Talladega Nights

If someone were to write “the definitive spoof on Southern USA life,” this movie might be it. The grace-praying scene, where Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) addresses “dear Baby Jesus” and his wife corrects him is an awesome commentary on theology.


“Hey, you know, sweetie... Jesus did grow up. You don’t have to always call Him ‘baby.’ It’s odd and off-putting to pray to a baby.”


And he opens his eyes to retort: “Well, I like the Christmas Jesus best and I’m saying grace. When you say grace, you can say it to grownup Jesus, teenage Jesus or bearded Jesus or to whomever you want ... Dear Tiny Jesus, with Your golden-fleece diapers, with your tiny, little, fat, balled-up fists pawing at the air...”


His father-in-law, Grandpa Chip, interrupts with: “He was a man. He had a beard.”


His friend Cal Naughton Jr prefers a Jesus “in a tuxedo t-shirt, because it says, ‘I wanna be formal, but I’m here to party, too.’ I like to party, so I like my Jesus to party.”


Bobby’s sons picture Jesus "as a ninja, fighting off evil samurai.” He finishes grace with a thanks for all his money, an endorsement of Powerade and, “Thank You for all Your power and Your grace, dear baby God. Amen.”


Cal affirms Ricky with, “That was a hell of a grace, man. You nailed that like a split hog!”


After touching fists, Ricky says, “I’m not going to lie to you. It felt good.” Now that is worth watching a few times! The rest of the movie doesn’t let down, as one carefully-written scene after another is pulled off with the kind of oddball skill that must’ve had ‘em guffawing seconds after the director yelled “Cuy-yit!” There's even a zinger of a life philosophy question thrown in later: "I lived my whole life based on that (a misguided motto just recently found to be wrong)... Now what am I supposed to do?!" It's great to see a goofball character like this wrestling with a question like that. One great, hilarious movie, this is. [Sony Pictures Home Entertainment] Doug Van Pelt




Spiritual Relevancy: 100
Obscenities: 19
Scenes Of Gore: 0
Nudity/Sexuality: 0




This DVD review was printed in the March/April issue (#124) of HM Magazine. You can order a copy of this issue online in our store, or pick it up at a local newsstand.




©2007 HM Magazine - All Rights Reserved



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Comments


 By Cheri

Is this supposed to be a positive review? It seems like it. What are you thinking? What about the scene where he throws a girl onto the table supposedly to have sex? I believe he also does something similar to his wife in front of his sons. The language and adult content are horrendous!!! I took my 15 year old son and a friend of his the same age to see this movie. We all got up and walked out of the movie because it was so offensive!!!! I apologized to both of the boys for taking them to see it and asked God to forgive me for taking them. What a waste of time and money. God was not honored!!! Is this the kind of reviews you give? My son likes this web site, but I will know not to trust your reviews. I will also know not to trust Will Farrell. This is not Elf!

 By Alfred

I don't think Cheri understands that this is America and that here in our beautiful country we have become so comfortable. We go to movies and such and get so offended at them when really why waste time in the first place. When did Jesus ever call us to watch movies in the first place. Our call in life is to preach the gospel. To die to ourself and follow Jesus and the best way to do so is by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and those in prison. Our call is to go and do something good for another human being, and if you're not doing that yet still going to church on Sundays and lifting your hands to praise Jesus, shame on you. Don't sit in your pew and judge the world, but represent Christ. I believe that truth can be found in anyplace, even if it's not "Christian". The director of this movie didn't have the intention of making a movie with truth in it but it still has some moments of truth. I'm sorry that you were offended, but it was rated for a reason. G-d bless.

 By doug

It's all in the perspective, isn't it? One person can look at something and neglect or discard one part because of another. Is not the above described "saying grace" scene worthy of reflection?

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 By midwestjames

At what point do you become so bored with christian metal that you have to fill your space and time with reviews of movies such as this lame offering? If there are any young up and coming white metal fans with a notion to start up a fanzine----do it, please! For the reader, white metal died a long long time ago. Commercialism equals money and that my friends is what drove the nail... Christian metal was a lot cooler when it was xeroxed and low budged and focused on the music.RIP