janestarz: (Default)
[personal profile] janestarz
Yesterday [livejournal.com profile] 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.

Date: 2010-03-26 09:32 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maglok.livejournal.com
Holy moley that was quick I haven't even gotten my hands on a final list of stuff I need to watch for the challenge. :)

Better hold up my end of the challenge then.

Date: 2010-03-26 09:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] janestarz.livejournal.com
NoKey was away and I didn't want to inflict the movie on him.
Or anyone else for that matter. I considered not finishing the movie several times, actually.

Date: 2010-03-26 09:48 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] woran.livejournal.com
Marco loved this movie. The childish humor is what he loves (sometimes I think he mentally never passed 8 years old).
I tought some parts were ok, like the critical view on american society. But the 'brown humor' was a bit too much for me.

Date: 2010-03-26 12:04 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] the-gersemi.livejournal.com
You mean "Sense and Sensibility", right?

I haven't seen Borat, mostly because I'm not a 12-year-old boy who enjoys potty humor. I know there must be some clever scenes in it but I never could make myself sit through the rest to get to those scenes.

Date: 2010-03-26 04:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] janestarz.livejournal.com
Yes, I do. Sorry!
I admire both the Ang Lee movie and the BBC's miniseries. So awesome!

Date: 2010-03-28 11:46 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] margrietje.livejournal.com
I've got Pride and Prejudice at home. I like it even better then Sence and Sensibility.
But now I'm very curious what Maglok thought of it.

Profile

janestarz: (Default)
janestarz

April 2026

S M T W T F S
    1234
5 678 910 11
12 1314 15 161718
19202122232425
2627282930  

Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Apr. 18th, 2026 01:24 am
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios