WCBE 90.5 FM: "Wild Hogs," "Bridge to Terabithia," "Amazing Grace"

WCBE 90.5 FM
It's Movie Time: "Wild Hogs," "Bridge to Terabithia," "Amazing Grace"Co-hosts, writers & producers:
John DeSando & Clay Lowe with guest film Kristin Dreyer Kramer
Air Time: Friday, 3:01 pm and 8:01 pm, March 2, 2007
Streaming live on the web and on-demand at http://www.wcbe.org

Clay

"Wild Hogs" is a whole lot funnier than you'd think . . .

John

"The Bridge to Tarabithia" is a bridge to imagination and friendship . . .

Clay

"Amazing Grace" is a heavy handed tribute to Brit abolitionist William Wilberforce . . .

HIT MUSIC, THEN UP THEN UNDER FOR:

Clay

"It's Movie Time" in Columbus with John DeSando, Clay Lowe and today's special guest, on-line film critic Kristin Dreyer Kramer . . .

MUSIC BRIEFLY UP THEN SLOWLY DOWN AND OUT

John

I'm John DeSando . . .

Clay

I'm Clay Lowe . . .

Kristin

And I'm Kristin Dreyer Kramer . . .

MUSIC DOWN AND OUT

Clay ("Wild Hogs")

Kristin and John . . .

Last week I promised that "Wild Hogs" would come roaring into town this weekend blowing smoke out of its tail pipes.  But when it comes to trying to explain what makes the movie funny, it all boils down to: set-up, casting, and timing.

John

I've heard that.

Clay

Unfortunately, the set-up for "Wild Hogs" couldn't be more clichéd.  Four middle-aged suburban men, who play macho on the weekends, hop on their cycles for a cross-country trip in an attempt to recapture their lost manhood.

Kristin

That sounds like trouble.

Clay

Fortunately, the casting was better.  Tim Allen as the anchor, Martin Lawrence as everyman, William Macy as a closet hero, and John Travolta as the clown.   But, even then, you still couldn't be sure the movie was going to be funny. 

So what was left?  Chemistry and timing.

And that's where they got it right, and that's why audiences will be howling.

John ("The Bridge to Terabithia")

Clay and Kristin:

Yes, buddies to the end.

Nothing is as satisfying in this life as friends to share love and imagination. Such is the good fortune of fifth-grader Jesse in the smart film, Bridge to Terabithia, adapted from the Newbury winning children’s book.

This film is unencumbered by the demands of eye-popping computer graphics, although it has some, but is centered on such universal themes as loyalty and creativity.  Jesse is a fifth-grade pariah who befriends an eccentric female classmate. They create a magical forest with a giant troll and menacing squirrels among other exotica.

Kristin

Oh, I do hate the menacing squirrels.

Clay

But I love the exotica.

John

Not all turns out well, as it doesn't in real life, but enough good happens to give hope that the bridge will always help adolescents move to richer lives of friendship and love.

Kristin ("Bridge to Terabithia")

Maybe that bridge will lead them to friendship and love, John-or maybe it'll lead them to a prescription for Prozac.

John

With Clay as co-host I need one every week!

Kristin (continues)

The kids in this movie deal with poverty, death, and merciless bullies. Sure, it's honest, but it's pretty heavy stuff for kids-and for grown-ups, too. With a little more magic-and, yes, a few more effects-maybe it would have been easier to stomach. But, unfortunately, this good old-fashioned family movie isn't quite as delightful and enchanting as its ad campaign suggests.

Bridge to Terabithia does tell a touching story that will hit home with most kids, but it's not as magical as it could be. It's a simple, honest movie-but it might be a little too simple and a little too honest for
younger viewers.

John

Yeah, like our show.

Clay ("Amazing Grace")

Well, folks, the simple truth is that Michael Apted's "Amazing Grace" is an important movie.  What could be of more historical importance than telling the story of the man who helped bring about the abolition of slavery in England?

Unfortunately,  however, because Apted has chosen to direct "Amazing Grace" with more authority than wit, he has unwittingly stripped away most of the movie's passion.

Part of the problem's the casting.  For though he called upon the likes of Albert Finney and Michael Gambon to play strong supporting roles, he cast a rather dull actor to play William Wilberforce.  Imagine the well-intended Al Gore in the role and you'll get the picture. 

John

I dunno; I’m feeling WARM about Goreacle.

Clay

You would.  But it's still too bad that Apted succeeded in documenting the facts, but failed to capture Wilberforce's evangelical passions.

But enough, for now, of  wild huggers, fantastical bridges, and bloodless crusaders, Kristin and John, because it's grading time.

John

Holy Hogsbreath, Hooray!

HIT DRUMS THEN UNDER FOR

Clay

"Wild Hogs" gets a "B" because BOYS will be BOYS even after they've BECOME men . . .

John

"The Bridge to Terabithia" earns an "A" because ADOLESCENTS can be dreamers, too . . .

Kristin

Bridge to Terabithia earns a C for CONTRIBUTING to the despair of a whole new generation.

Clay

"Amazing Grace" gets a C because it failed to COMMUNICATE what it was that made Wilberforce tick . . .

John

Clay,

Kristin and I are kids at heart, so we're going now to explore the dark woods and don't need any deep-voiced, Greek-hatted troll following us!!
I'm outta here.

Clay

Not so, folks. Kristin and I will be the ones running on ahead, and it's little Johnny who'll be wagging his little tail behind him.

I'm outta here too, but ya'll come back again soon, Kristin, do ya heah?

Kristin

Obviously, you old guys are living in a fantasy world if you think you can keep up with me.

I'm outta here too.

Clay

See you at the movies, folks.

HIT CLOSING THEME MUSIC, THEN UNDER FOR

Richelle

It's Movie Time with John DeSando and Clay Lowe is written and produced by John DeSando and Clay Lowe in conjunction with 90.5 FM, WCBE in Columbus, Ohio.

MUSIC UP, THEN DOWN AND OUT

Copyright 2007 John DeSando & Clay Lowe