Cool News
Father Geek takes a peek at CHARLIE'S ANGELS
Well geeks, when it comes to FREE preview screenings it never rains... it pours. Tonight Father Geek had the pick of 3, anyone of which as it turns out could be alot of fun. My choices were the phantastic NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (check out this week's poll on the site), the thriller BLAIR WITCH 2: BOOK OF SHADOWS, and the surprizingly funderful CHARLIE'S ANGELS.
First off I haven't slept since 11am Wednesday morning and its now 11pm Thursday. I took Harry to the airport about 5:30 am this morning to put him on a plane for LA where he was taping an appearance on the Ben Stein TV Show to be followed by a tour of Hollywood Halloween parties this weekend.
The ANGELS preview was being shown at a multiplex in a once sleepy little farm town a few miles North of Austin off to the East of that concrete ribbon that connects Mexico City and Chicago. I had decided on this screening because I saw and enjoyed BW2 last week, and while there is NO doubt that NIGHTMARE is a far superior motion picture to either of these other flicks, I have seen it on the big screen at least a dozen times and will PAY to see it again during this current release. So to avoid the tense techie traffic fleeing their workplaces for their safe little bedroom community to our North I pulled away from Geek World Headquarters around 4pm.
I had decided to chow-down at one of the "mom & pop" eateries that can still be found in these out-of-the-way places. Well guess what? That's fast becoming just another urban myth. Taco Bells, Burger Kings, MacDonalds, Taco Cabanas littered the once farm-to-market road into small town America. Father Geek was bummed-out. Then I spotted CHARLIE'S, a barn red building in the style of a 1920's farmhouse, except NO windows, none. I parked among the dozen pickups and headed in. The room was about 20' X 50' with a 25' Bar taking up most of the space. There were 15 people inside, all males 12 wearing ball caps the other 3 cowboy hats, NO facial hair, and no one was eating, just drinking. "GAME DAY!!!" someone screams out. I sit in the corner, my back to the wall. A cel phone rings..."GAME DAY!!!" the person yells into the receiver. Over the Bar is one of those old "We Reserve the Right to Refuse Service" signs, right between the broken Lone Star Beer sign and the Pearl Beer calendar. The phone on the bar rings... "GAME DAY!!!" the bartender hollers into it. This place has style to be sure. A goodlooking blonde in a t-shirt and skintight black pants comes out of the kitchen and takes my order, a burning cigerette hanging in her lips. Another patron enters... "GAME DAY!!!", a twenty-something construction worker screams. The girl brings me my salad, nothing fancy, lots of crackers and a damn thick blue cheese dressing. Another cel phone goes off... and "GAME DAY!!!" is the answer it receives. I overhear "Willie Nelson", and "Oklahoma", and "Fuckin' Cornhuskers", and "Willie Nelson" again. The waitress reappears with my 18oz medium rare Ribeye and large baked spud. She's weathered, but very pretty. I'd say about 28 going on 40, another cig hung from the corner of her mouth. She does a little jig to no music as she heads back to the stoves, a wipe rag flying in her left hand. The steak is falling apart tender and my tater is perfect, my iced tea never got empty. I still had time to kill before the movie so I decided on the Peach cobbler that's smell had been driving me crazy since I entered the place an hour before. CHARLIE'S was just what I was looking for. As I was leaving I spotted some 8X10 photos hanging over the jukebox (it never played) one says "CHARLIE'S 1930", the other is labeled "CHARLIE'S 1942." I open the door and someone behind me screams out..."GAME DAY!!!"
I get to the theater, one of those cavernous 17 screen national chains. Souless, with little or no style. Not at all like CHARLIE'S. Suddenly it hit me... CHARLIE'S... CHARLIE'S ANGELS. Coooool! The "Line-People" had turned out in force for this flick, all the regulars were there. I've been standing in lines with many of these same people for 10 years now. We talked about the films we had each seen since last we met and I was quizzed repeatedly about BLAIR WITCH 2 and CROUCHING TIGER. Everyone seemed to agree that LADIES MAN stunk up the theater and that LUCKY NUMBERS disappointed. BAGGER VANCE got mixed reviews. They thought THE CONTENDER was good, but many couldn't handle the politics of it. Finally we move into the screening room. I'm sitting with Quint and El Cosmico who had met me at the theater.
Well ol' Father Geek has written alot, but not about the flick. Damn! Well, I liked it. It was good old fashioned mindless action comedy fun. No great storyline, no GREAT performances, but some how it really worked for me, I had a good time and that is all this movie sets out to do. Sure the fight scenes are not the best, sure some of the CGI looks like CGI, sure there are some plotholes, but I didn't care and neither did most of the people there. I had more fun with this than MI2. Maybe it was seeing Cameron Diaz dance to nothing like my waitress had done earlier, I don't know, but CHARLIE'S ANGELS did what it was susposed to for me... to me. I won't mind one bit going to see it again with Harry when he gets back in town Monday. And you know what? I bet I enjoy it even better the second time. Going into this remember where it came from. The original series was NO work of genius. It was just fun. Those original girls were NO Emmy Award winning actresses and they were NO better looking than these girls. The original series was fun escapest fare and this film fits that bill perfectly. Go see this with an open mind and a good attitude and you WILL have a great time. Alot better time than several other current release flicks offer up for sure.
-
+ Expand All
-
well, i was expecting to see a review of charlie's angels here and i got some trip to burger king instead. thanks.....
im hoping bill murray will have a big part in this flick, he always cracks me up. later all
-
Oct 27, 2000 1:58:43 AM CDT
I might rent this on vid just cause I can see Cameron in a very
by tall_boy
Then I'll pause the scene with her in a bikini...then I'll move it in slow mo...and pause it again...igh yeah,.,,
-
Oct 27, 2000 2:02:41 AM CDT
Something tells me Father Geek will be voting for Dubya Bushy! D
by troublemaker2000
FG are you voting for your home state boy? I know Harry is for Gore but the way you narrate that review with all the Texas personalities tells me that you will be voting for Gov. Bush to be President Bush. Anyway, get some rest, yoo still have Red Planet to review next week!
-
This review probably sums up the film... a non event!
-
Sorry, couldn't help but think of Bill Hicks. 'Looks like we gots ourselves a reader!'
-
Just when I lose all hope with this site, someone has to go and mention Bill Hicks again. Thank the Lord. "Not what am I reading...but what am I reading FOR?" "Maybe so I don't end up a fucking waffle waitress like you." *** I saw the long trailer of Charlie's Angels, and I have to admit it does look like a hell of a lot of fun. And FG was right, the original series wasn't that great anyway. This just makes me sad that no one has gotten the Six Million Dollar Man (or better yet, The Fall Guy) off the ground. Someone needs to pull a Tarantino-Travolta and resurrect Lee Majors' career. God I love the Sci-Fi channel doing those 6M$M marathons on Mondays. *** Anyway, I love the new graphic with Harry's face turning into Father Geek's. Oh wait...The Shaggy Dog? Never mind.
-
Oct 27, 2000 3:18:00 AM CDT
The number one reason is so I don't end up being a fucking 'waff
by philamental
Hee Hee!! Yes, I was thinking of Bill Hicks too while reading this er...review.. if that's what you want to call it. I mean when Harry goes on his ramblings at least he comes back and gives the flick the same length of text. All we basically got was 'the film was fun' which we already knew when FG mentioned it at the start. Come on FG, give us more, why was it fun? Mention a few minor spoiler scenes/jokes that give us a feel for the fun. Not up to standard... sit in the corner and think about what you did! ;-)
-
Father Geek...I'm glad your waitress danced a jig and all...and that you had peach cobbler. But what about the movie? I generally enjoy your reviews and I know you're not ready to be put out to pasture...so what's the deal?
-
jeebus, just because i asked where the damn REVIEW was...i KNOW what food tastes like, i DON'T know what 'charlie's angels' is like. get over yourself, man.
-
Now I know that everyone wants to see this movie for the many flashes of flesh that will undoubtedly be prevalent from these lovely ladies...but what this flick really needs is for Bill Murray to bare it all! Now THAT would be funny! Just a thought. Smile!
-
There was supposed to be a review here right? Not just some long drawn out story tht had absolutely nothing to do with anything? I'm kind of sick of having to come to this site, trying to read a review and either finding someone's life story, or finding someone else who just can't write a decent revierw for anything. Can we please get some better reviewers insteead of people who like to hear themselves talk? That wouldn't be too much to ask right?
-
About time someone mentioned Cronenberg on this site!
-
well, damn you stumped me... not what am i reading but what am i reading for???
hehehe,, i love bill hicks.
cool to see a fellow hicks fan here...
keep quoting veers!!! -
Did he actually go to the movie?
www.musicnotes.com -
.... And I'll say it again: Cameron Diaz is a nasty bitch! She is not pretty at all! She has that washed up porno star quality about her.
-
Oct 27, 2000 11:20:55 AM CDT
The original girls were all way hotter than either of these thre
by batutta
-
Father Geek's depiction of a great roadhouse is what we all need exposure to now and then. Places like Charlie's, and similar places around the country are cool because they are disappearing.
Sorry for the offtopic post, but I had to say thank you to FG! -
I come here to read movie related tidbits, not to read Geek's friggin diary. Cut the meaningless crap.
-
So..the story has huge holes, the acting ain't that great, the special effects look cheap in spots, and the action is ho-hum. But other than that it's a great movie that everyone should go see because it's a lot of fun.
I believe we've discovered the admission price Harry has to pay to get into those "hollywood halloween" parties this weekend.
(sigh) -
Have to agree with most of the other posts. If I want a Kerouac road-trip type reading experience I
-
i liked that review. No reason to waste much typing on the actual movie.
The series was an Aaron Spelling jigglefest; and every episode was an excuse for many costume changes and sexy, undercover infiltrations.
Take down the bad guys; commercial break, then little scene around the pool talking to charlie on the high-tech speakerphone.
The end.
sounds like the movie picked up on this premise and style perfectly.
And Bill Murray as Bosley is great casting.
-
I guess it makes sense to write a few pointless paragraphs when reviewing a movie as pointless as this one.
-
Why are you guys complaining so much? There's another Charlie's Angels review right under this one (or so I'm assuming, since I haven't actually read it yet).
-
People need to lighten up. I've just been reading some of the posts, and man, you folks want everything for nothing. Last time I checked, this site wasn't being operated by BigAssMediaCo, Inc., it was being run by a private individual and his friends and family. Generally, they do a bang-up job, in my never humble opinion. I see that some of you want to whine about not liking the reviewers, or not being satisfied with a review. Um.. if you want insightful, consise, professional news, you should try CNN.com. I think they report on movies just after they come out. Harry and his friends post this stuff to share it with other people who might be interested. It's a lot of work keeping a site running like this one, and I just hate to see ungrateful people, when Harry and his friends work hard to share the coolness they hear about with us. Thanks Harry.
-
A review would be nice.
-
Oct 31, 2000 9:49:24 PM CST
SAW IT LAST NIGHT AT A SCREENING AND WOW! WHAT A FUCKING FUN ROC
by geekbasher 3.0
THE MOST FUN I HAVE HAD ALL YEAR AT THE MOVIES! ROCK ON GIRRRRLS! WILL BE A HUGE HUGE HIT!
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 439 total posts 165 posts
- WTF HOLLYWOOD: SOLARBABIES -- 144 total posts 142 posts
- Herc’s Seen Tonight’s Return Of THE WALKING DEAD!! Discuss Also DOWNTON ABBEY, FEAR FACTOR, PAN AM, ONCE, SIMPSONS, DYNAMITE, LUCK, SHAMELESS, BAIT CAR, THE GRAMMYS And More!! Sunday Is Sweeps Day 11!! -- 153 total posts 138 posts
- Avid Comic Reader Hercules Does Battle With Tedium During Kevin Smith’s COMIC BOOK MEN! -- 55 total posts 47 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 196 total posts 45 posts
- If the Behind the Scenes Pics of the Day drops her pen, pick it up, but don’t look at her legs or else it will be on your record. -- 60 total posts 36 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 127 total posts 36 posts
- I am The Behind the Scenes Pics of the Day! No, I’m the Behind the Scenes Pic of the Day! -- 35 total posts 35 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 513 total posts 29 posts
- The Sensorties Revisit The Friday Docback (And Still Smell)!! DOCTOR WHO Story #7 Again, The Coming Of Season/Series 7, And More!! -- 117 total posts 26 posts