2006-Jun-20 - Jack and Jared Run Amok in Mexico
This past weekend I had the good fortune to see "Nacho Libre", a wacky comedy (about a Mexican monk turned wrestler) with heart. Of course, there is the requisite showboating for the camera and myriad of overly expressive faces that one becomes accustomed to with this half of "Tenacious D", but isn't that what we love about him? (By the way, if merely listening to "Tenacious D" makes you double over in laughter, Black's "Encarnacion" will make you cry).
Combined with Black's ability to be nutso and likeable at the same time, is filmmaker Jared Hess's ("Naploean Dynamite") developing sense of storytelling. There are corny elements to the story of course. And a few episodes that leave something to be desired in the humor department, such as when Brother Ignacio (Jack Black) kneels down to pray next to a hundred-some lit candles not placed in candlesticks of any kind ("I wonder what's gonna happen here."), which leads to a subsequently predictable fire. But, overall, Hess offers a quality product that delivers laughs and also compels us to root for his unlikely hero.
One facet of Hess's craft that is entirely developed is his uncanny expertise at making winners of losers. One such loser in "Libre" is Hector Jiminez, who takes a turn as a gawky and geeky wrestler, Esqueleto. One of the joys of this film is watching Black and Jiminez play off each other. You'd think that Jiminez is a more seasoned actor but he only has 2 other credits besides "Libre".
Some (Roger Ebert) may not totally grasp the way Hess bucks film convention in "Nacho Libre" (ie. having some of the characters, all of which are Mexican (even Black) speak English while others speak Spanish). But he walks the fine line between reality and absurdity with grace, melding the two for above average results.
Is it because his characters are so socially inept and seemingly unable to get along in the real world, that we root for them so? Maybe we see a little of ourselves in them. Who among us wasn't awkward at some point in our lives (well besides Brad Pitt or Usher)? As long as Hess continues to tell the story of the outcasts and weirdos, I'm there.
BEER RATING: Negra Modelo (7 out of 10) -KYJoe
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About Me
For all of you pencil pushers, cubicle clerks, dock workers, and govt. employees out there, HIT has combined 2 of your favorite things: beer and movies!
We will review movies and grade them with beer! Now, some of you may disagree with our ranking system. For example, you might consider Miller Lite to be the best beer. And you may also feel that "Independnce Day" is one of the best films ever. Not coincidentally on our scale, "Independence Day" receives a Miller Lite (or 3). So as you see films made in bad taste receive a bad tasting beer for their score. Fun, no?
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