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I watched the movie Juno yesterday. I liked it but felt pretty strongly that it shouldn't win best film or anything (it didn't). Anyway, there is a scene where Jason Bateman's character is showing Juno his music collection and music equipment. He drops the bomb that he opened for the Melvins back in 1993 and that this was pretty much the high point of music. Later you see him play "Doll Parts" on guitar with her. Schwoo, I really hate moments like this in movies even when they are something I can so closely relate to. Yeah, I used to listen to The Melvins and Nirvana and even Hole but I get this sinking awkward feeling seeing it on screen, like I'm embarassed for that person or there is just something blatantly wrong with it as though it lacks conviction or something. Maybe I just didn't really believe Jason Bateman as this guy or maybe it's because I just think I know better. I get the feeling that this guy is me, or at least what Hollywood is trying to relate me to. Then the scene came on where he pops in The Carpenter's soundtrack with Sonic Youth's cover of "Superstar" and he relays to Juno that this is quite possibly one of the best covers ever done... and this most certainly was ME. I've specifically had this exact conversation on multiple occasions before. And now I figure out what is wrong... it's not the acting necessarily or bad writing even, it's that it gets so bad when a movie has to dumb down music knowledge to reach the average joe. This film might have been better off just leaving out all the music explanations (even though I did appreciate the "Superstar" reference). The book High Fidelity seemed to do a pretty good job of this, sometimes it just takes being elitist and poking fun at yourself for being the way that you are. BTW- whoever was in charge of putting all the Kimya Dawson and Moldy Peaches as the soundtrack for Juno, kudos to you, you could not have been more right on.

-ick!