# Cafe Society **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=8 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 9 --- ## [Mediocre films that stay with you](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mediocre-films-that-stay-with-you/1032577)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2026, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mediocre-films-that-stay-with-you/1032577 "2026-08-30T16:44:40Z")
I was thinking of the film Vivarium recently…I realized that film comes to mind a lot, and I’m not sure why. It’s got a pretty average IMDB and rotten tomatoes score, and I’d hesitate to recommend someone to watch it. B… --- ## [Name that Pratchett novel? {answered}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-pratchett-novel-answered/1032669)
**Author:** [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2026, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-pratchett-novel-answered/1032669 "2026-08-30T01:05:12Z")
It’s the one where Death fecks off for a bit and goes to live in a little farmhouse. It’s been about 30 years since I read, but I want to say it’s the first one in which the Death of Mice appears as well. And a poor bu… --- ## [Mandolin Tuning Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandolin-tuning-question/1032610)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandolin-tuning-question/1032610 "2026-08-29T19:44:13Z")
I am a guitar player who has an electric, an acoustic, and an acoustic bass. I’m contemplating getting a mandolin just to have something to noodle on if I’m travelling or whatever. If I got one I am thinking of reversin… --- ## [Dark Matter (2024, not 2015)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-matter-2024-not-2015/1032653)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2026, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-matter-2024-not-2015/1032653 "2026-08-29T15:54:40Z")
This series got a few mentions in the big “series you sre watching” thread, but never had a thread of its own. Season 2 has just started, I thought the first new episode was well enough done and I’m drawn back in. --- ## [Universal makes deal to make 10 Atari 2600 movies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-makes-deal-to-make-10-atari-2600-movies/1031885)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2026, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-makes-deal-to-make-10-atari-2600-movies/1031885 "2026-08-29T15:18:07Z")
We can possibly look forward to Asteroids Adventure Berzerk Breakout Centipede Crystal Castle Millipede Missile Command Pong Yars’ Revenge --- ## [The deserted cinema](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deserted-cinema/1032586)
**Author:** [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2026, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deserted-cinema/1032586 "2026-08-29T12:36:32Z")
My apologies if this doesn’t belong in Cafe Society, but it was the closest category I could think of. My son and I went to see The Odyssey today. I had bought tickets on line and had a QR code ready for the theater, pa… --- ## [Good Bad Books](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-bad-books/1032607)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2026, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-bad-books/1032607 "2026-08-29T02:21:09Z")
Since I have been reading Uncle Tom’s Cabin on audio (for the first time ever), I had a look at criticism about it, and stumbled upon George Orwell’s evaluation of it, in a 1945 essay entitled “Good Bad Books”. Here’s wh… --- ## [First fictional crush](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-fictional-crush/1032342)
**Author:** [@CastletonSnob1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastletonSnob1)\ **Replies:** 176\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2026, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-fictional-crush/1032342 "2026-08-29T00:40:42Z")
Do you remember what your first crush on a fictional character was? I was obsessed with Dot from Animaniacs. Don’t laugh, I was like 4 years old. --- ## [Looking for parody movies of a deadly nature](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-parody-movies-of-a-deadly-nature/1032581)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2026, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-parody-movies-of-a-deadly-nature/1032581 "2026-08-28T18:28:06Z")
Are there any movies out there that parody the “Final Destination” film series? --- ## [ZZ Top has lost its Beard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zz-top-has-lost-its-beard/1032405)
**Author:** [@caligulathegod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caligulathegod)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2026, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zz-top-has-lost-its-beard/1032405 "2026-08-28T18:05:31Z")
ZZ Top’s Frank Beard, ironically the one without a beard, has died. --- ## [Niche topic: has anyone tried the new oddball (but delicious-sounding) Oreos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/niche-topic-has-anyone-tried-the-new-oddball-but-delicious-sounding-oreos/1032529)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2026, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/niche-topic-has-anyone-tried-the-new-oddball-but-delicious-sounding-oreos/1032529 "2026-08-28T03:54:29Z")
I saw these in an ad sidebar someplace and checked Google. Summary from Gemini: New Limited-Time Flavors Banana Pudding: Features sweet banana and vanilla pudding creme between two vanilla wafer cookies. Deep Fried: … --- ## [Tim Curry has died at 80](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tim-curry-has-died-at-80/1032573)
**Author:** [@Scoobysnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoobysnax)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2026, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tim-curry-has-died-at-80/1032573 "2026-08-28T03:20:04Z")
Whether it was the butler in clue, the clown in It, or Frank-n-Furter in Rocky Horror, Tim Curry was always entertaining. --- ## [Dolly Parton’s Siblings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2026, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566 "2026-08-28T02:03:09Z")
Not that I’ve seen all that has ever been written/said about Dolly Parton, but I’ve never seen any comments about her many (10?) siblings. One might assume it was intentional. Anyone? --- ## [Peter Cullen, voice of Optimus Prime dead at 85](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peter-cullen-voice-of-optimus-prime-dead-at-85/1032604)
**Author:** [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2026, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peter-cullen-voice-of-optimus-prime-dead-at-85/1032604 "2026-08-27T15:01:53Z")
The hits keep right on coming… --- ## [What do you think happened to these villains in the Old Man Logan setting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-happened-to-these-villains-in-the-old-man-logan-setting/1032580)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-happened-to-these-villains-in-the-old-man-logan-setting/1032580 "2026-08-26T20:52:03Z")
What do you think happened to the following villains in the Old Man Logan universe after the US was taken over and divided? Purple Man, Carnage, Hyde, Controller, Leader, Mad Thinker, the U-Foes and Flag Smasher. Are t… --- ## ["King of Siam" song?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-of-siam-song/916222)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2026, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-of-siam-song/916222 "2026-08-26T14:06:41Z")
The one that goes “I am the King of Siam; yes I am” to the tune of the Mexican Hat Dance song. All Google could tell me is that someone else somewhere in the world had heard this too because it was quoted with no contex… --- ## [Predict the next era of Star Trek](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-next-era-of-star-trek/1032534)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2026, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-next-era-of-star-trek/1032534 "2026-08-26T13:42:22Z")
We have a little bit more of Strange New Worlds, another season of Academy, then a break as the powers that be decide on what a reset is going to look like. Predict. A completely different timeline than any currently e… --- ## [Are you aware of the golden fork and spoon used by the creator of Fettucine Alfredo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-the-golden-fork-and-spoon-used-by-the-creator-of-fettucine-alfredo/1032557)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2026, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-the-golden-fork-and-spoon-used-by-the-creator-of-fettucine-alfredo/1032557 "2026-08-26T02:24:30Z")
Probably my favorite cutlery story. “Another decisive step in his (Alfredo Di Lelio) path to success and satisfaction was his meeting with Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, the two famous American silent film actors,… --- ## [Whiskey aged at sea on ships](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiskey-aged-at-sea-on-ships/1031879)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2026, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiskey-aged-at-sea-on-ships/1031879 "2026-08-25T23:36:17Z")
This is an interesting concept. The whiskey barrels are actually stored on the open decks of cruise ships for six months. --- ## [Solo performances with multiple characters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solo-performances-with-multiple-characters/1021084)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2026, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solo-performances-with-multiple-characters/1021084 "2026-08-25T15:56:50Z")
There’s a genre on YouTube videos where one person performs all of the characters in a multi-character scene, generally with different outfits to distinguish the characters. A couple of recent examples: Julie Nolke An… --- ## [How much are movie tickets your way now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-movie-tickets-your-way-now/220355)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2026, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-movie-tickets-your-way-now/220355 "2026-08-25T12:29:36Z")
I know, there have been other threads, but prices keep going up… Of the two theaters I go to (one in Newington NH and the other in Methuen MA - neither are really near my house, but they’re compromises between friends a… --- ## [Do you remember Zamfir?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-zamfir/1032510)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2026, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remember-zamfir/1032510 "2026-08-25T03:54:31Z")
He is now 85 --- ## [RIP Shelly Fabares, dies at 82](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-shelly-fabares-dies-at-82/1032525)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2026, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-shelly-fabares-dies-at-82/1032525 "2026-08-24T21:48:36Z")
I remember Shelly from Coach and the last three seasons of One Day At a Time. I had a teen crush on her in high school, and always enjoyed her work on Coach. She appeared in Superman: The Animated Series as Martha Kent… --- ## ["Stand by Me" is 40 today {Released August 22, 1986}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-by-me-is-40-today-released-august-22-1986/1032494)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2026, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-by-me-is-40-today-released-august-22-1986/1032494 "2026-08-24T21:31:25Z")
Released August 22, 1986 I think the movie is pretty close to perfect, though Rotten Tomatoes is only 89% and 94% from the Audience. This was during an almost impossible run of great movies by Rob Reiner. The casting w… --- ## [The Girl in the Spider's Web opening scene (spoiler)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-girl-in-the-spiders-web-opening-scene-spoiler/1032516)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2026, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-girl-in-the-spiders-web-opening-scene-spoiler/1032516 "2026-08-24T01:51:18Z")
The father calls his daughter to the bed and says he wants to play a game with her. He pats something on the bed. A small vacuum cleaner like an old Electrolux? --- ## [Last Remaining Cast Members](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-remaining-cast-members/929464)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Replies:** 367\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2026, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-remaining-cast-members/929464 "2026-08-24T00:12:27Z")
The thread about the death of Dawn Wells leaving Tina Louise as the tontine winner of Gilligan’s Island made me wonder about other old shows or movies with only one or two cast members left. I know F Troop has only Larr… --- ## [Foundation: TV series discussion (open spoilers; comparison to the books allowed)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foundation-tv-series-discussion-open-spoilers-comparison-to-the-books-allowed/951328)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 320\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foundation-tv-series-discussion-open-spoilers-comparison-to-the-books-allowed/951328 "2026-08-23T20:44:06Z")
Note: OPEN SPOILERS in this thread Yesterday Apple TV+ released the first two episodes “Foundation” based on the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov. For this thread open spoilers are allowed (although you can spoiler ta… --- ## [What film(s) deserve a Legacy Sequel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-film-s-deserve-a-legacy-sequel/970331)
**Author:** [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-film-s-deserve-a-legacy-sequel/970331 "2026-08-23T17:55:56Z")
A legacy sequel is a years on (think 15-20 years later) film that follows the same characters, ideally with the same actors, many years down the road. Top Gun: Maverick, Bladerunner 2049, and Bill & Ted Face the Music ar… --- ## [The great 1950s, as depicted in "Father Knows Best"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-1950s-as-depicted-in-father-knows-best/1032308)
**Author:** [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-1950s-as-depicted-in-father-knows-best/1032308 "2026-08-23T16:32:42Z")
I’m a fan of nostalgic classic old TV series, as some may have noted from my comments in the “TV series” thread. I’ve recently been re-watching some episodes of Father Knows Best and some of the indicators of mainstream… --- ## [The End of Oak Street](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-of-oak-street/1032377)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-of-oak-street/1032377 "2026-08-23T16:13:08Z")
Saw this this weekend because I can’t not see a dinosaurs raiding a suburb movie. And that is basically what you get. It’s was a fun, kind of cheesy (in a good way) violent action movie where ET meets Jurassic Park with… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=9)