"I've got a cougar on me."
I saw two movies this weekend.
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
I have previously mentioned my hatred of unfunny, juvenile humor such as that purveyed by Adam Sandler (Chris Farley, etc.). But that does not mean that I do not like stupid comedies; they just have to be funny. Adam Sandler's humor has no wit or cleverness behind it. Will Ferrell, on the otherhand, is smart, clever, and very funny -- even if the delivery is stupidly done.
When I first heard of this movie, I rolled my eyes. But then I saw the preview, and I said, "I am embarrassed that I am laughing so hard." After all, I'm the "AFI Top 100 Films" guy. I study film!
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is very stupid, but the stupidity hides a very witty, satirical, intelligent humor. It also contains a lot of the absurdity that I liked about Anchorman. Will Ferrell is excellent, as is John C. Reilly.
I am not going to write a long review. I will just say this: I laughed very hard and very often. In fact, I very rarely stopped laughing. So just call me very pleasantly surprised. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is one of the funniest movies I have seen in a long time, and I will be buying it when it comes out on DVD.
Little Miss Sunshine
I have been excited about Little Miss Sunshine ever since I first read that it was being made. I went to it with great trepidation -- it has gotten stellar reviews, and how could anything go wrong with that cast? So I did want to be disappointed. Don't you hate it when you have built a movie up so much in your mind that it is a giant let down?
Well, Little Miss Sunshine is far from a let down. It exceeded my expectations many times over. It is hilarious, heartfelt, poignant, heartbreaking, and hilarious again. The acting is superb (Steve Carell will get a best supporting actor nomination), and the script is a miracle. This is a beautilful film. See it as soon as you can -- I had to drive 30 miles. It is the best film of the year so far.
offered up to the world by CoachDub @ 6:35 PM
8 comments
8 Comments:
I liked Talladega Nights, but was less enthused with the audience. Being centered around NASCAR and of a decidedly "hickish" nature, it of course attracted the Larry the Cable Guy audience to the showing I attended, and very much lessened my appreciation for Will Ferrell. It was good, but still not as funny as Anchorman. I have really wanted to see Little Miss Sunshine but UNFORTUNATELY Brainerd is not playing it, and I don't have time to go to St. Cloud or somewhere. frig.
NO! not my sizzlin' shank!
I know what you are saying about the crowd, Cameron. But I also think that the hick element of the audience probably missed the satirical aspects. It reminds me a little bit of Beavis & Butthead -- many of the kids who loved that show had no idea that they themselves were being mocked.
Oh, they definitely missed it. Pelkey and I found ourselves to be the only ones laughing at more than one point.
Beavis & Butthead... I own the Mike Judge Collection, Vol. 1. Today when I saw the license plate FUP 505, all I could think of was f*** up. haha. how very penetrating with the utmost simplicity
Glad to hear you liked Little Miss Sunshine. I had such a good time at that film. I plan on seeing it at least one more time in the theater, since it has been about a month since I saw it the first time.
It had been such a long time since I felt so emotionally invested in all the characters in a story. And I totally agree Carell will be nominated. But I really feel strongly that Breslin should get a nomination as well. Even though Carell stole most of the scenes, Breslin was the heart and soul of that movie.
Dub, how can you be so foolish?
You declare LMS as the best film of the year, but you review a better film in the SAME POST.
Because I'm a fool, obviously.
RB: You can't have two number ones!
CN*: No, that makes eleven...
(John C. Reiley's character was named Cal Naughton, right? Jr., maybe?)
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