comment #1

Alan Cerny says ...

Totally off topic, but I thought that you should know that your longstanding policy of walking out of films that you despise seems to have been validated by Roger Ebert himself - http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081015/REVIEWS/810150277 - in his review of TRU LOVED. It's not a practice I can in any way agree with, but I thought you might find it interesting.

comment #2

cinefan says ...

GOP attacks on Obama are getting really ugly: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2008/10/17/racist.obama.newsletter.kcal

comment #3

Joshua Mooney says ...

My wife (an Obama supporter) said McCain was "funnier and more natural" than Obama was at the Al Smith Dinner. "Why wasn't he more like that in the debates?" she wondered. Eh. I have no idea, hon. I find the whole Al Smith thing kinda creepy and weird, frankly. I guess I'm just too uptight?

comment #4

Sean says ...

Yeah, McCain killed, and Obama was a little stiff.

comment #5

Sean says ...

(Working with basically comparable material.)

comment #6

SpinDozer says ...

"Why wasn't he more like that in the debates?"

This happens at nearly all Al Smith dinners. Especially, Gore V Bush.

comment #7

Deathtongue_Groupie says ...

I think McCain came off more needy, with too many comments that seemed more like campaigning than jokes. Obama seemed funnier, but probably because I don't think I've seen him joke as much before.

And yeah, the image of a roomful of white-tied and otherwise poshly dressed fat cats at what is supposedly a benefit for the poor is creepy...

comment #8

Joshua Mooney says ...

But Obama is from the generation of Belushi-and-Chase era "SNL," "Animal House" and Monty Python. It bugs me, slightly, that he wasn't funnier. I guess I should bite the bullet and watch the clips. I saw one minute of Obama and left the room when he started talking about Jor-El. Like I said, I don't get the whole Al Smith thing and you're right, Deathtongue, as to some of my discomfort. It's a little too Tammany Hall for my taste. (Then again, I support Bloomberg for a third term.)

comment #9

CMAC says ...

I'm sorry but McCain was mediocre last night. Yah he was more relaxed than we've seen in weeks. But guess what kids? That's what a couple sparkling beverages will do for yuh after a great steak n'potatuh dinner and his erstwhile appearance on the Dave Letterman Show. Which PS didn't do him any favours.
ANYTHING would be an improvement for him after the night before and his angry persona we have come to know so well.

Frankly I've been to hundreds of weddings in my life (literally) where the uncle (after a coupla "pops") gets up and gives the intentional or not, comic speech and everyone is forced to sit and enjoy...or not. Sometimes he has a hit and sometimes he don't. But all the while the bride is cringing inside hoping it will end soon without too much embarrassment. That's how I felt watching McCain peeking through my fingers.

And moreso, contrary to what the amateurs have been saying all over the net? THIS professional says "his timming? euh...not so much."
I think everyone was just relieved he finally left his cranky pants at home.

Obama on the other hand didn't and doesn't pretend to be the "comic guy" in this scenario. He was natural amusing self deprecating and geniune. His final minute in the speech was powerful and important without being smug or indulgent.

And further, looking at the two on the dais when either speaking or listening, Obama LOOKED like the President and McCain looked like uncle in the uncomfortable rented tux.

comment #10

janee says ...

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