Ahoy-hoy from Dove Valley. Virtually no football contained herein, so if you’re looking for Broncos news, wait for the midday report or keep scrolling for other entries …
Back to work and back to practice after a day off spent moving boxes, hooking up televisions, tossing old clothes into a pile to be given away and grilling two steaks … most importantly, it was a day spent away from the computer, for the most part, which I desperately needed.
And, of course, there was how I spent my Saturday night, watching The Simpsons Movie. I have never been so certain walking into a theater that I would enjoy a movie, and I was not disappointed. Granted, I can see why some people would think the movie is overlong; they’re used to getting Homer and the gang in 22-minute bursts. But if I had the time, I could sit down and watch 35 episodes on end, so a movie that checks in under 90 minutes is nothing at all.
Quick pre-practice review …
The best parts?
… More character-centric scenes than has been the case during the last few years’ episodes … Ned Flanders not being portrayed as a total nut-job; for all his idiosyncrasies, he is undoubtedly the kindest character on the show, as Homer himself said in the fifth-season episode Homer Loves Flanders, “If everyone here were like Ned Flanders, there’d be no need for heaven: we’d already be there.” … The producers and writers not opting to use the more permissive constraints of a movie to swear like longshoremen … A revelation about Ralph Wiggum that is, frankly, unsurprising … Some key nods to the first two years of the TV series, rewarding longtime viewers … The movie has a fairly seamless flow, and virtually nothing is wasted.
What I didn’t like?
… I still don’t like the portrayal of “jerka– Homer,” as he is sometimes dubbed in many places on the Internet. When the show began, he was a well-meaning dolt whose idiocy was often accidental; here, his mistake rises from intentionally defying laws, decency and his eldest daughter. But that’s the direction in which the show has gone in recent years … In the quest to get every character on-screen, some prominent secondary faces have to take more of a background role than usual. For instance, I would have loved to have seen more screen time for Burns, Smithers and Krusty. But that’s what sequels are for … No Rainier Wolfcastle? Having Arnold Schwarzenegger as a character doesn’t make up for Rainier’s absence (“Mari-ah, my mighty heart is breaking. I’ll be in the Humvee.”) … In a movie about an environmental crisis triggered by Homer, how about mentioning the fact that he once caused the entire town to be moved five miles down the road?
Nevertheless, when The Simpsons is lousy, it’s still entertaining. When it’s on its game, like it is in the movie, it’s rewatchable again and again and again. I’m sure when the DVD comes out, it will be the background noise for many a late-night blog- or Gameday writing session in the home office.
Off to practice … toodle-oo until midday.
Man, I can’t wait to see that movie. At first I was like skeptical but I’ve been sold on it as of late.
Great comments ‘Drew!
And by the way, is it just me, or does anyone else think that Mr. Mason and Spence from “King of Queens” were separated at birth?
I agree – it made no sense to have Arnie as president when they have a ready made Arnie parody in Rainier to stand in. But when that’s the worst thing about the movie its safe to say it was a good one.
Spence from “King of Queens”? Never heard that one. When I was 14, someone told me that I looked like Rick from “Magnum, P.I.” … Judge for yourself. I don’t see the resemblance.
And Rainier Wolfcastle rocks. “Up Late with McBain” is one of the five funniest Simpsons episode openings ever, defined by Lisa’s deadpan line: “The Fox network has sunk to a new low.”
He’s always reminded me of Jon Favreau, personally. (He’s always Vince Vaugn’s buddy in any movie he’s in.)
Favreau’s not so bad … although I am not nearly as pathetic as some of the characters he plays, like Mikey in Swingers.