I'll be "picking" something else

You know how some movies, you are just shocked that they have actually been approved, filmed and then finally released? There are two examples this week with the release of Deck The Halls with Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito. Did anyone, including the actor formerly known as Bueller actually think this retread of Christmas Vacation would be funny? It looks just sad and worn down. I am embarrassed for all involved.

The other movie that I am suprised by is Tenacious D In: The Pick of Destiny. I mean yes I get the joke, they are pretending that the movie is more important than it really is. The movie poster riffs on the God Creates Adam from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and the tagline for the movie is "The greatest motion picture of all time."

But still, unless you are a fan of Tenacious D, why would you go see this movie? I've never even understood the concept of the band. Are they spoofing 70s rock, are they just writing funny songs like Canada's Sean Cullen? Or are they trying to be a serious band? Why is band member Jack Black, who seems to be carving out a decent movie career, hanging on to this band. It's kind of like Will Smith and his music career. Neither are amazing actors but they would be better served sticking with movies.

The movie already had problems before it was released. At an advance screening almost a year ago. The ending was a tribute to The Blues Brothers which the audience did not seem to appreciate (according to Variety Magazine). The ending has since been re-filmed. I think even the title is a little too much. I assumed it was some sort of joke regarding nose picking (no, I did not have hopes for high brow comedy here). It is actually regarding a guitar pick. The title seems a little obscure for some to appreciate.



According to the Rotten Tomatoes website only 52 % of critics have given positive reviews to the film. Unfortunately, by Monday, this number will drop even further. If I can make one recommendation...choose better directors!!!! The Pick Of Destiny's director is Liam Lynch. His background includes pupateering and directing a video for the Foo Fighters (Times Like These)which MTV did not like and even criticized at the time.

I have included the theme song from the movie. Musically, it is actually pretty good. But Jack Black's mugging, like it does in movies which he is the main character, does begin to grate on you. The perfect Jack Black role and performance? High Fidelity. He is in it just enough not to irritate. Of course, like many comedic actors who aren't as funny as they think they are, need a quality director like High Fidelity's Stephen Frears. However, Jared Hess and Nacho Libre? Dennis Dugan and Saving Silverman? Michael Caton-Jones and The Jackal? As filmgoers, we were not too lucky there. Even School of Rock, a movie Black was nominated for a Golden Globe, could have been better if the director had reeled in Black's mugging a little more. Plus, it was rather hard to believe that the secret of what they were really doing in the class was so well hidden. I mean, come ON!

Interestingly enough, the two members of Tenacious D, the aforementioned Jack Black and Kyle Gass met at an LA-based experimental theatre group called The Actors' Gang. A group started by, among others, Tim Robbins.

Top 5 Tim Robbins films
1. The Shawshank Redemption
2. Bull Durham
3. Bob Roberts
4. Mystic River
5. Arlington Road