The inspiration for this comic hit me like a lightning strike. I wish I could figure out where it came from. My best explanation is that the most immature part of my brain was feeling neglected, sparked off and said “Hey! Pay attention to me!” Please enjoy the schoolyard limerick it conjured up for you.
I told Cami about the joke in today’s comic and she said she had never heard the phrase “He Who Smelt It, Dealt It.” At first I was surprised. But then I remembered she was never an 8 year-old boy and would have no context for such things. Nor the immaturity to appreciate it’s linguistic simplicity.
There’s something regal about the phrase, don’t you think? I wouldn’t be entirely surprised to find it as a passage in a joke Bible, for example. I don’t know. Maybe it’s just me.
I do find it curious that The Book of Eli has been dumped in the middle of January. Usually the post-holiday months are where studios jettison the projects they have the least amount of faith in. So why have Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman been relegated to the trash heap?
Apparently the critics aren’t on board with it, which is a shame because it’s directed by The Hughes Brothers – The guys who brought us Menace 2 Society and From Hell. Can you believe From Hell came out nearly a decade ago? That was the last time The Hughes Brothers had a movie in theaters. Wild.
Part of me wants to see the movie based on pedigree alone. That’s pretty much what convinced me to walk through the door for It’s Complicated. But at the same time, I kind of want to gather consensus from friends who have seen it to determine if it’s any good. I have kind of a natural avoidance to movies set in post-apocalyptic future because they all look alike to me. If I’m going to see The Book of Eli, I need to be given some hint of a twist.
What about you? Any plans to see The Book of Eli this weekend? What’s attracting you to this film? Is it the story, the characters or the actors? What was the last movie you saw based on the casting alone? Leave your comments below!
I guess critics found the ending disingenuous.
FINALLY! I have the book that will be the salvation of mankind!
HE WHO SMELT IT DEALT IT.
THE END
I don’t know why, but this made me laugh incredibly hard. I think it helps that I heard, and also uttered, it as a child. Hah.
I’m not really interested in the movie, and I’ve heard all sorts of cries against it from the video game geeks; it seems to have an uncanny likeness to Fallout 3.
I won’t be seeing this one in a theater as Denzel Washington is one of those actors that I can’t stand most of the time. Not exactly sure why, but I just don’t. Him and Sean Penn. I think it’s because they chase after big roles all the time. You know, only accepting roles that have a good chance at putting you near an Oscar nomination. I don’t have many actors on that list, but those two certainly are on it for me.
From everything I’ve heard about Denzel Washington, he’s a little bit of a jerk. But, then again, I think his acting talent supports that a little bit. He’s usually very good in most every role. Sean Penn, too.
I can see why those two actors might rub you the wrong way, though. They’re both a little egotistical.
Wow I never heard of it before. Sure I’m not the most up to date on my movies, but I figured I would have at least heard of a movie with Denzel Washington. Has his star burnt out?
This movie does have an air of an anti-climaxtic ending.
I’ll probably see it, I think it looks interesting.
Though I’ve been told I’m a terrible critic because “I never hate any movies.” I don’t think that’s true though, I’m just less harsh as a critic for 2 reasons: a) I don’t pay for movies and a bad movie is always made a bit better when I realize I didn’t pay to see it and b) I’ve seen “Batman and Robin”. I actually re-watch this movie every now and then to remind myself just how bad movies can really be.
no, I’m certain 8 year old Cami was much too mature for that. She always seemed to be a step ahead of the rest. We on the other hand are still laughing at fart jokes. 😉
I’m curious to see The Book of Eli…but then again, I also want to go see Avatar again on the IMAX.
Like most movies in January, it will be relegated to the Netflix queue for me. I think January new movie releases are always a bit lost on me because I am still trying to catch up from the great December releases (e.g. saw Sherlock Holmes this week) & seeing films that are on the Oscar short list that have finally made it to my city. So Young Victoria & Imaginarium of Dr Parnasssus are on my agenda for this holiday weekend along with the Golden Globes.
I usually like post-apocalyptic stuff, and the trailers for the movie look decent, but what really turns me off is the severe monochromatic look of the film. Just turns me off. I’m saving my January movie for either Sherlock Holmes and/or Legion (supernatural apocalyptic movie ftw). “Book of Eli” will probably be Netflix’d when it comes out there.
I read a review of The Book of Eli that said “apparently the first victim of the nuclear holocaust was color.”
Dear Tom,
Fart joke + religion? Genius.
-Nick
I pretty much lost any interest in this movies when I read reviews that said that the titular Book is, in fact, what it obviously is. Actually I found out a little more than that and REALLY lost interest.
I do want to see it, mainly for one reason: Gary Oldman as a probably-crazy villain. That’s all it takes, really, considering Oldman’s track record with such villains.
“Get me everyone…”
“What do you mean ‘everyone’?”
“EV-REEEEE-ONNNNNNNEEE!”
I had older male cousins. I suppose that’s why I appreciate this joke despite having never been an eight year old boy. And by the way, one of those cousins was quite gassy, and always looking to pass the blame.
Now, do you know about the allegory to the smelt it dealt it maxim? It is: “He who denied it, supplied it.”
It has a less biblical sound… you could turn it into a political cartoon where religion and science are arguing about greenhouse gases.
Hahaha. I almost never find toliet humor funny, but that could be epic.
I just got back from seeing The Book of Eli and thought it was dull as dishwater. The opening scene was interesting, but almost immediately afterward the movie degenerates into a bland, tasteless blur. Two hours of your life, you will never recover. And could someone explain to me why cannibals would have shaky hands? That just doesn’t make sense.
I saw Daybreakers last week, and it was a lot better than I expected it to be. I’m leaving for Book of Eli in 10 minutes, and I’ve been excited for this movie since I saw the first trailer. Now Legion next week, I’m not so sure about, but I’ll see it anyway!
I believe human brain tissue contains Prions which I think cause neurological damage when consumed by humans. This could result in symptoms such as shaky hands in the early stages.
Disappointed in Cami.
My 30-year-old wife not only knows that phrase, but has used it against me on more than one occasion!
Whoever said the rhyme, did the crime.