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Friday, August 11, 2006
This week I review the year's longest-titled movies: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby/Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Director: Adam McKay
Possum’s Grade: B-
The first time I watched Anchorman I could not see what it was that my roommates saw in it that had them dropping references for months. However, as the quotes that were so commonly repeated around the house became familiar and as I finally had a context for them, I decided to give the movie another chance. At some point during that second viewing, I bought into the Will Ferrell hype. Suddenly, I understood what it was that everyone loved about this over-the-top, gnawing-on-the-furniture comic actor. It even reached a point where I was reciting Anchorman lines as regularly as Simpsons lines. All this is to say that I, as many, eagerly anticipated the release of “Ricky Bobby.”
Ricky Bobby wants to go fast. That may be all the set up that you need. Regardless, Ferrell manages to take a more measured approach to this character than to Ron Burgandy. He gives the character more depth (as much as can be allowed in this sort of movie) and slows down when the story calls for it. As opposed to Anchorman, he actually takes a step back in a few scenes and allows his co-stars to carry the comedic burden. Scenes are even stolen from him by John C. Reilly, Sascha Baron Cohen (who I can't wait to see in this fall's Borat) and Ricky Bobby's kids.
Talladega Nights cannot be seen as a let down. It isn’t fair for me to compare it to Anchorman because Anchorman is potentially a few years away from being canonized into the Goofball Movie Pantheon along with Airplane, Animal House and Caddy Shack. It has stood up to multiple viewings and remains memorably funny. Only further viewings of Talladega Nights will tell where it stands. But I don’t think it will rank with the others. That doesn’t mean it does not make for a vastly entertaining evening for those who could stand a good laugh.
Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Possum’s Grade: C+
If Christopher Guest had replaced Terry Gilliam at the helm of Lost in La Mancha, you would have had Tristram Shandy.
Based on the novel The Thoughts and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, a book considered un-adaptable, this movie presents portions of the story intertwined with the misadventures of the group attempting to film it. It juxtaposes the absurdity of this particular story with the absurdity of the actual filmmaking process of this and/or any other movie. We see Tristram, in a scene intended as part of the movie, as a grown man speaking from inside his mother’s womb. We also see the director decide to spend a large sum of money to bring American star Gillian Anderson to the set, mid shoot, to play a character that was ultimately cut from the final edit.
Steve Coogan plays Tristram Shandy as well as his father, Walter, and we watch him struggle as he legitimately tries not to alienate his lesser known co-stars while becoming increasingly frustrated by the inconveniences he endures. Rob Brighton plays Tristram’s uncle and struggles constantly, behind the scenes, with Coogan to receive equal billing. The interaction between Coogan and Brighton are the highlights of the film as they have such wonderful chemistry as they argue over petty topics. Other absurd moments provide lengthy chuckles, but ultimately this British comedy came across as too try even for me. And too dry for me often means far too boring for the majority of the people who care enough to heed my reviews.
Possible upcoming reviews:
In theatres: World Trade Center, Little Miss Sunshine, Three Times
On DVD: The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, Brick, The Lost City, Inside Man
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Director: Adam McKay
Possum’s Grade: B-
The first time I watched Anchorman I could not see what it was that my roommates saw in it that had them dropping references for months. However, as the quotes that were so commonly repeated around the house became familiar and as I finally had a context for them, I decided to give the movie another chance. At some point during that second viewing, I bought into the Will Ferrell hype. Suddenly, I understood what it was that everyone loved about this over-the-top, gnawing-on-the-furniture comic actor. It even reached a point where I was reciting Anchorman lines as regularly as Simpsons lines. All this is to say that I, as many, eagerly anticipated the release of “Ricky Bobby.”
Ricky Bobby wants to go fast. That may be all the set up that you need. Regardless, Ferrell manages to take a more measured approach to this character than to Ron Burgandy. He gives the character more depth (as much as can be allowed in this sort of movie) and slows down when the story calls for it. As opposed to Anchorman, he actually takes a step back in a few scenes and allows his co-stars to carry the comedic burden. Scenes are even stolen from him by John C. Reilly, Sascha Baron Cohen (who I can't wait to see in this fall's Borat) and Ricky Bobby's kids.
Talladega Nights cannot be seen as a let down. It isn’t fair for me to compare it to Anchorman because Anchorman is potentially a few years away from being canonized into the Goofball Movie Pantheon along with Airplane, Animal House and Caddy Shack. It has stood up to multiple viewings and remains memorably funny. Only further viewings of Talladega Nights will tell where it stands. But I don’t think it will rank with the others. That doesn’t mean it does not make for a vastly entertaining evening for those who could stand a good laugh.
Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Possum’s Grade: C+
If Christopher Guest had replaced Terry Gilliam at the helm of Lost in La Mancha, you would have had Tristram Shandy.
Based on the novel The Thoughts and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, a book considered un-adaptable, this movie presents portions of the story intertwined with the misadventures of the group attempting to film it. It juxtaposes the absurdity of this particular story with the absurdity of the actual filmmaking process of this and/or any other movie. We see Tristram, in a scene intended as part of the movie, as a grown man speaking from inside his mother’s womb. We also see the director decide to spend a large sum of money to bring American star Gillian Anderson to the set, mid shoot, to play a character that was ultimately cut from the final edit.
Steve Coogan plays Tristram Shandy as well as his father, Walter, and we watch him struggle as he legitimately tries not to alienate his lesser known co-stars while becoming increasingly frustrated by the inconveniences he endures. Rob Brighton plays Tristram’s uncle and struggles constantly, behind the scenes, with Coogan to receive equal billing. The interaction between Coogan and Brighton are the highlights of the film as they have such wonderful chemistry as they argue over petty topics. Other absurd moments provide lengthy chuckles, but ultimately this British comedy came across as too try even for me. And too dry for me often means far too boring for the majority of the people who care enough to heed my reviews.
Possible upcoming reviews:
In theatres: World Trade Center, Little Miss Sunshine, Three Times
On DVD: The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, Brick, The Lost City, Inside Man
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