View Full Version : Your feelings on Borat
I saw the commercials, thought it might be good, squeeky clean, stupid funny, and then got some bad reviews from friends who have already seen it.
SO I guess what I'm asking: is Borat worth the price of admission?
Cam Man
11-26-2006, 05:38 PM
........................Its nice!
........................Its nice!
your mocking me, aren't you?
Ontir
11-26-2006, 06:13 PM
I paid $8.50 for a matinée, and that was WAAAAAAAAY too much!
When it's funny, it's extremely so; but the rest of the time, it's just cruel. I wouldn't suggest paying more than $3.00 to see it!
MaxofSteel
11-26-2006, 06:39 PM
It definitely looks funny, and I'd like to see it sometime soon. But I was never all that into Da Ali G show since I'm not into humor that involves pissing people off. It's funny, but its mean at the same time and I just don't like watching it after a while.
Scarlet Speedster
11-26-2006, 06:55 PM
Borat is very funny and very provocative, especially since it really seeks to expose the uglier side of many personal values in the "red states", i.e. fratboys bemoaning the loss of slavery and spouting misogynistic rhetoric or rodeo owners who think gays and lesbians should be rounded up and executed (gulp!). It's definitely not "squeaky clean" and not for those who are easily offended. It's a perfect mix of crude humour (the naked, hairy hotel romp scene comes to mind) and social commentary: ideal for we socially liberal Canadians (and as funny as the Trailer Park Boys movie).
mattbib
11-26-2006, 08:35 PM
Here's an existing thread with lots of opinions on the film.
http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=134479
DrewTheXenocide
11-26-2006, 09:04 PM
What I hate the most? All the retard kids who think they're funny by immitating him. They say some crap like "is nice!" or something equally stupid in the same accent and all of a sudden they're supposed to be Conan O'Brien!
And it's not like Borat is new. People have been watching Borat since God knows when, and I was fine with those select few people thinking they were funny by imitating him because of the word "few." Now, everywhere I go, I feel the urge to smack someone.
End of Rant.
Now, onto the question. I've never seen the movie, so I wouldn't know.
IamtheRock3
11-26-2006, 09:55 PM
isnt he getting sued..by..EVERYONE.
dougputhoff
11-26-2006, 11:04 PM
Bortat looks disturbingly like Barry Williams, the guy who played Greg on The Brady Bunch.
BetterThanYou
11-26-2006, 11:13 PM
Honetly I have a problem with this type of humor when its doen by guys like him.
Let me explain, I don't mind when Larry the cable guy makes jokes about rednecks, cause he is a redneck. I don't mind when Chris rock makes a joke about how much he hates ni**ers, because hes black. Now If larry were to make jokes about hating ni**ers...........
Now my point is, The guy whop plays Borat is a Jewish guy, essentially making fun of an antisemitic guy from a middle eastern country.
See my problem?
Its like when Micheal Morre played a "dumb redneck" in Canadian Bacon, you know hes not doing it to make an insigthful point through humopr, or even to criticise the failings of those he knows in a humerous way and hopefully, get them to reexamine thier preconseptions. Hes doing it to make fun of the "dumb rednecks" and I prefer the people doing that, to be "dumb rednecks"
Now you can replace "dumb rednecks" with blacks, latins, asians, gays, straights, bi's, tri's, or Herbert Hoover and its all the same to me.
But hes still funny as all hell. Sometimes.
Justin D.
11-26-2006, 11:31 PM
Honetly I have a problem with this type of humor when its doen by guys like him.
Let me explain, I don't mind when Larry the cable guy makes jokes about rednecks, cause he is a redneck. I don't mind when Chris rock makes a joke about how much he hates ni**ers, because hes black. Now If larry were to make jokes about hating ni**ers...........
Now my point is, The guy whop plays Borat is a Jewish guy, essentially making fun of an antisemitic guy from a middle eastern country.
See my problem?
Its like when Micheal Morre played a "dumb redneck" in Canadian Bacon, you know hes not doing it to make an insigthful point through humopr, or even to criticise the failings of those he knows in a humerous way and hopefully, get them to reexamine thier preconseptions. Hes doing it to make fun of the "dumb rednecks" and I prefer the people doing that, to be "dumb rednecks"
Now you can replace "dumb rednecks" with blacks, latins, asians, gays, straights, bi's, tri's, or Herbert Hoover and its all the same to me.
But hes still funny as all hell. Sometimes.
You came so close to almost having a coherent, cohesive point until that last line.
BetterThanYou
11-26-2006, 11:32 PM
You came so close to almost having a coherent, cohesive point until that last line.
Lifes like that.
You hate something, yet its funny.
Like David Spade.
LukeCage02
11-27-2006, 06:04 AM
Borat is genius. Exposing bigots in an incredibly funny way. Almost makes up for the dreadful Ali G movie.
Agent Helix
11-27-2006, 06:08 AM
Larry the Cable Guy isn't even a redneck, so that entire argument is inherently flawed.
lboinyamouf4sho
11-27-2006, 06:28 AM
didn't he get his ass kicked awhile back??
BetterThanYou
11-27-2006, 07:36 AM
Larry the Cable Guy isn't even a redneck, so that entire argument is inherently flawed.
since when?
monkeysweat
11-27-2006, 07:52 AM
since when?
Siince this... http://youtube.com/watch?v=1zIHRS9pJkI
Agent Helix
11-27-2006, 07:54 AM
Since he's from Nebraska, then moved to Florida, and invented the "Larry the Cable Guy" schtick because it sells well to stupid, racist masses. His original stand up act was like an even lamer version of Dave Coulier.
BetterThanYou
11-27-2006, 08:04 AM
Siince this... http://youtube.com/watch?v=1zIHRS9pJkI
I say he was just in the closet.
As evidence I cite the mullet.
:D
I say he was just in the closet.
As evidence I cite the mullet.
:D
No, it was the 80's. "Larry the Cable Guy" is an act. The real person is more than likely the one shown in the clip moreso than "Larry the Cable Guy."
BetterThanYou
11-27-2006, 12:47 PM
No, it was the 80's. "Larry the Cable Guy" is an act. The real person is more than likely the one shown in the clip moreso than "Larry the Cable Guy."
Then add him to the side of th list Borat is on.
And substitute Foxworthy in Place of Larry.
Learn soemhting new everyday.
king mob
11-27-2006, 01:33 PM
Sacha Baron Cohen has always used Borat in a way that is much, much nastier than Ali G. Ali G quickly turned into a cosy cartoon character by 2000, Borat remained edgier and nastier as the subjects of Borat's humour simply deserved it.
Borat (the film) works because it shows anti-semitism in people's everyday lives. It shows a side of America few like to admit exists, in doing so it's also very funny, if a bit flawed in some of its execution.
The Fury
11-27-2006, 01:37 PM
I just thought it was hilarious.
If you enjoyed Borat on Ali G, you will love the movie.
Me, I like seeing what people are willing to do and say. In some scenes, I think the butt of Borat's jokes come off as jerks. In others, like the scene in the dinner society, Borat comes off as the jerk. Either way, the people's reactions are always honest.
The part of the movie that I found was the least honest? Borat's depiction of Kazakhstan. Had he visited the country and let it speak for itself, it would have been one thing. But the reality he invented was crap.
Black Atom
11-27-2006, 01:43 PM
Sacha Baron Cohen has always used Borat in a way that is much, much nastier than Ali G. Ali G quickly turned into a cosy cartoon character by 2000, Borat remained edgier and nastier as the subjects of Borat's humour simply deserved it.
Borat (the film) works because it shows anti-semitism in people's everyday lives. It shows a side of America few like to admit exists, in doing so it's also very funny, if a bit flawed in some of its execution.
There wasn't a whole lot of deep social commentary in the film. We learned, basically, that frat guys are douchebags and some rich southerners are racist. Not terribly shocking stuff. I didn't really see any anti-semite stuff in the movie.
It was interesting how the New Yorkers freaked out from Borat simply trying to greet/touch them.
DrewTheXenocide
11-27-2006, 03:36 PM
Isn't Sacha Baron Cohen himself really smart? I heards somewhere that he had a PhD and everything.
To me, the concept of the character just reminds me so much of Yakov Smirnoff...
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/bb/Yakov_smirnoff.jpg/200px-Yakov_smirnoff.jpg
I've never seen Ali G either.
IamtheRock3
11-27-2006, 09:30 PM
There wasn't a whole lot of deep social commentary in the film. We learned, basically, that frat guys are douchebags and some rich southerners are racist. Not terribly shocking stuff. I didn't really see any anti-semite stuff in the movie.
It was interesting how the New Yorkers freaked out from Borat simply trying to greet/touch them.
Well a lot of reporter do say he SMELLS horrible when he in that charcter. He doesnt wash the suit..at all
feels it part of the charcter
The movie was funny..but sometime I did felt sorry for the people he was messing with. Laugh anyway though
king mob
11-28-2006, 01:36 AM
There wasn't a whole lot of deep social commentary in the film. We learned, basically, that frat guys are douchebags and some rich southerners are racist. Not terribly shocking stuff. I didn't really see any anti-semite stuff in the movie.
It was interesting how the New Yorkers freaked out from Borat simply trying to greet/touch them.
Its not deep social commentary though, Baron-Cohen is no Chris Morris and i think he's stopped pretending he is. The film does point out the casual racism that a lot of people have in a way that is funny and makes a point, a crude point but it's still a point.
StoneGold
11-28-2006, 02:29 AM
Now my point is, The guy whop plays Borat is a Jewish guy, essentially making fun of an antisemitic guy from a middle eastern country.
See my problem?
Now if only Kazahkstan was in the Middle East, you might have a point. It's Central Asian. They're a former Soviet republic. A country that is pretty evenly split between Muslims and Russian Orthodox.
Man, it helps to actually pay attention in geography class, instead of just seeing the word "stan" at the end of a country and randomly guessing.
Paradox
11-28-2006, 04:13 AM
Bear starts the back viewing:
To me, the concept of the character just reminds me so much of Yakov Smirnoff...
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/bb/Yakov_smirnoff.jpg/200px-Yakov_smirnoff.jpg
Who in turn, bore a striking conceptual resemblance to Bill Dana's Jose Jimenez.
http://www.musicobsession.com/Pictures/b/i/billdana170076.jpg
Wonder how far back we can take this.
There wasn't a whole lot of deep social commentary in the film. We learned, basically, that frat guys are douchebags and some rich southerners are racist. Not terribly shocking stuff. I didn't really see any anti-semite stuff in the movie.
It was interesting how the New Yorkers freaked out from Borat simply trying to greet/touch them.
The college students are saying they were drunk when the signed the release; therefore, making it null & void. The producers purposely got them drunk to act stupid on film.
Now, if someone fills you with liquor would you still act normal? I doubt it.
Borat appears to be more mean-spirited than funny.
Typo Lad
11-28-2006, 10:26 AM
I felt bad for some of his victims. The Revival folks and the Bed and Breakfast weren't hurting anyone.
Shellhead
11-28-2006, 11:07 AM
Lifes like that.
You hate something, yet its funny.
Like David Spade.
No, David Spade is smarmy. Not funny.
Tommy
11-28-2006, 11:10 AM
The college students are saying they were drunk when the signed the release; therefore, making it null & void. The producers purposely got them drunk to act stupid on film.
Now, if someone fills you with liquor would you still act normal? I doubt it.
Borat appears to be more mean-spirited than funny.
THE MEL GIBSON DEFENSE!
Shame on liquor! It makes people racist and hit on underage employees!
Black Atom
11-28-2006, 11:23 AM
The college students are saying they were drunk when the signed the release; therefore, making it null & void. The producers purposely got them drunk to act stupid on film.
Now, if someone fills you with liquor would you still act normal? I doubt it.
Borat appears to be more mean-spirited than funny.
There's not a great deal of sympathy in my heart for those guys. Maybe that's my own prejudices showing, but Cohen misrepresented himself to everyone and not all of them came of as badly.
I felt bad for some of his victims. The Revival folks and the Bed and Breakfast weren't hurting anyone.
Agreed. I felt bad for the antique shop owners, who seemed pretty tolerant given the circumstances.
Typo Lad
11-28-2006, 11:25 AM
Oh yeah, that was just...utterly crappy of him.
Kid Omega
11-28-2006, 11:54 AM
Oh yeah, that was just...utterly crappy of him.
I'm not sure how he was making fun of them. They were mostly bystanders in a joke about Borat's views on jews.
The fact that they were super nice made it funnier.
Kid Omega
11-28-2006, 11:57 AM
Borat appears to be more mean-spirited than funny.
The two are far from mutually exclusive.
kmeyers
11-28-2006, 12:13 PM
THE MEL GIBSON DEFENSE!
Shame on liquor! It makes people racist and hit on underage employees!
It's not that they are good guys(the frat guys). It's that you can't get someone drunk and trick them into signing a release form. It makes the contract worthless. Apparently Borat and his producers misrepresented themselves to everyone. So they could be in serious legal trouble.
The bit where he comes into the hotel and calls the guy "Vanilla face," was another one. The producers and location managers told the hotel that they just wanted to film a walking tour of the famous hotel for their documentary on travel across the country. Then Borat shows up and makes his scene. The crew told the hotel they had no idea that was going to happen, even after it was over.
You can't have someone sign a contract for one thing, and then go ahead and do whatever you want, without expecting some kind of lawsuit.
Jared
11-28-2006, 12:22 PM
I only felt bad for the group at the dinner. They were more than cordial, considering some of the things he said. But maybe *that's* part of what makes it funny, that some people will try to so hard to be politically correct that they won't protest when someone says the most outrageous things, as long as the person is from another culture.
Oh, and the store owner got a raw deal, but I pretty much suspected that that was staged, or the filmakers payed him back more than what the merchandise cost.
IamtheRock3
11-28-2006, 03:33 PM
wonder about the meeting they busted in when he was naked
love to see the reaction to that. Bet the whole hotel was PISSED. Probally why they didn't show the place name
About the contract
they did kind of F over the place where they film the scenes that was supose to be his country. Told them it was a Documentary, and not it was a skit and thus paid them a lot less they would of got paid.
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