An American Carol
Have you heard the buzz about this movie?
We saw a couple of trailers on t.v. this past week, and it looked funny in an Airplane kind of way (without realizing in fact David Zucker was involved in both). But you know how it is, especially with comedies, the best clips are always shown in the 30 second t.v. trailers.
When Hubby found out, his hero, Bill O'Reilly had a cameo in it though, he went on an all out hunt to find out more about it. With Genius out with the friends this weekend, he thought it would be a good idea to go see it this evening. Now I'm not one for comedies in the theater, I generally feel that we can use our money better than that, but I just happened to have a free movie cash certificate, so since it's Hubby's birthday tomorrow, I decided to indulge him and said sure. Besides, that means popcorn, and there is nothing I like better than movie theater popcorn, except maybe Cold Stone Creamery's Pumpkin Ice Cream....which I was pretty sure I could convince him to get after the movie (and I did!).
Now I'm sure you figured out that if Bill O'Reilly is Hubby's hero, that we lean pretty far to the right. Since we're not American citizens though, we're sort of hanging lopsided on the sidelines of the whole political thing. This is the second election since we moved here, that I really wish we had an input in, alas it will need to wait for the next one.
Back to the movie though. It contains your basic slapstick humor of the Leslie Nielson variety, a lot of pokes at the terrorists (which one may or may not laugh at), and while gussied up with a lot of silliness and parody, it touches on a lot of issues that are real, true and pertinent to what is happening to this country.
A musical number showing that learning institutions are indoctrinating our children, and how many parents are oblivious to it or finding it out the hard way, shows why homeschooling is growing by leaps and bounds.
The ridiculousness of "radical Christianity" being compared to "radical Islam" in an airport screening procedure, was actually very funny, because it was so absurd.
The ghost of George Washington stating that he sought the counsel of God when leading the nation, and looking out on to the ruins of New York City 9/11, was a poignant and thought provoking scene.
While ultimately the movie is deemed as a parody on the documentaries of Michael Moore, and some of the jokes aren't funny, just really bad, the effect that it produces is that conservatives are basing their beliefs and political ideals on those that came before us. The great leaders of the nation who pioneered the constitution. The generals who fought the tough wars so that we can be a democratic country. The politicians who realized that there are enemies that threaten our freedoms.
For the $5.25 that we paid to actually see the movie (that of course does not include the popcorn, drink and pumpkin ice cream that was consumed during the course of the evening), I thought it was well spent. We were a little put off by some of the jokes, laughed a lot despite some offenses, and pondered even more on where the country is going despite the examples of the past.
So has anyone else seen this movie, or thought of seeing it? What did you think if you have?
Food, Homeschool, Ice Cream, Movies, Review
Reader Comments (2)
We love Bill, too. I guess that says a lot about us also!
We have not seen the movie but defintley want to - and all because of Bill starring in it, otherwise, it wouldn't appeal to me, personally.
Thank you for your review. I really appreciated it. Since we plan on seeing it, I read every word trying to discern if this was a good movie or not (I had my doubts). Is it o.k. to take the kids, too?
I thought it was interesting that your not U.S. citizens yet. Where are you from? This is my first time visitng you. I came from Angela's Tuesday Review.
Antoinette
My husband really wants to see this too, it was so good to see a review on it. I read your review to him. He wants to know where can you see a movie for 5.00, we don't even have matinas (spelled wrong) that cheap.
Angela