Clerks 2: I'd see it again
Considering it's been nearly a month since my last entry, writing about "
Clerks II" seems oddly appropriate.
Admittedly, I twisted my friend Chris' arm to see this one. A sequel about some slackers made 12 years after the first "Clerks" movie...I don't fault his reluctance.
(My first movie choice was "Strangers With Candy", but he had already seen it. The movie I REALLY wanted to see--
Little Miss Sunshine--is in limited release, which means it's not showing in Des Moines. I will probably have to wait for it to be released on DVD.)
As we sat through movie trailers--aimed at teens and 20-somethings--I was questioning my choice. However, a quick perusal of the theater audience confirmed that it was dominated by people over 30.
I was immediately hooked with the opening background music--The Talking Heads' "Nothing But Flowers". What proceeded was a fun, silly, and sophomoric movie for people over 30.
In "Clerks 2" we find Dante and Randall working at Mooby's--a fast-food restaurant--after the convenience store where they work burned. Jay and Silent Bob are back from rehab and have relocated to hanging out outside of Mooby's. Jay is sporting a "Got Jesus" t-shirt--but not much has changed about him. And despite their stint at rehab, they are still selling dope--just not using it.
There is actually a plot line, but I'll let you find out if you go see the movie.
Overall, I liked the movie, but was disappointed in the donkey scene. It was quite rude, and not very funny. Chris and I agreed that it seemed like Kevin Smith was trying too hard in a lame attempt to offend in a South Park kind of way. If it had been side-splitting funny, well, then it would have been acceptable. But, it wasn't and dragged on too long.
Would I recommend seeing "Clerks 2"? Do you like Kevin Smith movies? If so, yes. It was a surprisingly relevant sequel.
Independence Day in Des Moines
There was a
commercial that debuted in 1975 for Chevrolet with the theme, "Baseball, Hotdogs, Applie Pie and Chevrolet". Remember it? Okay, if you aren't turning 42 in August (or some age older), you probably have no idea as to what I am referring to.
I am a fan of the spectacular 4th of July fireworks display. Even in days of past--before digital technology--when a fireworks display consisted of one firework at a time. Well-timed, or timed for someone to load, light and run--then start over again. I loved it. The light, the noise, the smell. I recall a particular display, circa 1978, where small plastic soldiers with parachutes burst out of a firework and fell to the ground...
So, here I am in Des Moines, Iowa of all places. (A little over a year and still marveling that this is my home.) After much research, I find that the place to be is not on the steps of the state Capitol listening to the pops orchestra and watching the display--on June 30 (???). Oh no, the real action is at
Principal Park after the
Iowa Cubs game on July 4.
The Chevy commercial pops into my head and I decide you can't get any more American on Independence day than going to a baseball game, eating a hot dog and taking in the fireworks. (Admittedly I was willing to ditch the apple pie and Chevrolet--I happily own a Honda. Let's hear it for globalism!).
It wasn't too difficult to get my friend Chris in on my goal of celebrating the All-American 4th of July. We opted for brats in-lieu-of hot dogs--and we had great seats behind 1st base. There was a tense moment during the 2nd inning when the women in the seats in front of us spent too much time standing and my attempt at humor at pointing out that "we can't see through you" wasn't taken humorously.
The Cubs beat the New Orleans Zephyrs and after an impressive accapella solo by
Simon Estes, the fireworks display commenced. It was truly spectacular! The kind of display that gets the blood flowing through your veins where you feel like you've drank a quadruple shot espresso drink. Then, over the loud speaker comes James Brown's "Living In America"--which pretty much put Chris over the edge of ectasy.
As we headed back to the car, we stopped outside an empty parking lot and watched an impressive small-scale fireworks display (someone, no doubt, made a trip to Missouri). We continued walking and somehow the subject of bluegrass music came up. I attributed my love of this style of music to the Andy Griffith Show--recalling when the Darling family turned up on the show.
And here is what I so love about Chris, he not only knows what I am talking about, but, starts talking about
The Dillards who were the group that played the Darlings. Okay, that and how he boogied when James Brown was played over the loud speaker at Principal Park.
