Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

There were funny moments and there were offensive moments. Sacha Baron Cohen as Borat is astonishingly believable. My movie-going companion actually asked me, “Is he really from Kazakhstan?” (No, he’s an Oxford-educated Englishman--and he's Jewish.) The things that people said—thatBorat “got” them to say—were so outrageous, so racist, sexist and bigoted that I was more horrified than amused. It was not humor so much as a mirror held up to America reflecting the ugliness that we usually ignore.

Much as been written about the male nudity, which was an inspired bit of slapstick. Slapstick, when done well, can be as funny as anything out there. It also clarified to the audience that we were firmly entrenched in the theater of the absurd.

However, the moment I liked best was more silly than absurd. Let me set it up: in a quest to reach California, Borat and his companion buy a cheap car—an old ice cream truck. They also buy an animal for protection (yes, it's as odd as it sounds). That animal is a bear. In one scene, they can’t get the music for the ice cream truck to stop playing. A crowd of children starts running behind the truck thinking there is ice cream for sale. When the children get close, the bear sticks its head out the back window and ROARS. The children flee in terror. (I narrated this scene to my boyfriend and got so choked up with laughter, I could barely get the words out.)

It wasn't a great movie and certainly not a consistently funny one, but probably worth a look. It will not suffer from being viewed on DVD, either, given the purposeful low-quality look of the film.


WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILER







And the last scene, where a busty celebrity was actually stuffed in a bag—I assume against her will—was very, very hard not to laugh at. It was the culmination of all the ridiculousness of what had gone before and I could hardly believe it was happening—that it could happen. Wild. I was simultaneously horrified, as I could imagine how scary it would be to be the person under attack, and hysterical, as I actually sawBorat manage, however briefly, to execute his bizarre plan. I'm not sure, even now, what to make of my reaction.

What did you think?

Casino Royale (2006)

I didn’t think I’d like it but I liked it. Call it the magic of lowered expectations. I also needed to see a movie where I could get out of my head, where I wouldn’t have to think, where I wouldn’t have to reflect on or evaluate my life. I thought a little about why I like James Bond—why anyone likes James Bond—or perhaps why any women like James Bond. Of course, he’s sexy and mysterious. He travels the world, is stylish, suave and masculine. All attractive qualities. But I identify with James Bond, not with the Bond girls. I want to be that sexy, stylish spy who travels the world and makes love without breaking hearts, leaving only satisfied, grateful partners in my wake. Ah, that’s the life.

Casino Royale is an origin story, which tend to be the best. It’s cold, brutal and action-packed. The titles were not the greatest but they were refreshingly free of naked ladies (sorry fellas). In fact, there’s damn little sex in this picture and more than enough violence. One of the first chase scenes is actually conducted on foot and is astonishing, exciting and completely held my attention. It contrasted the gymnastic agility of the “bad” guy with the brutish more direct approach of Bond. Perfect set up and was exceptionally fun to watch. In general, the action in this picture was more realistic than I’ve seen for a while—it’s more about the physicality of the actors (and stuntmen) and less about CGI effects.

Eva Green plays the female foil for James and I liked what she did. I did not buy her British accent (good reason for that: she’s French) but I did buy her repressed sexiness. (I would also like to air my on-going issue with casting: Eva Green is twelve years younger than Daniel Craig. What gives?)

I liked Craig as Bond. He was rugged and not too refined and very physical. He was cold and brutal, witty and sneering. His wisecracking fell a little flat—he is better on the move. Still, he is a Bond I could get used to.

The Prestige (2006)

You may feel like you've already seen this movie or read about it, but that is because there is a similarly-themed movie (The Illusionist) currently in release. Both are set at similar times (late 19th Century) but the locations are different and so are the characters and the plot lines. Of the two films, I preferred The Prestige (2006). Why? It's not that the acting is better or the writing is better or the cinematography is prettier. No, I preferred it because it is much less pretentious. The Illusionist was a seemingly meaningful story that actually had no substance. There is no particular substance to The Prestige either, but there is an entertaining puzzle, good performances and a truly creepy (though not surprising) ending that actually did provide food for thought, though it wasn't particularly deep or meaningful. If you like magic, Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, David Bowie (!) and creepy visuals, I recommend The Prestige. It's a good two hours spent and it won't leave you feeling cheated. All secrets are revealed.