Cite an opinion of yours regarding popular culture (film, music, television, video games, literature, and so on) which you believe stands in contrast with the conventional wisdom or status quo. Examples: "The Matrix Revolutions is the best of the trilogy," "True Blood has improved with every new season," "I prefer Wings to solo John Lennon," etc.

Mine: R.E.M.'s best era came after they signed with a major label (Warner). I prefer Green, Out of Time, Automatic for the People, Monster, and New Adventures in Hi-Fi to the I.R.S. years, particularly Automatic and Hi-Fi.

Michael Bay is one of the greatest directors of our time.

Aren't all of their hit songs on those albums?

I think David is trying to say that popular opinion is that REM 'sold out' when they became popular...

IMO, they always sucked.

It's the battle of the populars - - which one are we talking about again?

Yes.

And, Bradley, they had earlier hits. "The One I Love," the "Superman" cover, and "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" are from their independent-label era, for example.

David hating on "sold out" bands... how shocking.

He couldn't be more hipster if he tried.

Those are great songs, but not their biggest hits (i.e.: biggest impact in popular culture).

Perhaps you're thread is intended to collect contrary hipster-culture opinions?

Clearly this conversation is above your head, lol.

Other than "Losing My Religion," "It's the End..." is their most popular song, I would argue. It is certainly more widely known than, say, "E-Bow the Letter" or "Nightswimming."

I hate how popular The Big Bang Theory is. Never has mediocrity bothered me so much.

The TV show, obviously. Not the actual theory. Though the theory's a bit overrated too.

It's The End Of The World As We Know It certainly got lots of airplay starting just before the millennium and continuing as an ironic dystopia theme song ever since, but when it was released it didn't do particularly well on the charts.

But if you're hinging your whole argument on that one song, I'm sure the hipsters would tell you that REM had already sold out with Document - - they had really already left IRS in spirit.

REM peaked back when Michael Stipe use to have hair. That was around the time of Green

1. Flavor of Love - Season 2 was amazing.

2. Amy Winehouse is (er, was) a better singer than Adele.

3. Skrillex has his place in a discussion about music artistry.

You should read his post again.

Pedro Almodovár and Ang Lee are the most overrated acclaimed directors working right now. In particular the former has yet to make a single film that I like.

I have enjoyed a few of Pedro's films, particularly Bad Education, but I do agree he is overvalued by many.

From Almodovár I have seen Bad Education, All about my Mother, Volver and The Skin I Live In. So maybe, outside of these, there is a hidden gem that I have yet to see. I used to dislike Steven Soderbergh a lot too, but now Side Effects is still my favorite of 2013...

There is not. Believe me.

I never got the fascination with The Rolling Stones. They seem like the musical version of a von Neumann machine. Check off all of the boxes, have a hit, repeat. However, I believe David Bowie is tremendously underrated and his image gets in the way of how great many of his songs are. He wrote "All the Young Dudes" for Mott the Hoople and although not for Nirvana, "The Man Who Sold the World" is tremendous--in both versions.

I dislike Michael Jackson's songs. If it wasn't for the videos, many of which are good, the songs, in my view, would not have been nearly as popular. But for maybe Billie Jean, does anyone think he had a truly great standalone song? Other than perhaps the title to a song, I cannot recall much lyrically (besides the song title--almost always tossed in) or beat wise.

I typically dislike James Bond. Actor doesn't matter. I simply don't like the character.

I love, love Bowie, but I am not sure I could ever describe him as underrated. He is an absolute legend. I believe he receives a proper amount of worship, almost on par with the Beatles, the Who, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and, yes, the Stones.

The Kinks are often undervalued by the general public, I believe.

I don't like blonde haired women in terms of sexual attractiveness.

King of the Hill is one of the best TV comedies of all time.

Todays kindergartners could make better music than the beatles did.

No. Just no. Maybe there is a Mozart out there but I doubt that is the type of music you meant.