Here at the headquarters of the Solute–the Solutburo, as it were–we aim to spend 24 hours a day, seven days a week and sometimes more watching movies and writing intelligent criticism about same. Sometimes, though, we just gotta take a taco break and write something short, simple, and quite possibly goofy. (For an in-depth discussion of the Taco Break, please consult this article and the ensuing kerfluffle in the comments.) Commenters, please note that hijacking this comment thread for your own questions and obsessions is not only encouraged, but required. Get on that.
Appropriately enough, we’ll start here that talking about movies that need a taco break while watching. Steven Soderbergh’s finest film, Che, tops the list. I have nothing (except jealousy) against those who saw this in the roadshow form, both parts shown right after each other in a four-hour-plus extravaganza. For several reasons, though, it works just fine if you see the two parts over two nights, or even four one-hour sections over four nights. Both parts end with natural break points, they’re separated by about seven years of narrative time, they have a slow but relentless pace, but most of all, both parts encourage reflection. Che tells its story so simply, and without cues as to its meaning, that it’s worth taking a day or three to absorb what you’ve seen and look forward to what comes next.
Saga-like films reward multiple-night viewing; any time I see a tagline along the lines of “thirty years of the Mob/the CIA/Alcatraz/the cosmetics industry/etc.” it’s time to set up an extended schedule and find some corn tortillas. Another example is Robert de Niro’s The Good Shepherd, actually a pretty good movie. It has serious problems with pacing, though, feeling like a series of anecdotes more than anything else. (The fact that you’ll most likely figure out the framing device in the first ten minutes doesn’t help.) Still, it’s got some great work by Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, and especially Lee Pace (nailing that Establishment sense of entitlement) and if you watch it as a three-night miniseries, you won’t be bored and will have two chances for some fine tacos.
What are your favorite movies to enjoy with taco breaks? Don’t hesitate to include taco recipes as well.
