God, Guts, Guns & how Borat made America look like fools

I'm looking forward to the Borat film. It opens here in a couple of weeks. Mr Baron Cohen is a clever bugger, I reckon.

In the meantime I've just got back from seeing "Flags of Our Fathers" - I don't think that Clint Eastwood had directed a dud yet and I wasn't wrong this time.

Next, I will be climbing the mountain of sophistication that is JACKASS 2 (Can't wait!)

quote:

Originally posted by Deane F:
I'm looking forward to the Borat film. It opens here in a couple of weeks. Mr Baron Cohen is a clever bugger, I reckon.

I couldnt help but wonder if he is totally nuts or a genius so I spent some time researching him today and I have come to the conclusion that he is a genius. I have read some of the interviews he did as Ali G which would be very clever if they had been written as scripts and performed by actors but considering the interviwee was kept totally in the dark and the whole thing was unscripted it is amazing to see how Baron Cohen lures the interviewee into prepared ground and exposes their racism, bigotry and ignorence. A clever bugger indeed.

My wife and I saw Borat last night, and though we had a laugh here and there, the general feeling was of a disappointement and of a bad taste.

The Chicago Tribune here rated the film **** but I would not give it more than **. In the middle of the nude scenes dozens od middle age viewers (who probably did not know what to expect) left the theatre in horror.

The main character talked at times to his friend-director in Hebrew (which I know). Those funny comments were not translated into English, and I guess I was the only one there who could appreciate the extra layer of humor.

Go see the movie, but don't expect too much.

By the way, I love the Monty Python's humor.

Haim

A pious god-fearing bunch, the Yanks...

Steven

You have had to defend yourself several times in the past on charges of racism and then you come in with that little gem.

You really do leave yourself wide open on occassions.

Regards

Mick

quote:

Originally posted by Haim Ronen:
the general feeling was of a disappointement and of a bad taste.
Haim

I suppose bad taste is to be expected. The thing about Baron-Cohen (like Chris Morris and Peter Cook) is he has the skill and comic genius to tackle taboos and sacred cows. Other, lesser talents just come off as crude, or even racist.

I haven't yet seen the film but the clip I saw on TV last week, where Borat informs a group of aghast U.S. feminists that it has been scientifically proven that women's and squirrels brains are the same size, was completely hilarious.

quote:

Originally posted by Haim Ronen:
My wife and I saw Borat last night, and though we had a laugh here and there, the general feeling was of a disappointement and of a bad taste.

The Chicago Tribune here rated the film **** but I would not give it more than **. In the middle of the nude scenes dozens od middle age viewers (who probably did not know what to expect) left the theatre in horror.

The main character talked at times to his friend-director in Hebrew (which I know). Those funny comments were not translated into English, and I guess I was the only one there who could appreciate the extra layer of humor.

Go see the movie, but don't expect too much.

By the way, I love the Monty Python's humor.

Haim

Haim,

When I saw it at the cinema every seat was taken and there was barely a minute when the whole audience (most were under 30)was not laughing. The nude scenes where Borat wrestles naked with his fat manager was too much even for me and I had to look away but I was still laughing my head off. I'm told many Americans dont understand that Borat is a British guy spoofing a Khazakstani and that he is a Jew. I'm told Americans don't get irony. Baron-Cohen mercilessly targets bigotry and racism and I noted the only people in the film to escape unscathed were the lovely old Jewish couple who ran the B&B and the black prostitute - every other person is exposed by their own snobbism and negativity.

I thought it hilarious that the rich southern dining club members put up with everything Borat did and said but totally lost the plot when he introduced his hamrless and totally inoffensive black call girl to them thus exposing them for the snobs they are.

No matter how uncivilised, backward, in-bred, ignorent, crude and boorish Borat pretended to be he somehow always managed to be more civilised than much of the American culture he so cleverly exposed who are not pretending at all. The government in Khazakstan is furious at how their country has been portrayed (in reality Romania is closer to the portrayal)but it is also America that needs to take stock of itself and learn some lessons.

In the film it is the government in Khazakstan that sends Borat to the US to make a documentary to help Khazakstan modernise but the irony which will not sit well with most of America is that even the most desparately backward country in the world has very little of value to learn from America. The film is not all about the humour.

I did not know he was talking hebrew so Im glad for the info - I may go again with a jewish friend to get a translation!



Regards,

Acad

PS - most of the audince looked wrecked with exhaustion from laughing when they left the cinema. I got a headache. Best damn laugh Ive had since 'The Meaning of Life'and that was a long time ago.

quote:

Originally posted by acad tsunami:

Regards,

Acad

PS - most of the audince looked wrecked with exhaustion from laughing when they left the cinema. I got a headache. Best damn laugh Ive had since 'The Meaning of Life'and that was a long time ago.

Good, Acad.

Too be able to sit and laugh hard means a success for the movie. It is very hard for me recently to find any good comedy to my liking. I guess I am expecting someone to out-do Chaplin's Modern Times and Brook's Young Frankenstein, and I am afraid that won't happen soon.

Regards,

Haim

Modern Times - Pure genius
Young frankenstein - ditto

Yes, really funny films are few and far between. I have to watch Monty Python again (and again)to have a really good laugh.

Mick,

Yanks are not a race. They are a melting pot of races. Religious bigotry and prudishness over there seems to thrive amongst those in particular who happen to be of the same race as myself.

You People,

America will be just fine. Thanks for the criticism and words of advice. Carry on....

It's "Yank" bashing, Jim. What with the fox hunting ban and all, it's now the semi-official National Obsession. (Because, as you know, things are so good in Britain that they have to look elsewhere to find social ills to carp about.)

Jim / Jayd

Most of us normal Brits admire you chaps out there.

You work hard, you rate success, you despise scroungers on welfare and you have some get up and go.

Sounds good to me.

Regards

Mick

PS The only two things I don't like are your immigration officials at airports and your bloody daft habit of chilling beer.

quote:

bloody daft habit of chilling beer.

Red wine also. Mind you they don't do proper beer only lager.

Thank you, Mike. I stand corrected.

Borat takes US box office by storm

Not content with being a clever bugger Baron Cohen is now seriously rich!

quote:

PS The only two things I don't like are your immigration officials at airports and your bloody daft habit of chilling beer.

Mick,

I wasn't even aware that you drank beer! Different beers taste better to different temperatures.

The stuff the yanks turn out definitely tastes better cold with the exception of the beer from some of their smaller breweries, but if you are talking Bud...

quote:

Originally posted by Mick Parry:
Jim / Jayd

Most of us normal Brits admire you chaps out there.

...you despise scroungers on welfare....


Regards

Mick

True. Which these days, would be the giant corporations, the biggest beneficiaries of (corporate)welfare in America today.


Cordially

Big Brother

Two US students who appeared in the Borat movie are suing Cohen, claiming they have suffered "mental anguish" after they were filmed making racist and sexist remarks.

Only in America

Woman in `Borat' seeks investigation

Only in America!

I still haven't seen the film, Acad. My wife has and she said it's hilarious. I must try this weekend as I'm desperate to see it. I always thought the Borat character was funnier than Ali G when I watched the tv show.

Regards

Mark

Offended Romanian Villagers Threaten to Sue 'Borat' Producers

Only in America. Oh, wait a minute...

...

quote:

Originally posted by jayd:
Offended Romanian Villagers Threaten to Sue 'Borat' Producers

Only in America. Oh, wait a minute...

Well spotted Jayd.

are you serious?

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/topofthehour.aspx?StoryId=39131

scary stuff dude.

PACE