonnas name is mentioned next to Michael Jackson's. Love or hate him, Michael at least had some talent. What does Madonna have?

    Relating to that, here's some news that I can relate to you with.

    https://theplaylist.net/scarlett-johansson-avengers-payday-20180817/

    She's not talented. She has like one facial expression. Everyone in Avengers Infinity War played their part well, and had something to do in the story. She had two fight scenes, that's it. She treats average people bad, and she steals roles from other races and cultures.

    What roles has she 'stolen from other races and cultures' exactly?
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,636
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    I am shocked we are in a society where Madonnas name is mentioned next to Michael Jackson's. Love or hate him, Michael at least had some talent. What does Madonna have?

    Relating to that, here's some news that I can relate to you with.

    https://theplaylist.net/scarlett-johansson-avengers-payday-20180817/

    She's not talented. She has like one facial expression. Everyone in Avengers Infinity War played their part well, and had something to do in the story. She had two fight scenes, that's it. She treats average people bad, and she steals roles from other races and cultures.

    What roles has she 'stolen from other races and cultures' exactly?

    There was Ghost in the Shell, which is meant for a Asian actress. Then, there was that transgender role that she dropped out of. Ironically, they were made by the same director.

  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 4,009
    Having a 'name' actress in a film means more money at the box office, like it or not. But that's down to the producers. It doesen't mean she 'stole' the part.

    And i'm sure a man or a woman could play a 'transgender' part as the he/she is neither one or the other strictly speaking.

    So that's just two examples of all the roles she's apparently 'stolen'

    I think your beef with Johansson is merely personal dislike.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    edited September 2018 Posts: 4,636
    Having a 'name' actress in a film means more money at the box office, like it or not. But that's down to the producers. It doesen't mean she 'stole' the part.

    And i'm sure a man or a woman could play a 'transgender' part as the he/she is neither one or the other strictly speaking.

    So that's just two examples of all the roles she's apparently 'stolen'

    I think your beef with Johansson is merely personal dislike.

    Pretty much it is personal dislike. But I was probably in a bad mood, and saw the title of the post. It was people giving their personal opinions, I felt like giving mine. I can drop it, however. I don't want to start an argument.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 4,009
    jobo wrote: »
    I am shocked we are in a society where Madonnas name is mentioned next to Michael Jackson's. Love or hate him, Michael at least had some talent. What does Madonna have?

    One of if not the most famous female artists of all time. Been a hugely successful singer and songwriter since the early 80's and has constantly re-invented herself while still maintaining a huge following.

    Is the best selling female artist of all time and has only sold less records than The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson.

    I'd say she certainly has something....

  • Posts: 7,507
    jobo wrote: »
    I am shocked we are in a society where Madonnas name is mentioned next to Michael Jackson's. Love or hate him, Michael at least had some talent. What does Madonna have?

    One of if not the most famous female artists of all time. Been a hugely successful singer and songwriter since the early 80's and has constantly re-invented herself while still maintaining a huge following.

    Is the best selling female artist of all time and has only sold less records than The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson.

    I'd say she certainly has something....


    A talent for marketing perhaps... or finding the right people to help her with marketing, I don´t know? She certainly does not distinguish hersker as an artist...
  • JeremyBondonJeremyBondon Seeking out odd jobs with Oddjob @Tangier
    Posts: 1,318
    jobo wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    I am shocked we are in a society where Madonnas name is mentioned next to Michael Jackson's. Love or hate him, Michael at least had some talent. What does Madonna have?

    One of if not the most famous female artists of all time. Been a hugely successful singer and songwriter since the early 80's and has constantly re-invented herself while still maintaining a huge following.

    Is the best selling female artist of all time and has only sold less records than The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson.

    I'd say she certainly has something....


    A talent for marketing perhaps... or finding the right people to help her with marketing, I don´t know? She certainly does not distinguish hersker as an artist...

    She certainly isn't very likeable, personal opinion of course
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 4,009
    jobo wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    I am shocked we are in a society where Madonnas name is mentioned next to Michael Jackson's. Love or hate him, Michael at least had some talent. What does Madonna have?

    One of if not the most famous female artists of all time. Been a hugely successful singer and songwriter since the early 80's and has constantly re-invented herself while still maintaining a huge following.

    Is the best selling female artist of all time and has only sold less records than The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson.

    I'd say she certainly has something....


    A talent for marketing perhaps... or finding the right people to help her with marketing, I don´t know? She certainly does not distinguish hersker as an artist...

    She certainly isn't very likeable, personal opinion of course

    You're probably right, but Jobo's assertion was that she had no talent which obviously isn't the case looking at her success and longevity. Even if you can't stand her you have to acknowledge her achievements.
  • edited September 2018 Posts: 7,507
    jobo wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    I am shocked we are in a society where Madonnas name is mentioned next to Michael Jackson's. Love or hate him, Michael at least had some talent. What does Madonna have?

    One of if not the most famous female artists of all time. Been a hugely successful singer and songwriter since the early 80's and has constantly re-invented herself while still maintaining a huge following.

    Is the best selling female artist of all time and has only sold less records than The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson.

    I'd say she certainly has something....


    A talent for marketing perhaps... or finding the right people to help her with marketing, I don´t know? She certainly does not distinguish hersker as an artist...

    She certainly isn't very likeable, personal opinion of course

    You're probably right, but Jobo's assertion was that she had no talent which obviously isn't the case looking at her success and longevity. Even if you can't stand her you have to acknowledge her achievements.


    The marketing world is full of pretty talentless people who make carreers and earn big money. They are everywhere! That is the thing about commercialism in general. It is not necesarrily connected with art or actual ability. It is basically all about branding.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 4,009
    jobo wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    I am shocked we are in a society where Madonnas name is mentioned next to Michael Jackson's. Love or hate him, Michael at least had some talent. What does Madonna have?

    One of if not the most famous female artists of all time. Been a hugely successful singer and songwriter since the early 80's and has constantly re-invented herself while still maintaining a huge following.

    Is the best selling female artist of all time and has only sold less records than The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson.

    I'd say she certainly has something....


    A talent for marketing perhaps... or finding the right people to help her with marketing, I don´t know? She certainly does not distinguish hersker as an artist...

    She certainly isn't very likeable, personal opinion of course

    You're probably right, but Jobo's assertion was that she had no talent which obviously isn't the case looking at her success and longevity. Even if you can't stand her you have to acknowledge her achievements.


    The marketing world is full of pretty talentless people who make carreers and earn big money. They are everywhere! That is the thing about commercialism in general. It is not necesarrily connected with art or actual ability. It is basically all about branding.

    Marketing will take you so far. To be the biggest selling female artist of all time takes a little more than just 'marketing' i would imagine.

    Off the top of my head i can only think of the Khardashians that you could level that accusation at, but then they were already very rich before they became a reality TV phenomenon.

    Any other names you wanna throw in the hat that have made it all through 'marketing' and no talent?
  • j_w_pepperj_w_pepper Born on the bayou, but I now hear a new dog barkin'
    Posts: 9,041
    To me, Madonna has always been an average pop singer making mediocre pop songs, enhanced only by flashy outer appearance and deliberate placing of scandals. That impression hasn't changed in 30-some years. Everything else is genius marketing, but I don't appreciate musicians for their marketing skills. Maybe she has her merits as a live performer, but I generally don't go to live performances unless I'm already convinced of the performer's musical qualities, and that may happen about every five years at best.

    Then again, she's not alone in failing to make a lasting impression of genius on me. I also never caught on to Michael Jackson and Prince, and even Saint David Bowie. Maybe good musicians, and I'm sorry they had to leave so early, but that's it. I don't like the term "overrated", but that's what they are for my own personal taste.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    I liked comics better when they didn t try to shield kids as much.
    mickey-suicide.jpg?resize=501%2C264
  • edited September 2018 Posts: 12,473
    I liked comics better when they didn t try to shield kids as much.
    mickey-suicide.jpg?resize=501%2C264

    As a Bears fan, this comic resonates with me.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Would make much more sense if alcohol was banned and cannabis legalized.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    Would make much more sense if alcohol was banned and cannabis legalized.

    What a world that'd be.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 4,009
    j_w_pepper wrote: »
    To me, Madonna has always been an average pop singer making mediocre pop songs, enhanced only by flashy outer appearance and deliberate placing of scandals. That impression hasn't changed in 30-some years. Everything else is genius marketing, but I don't appreciate musicians for their marketing skills. Maybe she has her merits as a live performer, but I generally don't go to live performances unless I'm already convinced of the performer's musical qualities, and that may happen about every five years at best.

    Then again, she's not alone in failing to make a lasting impression of genius on me. I also never caught on to Michael Jackson and Prince, and even Saint David Bowie. Maybe good musicians, and I'm sorry they had to leave so early, but that's it. I don't like the term "overrated", but that's what they are for my own personal taste.

    Yet again the people you mention, although not to your particular taste, have made a lot of music that a lot of people like. Nothing or little to do with 'marketing' as such.

    A lot of people like their music and like their peformances.

    Marketing helps but if no one likes your songs then all the marketing in the world ain't gonna do squat.
  • royale65royale65 Caustic misanthrope reporting for duty.
    Posts: 4,423
    Would make much more sense if alcohol was banned and cannabis legalized.

    Can I at least keep my Guinness?
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    royale65 wrote: »
    Would make much more sense if alcohol was banned and cannabis legalized.

    Can I at least keep my Guinness?

    Anyone can keep anything they like, old chum.

    Just saying what makes the most sense.
  • Posts: 12,473
    Would make much more sense if alcohol was banned and cannabis legalized.

    They both should be legal IMO. And the drinking age in the US should be lowered to 18. I’m condident alcohol-related crimes would see a drop if it happened.
  • RemingtonRemington I'll do anything for a woman with a knife.
    Posts: 1,534
    I know his fans consider him to be a god, but I can't stand Eminem. He's a decent songwriter but his voice and personality kill it for me. I love Skylar Grey though.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,636
    It's easier for me to post things on this site than on Facebook. It can get goofy on here, yes, but some of my friends I've had to talk about posting goofy things on Facebook many times.
  • Posts: 11,189
    Martin Compston from Line of Duty could act the socks off Sean Connery.

    I didn’t even know the former was Scottish until recently.
  • Posts: 17,756
    BAIN123 wrote: »
    Martin Compston from Line of Duty could act the socks off Sean Connery.

    I didn’t even know the former was Scottish until recently.

    Martin Compston could've made a great C/Max Denbigh I think.
  • SIS_HQSIS_HQ At the Vauxhall Headquarters
    edited September 16 Posts: 3,789
    With regards to Music, been a music fan since I was a kid and yes, since that, I've grown to have a bit of standard in my music, and as I've come to watch the MTV VMA's 2024, my thoughts, once again, lingered into my mind:

    1. I prefer Indie Rock Music to any of the mainstream nowadays, I feel that there's more complexity, creativity, and distinctiveness compared to the samey, generic and formulaic music that's played everywhere, especially Pop Songs, now don't get me wrong, I liked Pop Music, I do enjoy some of them as a kid, and I get why Taylor Swift was highly praised among the Pop Stars, she's a decent lyricist (not good, but decent), I could still listen to them, but there's a part of me inside that I wish those artists of today were more creative, I especially liked All Female Rock Bands because they have angst and more creative, think of The Warning, Plush, or even The Beaches (mind you all, this one's Pop), and other Indie Girl Bands, they're awesome.

    2. The Feminism in the Mainstream were just used for Marketing Tool for me, how could I buy their campaign for Feminism if they're not showing it? All they do was to conform, again, in music, this is mostly the case, they were somewhat constrained by pop music conventions, which often featured similar sounds, simplistic lyrics, and stereotypical styles, while Men were allowed to be creative and experimental in their sounds, female artists should demonstrate true feminist values through their work rather than merely using the label as a marketing strategy, Feminism for me should be proved, to show, and how could they show it if they make the same bubblegum songs over and over again which would not equal the greatness of the male musicians, male listeners even underestimates the pop music, if they really want to prove it, they should show more talent, artistic ability and creativeness, they're only content with it all, worse, some of them were just using their appearances of all things, no angst at all, no respect would be directed towards these female artists if they keep staying on their girlish stereotypes and as long as they're not getting out of their comfort zones.

    3. And probably in this thread, I'm not sure if people would come against me, but I'm tired of The Beatles being held in high pedestal, I mean, don't get me wrong, I know they're iconic, but to say that they're the Greatest Band on Earth like what I'm hearing from some people, it's too much, I think, are their songs any special? I don't think so, at least in my very humble personal opinion, the thing that keeps The Beatles this way is through the ongoing 'Survivorship Bias' where the lesser (albeit great) songs got died out in passing times for the favor of the more popular ones, and upon hearing and discovering those tracks, there were many great musicians and songs in the 60s, and I'd argue, better than The Beatles in terms of musical ability, talent and skills, and even in compositions, or the lyrics that makes more sense that got me, been listening to some of The Beatles songs, and maybe it's because they're overplayed in media that they have no effect on me, and when I'm doing a listening of my own, I don't listen to them often, depending upon my mood, but with the lesser songs, I've mentioned above, I could listen to them anytime, because from the instrumentation, the composition and mental imagery that's forming in my mind, they've got me, for example, listening to Nashville Teens' Tobacco Road (1964) like I'm even thinking if The Beatles could've done a song like that in the same year, yes, 1964?, I would argue that they're not even that great in instrumentation, sure they're great songwriters in the later years, and that's because they've been under the influence of drugs like LSD at the time and some Political movements which just don't affect The Beatles songs at the time, but almost half of the music in the era, so it's not only Beatles who had gone a transformation but other bands as well, and their early songs were enough for me to justify The Beatles in its raw form (without drugs or any Political movements like Hippie and such), I'm done, they're overrated to me, I still acknowledge their fame and being iconic, think of Goldfinger, but they're not to say the best band ever? They're not, I could guarantee that some bands in the 60s like The Nashville Teens and The Fortunes (yep, lesser bands), were better than them in terms of musical creativity and they've been doing it since the early 60s, it's fine to adore the band you liked, but to put them as the greatest of all doesn't ring true to me, it's also evident in their solo songs, sure you may say that they're great, some of them, yes, I could count on fingers how many good songs they have in their solo careers, only few, but again, if you've enjoyed a particular song of the either of them, then, good, for me, they've just been carried on by how iconic and popular were they, and Billy Joel is right, Taylor Swift is being in the same vein of fame, despite her songs being generically pop without quality (read the #4), The Beatles' being put on high pedestal were unfair to other artists who were just or if not more, talented than them who had just got overshadowed.

    4. Music Industry is more about fame than quality.
  • edited September 16 Posts: 1,993
    @SIS_HQ - There is no greatest band or singer. There can't be because music evolves continually and each generation likes what is current. For me, a boomer, The Beatles are gods. But let's put that in perspective. Why boomers rave on about the sixties is because the sixties began one way and end quite another. We were post war babies at 12, 13, and 14 in 1960, fresh faced and innocent. We were still in the folk music era, but with a bit of California beach music to liven things up. About the time our hormones are beginning to boil, along come The Beatles. A new sound, cheeky, and sporting a new look. No question, there were other groups, but none had the writing ability of these guys. They could crank it out. To be fair, there was a lot of other good stuff out there. Meanwhile things were changing rapidly, socially. We were moving into dark times and music reflected to those changes. As we grew, so did The Beatles. Assassinations, Vietnam, protests. That's not how the decade began. Their music along with others captured the times. They were heady times. No decade since has seen such change.

    Were they the greatest band in the world? Then. But like all groups, their star faded. Individually they continued to make music, but not with the energy and creativity of their early years. A lot of what they created individually after, I don't care for. Old rockers never seem to be able to tap into what's current. They still do great concerts playing their oldies.

    One may fairly dispute their being the greatest band of all time, but you cannot argue the impact they had on music, culture, and the times. Whether you like their music or not, you also cannot argue the genius of the song writing talent of L&M. Their collective and individual output is stunning.

    Don't take this as being snarky, but who has been as influential to your generation as The Beatles were to theirs?

    No question, lots of talented individuals get overlooked. What unknown artists have today that unknown artists didn't have when I was growing was social media. Anyone these days with a smartphone can be seen. Whether they get rich and famous is anyone's guess. Even TV shows make stars out of amateurs.

    For me music isn't about generations. A good song is a good song, irrespective who sang it in what period. Admittedly, a lot of what passes for music these days doesn't interest me. A song filled with the F-word etc. bores me. I'm not shocked. I'm just not interested. I've heard it all before.

    Not a fan of country or rap, but there are songs in both categories I like. Taylor Swift? I've heard some of her music. Can't name a single title. She seems like a nice lady, but not my cup of tea. I feel the same about Adele. I like her as a personality, but not a fan of her music.

    Who's the greatest? Let me know when you have answer.
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