Talladega Nights, Red Eye, and the "Just Fine" Movie
So this past Sunday afternoon I enjoyed a double feature of sorts. The latest Will Ferrell comedy, Talladega Nights: the Ballad of Ricky Bobby, and Red Eye (starring Cillian Murphy and Rachel McAdams). It was a highly enjoyable Sunday.
"Ricky Bobby" is another hilarious movie from Farrell. We've talked a little about him in the past here at Truth and Spectacle, but I feel he deserves a bit more. I'm am (I admit) late to the Will Ferrell party. I still haven't seen Melinda and Melinda, so I hesitate to say that he hasn't shown depth yet. I do think it is evident watching him that he is a star. He has that unquantifiable something that makes people want to watch them. He's got it, and he is definitely going places.
"Talladega" won't win any awards, it won't change your life, it probably won't even turn you onto NASCAR if you're not into it now. But it will tickle your funny bone for two hours (and countless times later when you and your friends repeat some of the funnier lines, "That just HAPPENED!"). "Talladega" doesn't aspire to be anymore than it is, and there is nothing wrong with that.
"Red Eye" is another perfect example of a movie with no pretensions. It is a thriller, much like the rash of thrillers we endured during the late 80's and nineties. It's not especially gory, or scary, or even tremendously well-acted. McAdams, and Murphy play their roles well (and they are pretty much the only ones in the thing) but this is not what their careers will be judged on. It is, again though, an lovely way to spend two hours this weekend.
So why do we (and in particular me) hold movies to such a high standard? I think the main answer is that we can. Movies are (often even) transcendent experiences. They show us the world we wish we lived in, or the people we wish we were. They sometimes show us the truth. Truth that we've run from. It is those movies (and I suppose the schlocky ones from our youth) that stick with us. Those films are the ones, we discuss and dissect, share and salute. But there is nothing wrong with a "Just Fine" movie. Sometimes we need reminding of that. I got it this weekend from Will Ferrell, and Wes Craven.
Till Next time, see you at the movies.
"Ricky Bobby" is another hilarious movie from Farrell. We've talked a little about him in the past here at Truth and Spectacle, but I feel he deserves a bit more. I'm am (I admit) late to the Will Ferrell party. I still haven't seen Melinda and Melinda, so I hesitate to say that he hasn't shown depth yet. I do think it is evident watching him that he is a star. He has that unquantifiable something that makes people want to watch them. He's got it, and he is definitely going places.
"Talladega" won't win any awards, it won't change your life, it probably won't even turn you onto NASCAR if you're not into it now. But it will tickle your funny bone for two hours (and countless times later when you and your friends repeat some of the funnier lines, "That just HAPPENED!"). "Talladega" doesn't aspire to be anymore than it is, and there is nothing wrong with that.
"Red Eye" is another perfect example of a movie with no pretensions. It is a thriller, much like the rash of thrillers we endured during the late 80's and nineties. It's not especially gory, or scary, or even tremendously well-acted. McAdams, and Murphy play their roles well (and they are pretty much the only ones in the thing) but this is not what their careers will be judged on. It is, again though, an lovely way to spend two hours this weekend.
So why do we (and in particular me) hold movies to such a high standard? I think the main answer is that we can. Movies are (often even) transcendent experiences. They show us the world we wish we lived in, or the people we wish we were. They sometimes show us the truth. Truth that we've run from. It is those movies (and I suppose the schlocky ones from our youth) that stick with us. Those films are the ones, we discuss and dissect, share and salute. But there is nothing wrong with a "Just Fine" movie. Sometimes we need reminding of that. I got it this weekend from Will Ferrell, and Wes Craven.
Till Next time, see you at the movies.
posted by Daddy Rogue at 1:04 PM
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