Lap it up
By Wade Kwon
Ten reasons to see “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” Will Ferrell’s comedic take on the world of auto racing …
1. The pitch was six simple words: “Will Ferrell as a NASCAR driver.”
2. It starts tonight in Birmingham. The 7:30 p.m. show at Lee Branch appears to be sold out, but one of the two midnight shows at Patton Creek still has tickets.
3. Metacritic has many reviews, and most are positive.
4. This trailer:
5. Annoy your friends with trivia about the movie’s name: The Talladega Superspeedway won’t have lights until 2007, so no actual night racing there yet; most of the shoot was in North Carolina, and only one week was shot in Talladega.
6. Why yes, it does have a bonus scene at the end of the closing credits.
7. The Village Voice calls Ferrell the “loudest, driest and most fearless comic actor working.”
8. It features not one, not two, but three Academy Award nominees: Amy Adams (“Junebug”), John C. Reilly (“Chicago”) and Michael Clarke Duncan (“The Green Mile”).
9. Sacré bleu! For those who love the French, plenty of French stereotypes and bashing. You’re welcome.
10. I’m in it. Maybe.
Friday, August 4, 2006, 10:12 am
Can’t wait to see the closing credits …
Asian racing fan Wade Kwon
Friday, August 4, 2006, 2:31 pm
I went to see it last night. It’s a lot of fun, and I may or may not be in the movie in the last five minutes, depending on your eyesight.