Is my taste in things good or bad?

[MaximusRift]

I was wondering if anyone here has ever doubted if their taste in things (like books or shows)? Like when you like something that is considered awful by most or when the comic you like is panned by every reviewer you check.

[Navarre]

I used to worry some about my tastes in general; for example, that I liked comic books and D&D where most children my age didn't.

I sometimes feel weird that I would rather see a girl with cute feet than a nude woman with a great body. But, eh, as weirdness goes I suppose it's tolerable. It's no one's right to judge me on it, at least even if it is weird.

But, no, I really don't worry about it at all any more. I have come across so many people with such diversity of tastes. I have also developed confidence in and acceptance of myself. So, to each their own.

Why? Have you been wondering that yourself; perhaps about something specific?

[MaximusRift]

Actually, when it comes to my choice in hobbies, I have to doubts. It's more of a thing when it comes tastes inside my hobbies. A recent example would be that I'm enjoying the Wonder Woman "Odyssey" arc, but it isn't considered good.  I just can't see what is so bad.

I also don't see what's so terrible about No Ordinary Family.

[Navarre]

I try to like No Ordinary Family. I really do.

I'm trying to think of perhaps something in comics I hated/loved where others seemed to feel the opposite but nothing is coming to mind.

[Larry King]

MaximusRift, I don't think you should care what people think of things you like, unless it involves panel vans, makeshift dungeons, and making a woman suit surrounded by moths, that's something Navarre would know all about.

But I get ridiculed all the time for saying my favorite X-Men consist of Maggot, Joseph, Marrow, and Cecilia Reyes, and for liking X-Men 3 over the first two. I don't care that people think my tastes are crazy, it's what I like, and nothing others will say will change it.

[Navarre]

Yeah, that's crazy. 

Were those X-Men prominent at a formative stage in your enjoyment of comics? Why those characters, as they are a bit more obscure?

[greyman24]

You know what? When it comes to something subjective (i.e., likes or dislikes), I think you SHOULD question your judgement. Constantly.

In any interaction with a subjective element (art, fiction, poetry, movies, etc.) involves a level of interpretation that is constantly in flux with any thinking person. The book you loved as a child may seem shallow and aggravating as an adult. The movie you hated before you knew about the director/screenwriter's history might seem deeply insightful with that knowledge.

The thing that I think is important, however, is to not be ASHAMED of your likes and dislikes. Question all you like, but, if you like it, cop to it. And if someone tries to give you s*** about it, tell him to f*** off.

But you're totally wrong about No Ordinary Family. 

[Navarre]

I agree that we should constantly challenge and reevaluate our perspective toward events that have shaped us as well as our own value system.

I'm not sure if it is important to rethink why I find Aquaman boring.

But I agree with your overall point.

[tidge]

If a person understands the origin of their tastes (or at least can describe their tastes) I hesitate to say that taste is "good" or "bad".

At the risk of exposing my own (perhaps) questionable taste I think of three different films that I actually like:

Starship Troopers: This was a film I had no appreciation for. I paid full price, saw it in the theater, and I didn't get the Heinlein juvenile fiction I expected. After I read a review that viewed it from a total different POV (pure hack-factor) and now I actually get a kick out of watching it because that reviewer shared his perspective, and I grok.

Flash Gordon: I loved this film, paid full price for it (in cinema, on DVD, etc.) and I've continued to enjoy it. The most impressive part of it (IMO) is that there is a LOT of incredibly witty dialogue hiding under the campy visuals. I finally got Peter David to admit what bothered him about it, and it came down to the Soundtrack! I think his actual comment was that while watching it he felt like he was being assaulted by the music...but while I can see his point as valid, I still enjoy the heck out of it.

Catwoman: There may be problems with this film, but I don't see them. In a very meta way, I think this movie was too smart for it's own good. If you look at how this film is structured, it's basically a campy hero film in which every one of the gender roles was reversed. At some level, I think part of our collective nerd rage about this movie is because while we are pretty shocked to see women doing everything that the men usually do (hero, villain, mentor, sidekick) and men reduced to the typical female roles (love interest/bohunk-in-distress, manipulated villain). It's also weird how "girlish" things factor so strongly in the story (Make-up, self-image, not to mention the more classic Catwoman tropes of jewelry and a crazy old cat lady!) I also suspect that there is a little rage over the fact that Michelle Pfeiffer wasn't cast...

And just to show that my cinema-meter isn't stuck on wild-ass-crazy, I didn't like David Lynch's Dune when I saw it opening night, and in the intervening years nothing about it has changed my opinion. I've watched this (and the various cuts) many times trying to find something to like about it: pacing, sets, costumes, but NOTHING. David Lynch is a director that has done work I really enjoy and stuff I haven't...but I just cannot get anything out of his Dune...except some oddball quotes.

My opinion: revel in your taste, good or bad! Just be ready to explain it in a court of public opinion.

[Larry King]

Yeah, that's crazy. 

Were those X-Men prominent at a formative stage in your enjoyment of comics? Why those characters, as they are a bit more obscure?

It sure is crazy, thank god the FBI stopped you.

Those X-Men are the ones I began reading comics full time, and have stuck with me since. Joseph was Magneto, but not Magneto he could be good, bad, or both, but not ugly due to his youth and 4 foot long white hair. Maggot was from South Africa and had those creepy slugs come out of him. Marrow was a morlock, and had sass. Cecilia was a normal woman who wanted to help people but never wanted to be a hero, despite that she was dragged along on the X-Men's adventures.

[Navarre]

I think those first heroes we remember often stick with us deeper than others.

I'm glad I read Captain America before I came across Maggot.   

[andrew wiggins]

if we enjoy something then we should who cares what others think im a huge pulp fiction fan as well as kevin smith fan i love those films and if others dont oh well

[Navarre]

Why wouldn't someone love Pulp Fiction? Great movie.

[Larry King]

if we enjoy something then we should who cares what others think im a huge pulp fiction fan as well as kevin smith fan i love those films and if others dont oh well

I can understand the Kevin Smith hate, I am guilty of it from time to time. But I am in agreement with Navarre, who doesn't love Pulp Fiction?

[MaximusRift]

Thanks guys for sharing. Makes me feel better.

I guess the main reason I like "No Ordinary Family" & "The Cape" is because they are superhero shows. I think the cliche of it appeals to me. I also like the Japanese super hero stuff (Ultraman, Kamen Rider, ...) so I guess I'm more forgiving.  Oddly enough, I can't stand Power Rangers Samurai even though I love the original Japanese version of the show (Shinkenger).

I also like Cecilia Reyes and the rest of the X-men added in the '90.  Actually, there are very few characters I hate.