Went Out With The Other Man Today
Errrrgghh... Digit had to drive three hours off to do family things today & tomorrow, so Abu Felix came over and took me out to the movies (enormous barrel of popcorn), a chain called Tijuana Flats* (a very filling salad and, per Abu, the best burrito he's had in his life), and then Carvel's Ice Cream (dulce de leche - pralines and cream two-scooper with hot caramel sauce, hold the schlag; so much for the good intentions behind the salad). I May Never Want To Eat Again.
We went to a matinee of Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby starring Will Ferrell. Hoping not to give offense to all the men and boys I know who might not enjoy this, it's a Boy Movie: fast cars, racing scenes, things crash and catch fire, a wee bit of bathroom humor, a tale of two buddies, etc. The homophobic remarks are mocking homophobia; the francophobic remarks are mocking francophobia; and so on -- points which will inevitably be lost on some viewers and critics. Great breathless line after a passionate male-male kiss: "You taste...of America."
And though the film is clearly mocking sponsorship of NASCAR drivers & cinematic product placements, it does so in a way that left me, at least, wondering if the corporations had, in fact, paid for the placements.
A French Formula One driver (played by Ali G) gets into a squabble with Ricky Bobby about great American things: "Chinese Food!" "from China." "Pizza!" "Italian." "Tacos!" "Mexico." Part of the joke there is that Ricky Bobby is right -- all three are authentically American -- and the supercilious French speedster is wrong -- but the writers don't point it out; they leave Ricky Bobby crestfallen.
Ricky's ne'er-do-well pot-dealing absentee daddy absolutely makes the movie, played by Gary Cole driving a souped-up Chevelle with "13" proudly blazoned on the side. His mother, played by Jane Lynch of Best in Show, is a pure joy too, announcing "Granny Law...you behave or I'm gonna paint your back porch red!" while playing the voice of reason & the soul of acceptance. (Watch for an easter egg with her after the credits; and here's the rest of the excellent cast, including John C. Reilly as the sidekick and Michael Clarke Duncan as the pit boss).
Ferrell & Co. do a good job here, as good as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. There may be a bit too much time and not enough kind in their riffs on saying grace to the "eight-pound, six-ounce, Dear Infant Baby Jesus" but most people looking for a funny movie, a buddy movie, or a Boy Movie, will be well-pleased with this fare.
Soundtrack highlights: the Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black," sung in French by women; and the immortal oldie "King of the Road" by Roger Miller for the flashback opening scene. My favorite character, and my favorite scene: the cougar. I'll say no more. But if she got a mention in the credits, I missed it. :(
*noisy website, excellent catalog of hot sauces
We went to a matinee of Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby starring Will Ferrell. Hoping not to give offense to all the men and boys I know who might not enjoy this, it's a Boy Movie: fast cars, racing scenes, things crash and catch fire, a wee bit of bathroom humor, a tale of two buddies, etc. The homophobic remarks are mocking homophobia; the francophobic remarks are mocking francophobia; and so on -- points which will inevitably be lost on some viewers and critics. Great breathless line after a passionate male-male kiss: "You taste...of America."
And though the film is clearly mocking sponsorship of NASCAR drivers & cinematic product placements, it does so in a way that left me, at least, wondering if the corporations had, in fact, paid for the placements.
A French Formula One driver (played by Ali G) gets into a squabble with Ricky Bobby about great American things: "Chinese Food!" "from China." "Pizza!" "Italian." "Tacos!" "Mexico." Part of the joke there is that Ricky Bobby is right -- all three are authentically American -- and the supercilious French speedster is wrong -- but the writers don't point it out; they leave Ricky Bobby crestfallen.
Ricky's ne'er-do-well pot-dealing absentee daddy absolutely makes the movie, played by Gary Cole driving a souped-up Chevelle with "13" proudly blazoned on the side. His mother, played by Jane Lynch of Best in Show, is a pure joy too, announcing "Granny Law...you behave or I'm gonna paint your back porch red!" while playing the voice of reason & the soul of acceptance. (Watch for an easter egg with her after the credits; and here's the rest of the excellent cast, including John C. Reilly as the sidekick and Michael Clarke Duncan as the pit boss).
Ferrell & Co. do a good job here, as good as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. There may be a bit too much time and not enough kind in their riffs on saying grace to the "eight-pound, six-ounce, Dear Infant Baby Jesus" but most people looking for a funny movie, a buddy movie, or a Boy Movie, will be well-pleased with this fare.
Soundtrack highlights: the Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black," sung in French by women; and the immortal oldie "King of the Road" by Roger Miller for the flashback opening scene. My favorite character, and my favorite scene: the cougar. I'll say no more. But if she got a mention in the credits, I missed it. :(
*noisy website, excellent catalog of hot sauces