Confessional Lutheran theology, hagiography, philosophy, music, culture, sports, education,
and whatever else is on the fevered mind of Orycteropus Afer
08 October 2008
An American Carol: A Review
Parody gets personal. The humor depends upon whose ox is being gored. Or, in the case of An American Carol, whose Gore (or Moore or O'Donnell or the like) is being axed. So I probably found it much funnier than would anyone who believes in the infallibility of Michael Moore or is a tenured professor at one of our nation's major universities.
Carol wasn't as funny as Airplane! or Naked Gun but did well considering its overt politics. Sometimes it's difficult to preach and deliver the punch line with the same breath. I laughed at most of the jokes, sight gags, and allusions. However, opportunities for laughter weren't numerous enough, especially by comparison with previous David Zucker flicks.
The casting fit the characters well, beginning with Kevin Farley. I thought Kelsey Grammer an inspired choice for the Ghost of General Patton and Dennis Hopper was a hoot as a shotgun wielding judge. Still, it would have been aided by acting lessons for Trace Adkins, who did make quite an imposing Angel of Death — until he opened his mouth. Of course, O.J. wasn't exactly Olivier in earlier Zucker efforts.
In summary, I would recommend this to most of my conservative friends and to my more liberal pals whose senses of humor could balance the attack on their core political beliefs.
Technorati Tags: politics | parody | humor | satire | An American Carol | A Christmas Carol | Michael Moore | Michael Malone | Kevin Farley | Kevin P. Farley | Kelsey Grammer | George S. Patton | General George Patton | Dennis Hopper | Trace Adkins | David Zucker | conservative | conservatism | liberal | liberalism | movie | Aardvark Alley ¶ 21:29 |
Parody gets personal. The humor depends upon whose ox is being gored. Or, in the case of An American Carol, whose Gore (or Moore or O'Donnell or the like) is being axed. So I probably found it much funnier than would anyone who believes in the infallibility of Michael Moore or is a tenured professor at one of our nation's major universities.
Carol wasn't as funny as Airplane! or Naked Gun but did well considering its overt politics. Sometimes it's difficult to preach and deliver the punch line with the same breath. I laughed at most of the jokes, sight gags, and allusions. However, opportunities for laughter weren't numerous enough, especially by comparison with previous David Zucker flicks.
The casting fit the characters well, beginning with Kevin Farley. I thought Kelsey Grammer an inspired choice for the Ghost of General Patton and Dennis Hopper was a hoot as a shotgun wielding judge. Still, it would have been aided by acting lessons for Trace Adkins, who did make quite an imposing Angel of Death — until he opened his mouth. Of course, O.J. wasn't exactly Olivier in earlier Zucker efforts.
In summary, I would recommend this to most of my conservative friends and to my more liberal pals whose senses of humor could balance the attack on their core political beliefs.
Technorati Tags: politics | parody | humor | satire | An American Carol | A Christmas Carol | Michael Moore | Michael Malone | Kevin Farley | Kevin P. Farley | Kelsey Grammer | George S. Patton | General George Patton | Dennis Hopper | Trace Adkins | David Zucker | conservative | conservatism | liberal | liberalism | movie | Aardvark Alley ¶ 21:29 |
