RE: Funny and inoffensive (unless you're a conservative white American or a Kazakhstani!)

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RE: Funny and inoffensive (unless you're a conservative... - 13/11/2006 11:56:45 PM

Sway

Posts: 8879
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Albuquerque

Just back from the cinema tonight after having seen Borat and I can tell you my sides and my mouth still hurt from all the laughing.

Was a little skeptical about watching Cohen as Borat for an extended period of time and infact I was a little worried at the very start of the film, when I was trying desperately to understand him and failing, that I'd not understand half the stuff that was going on. I shouldn't have worried, I soon fell into that mad cap accent of his which just served to make everything he said all the funnier.

I'd gone in seriously not knowing what to expect, and I'd recommend that those wanting to see it should keep it that way, instead of anticipating a 'funny part' coming up. I haven't laughed that hard and loud in the cinema since Team America - although I'd have to say I still think thats funnier. I honestly thought I was going to be sick I laughed so hard in that film.

Anyway, Borat is so deliciously wrong on every level it is just utterly right.

~Spoilers~

The bit I laughed the hardest and longest at was pretty near the beginning - the Running of the Jew. Oh my god, as I type this I'm practically laughing again. Not only is the concept of it hilarious, but when 'Mrs Jew' lays and egg and the kids beat it to stop the jew kid from hatching I thought I was going to die laughing. Seriously!

The dinner table etiquette scene. Best part was when he said that the two women beside him would have men going nuts for them back at home, however 'this one, not so much' to the pastor's wife. The cinema actually went nuts when that happened, everybody lost it and there were loud 'oooohs'! It was just compounded by the pastor's face.

The naked wrestling. Nothing more to add here!

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Post #: 91

A comic masterclass - 14/11/2006 9:45:22 AM

britesparc

Posts: 1967
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Manchester

The excess hype surrounding Borat would lead one to expect a comic revolution; a genre-busting, reality-redefining classic to sit alongside Pulp Fiction or Rashamon. Whilst that may not exactly be the case, the end result is a film that is very, very funny indeed, but one that, above all else, cements Sasha Baron Cohen’s position as one of, if not the, premier comic force of his generation. First, though, the film itself: many may expect a straight mockumentary, mimicking the insulting interviews he’s famous for from his TV appearances. Whilst this does form the spine of the film, however, the movie branches off on a narrative tangent; thus we follow Borat on a spiritual as well as physical journey across America, as he tries to find Pamela Anderson and, well, take her virginity. Thus the film becomes more of a travelogue, as a carefully planned documentary disintegrates with fractured relationships and disastrous encounters, all of it captured – hilariously – on film. This is not a movie that specifically lampoons America; it’s not two hours of cultured Europeans taking the piss. Rather, it’s a gently moving story of an innocent abroad, of a man who is a total alien in the western world; at first it is intoxicating, but eventually it becomes, perhaps, a bit too much. Central to this is Baron Cohen’s performance: it’s amazing. Borat is a character so naively offensive, it would be very easy for the film to degenerate into one-joke ridicule: put Borat into an unlikely situation, have him say something racist/misogynistic/anti-Semitic, sit back and enjoy the fireworks. It’s a formula that would tire. However, Baron Cohen portrays so many levels of subtlety and pathos underneath that ridiculous tasche, that one is always on Borat’s side. Everything he does is wrong, but never out of spite or malice; he’s just an idiot. Baron Cohen deserves an Oscar, pure and simple, and if he’s not even rewarded with a nomination, there’s something wrong in the world. Of course, most people will just be going to see Borat to have a laugh, and in that sense, the film doesn’t disappoint: it’s really bloody funny. Arguably the funniest film of the year (though Clerks II runs close), its humour skates so close to the knuckle your hands will bleed, but if you’re prepared to take it on its own terms then you’re in for a great time. Sometimes, admittedly, it does feel that the humour is slipping into dodgy Jackass-style territory, and sometimes there’s a feeling that maybe Baron Cohen and co. are picking on people, but the overall impression is that this really is a damn fine comedy, and a brilliant film.

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Post #: 92

awful (NOT) - 15/11/2006 12:17:07 PM

djohnson6

Posts: 10
Joined: 14/11/2006

This is one of those film that has alot of contoversy sorounding it; this is a repretation well deserved. This film fells poorly made and at first it just looks like another hidden camera show that has been streched to fill a film.Taking all of this into acount though, it is probably one of the funniest films iv ever seen, it makes south park look tame in comparison. Yes its about as politicaly incorrect as they come but the fact is it insults everyone so somehow its funny, though i can't for the life of me figure out why and how. I highly reccomend this film and if your offended then just don't go and see it in the first place, because you will get what you expect

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Post #: 93

awful (NOT) - 15/11/2006 12:17:11 PM

djohnson6

Posts: 10
Joined: 14/11/2006

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Post #: 94

RE: awful (NOT) - 15/11/2006 8:30:07 PM

TheGodfather

Posts: 5100
Joined: 21/10/2005
From: Sin City

Finally saw it yesterday:

So much hype and controverse around a film, than it must be entertaining, right? Yes it was, for the biggest part at least. Really, really enjoyed it but somehow I kinda expected more out of it. I think the main reason for this is because the "story" around Pamela Anderson is included. It slowed the film down too much and could`ve been left out. Felt too forced as well. I think it would`ve been better if they just took the little parts and edited them together, without the story.
But despite that there were some really, really funny and gross scenes in it, with the best part obviously being the "hotel-room-fight-scene". That really cracked me up

8,0/10

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Post #: 95

Nice! - 18/11/2006 3:57:54 PM

RobertStehens

Posts: 8
Joined: 22/10/2006

When I saw the trailer and ads I thought it would be thrashy but after seeing it all my doubts were gone. Not for the easily offended but if you're laid back then you'll be falling out of you're seat laughing (like me)

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Post #: 96

Borat - 24/11/2006 1:49:15 PM

Eomer_King

Posts: 192
Joined: 18/5/2006

As subversive and hilarious a film as you are ever likely to see, Baron Cohen's epic comic creation shines a light on the endlessly hilarious and occassionally disturbing river of ignorance and bigotry that runs underneath American life. With a mere veiled question or statement Borat illicits equal amounts of homophobia, racism and anti-semitism all while beaming innocently and sitting awkwardly in his cheap suit. At one point he dangles the bait in front of an outspoken cowboy, before the unsuspecting victim lets fly about what he'd really like done with all the gays.

Of course the film would appear to pander to a European audience and its well entrenched, sniffy attitudes towards the 'US and A.' Everything that the rest of the world despises about America is on show - brash, loud, dumb, sometimes violent individuals litter the screen, all completely unaware that they are picking up the comedy tab. Borat's trip to a rodeo show and his Fox News-style invective induce hearty roars from a Southern crowd. The slow realisation that the joke is on them only comes well into Baron Cohen's rendition of the Kazakh 'anthem'.

Yet the film's success at the US box office and the widespread support from many of Holywood's leading names suggests that the liberal backlash (evinced so ruthlessly at the mid-term elections) against all things red state comes in many different forms-even a bogus Soviet 'journalist' with a penchant for gypsy tears and rubber fists.

< Message edited by Eomer_King -- 24/11/2006 1:56:04 PM >

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Post #: 97

RE: Funny and inoffensive (unless you're a conservative... - 25/11/2006 6:38:06 PM

Axel Foley

Posts: 731
Joined: 15/10/2005

~Spoilers~

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sway

The bit I laughed the hardest and longest at was pretty near the beginning - the Running of the Jew. Oh my god, as I type this I'm practically laughing again. Not only is the concept of it hilarious, but when 'Mrs Jew' lays and egg and the kids beat it to stop the jew kid from hatching I thought I was going to die laughing. Seriously!

The dinner table etiquette scene. Best part was when he said that the two women beside him would have men going nuts for them back at home, however 'this one, not so much' to the pastor's wife. The cinema actually went nuts when that happened, everybody lost it and there were loud 'oooohs'! It was just compounded by the pastor's face.

The naked wrestling. Nothing more to add here!

The naked wrestling traumatised me! And the sight of his fat producer jerking of with the Baywatch magazine has left a mark on my mind. Was worth hanging on though, just to see the expression on the face of the guy left in the lift with them - it was a mixture of disgust and horror, though I'd have been straight out like the other occupants.

Overall I'm a bit disappointed. While I laughed heartily through a lot of the scenes, many others were wide of the mark. And though many would say it's a satire on the bigotted views of the Americans featured, there is only one scene - at the rodeo - where such nasty thoughts were exposed (a bunch of drunken frats who'd have said anything don't really count).

Mostly the targets are good natured people confused by Borat's questioning, such as the feminists, the driving instructor or the car dealer. The scene with the friendly Jewish couple left me particularly uncomfortable, mainly because Borat came across as utterly contemptuous. I can certainly see why Kazakhstanis would object to being portrayed in such a way, though I never felt the TV shows were guilty, as the focus on Borat himself was always minimal.

That said you have to laugh most of the time. The high society dinner contained some of the funniest moments of the cinematic year - Cindy's face when Borat asks what he should do with the bag containing his shit was priceless!

Btw does anyone know whether Pamela Anderson was expecting to get jumped like that? I'm presuming they'd told her that a Kazakhstani journalist wanted to propose to her, but getting hauled into a sack wasn't part of the deal. Her reaction seemed far to realistic for me to believe anything else (unless she's a better actress than I'd thought).

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Post #: 98

Very, Very funny - 29/11/2006 7:22:15 AM

hellboyx

Posts: 44
Joined: 1/10/2005

After watching the TV show when it was on tv i thought "make a big screen movie... never gonna work", my god was i wrong, funniest film all year, in fact probably one of the funniest films you are gonna see in a long time, if you havent seen it already i suggest you run to your local cinema asap... just as long as you are not easily offended...

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Post #: 99

RE: Hilarious - 30/11/2006 6:37:13 AM

phoebekate

Posts: 20
Joined: 21/11/2006

one more sleep to go!!! london to brighton is what im waiting for!

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Post #: 100

RE: Borat - 30/11/2006 7:15:41 AM

lovebhadz

Posts: 20
Joined: 30/11/2006

one of the funniest movie....like it!!

--
London to Brighton
http://www.l2b-themovie.co.uk

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Post #: 101

RE: Borat - 1/12/2006 7:37:13 AM

unhingedmoviepigeon

Posts: 1305
Joined: 12/10/2006
From: With Cpt Reynolds on board Serenity

This could easily be the funniest movie of 2006. Hilarious from start to finish the movie see's Borat travel to America from his home country of Kazakhstan in search of his dream woman Pamela Anderson and also for the benifits of his glorius nation. Loaded heavily with absurd, outrageous and often offensive comments and jokes Borat uses the faces and responses of real people to get the non stop laughs. Inviting a prostitute to dine with a Preacher and friends is just one of the high points, and as the movie progresses you can't help but find yourself loving this deranged Kazakstan chracter. The movies set up and gags all act as a wonderful eye opener to the casual prejudices of average American people. And it works surprisingly well, funny, emotional and wonderfully well written.

If this movie doesn't make you split your sides you're probably already dead.

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Post #: 102

High five - 7/12/2006 10:17:11 AM

km2k6

Posts: 22
Joined: 6/12/2006

this movie is probably the best movie i have ever seen it is f**kin hilarious.

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Post #: 103

High five - 7/12/2006 10:17:20 AM

km2k6

Posts: 22
Joined: 6/12/2006

this movie is probably the best movie i have ever seen it is f**kin hilarious.

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Post #: 104

High five - 7/12/2006 10:17:29 AM

km2k6

Posts: 22
Joined: 6/12/2006

this movie is probably the best movie i have ever seen it is f**kin hilarious.

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Post #: 105

RE: High five - 10/12/2006 10:33:29 PM

Paul2j

Posts: 107
Joined: 30/9/2005

Borat is absolutely hilarious in places - and is ridiculously controversial. The first part is better than the last, as Borat's in a lot more 'real-life' situations.

I'd call it 7 out of 10, it's definitely worth going to watch, though it should be strictly in male company.

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Post #: 106

Borat - 14/12/2006 2:20:24 PM

Jack'sSmirkinRevenge

Posts: 147
Joined: 9/11/2005
From: Leeds

Absolutely genius film, and by far the funniest film of the year. How he keeps a straight face in it, I'll never know. An instant comedy classic

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Post #: 107

?????? - 14/12/2006 8:49:08 PM

maloowese

Posts: 7
Joined: 26/11/2006

Am I missing something. Thought with all the great reviews and word of mouth this had to be funny. Disappointing comes to mind however. Watching 2 unattractive men romp around naked for an excessive amount of time is not funny. its lame. A few funny moments in an otherwise stupid film.

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Post #: 108

RE: ?????? - 23/12/2006 9:53:22 PM

charliealonso

Posts: 171
Joined: 10/10/2005
From: Birmingham

didnt like it at all..... didnt think it was funny that 2 naked guys fight and just happen to pose in very awkward positions and then gate crash a conevntion..... the bear in the van, like that shit would ever happen, and then show kids running up to it, staged........ too much bullshit and playin up to the camera....

but the guy has balls, no doubt, how else would you get on tv these days.... big brother - thats just one big mental institution shown live on E4, maybe he belongs there.

dont know what the fuss is about - i find classical comedies funny, Dr strangelove, groundhog day, some like it hot - these films are funny.... not some dude with a dodgy accent taking the piss out a community of people (the dinner where he brings a prosi) thats just fuckin rude! and then mockin Jews......

poor poor poor

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Post #: 109

Borat - 9/1/2007 8:14:07 PM

solid snake

Posts: 209
Joined: 18/10/2006

The film is mostly funny but the end is awful as it ties in with a the story. The early scenes funny because they are all real and hes pissing people off. However its very tedious.

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Post #: 110

- 24/2/2007 6:01:45 PM

casino

Posts: 206
Joined: 26/5/2006

good but not as good as clerks 2

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Post #: 111

Borat - 27/2/2007 10:38:34 PM

jncorbett

Posts: 129
Joined: 3/10/2005

Absolutely hilarious! I've never laughed at any film so hard for such a consistent amount of time. It really is belly-laughs for the length of the film, without a chance to stop and breathe! As the review here says, it should come with its own health warning.

Great acting from Cohen too. Seriously, you try staying in character for all those scenarios!

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Post #: 112

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm - 1/3/2007 10:54:04 AM

JimBo!

Posts: 35
Joined: 23/2/2007
From: Brighton/Hove

it worries me that films like this can get 5 stars. i'm sorry but funnier things have come out the back side of a horse. Its not funny and i didnt enjoy.

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Post #: 113

Hilarious - 7/3/2007 8:40:01 AM

discodave101

Posts: 1883
Joined: 4/10/2005
From: Sheffield

Finally got to watch it on DVD last night, and safe to say it didn't disappoint. Only let-down was that I'd seen soooo many trailers that I felt like I'd already seen half the jokes. The extras on the DVD, with borat on various TV shows and premieres had me laughing more than the film! Quality.

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Post #: 114

RE: Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benef... - 13/3/2007 3:51:26 PM

john.sharman27

Posts: 25
Joined: 6/1/2007

I agree it's not a lot to get hot about.There is a Peter Sellers cum Mr Bean quality about the Borat character-creation. There are some amusing moments in the filmbut they are strung together they do not a story make.There's a lot of questionable material about Jews, Gypsies,homosexuals and undercurrents that if looked into would not stand up as the subject of humour.In a pc world there are some refreshing moments too.I think a lot of the people whose trust he gains show a lot of dignity and restraint and without their goodwill he couldn't have taken the piss. They didn't deserve to have the piss taken only the racist bigots who betrayed them selves quite casually.The film truly shows how most ordinary people are taken in by the naif-eyes-wide-open-innocent who presents himself in a conventional way.This is often the subject of literature.This is a very funny film.Not.
Sophomoric at best.

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Post #: 115

RE: Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benef... - 13/3/2007 4:30:29 PM

Kyle_R_

Posts: 846
Joined: 10/1/2006
From: Newcastle

If there were more real Borat fans before this movie was released people would have realized how much funnier he was on the Ali G show and Borat show. This film had some classic Borat moments but overall it was just about average for me.

The scripted scenes (especially the Pam Anderson one) were ridiculously unfunny!

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Post #: 116

Instant Classic - 14/3/2007 10:41:51 AM

McQueen

Posts: 44
Joined: 28/2/2006

Reading some of the numpties that have given this movie 1 or 2 stars, I find it amazing that somebody can debate this movie. Whilst humour is subjective and a very personal thing, what is impossible to deny is that Sacha Baron-Cohen's performance in this movie is one of the great performances of modern movie history. If this movie was made in the 70's and it was Peter Sellers, we would all have stood up and applauded, yet this is far more daring and complex than any Peter Sellers performance and will stand the test of time.

I hate Metallica as a rock band, but I don't deny they are exceptional musicians, so to slate Borat with the lowest one star or even a 2 star rating is to show that you know nothing about movies.

Structurally superb, great pacing and with a wonderful script, make Borat, possibly one of the best English movies of the last 20 years. Is this funniest movie of all time? Let's judge in 10 years time after all the horrible influx of inferior crude-pushing movies have faded into distant memory.

If you don't laugh at Pamela Anderson having the "arsehole of a seven year old" then you were either abused as a child or are clinically dead.

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Post #: 117

Wheres the pussy magnate? - 2/4/2007 2:12:30 PM

MyPOV

Posts: 35
Joined: 11/9/2006

Yes it was very funny. The scripted stuff not so much. He is an amazing ruse, and long may he continue to uncover cretinous views and behaiviour. Hasn't he come a long way since the 11 oclock show.

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Post #: 118

empire u have over rated again !!!!!! - 15/4/2007 8:15:00 PM

jerkyjudas

Posts: 81
Joined: 4/10/2005

good film 3 stars maybe but no way a 5 star fim.
Were u bribed so u gave it a 5 star review ??!!
some episodes of borat were more genuine and funnier than this

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Post #: 119

BORAT - 16/4/2007 2:15:00 PM

minotaur3004

Posts: 46
Joined: 16/4/2007

HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!! Probably the funniest movie i have ever seen, "Hello, my name is Borat, i am Kazakhstan reporter, I like sex, sex is good!!!"

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Post #: 120