Review of a movie you'd normally never watch
Yesterday maglok posted about the article on Den of Geeks that was titled "Watching the films we’d never dream of watching. He challenged us to give him a movie to watch, something he'd never watch, and in return he'd pose us the same challenge.
I gave him Ang Lee's Pride and Prejudice. I still love this movie, but I know NoKey absolutely hates it. I wondered how Maglok would enjoy it.
After a little talk back and forth, where he quoted several movies I'd already seen, he set me the task of watching Borat, Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.
Oh boy.
I am a little unsure of the message Sacha Baron Cohen had with this movie. At first glimpse it just looks like a prankster movie, a series of Jackass scens set together. But there is actually a convoluted story behind it, on how a "Kazach" discovers the true nature of Americans. I was actually mildly okay with this, until the naked man-fighting scene. This particular scene spoiled the entire movie for me. I could no longer believe there was a second, deeper layer that had any actual message. This was pure, unadulterated, childish entertainment. If I could fould the term by describing this movie with it.
Nevertheless, I laughed out loud at the final scene where Borat tries to abduct Pamela Anderson in an embroidered Marriage Sack.
Summarising: a mildly funny movie that was a chore to watch, filled with childish pranks. For those who would like to give it the benefit of the doubt, it could cast a critical eye on several parts of American society, but this 'second message' is gruesomely spoiled by a annoying urge to make the watcher gag, or possibly even vomit.
Camerawork was fine, it actually emphasized the Documentary feel and had a cheap, nineties feel to it as one would suspect from a second- or third world country. It fit the story.
Characters: even though I don't agree with the intent of the movie, the character Borat is well-thought out, has many props including a live chicken and a 1980s mustache, and his accent is impeccable. Using a second language in the movie, as well as a map and titles in this language, added to the atmosphere.
And I liked the bear.
I gave him Ang Lee's Pride and Prejudice. I still love this movie, but I know NoKey absolutely hates it. I wondered how Maglok would enjoy it.
After a little talk back and forth, where he quoted several movies I'd already seen, he set me the task of watching Borat, Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.
Oh boy.
I am a little unsure of the message Sacha Baron Cohen had with this movie. At first glimpse it just looks like a prankster movie, a series of Jackass scens set together. But there is actually a convoluted story behind it, on how a "Kazach" discovers the true nature of Americans. I was actually mildly okay with this, until the naked man-fighting scene. This particular scene spoiled the entire movie for me. I could no longer believe there was a second, deeper layer that had any actual message. This was pure, unadulterated, childish entertainment. If I could fould the term by describing this movie with it.
Nevertheless, I laughed out loud at the final scene where Borat tries to abduct Pamela Anderson in an embroidered Marriage Sack.
Summarising: a mildly funny movie that was a chore to watch, filled with childish pranks. For those who would like to give it the benefit of the doubt, it could cast a critical eye on several parts of American society, but this 'second message' is gruesomely spoiled by a annoying urge to make the watcher gag, or possibly even vomit.
Camerawork was fine, it actually emphasized the Documentary feel and had a cheap, nineties feel to it as one would suspect from a second- or third world country. It fit the story.
Characters: even though I don't agree with the intent of the movie, the character Borat is well-thought out, has many props including a live chicken and a 1980s mustache, and his accent is impeccable. Using a second language in the movie, as well as a map and titles in this language, added to the atmosphere.
And I liked the bear.