Lake Tahoe's Existence Verified By Celluloid
My mom has recently discovered text messaging in a big way. It now seems to be her preferred form of communication. Personally I don't text much, as I find it a bit cumbersome for anything more than two or three words, plus I don't get half the abbreviations people use (ROTFLOL). But she has taken to it like a fish to water. A couple of days ago I was in court at about 9 a.m. and received a text message from her telling me that Alabama had hired Nick Saban as head football coach. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining--I was glad to find out that particular scrap of information, plus it's a great "you know you're from Alabama when..." kind of story. But it also illustrates the fact that my mother has become a texting fiend as of late.
Case in point: This morning she sent me a text message to tell me that she'd just seen an ad for a movie about a bunch of hit men trying to kill some sort of lounge lizard (Jeremy Piven, pictured below) at a Tahoe Casino. As you would expect in real life, this requires assembling a couple dozen hit-men with wildly contrasting wacky personalities, complete with outlandish costumes and overly-elaborate methods of assassination. I instantly knew the movie she was talking about since I'd seen a preview for it myself a few weeks ago. It's called Smokin' Aces, and it looks like one of those super-slick action movies from the mid-90's when every up-and-coming filmmaker wanted to be Quentin Tarantino. Whether this film turns out to be the next Snatch or (God help us) the next 3000 Miles To Graceland remains to be seen. But the thing I thought was interesting was that both my mom and I (as well as all the whispering people in the theater I saw it with) had the same thought when we saw the preview: "Hey, that's Lake Tahoe!"
Unless you live in a big photogenic city that's constantly appearing in such venues--i.e. New York, San Francisco, L.A. or Chicago--there's always a strange, giddy thrill attached to seeing your hometown or region of the country featured on TV or, better yet, in a movie. Even if it's in a context designed to make a mockery of you. In this media-soaked age of celebrity as an end unto itself, being the backdrop to a movie is almost the highest honor a community can receive. It's like the gods of consumer entertainment descending from the heavens just to bestow their blessing on you, and to let you know that yes, you count, you are worthy of being exposed to the mass consciousness. This is very important because if it never happens, how can you really be sure you exist at all?
Case in point: This morning she sent me a text message to tell me that she'd just seen an ad for a movie about a bunch of hit men trying to kill some sort of lounge lizard (Jeremy Piven, pictured below) at a Tahoe Casino. As you would expect in real life, this requires assembling a couple dozen hit-men with wildly contrasting wacky personalities, complete with outlandish costumes and overly-elaborate methods of assassination. I instantly knew the movie she was talking about since I'd seen a preview for it myself a few weeks ago. It's called Smokin' Aces, and it looks like one of those super-slick action movies from the mid-90's when every up-and-coming filmmaker wanted to be Quentin Tarantino. Whether this film turns out to be the next Snatch or (God help us) the next 3000 Miles To Graceland remains to be seen. But the thing I thought was interesting was that both my mom and I (as well as all the whispering people in the theater I saw it with) had the same thought when we saw the preview: "Hey, that's Lake Tahoe!"
Unless you live in a big photogenic city that's constantly appearing in such venues--i.e. New York, San Francisco, L.A. or Chicago--there's always a strange, giddy thrill attached to seeing your hometown or region of the country featured on TV or, better yet, in a movie. Even if it's in a context designed to make a mockery of you. In this media-soaked age of celebrity as an end unto itself, being the backdrop to a movie is almost the highest honor a community can receive. It's like the gods of consumer entertainment descending from the heavens just to bestow their blessing on you, and to let you know that yes, you count, you are worthy of being exposed to the mass consciousness. This is very important because if it never happens, how can you really be sure you exist at all?
posted by Yukon Sully | 12:58 PM
13 Comments:
I heard that Reno 911 wasn't even filmed in Reno, and when I was watching it regularly I never saw anything (not counting the intro) that made me think otherwise.
Now that's a double mockery!
Yeah, the palm trees that you're always seeing in the background on Reno 911 are a pretty strong indication that it ain't filmed here in the Biggest Little City.
Your mother uses text messaging for one brief sentence when she doesn't want to disturb you with an actual phone call. That way you can answer when it's convenient for you.
What's the word n Saban's contract? All I've seen is 8-10 years, $40-45 million. That's an awful lot of cash and an awful lot of years for a guy. I know he's had success in the SEC but wow. Do you have any idea what possessed Alabama to offer that? I'm not opposed to the money, but I think it's a potentially devastating number, even for a school like that.
Not filmed in Reno? So I can stop looking for Tacos Tacos Tacos Tacos?
I'm not sure on the details of Saban's contract--last I heard was 8 years guarnateed at 32 mil plus bonuses. That sounds like an astouding amount of money to a mere mortal like me. As someone who values education it embarrasses me just a bit that an institution of higher learning is going to be paying that much money to a coach. But as a fan of Alabama football...let's just say I'm really, really sick of losing to Auburn.
Great rock straight out of Wells, Nevada. Looking for guys to jam with. Would like to make money. Howz 'bout it? I have eight songs uploaded at http://hdeanberry.com. Check 'em out.
I am envious Sully, my boy...
I long to be there in Northern Nevada, pointing to things that remind me of home.
And chicken wings, of course...
I just found your blog because it was recommended by a reader at my blog. We are both disappointed to see that your last post was January 2007! Are you on sabbatical; will you rejoin the blogosphere? Hope so. This is very good writing about my hometown!
yeah come bro, write something to your blog. We are busy in Lake Tahoe Hotel Reservations office.
My Mom was a paid extra in the movie Smoking Aces. I was working in Tahoe at time, and told mom and dad about the casting calls. If you look real quick you can catch her sitting on a bench talking to a man. She passed away Sept 08. This was one thing she was really always excited about, and told everyone.
Yukon,
The nicest intro' I've read this year...
"My mom has recently discovered text messaging in a big way"
Hope my mother follows suit.
Mr. Sully,
This story put a smile in my tired face today..
You have wonderful mother, Sir.
If only you would climb Kilimanjaro soon..(or have you?)
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