Land of the Dudes
When it actually works, Rick, Holly and a sort of guide named Will (Danny McBride, Pineapple Express; Tropic Thunder) fall through the portal into another world. There follow various “adventures” in the land of the lost, featuring cheesy digital dinosaurs and such referents as the Statue of Liberty and the Golden Gate Bridge, an allusion to Planet of the Apes, and, especially, Subway. I did appreciate director Brad Silberling (Lemony Snicket) giving me an extended Anna Friel Hooters moment, but that wasn’t enough compensation for the rest of the dreck.
Actually, to modify my statement about Ferrell, above, I should say that I don’t care for the material he chooses. He can be an effective comedian; he is normally completely unsentimental and he is effective at understatement even though he always comes out on top anyway, a sort of “topping from below” of the comedy world (to borrow a phrase from a somewhat different context). In that regard, his best moments here are the non-action scenes where he gets to play off another actor, such as in the interview by Matt Lauer of the Today show that opens the film.
What I want to know though is, did Ferrell get a supplemental salary from Subway? Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, and for language including a drug reference. 106m. At the Broadway, Mill Creek and Fortuna.
Continuing
17 AGAIN. Middle-aged father wakes up one day as a 17-year-old, so he tries it on for size. Rated PG-13. 102m. At The Movies.
ANGELS AND DEMONS. In schlocky Da Vinci sequel, swashbuckling religious historian (T. Hanks) travels through pop history to rescue the Catholic church. Rated PG-13. 139m. At the Broadway and Mill Creek.
DANCE FLICK. Street dancer from the wrong side of the tracks and a beautiful woman are brought together for one reason: an epic dance battle. Rated PG-13. 83m. At The Movies.
DRAG ME TO HELL. Spooks, ancient curses and Satan’s eternal evil plague a suburban bank manager. Directed by S. Raimi. Rated PG-13. 99m. At the Broadway.
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Today
Open Celtic Music Session
music / 3 p.m. Cafe Veritas/Mosgo's, 180 Westwood Center, Arcata. Informal monthly gathering of musicians playing Irish and other Celtic music. Hosted by Seabury Gould. seaburygould.com. 845-8167.
Nonviolence Action Camp
etc. / 10 a.m. Chinmaya Mission near Piercy. Weekend-long direct action orientation features workshops, role playing, seminars, ceremonies and field trips. Bring food, bedding, warm clothes, signs, banners, bikes, drums, acoustic instruments. Pre-register. saverichardsongrove.org. 932-5898.
Audubon Society Field Trip
outdoors / 9 a.m. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 1020 Ranch Road, Loleta. Meet at Refuge Visitor Center off Hookton Road. Leisurely, two- to three-hour trip intended for people wanting to learn birds of Humboldt Bay area. 822-3613.
Look Back in Anger Matinee
theater / 2 p.m. Ferndale Repertory Theatre, 447 Main Street. John Osborne’s sharply funny, fiercely honest exploration of political disillusionment and basic human yearning. Directed by John Heckel. $15/$13 students and seniors. ferndale-rep.org. 800-838-3006.
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