The Stuff I Watched: Road House, The Straight Story
I'm trying to be leaner and meaner with these newsletter posts. Not with the reviews, though. I think I was quite nice.
Hello!
We have a naked Conor McGregor, a lawnmower, and Satan. A perfect combo for this newsletter.
Road House (2024)
Director: Doug Liman
C
I wasn’t kidding about UFC fighter Conor McGregor being naked. That’s literally how he is introduced. He’s certainly entertaining and there are some genuinely goofy and zany scenes in this updated remake of the 1989 Patrick Swayze classic.
But the film falls flat on its face at times. It feels like a shitty remake, a shitty Miami Vice (2006) homage and a boring love story. The mix of comedy and action doesn’t always mesh together and there are too many bland character stereotypes and poor dialogue to keep a viewer invested.
I did like it when Post Malone showed up, though.
Summary: Ex-UFC fighter Dalton (Jake Gyllenhaal) works as a bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse, only to discover that this paradise is not all it seems.
The Straight Story (1999)
Director: David Lynch
A-
The simplicity is the magic.
Director David Lynch doesn’t need a giant mystery or a sprawling epic to portray the cosmic wonder of the human experience and human connection. Memories of the stars become the backbone of purpose. Sometimes, all you need is a road trip to understand humanity and complete a hero’s journey.
As Alvin Straight travels across Iowa in his lawnmower, he and the audience encounter grounded yet tortured characters. This is by far Lynch’s most empathetic work and the film makes you consider the relationships in your lives.
When the Farley brothers showed up, I nearly cried. If you know, you know.
Summary: A retired farmer and widower in his 70s, Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) learns one day that his distant brother Lyle (Harry Dean Stanton) has suffered a stroke and may not recover. Alvin is determined to make things right with Lyle while he still can, but his brother lives in Wisconsin, while Alvin is stuck in Iowa with no car and no driver's license. Then he hits on the idea of making the trip on his old lawnmower.