What’s Aged the Best?
S'mores monologue; Wendy Peffercorn's name; Ham Porter; James Earl Jones; Kenny's Kansas City Monarchs hat; nicknames; retro fashion; on-the-nose music
In the discussion (14)
Approx. transcript time · 00:34:26Read transcript
- The s'mores monologue lives on: the host's son recited it by age eight, and it has a new YouTube life.
- Ham's s'mores setup resembles a caterer's station at a wedding, never explained.
- Things the film taught an eight-year-old viewer: s'mores, tree houses, flashlight-under-the-chin stories, the word 'bitchin', and cannonballs.
- The 'biggest pickle of my life' line recurs, teaching a generation that pickles are a big part of baseball, which they are not.
- S'mores quibble: the chocolate must be allowed to melt; you can't rush the s'more.
- Wendy Pfeffercorn (as transcribed) is the classic one-beautiful-person legend of a movie town, and her name is a great one.
- Ham Porter could have been Oscar-nominated, carries scenes like Robin Williams in Good Morning Vietnam, and is the best performance in the film.
- Ham walked so Jonah Hill could run; in an alternate universe Ham becomes an Apatow-era star.
- James Earl Jones has a very high PER; seeing him is a pleasure, as with his Field of Dreams turn.
- Kenny's Kansas City Monarchs hat is a subtle nice touch, though Kenny's role on the mound is unclear.
- Mr. Myrtle's Negro Leagues background is noted; the hosts cite a 1993 New York Times article in which a Negro league historian said major leaguers barnstormed with Negro leaguers and Ruth played against them.
- Ham Porter, the Great Hambino, gets better every year.
- Nicknames in general and the retro fashion of tees, jeans and Chuck Taylors or PF Flyers hold up.
- The music is on the nose but perfect for kids: This Magic Moment for the lifeguard scene, Green Onions against the rivals, Tequila, Wipe Out for chases; the score is by David Newman. — Mina Kimes