9 Comments

On the list of influences, I remember sensing a bit of Jacques Tati in there, especially playtime, with its slow start & constantly mounting insanity. Don't ask me to cite a specific scene though, brain's all clogged up with all the beavers

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I watched this last night, with your essay in mind, and both me and my eleven year old were in stitches. The running bit where the merchant cannot hit a spittoon was a particular favorite. Thank you! Now I’m considering seeing it live at the Music Box this Sunday.

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I loved the spittoon gag! Loved when M. Kayak used the spittoon as self defense b/c his girl's dad couldn't hit it

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yes!! so many callbacks - so satisfying. each gag kept coming around again.

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I can't wait to show it to my nephews! yes, the spittoon!! lol. Jealous - the Music Box is my favorite place to see movies. Have so much fun!! so glad you watched and enjoyed!

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We've been playing encores of this movie at the Grand Illusion, a local nonprofit movie theater that I volunteer at, for months. We have to keep adding shows because it keeps selling out (granted, it's only a 70ish-seat theater, but still). I projected one of the shows a while back, and the audience was ROARING. You could hear it from inside the booth (which, granted, is right behind the last row of seats, but still!).

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Amazing Greg!! I need to see it with an audience!!

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My daughter and I loved this movie.

Every time he stepped on a thistle I grabbed my foot. It’s funny how something so “fake” can put you in the moment as much as any serious effect does. Gotta pin that on the actor.

The Wild Robot and C.S. Lewis lulled us into thinking beavers were trusty. But you have to keep an eye on those shifty rodents.

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right, the fake-ness is part of why it's so funny! so glad you saw it and loved it!

and yes - so true about wild robot and the wonderful beavers in lion the witch and the wardrobe! they looked very different in this context. they were up to no good! it's like they were constructing Space X or something.

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