When I hang out at my Dad and Mom’s place, I almost always end up seeing a DVD. Last year my Dad picked up an InFocus X1 projector (a great deal and a great picture), so that adds to the fun. My brother had Kill Bill II and Elf, while I brought Bad(der) Santa. We opted to start with Elf, since we are all Will Ferrell fans and because none of us had seen it. Also, I wondered if my brother’s fiance would be comfortable with Bad Santa (which I thought was brilliant, but remember the 3 Bs?) BIG MISTAKE! I knew it was primarily for kids, but with Ferrell in it, I figured there would be plenty of funny parts (pitched more towards the adults). Unfortunately, the movie was just not funny. Whom do I blame? Jon Favreau. I’ve never figured out his appeal. In fact, I’m that rare bird that didn’t like Swingers. The premise of the movie had potential, and the scenes at the North Pole had a surreal technicolor quality that dazzled my eyes. Unfortunately, the movie included no edgy humor from Ferrell and instead ended up focussing on the tired, preachy crapola about importance of belief in Xmas and Xmas spirit. All of this left me (and my Dad, wife, and brother) in a laughless diabetic shock. Favreau was the writer and director, so he gets the blame. Plus, the main kid was annoying and the female lead had no spark. The one funny moment in the film was when Ferrell chugged a whole 2 liter bottle of coke and burped. That was pretty much it. I wish I could have found a clip of this on the web, but I couldn’t. Than you would have heard and seen all of Elf you needed. Keep in mind that I do like good movies for kids. I’ve enjoyed numerous animated features (like Toys) and films (like School of Rock) that are targeted to kids, but this movie robbed 96 minutes of my valuable vacation time. It did, though, inspire me to rewatch Bad Santa soon…
I did end up seeing Kill Bill II and enjoyed it, but I didn’t like the 2 Kill Bills (either separate or taken as a whole) as much as either Pulp Fiction or Jackie Brown. I loved those flix. Not only is the story more dependent on magic and hocus pocus, but it is too much a martial arts film for my taste and has too many 90lb women kicking the shit out of big dudes (I’ve yet to see this in the real world, except spiritually, perhaps). So, the bottom line:
Elf - sucked, don't bother
Kill Bill Volume II - Pretty good, even better if you like Kung Fu action
Bad Santa - brilliant, dark comedy, perfect for the Xmas curmudgeon
2 comments:
Well, I liked Elf. I figure it will be a movie that is probably shown in the every other slot when A Christmas Story is not, every Christmas. Perhaps it will replace the Jim Carey Grinch which I feel is weaker than the original. As for Kill Bills, I got sick of seeing the blood. And to think this comes from a guy who enjoyed the original Dawn of the Dead, Pulp Fiction, and A Clockwork Orange. I am so sick of any action scene that even hints of the Matrix. The last martial arts movie I enjoyed starred Bruce Lee. And women beating up men? Yep they do it. With a lawyer.
Yeah, Randy, you and a lot of folks liked Elf. I'm not much of a Christmas cheer guy, so it fell flat for me. It just didn't have any edge, which is the reason I like Ferrell's humor. I wanted to do my public duty and make sure none of my friends go into it with the wrong expectations. I think a lot of folks found it pleasant because they watched it with their kids.
I agree on the blood in the KB movies. Getting married takes away a lot of the acceptance of mindless violence in movies. It is tough to get a multi-hour stretch alone to watch a flick, and my wife has no interest in blood squirting from neck stubs...
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