The Wackness

In "The Wackness," now playing at the Grandin, two characters exchange mix tapes. (It is 1994, so the technology make sense.) And shortly, a scene ensues that every mix-tape maker hopes for:

Ben Kingsley, playing a middle-aged psychiatrist and classical music lover, puts on the tape, sparks a J and improbably nods along to the De La Soul song "Can I Kick It?"

That's worth at least 50 points on the mixmaking scoreboard. It is -- and here it means introducing someone to a new genre, artist and song that they immediately decide they like -- a great pleasure of playing mixologist.

Other mix points

+ 20 points :: an obscure pop song from the late '70s that no one has heard and everyone immediately likes

+ 15 points :: a song by R. Kelly that is later played at the mix recipient's wedding

+ 5 points :: a song everyone has heard before,  but in the context of your mix makes people reconsider it and ultimately decide they like it more

+ 0 points :: a song with the words "Love is like..." 

- 25 points :: Kid Rock's "All Summer Long"

Meanwhile, here is "The Wackness" soundtrack.

--Pete