Greetings, my fellow port swillers!
Ol’ Robbo popped into his DVD player this evening a copy of the Dennis Leary film The Ref.
I recall having tried to watch this movie once before about twenty years ago and dozing off at some point. More recently, I had read several articles about its supposed Catholic underpinnings, so I decided to try it again.
My reaction? Well….yeah, but I still understand why I dozed off the last time. It isn’t all that great a flick. IMHO, Leary’s talents – which I think as a stand-up comic are considerable – are wasted in this format.
What I liked this time around, though, was the misplaced (in calendar terms) but lovely acknowledgement to St. Lucia. I’m guessing that there is a frontier between those in the audience who watch the protagonist family members placing lighted wreaths on their heads in her honor and say, “Yeesh, what a bunch of freaks!” and those who say, “Cool, how can I convince MY family to do something like that?”
Yes, I’m in the latter camp.
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December 29, 2013 at 3:28 pm
sleepybeth
We watch this every year – I think partially because the husband’s overbearing mother reminds us, somewhat, of certain family members of our own and we love the idea of saying, “You know what I’m going to get you next Christmas, Mom? A big wooden cross, so that every time you feel unappreciated for your sacrifices, you can climb on up and nail yourself to it.”
We might need some counseling.
December 29, 2013 at 11:01 pm
OregonGuy
http://www.coastweekend.com/coastal_life/lucia-festival-kicks-off-winter-lights-season/article_2059ce2e-3197-11e2-ac7a-001a4bcf887a.html
December 30, 2013 at 10:11 pm
Robbo
@Beth – Yep, although I think I like the whole “precious snowflake kid” thing more myself. If the language weren’t so rough, I’d make my gels watch it.
January 1, 2014 at 4:09 am
Captainned
Robbo, if your gels go to public schools they have already heard and know all of those words. Be happy that you’ve taught them enough decorum so that they do not repeat at the dinner table what they heard at school.