Partial Movie Review for 'Hitchhiker's'

I was fully intent upon writing a review for "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", which I recently taped off Sci-Fi. But upon watching it I came to the conclusion that I really shouldn't.

I just don't get it.

I don't get the big deal over Douglas Adams' seminal work. I find it only vaguely witty but mostly disturbing - and I have read it, although that was years ago. I know a lot of people find it almost a religious experience. Me, I just don't. I don't get it at all.

So writing a movie review seems a little silly.

I realize this is a form of British humor, and while I appreciate some British humor, sometimes it has to grow on me. (I prefer the murder mystery, myself. The British mysteries are among the best anywhere.) I felt that way about Monty Python, which did grow on me after time. But Hitchhiker's generally hasn't.

I will say that Sam Rockwell has a hilarious time as Zaphod Beeblebrox, and it's really odd how much Zooey Deschanel (Trillium) resembles her sister Emily, who plays Temperance Brennan on 'Bones.' And I can say that Marvin the depressed robot plays better on screen than in the book, especially when voiced by Alan Rickman. And there are cameos by John Malkovich and Bill Nighy, among others. But I found Beeblebrox's two heads really rather disturbing, and the Vogons look like rejects from 'Dark Crystal.' It's that surreal sci-fi that leaves me feeling a little squirmy.

I'm sure in some way I'm missing what's witty and clever about it - I can admit that there's a lot going on there; it just doesn't appeal to me, nor do I feel that I connect to it, and that's essential to humor. Anyway, if you know what it is I'm missing about this, feel free to let me in on the secret.

In the meantime, I'm sticking to the far-less-surreal world of British murder mystery. There's a stack of Midsomer Murders, Maigret and Mrs. Bradley DVDs just waiting for me.

Too Many Drivers, So Few Victories

In my family, car racing is like a religion. If you don't have somebody to worship - I mean, follow - in every league, you might be assigned one. And in my case that could mean Kevin "Crash" Cogan, who once took Mario Andretti out of the Indy 500 in the first lap, meaning my mother didn't want to speak to me for the rest of the race.

But with all the drivers changing leagues, I decided to look over which drivers I've either rooted for the in past (I figure once I pick a driver, I'm sticking with them regardless of league) or am rooting for now - or both. Trust me, it gets a little wonky. And that's if you can keep track of the name of each league. (WHY is NASCAR called 'Sprint Cup' when they run long races????)

NASCAR - Patrick Carpentier, Scott Riggs, Jamie McMurray
Last season I thought, "Gee, I don't have anyone to root for, and I really should. Riggs is closer in age to me, and McMurray's cute. That'll work." Neither one did bupkas last year. Then Carpentier, who was one of my longtime open-wheelers (who disappeared for a while) popped up in NASCAR this season. So he's my #1, and the other guys are backups. This is all because Terry Labonte retired, and there was NO WAY I was rooting for Kyle Busch in the Kellogg car.

CHAMP Car - Katherine Legge
I always try to root for every woman, in any league. I'm all about girl power and shutting up people like Robby Gordon, who bitched about Danica Patrick being lighter and thus having faster times in her car. Um, Robby, you're just pissed cuz she's a better driver than you. Or even Richard Petty, who basically said women don't belong in racing. I want them to eat their words in a crow sandwich. Anyway, since Champ Car used to be CART and such, my drivers have all changed a couple of times, and now this league is like mini Formula 1. And so Katherine's all I've got in this league now!

IRL - Here's where it gets weird - Sarah Fisher, Danica Patrick, Scott Sharp, and to a much lesser extent, Milka Duno.
I started pulling for Sarah and Scott first (this is even assuming he's going to run IRL this year because he's not listed on the web page). Then Danica came in and created a huge fuss. So of course I've got to pull for her - because that woman deserves a win, and to shut people up. And then like I said, I pull for all gals. Thus Milka too, but to a much lesser extent.

American LeMans Series
Okay, now that I've done some research, it looks like Sharp is now running in this league, even though he's not on this web page either. So I guess I'm pulling for him here. *shrug* Otherwise, I just don't care.

Misc Road Racing
Scott Pruett is an old open wheel favorite of mine (I think he looks like a nice guy) - and he recently was part of the team that won the Rolex 24 hours at Daytona. He does a lot of road racing, 24 hour endurance stuff, and who knows what else. So whenever he shows up, I root for him. But it's kind of sporadic.

Formula 1
Bores me, so I don't have a driver here.

Um. Yeah. This is the sign of a sick family, isn't it?

One TV Guilty Pleasure

With only a little bit of shame, I admit to occasionally watching "World's Wildest Police Videos." It's not so much that I get a kick out of police chases per se, but that it reminds me what law enforcement officers, firefighters and others have to deal with daily - how they risk their lives repeatedly in the line of duty, sometimes dealing with psychotic crazy drugged-out people who don't care about anybody else but themselves.

I love it when the semi drivers get involved in a police chase, blocking the road. And I don't remotely feel bad when the crazy armed robber, who just threaded through city road traffic, gets his ass pulled from his car and is slammed to the pavement as the cops make sure he's no longer a danger.

And I do admit to a bit of a thrill when the police dogs get involved. Mess with the poochie, get the teeth.