I LIKE YOU
AKA. THE NOVEMBER 2006 LINEUP
The most offensively funny film since South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut has finally graced the silver screens. Although I don’t know if we can really call them "silver" anymore, especially when a sub-par franchise like Saw can dominate the box office annually. I’d rather call it the bronze screen. Or what’s worse than bronze...like, copper or something? Pewter? Aluminum? At least for this weekend, which will absolutely be controlled by Borat, the screens can be golden. I got to see this movie at the earliest screening on Friday, and even at 11:15 the place was packed. Part of me wants to ensure you see this movie with an audience. The reactions people give are part of the magic. The other half wants me to point you towards seeing it with a smaller crowd so you can hear everything. Don’t worry, I’m going to talk spoiler-free.
The thing that irks me so much is that this will be the majority of America’s first look at Sasha Baron Cohen, outside of his scene steeling in Talladega Nights which most people will probably think got him this role. Ignorant n00bs. The absolutely brilliant Cambridge graduate has been on the top of my comedic list (next to Ricky Gervais and Judd Apatow's family) ever since I discovered Ali G’s European adventures in the early century, followed by the awesome HBO show. But of his three characters (the other being gay German fashionista Bruno), the most noteworthy has always been Borat – a bigot, an anti-Semite, a misogynist, and somehow utterly charming in every way. He’s good at breaking political and media personalities best when he’s playing Ali G, he’s great at discovering homophobia as Bruno, and while Cohen’s ability to get people to lower their defenses and reveal their inner thoughts has always been prevalent, it’s never so functional than when he’s playing the ignorant foreigner. Even though people are on camera, and sign an unbelievably liberal release agreement, they somehow don’t even imagine that what’s being filmed could ever be seen. Nor should they! It wouldn’t be my first thought, and it wouldn’t be yours either. Except maybe now. So it was a natural fit to turn Borat’s antics into a feature with a loose narrative involving a quest to marry Pamela Anderson.
His ruse has been the ability to line up meetings and social dinners with important figures, large sporting events, at how-to exercises, and to blindside them with his inane ignorance. Someone has already attempted to sue over the movie, even before release, and I seriously can’t wait to see how many of these people try to claim that Cohen and director Larry Charles (also director Todd Phillips, who dropped out of the project mid-way through production) have ruined their life. In actuality, it’s their own undoing, these guys just happened to provoke and capture. It’s why you don’t blindly sign a release form, dumbfucks. Ever. It’s worded so they can’t possibly sue for any reason. What do we do? Get to reap the benefits of laughing at the misfortune of others. Some will call it cruel, and it is. But cruelty can be hilarious, if not a bitch.
To fans of Cohen and of Borat, the film may feel like a retread. Things do get a bit tiresome now and again, even at a brisk 90 minutes. He’s not doing anything we haven’t seen before. It’s the same gags he’s done on the HBO show, and on his UK show (with a hideous laugh track) before that. Yet Cohen is so smart and whip-quick that even the same gags you’ve seen before feel almost fresh due to his superb wit and improvisational techniques. And never do you not feel in danger for Cohen’s behavior! He’s always walking a fine line, and frequently crossing it. He’s one step away from getting his ass kicked or getting arrested, and even in the most tame moments it’s fairly edgy material that doesn’t just make you laugh but forces you to think, to feel. He commits to everything he’s trying to say to you by getting other people to say it for him. Many won’t understand it. The Sandler crowd certainly won’t grasp the underlying social commentary on American culture. They won’t seem to grasp that WE’RE the joke here, and we’re laughing at ourselves because his play-ignorance opens up the ignorance of others that we’re far too daft to face on our own. Cohen will be damned if he doesn’t make us try, while also making us wheeze and ache from laughing.
Unfortunately, I see the frat crowd (which the movie manages to ass-blast the worst, I think) adopting this as their new favorite movie which they will quote incessantly until they don’t feel like quotes anymore. Does "I’m Rick James, bitch" or anything from Anchorman actually FEEL like they originated from something other than morons anymore? But as the film I mentioned at the beginning has proven, funny is funny no matter how many people try to drive it into the ground and give it a proper curb stomping. And if you love it, they can never take it away from you.
You’ve been assaulted by the marketing campaign for Borat, no doubt. Universal pictures is so convinced of it’s success even before opening weekend that they’ve purchased the rights to Cohen’s planned follow-up, a Bruno feature, for around $43 million. Can the character be as poignant covering the subject of gay rights in America? No doubt. Trey Parker and Matt Stone were the early helmers of Borat before Team America got in the way, and although it looks like Jay Roach is going to handle directing duties on Bruno, one can still hope to see the melding of all three brilliant minds one day. Cohen’s THE hot property for the moment in Hollwood, having already lined up a leading role next to Johnny Depp in Tim Burton’s next film. I don’t even think overexposure could tarnish how talented he is. See Borat, especially before everybody has to talk about it and ruin the best moments. Go on.
Wonder what Cohen looks like when not playing a character? Rare public appearance photo! Handsome Jewish man! He's engaged to Isla Fischer of Wedding Crashers fame.
THE ST. LOUIS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
What’re you doing on November 9th through the 19th? Because if you’re in St.Louis, and you like movies, there’s going to be no better place to be on the 10th and the 17th. Playing back to back on the 10th is an indie slasher/mockumentary that’s got a lot of good buzz going to for it called Behind The Mask: The Rise of Leslee Vernon...
http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=13603
...with the return of Zelda Rubenstein!!!!! Did you think she was dead too?? And why does she look so much like CGI Yoda now?
...and this is followed by a midnight screening of what people are calling the next Shaun of the Dead, another UK import called Severance.
http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=15460
Then on the 17th it’s another back to back with the Aussie import Candy...
http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=14386
...Heath Ledger’s depressing drug-addicted follow-up to Brokeback Mountain with the stellar Abbie Cornish and Geoffery Rush. Then this is followed by a very special midnight screening of Korea’s The Host!
It’s no surprise if you’ve read my blog, and my favorite films of 2005 post, that I’m a huge fanatic of what Korea’s film industry is doing right now, and I’ve heard nothing but glowing positivity surrounding this monster movie/family drama/black comedy. It’s easily my most anticipated flick of the year. Check out the exceedingly awesome trailers for it at http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=16095
There’s a bunch of good looking stuff playing, including Werner Herzog’s new film Rescue Dawn that I’m going to on Sunday, and I may end up going to more shows, but these are what’s got me most excited. Tickets are on sale now at The Tivoli, and if you say you’re a student you can nab one for each movie at $8 a pop. No, they didn’t even glance at my ancient school ID.
WHO RODE THE SHORTBUS?
Obviously not John Cameron Mitchell. His long, LONG awaited sophomore effort Shortbus will be opening late this month (hopefully). It’s inspired by Filter’s album of the same name...no, no...it’s porn! Art porn! With a touching story! Yep, hardcore penetration and money shots, yet written and acted as a real, legitimate flick. This is also tops on my list for things to see this year, as Hedwig And The Angry Inch is perhaps the greatest musical of all time, and it certainly in my top 20, if not my top 10, movies I could watch for eternity and never get sick of. Check out the website at http://www.shortbusthemovie.com/ .
NOTEWORTHY NOVEMBER
Looking to spend money? Maybe you should wait until "Black Friday" to decide what to throw that scrilla on when you see how outrageous the sales can get. Here’s the noteworthy releases for the month...
-Police Squad! was the short lived show that preceded Naked Gun: From The Files of Police Squad!, and all six episodes are finally on DVD on November 7th. Rejoice.
-Pixar’s latest Cars is also due on the 7th. It’s not the best Pixar’s made, but it’s still better than every other family film this year.
-My guilty pleasure Accepted comes on the 14th. I hate loving it, yet I couldn’t resist it.
-You knew it was coming because it was Peter Jackson! King Kong’s four disc collector’s set featuring an extended cut of the already far-too-long movie hits on the 14th.
-Speaking of bloated sets, my favorite flick of ‘05 AND ‘04, Oldboy, gets a three disc collector’s edition on the 14th.
-You ask for season four of Reba on DVD? Thanks a fucking lot.
-The super-duper awesome Six Feet Under collector’s set arrives in a burial plot on the 14th. Only $200 bucks! What a steal! Literally, steal me a copy. I love the show, but for the money I’d rather get an iPod. Well, then again, how can you deny this packaging???
-If you don’t already own both season’s of HBO’s Da Ali G Show yet, wait for the collector’s set which has no new features, yet puts both seasons in a box for you on the 14th. Spiff.
-Another evening with Kevin Smith? Nice! See why I wish he’d just stand and talk instead of making things like Jersey Girl on the 28th. In the meantime, track down the first Evening With Kevin Smith. Super storyteller, and seriously funny.
-14 discs of Superman, you say? 14???? Christ! How many devoted to the one with Richard Pryor? Only one??? SIGN ME THE FUCK UP. Only $70 on Amazon right now, and it includes every single Super-movie, excluding you the painful experience of having to own Supergirl. Oh, and don’t think they won’t try to re-release this if the planned Superman Returns sequel ends up happening. Looks like it will even though Returns didn’t give the studio, uh...returns. Like, at all. They hope you buy four copies. At wholesale, of course.
And in theaters...
-Will Ferrell and Emma Thompson get all Adaptation-y in Oscar-buzzed Stranger Than Fiction on the 10th. I personally think the trailer is cringe inducing, but I like the premise enough to believe it’s better than they’re trying to make you believe. Does that mean they succeeded? No clue.
-Christopher Guest is back with For Your Consideration, speaking of Oscar buzz. The usual suspects return along with the addition of Ricky Gervais, and it’s in limited release starting on the 17th.
-November 22nd tries to pack your Thanksgiving weekend with entertainment in the form of the next Tony Scott/Denzel Washington action vehicle Deja Vu (which I’ll try to review early as I’m seeing it this week), Darron Aronofsky’s first film since Requiem For A Dream, The Fountain, and Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny. Gotta love the D. Soundtrack, and consequently the D’s second album, comes out on the 21st.
-M
AKA. THE NOVEMBER 2006 LINEUP
The most offensively funny film since South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut has finally graced the silver screens. Although I don’t know if we can really call them "silver" anymore, especially when a sub-par franchise like Saw can dominate the box office annually. I’d rather call it the bronze screen. Or what’s worse than bronze...like, copper or something? Pewter? Aluminum? At least for this weekend, which will absolutely be controlled by Borat, the screens can be golden. I got to see this movie at the earliest screening on Friday, and even at 11:15 the place was packed. Part of me wants to ensure you see this movie with an audience. The reactions people give are part of the magic. The other half wants me to point you towards seeing it with a smaller crowd so you can hear everything. Don’t worry, I’m going to talk spoiler-free.
The thing that irks me so much is that this will be the majority of America’s first look at Sasha Baron Cohen, outside of his scene steeling in Talladega Nights which most people will probably think got him this role. Ignorant n00bs. The absolutely brilliant Cambridge graduate has been on the top of my comedic list (next to Ricky Gervais and Judd Apatow's family) ever since I discovered Ali G’s European adventures in the early century, followed by the awesome HBO show. But of his three characters (the other being gay German fashionista Bruno), the most noteworthy has always been Borat – a bigot, an anti-Semite, a misogynist, and somehow utterly charming in every way. He’s good at breaking political and media personalities best when he’s playing Ali G, he’s great at discovering homophobia as Bruno, and while Cohen’s ability to get people to lower their defenses and reveal their inner thoughts has always been prevalent, it’s never so functional than when he’s playing the ignorant foreigner. Even though people are on camera, and sign an unbelievably liberal release agreement, they somehow don’t even imagine that what’s being filmed could ever be seen. Nor should they! It wouldn’t be my first thought, and it wouldn’t be yours either. Except maybe now. So it was a natural fit to turn Borat’s antics into a feature with a loose narrative involving a quest to marry Pamela Anderson.
His ruse has been the ability to line up meetings and social dinners with important figures, large sporting events, at how-to exercises, and to blindside them with his inane ignorance. Someone has already attempted to sue over the movie, even before release, and I seriously can’t wait to see how many of these people try to claim that Cohen and director Larry Charles (also director Todd Phillips, who dropped out of the project mid-way through production) have ruined their life. In actuality, it’s their own undoing, these guys just happened to provoke and capture. It’s why you don’t blindly sign a release form, dumbfucks. Ever. It’s worded so they can’t possibly sue for any reason. What do we do? Get to reap the benefits of laughing at the misfortune of others. Some will call it cruel, and it is. But cruelty can be hilarious, if not a bitch.
To fans of Cohen and of Borat, the film may feel like a retread. Things do get a bit tiresome now and again, even at a brisk 90 minutes. He’s not doing anything we haven’t seen before. It’s the same gags he’s done on the HBO show, and on his UK show (with a hideous laugh track) before that. Yet Cohen is so smart and whip-quick that even the same gags you’ve seen before feel almost fresh due to his superb wit and improvisational techniques. And never do you not feel in danger for Cohen’s behavior! He’s always walking a fine line, and frequently crossing it. He’s one step away from getting his ass kicked or getting arrested, and even in the most tame moments it’s fairly edgy material that doesn’t just make you laugh but forces you to think, to feel. He commits to everything he’s trying to say to you by getting other people to say it for him. Many won’t understand it. The Sandler crowd certainly won’t grasp the underlying social commentary on American culture. They won’t seem to grasp that WE’RE the joke here, and we’re laughing at ourselves because his play-ignorance opens up the ignorance of others that we’re far too daft to face on our own. Cohen will be damned if he doesn’t make us try, while also making us wheeze and ache from laughing.
Unfortunately, I see the frat crowd (which the movie manages to ass-blast the worst, I think) adopting this as their new favorite movie which they will quote incessantly until they don’t feel like quotes anymore. Does "I’m Rick James, bitch" or anything from Anchorman actually FEEL like they originated from something other than morons anymore? But as the film I mentioned at the beginning has proven, funny is funny no matter how many people try to drive it into the ground and give it a proper curb stomping. And if you love it, they can never take it away from you.
You’ve been assaulted by the marketing campaign for Borat, no doubt. Universal pictures is so convinced of it’s success even before opening weekend that they’ve purchased the rights to Cohen’s planned follow-up, a Bruno feature, for around $43 million. Can the character be as poignant covering the subject of gay rights in America? No doubt. Trey Parker and Matt Stone were the early helmers of Borat before Team America got in the way, and although it looks like Jay Roach is going to handle directing duties on Bruno, one can still hope to see the melding of all three brilliant minds one day. Cohen’s THE hot property for the moment in Hollwood, having already lined up a leading role next to Johnny Depp in Tim Burton’s next film. I don’t even think overexposure could tarnish how talented he is. See Borat, especially before everybody has to talk about it and ruin the best moments. Go on.
Wonder what Cohen looks like when not playing a character? Rare public appearance photo! Handsome Jewish man! He's engaged to Isla Fischer of Wedding Crashers fame.
THE ST. LOUIS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
What’re you doing on November 9th through the 19th? Because if you’re in St.Louis, and you like movies, there’s going to be no better place to be on the 10th and the 17th. Playing back to back on the 10th is an indie slasher/mockumentary that’s got a lot of good buzz going to for it called Behind The Mask: The Rise of Leslee Vernon...
http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=13603
...with the return of Zelda Rubenstein!!!!! Did you think she was dead too?? And why does she look so much like CGI Yoda now?
...and this is followed by a midnight screening of what people are calling the next Shaun of the Dead, another UK import called Severance.
http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=15460
Then on the 17th it’s another back to back with the Aussie import Candy...
http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=14386
...Heath Ledger’s depressing drug-addicted follow-up to Brokeback Mountain with the stellar Abbie Cornish and Geoffery Rush. Then this is followed by a very special midnight screening of Korea’s The Host!
It’s no surprise if you’ve read my blog, and my favorite films of 2005 post, that I’m a huge fanatic of what Korea’s film industry is doing right now, and I’ve heard nothing but glowing positivity surrounding this monster movie/family drama/black comedy. It’s easily my most anticipated flick of the year. Check out the exceedingly awesome trailers for it at http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=16095
There’s a bunch of good looking stuff playing, including Werner Herzog’s new film Rescue Dawn that I’m going to on Sunday, and I may end up going to more shows, but these are what’s got me most excited. Tickets are on sale now at The Tivoli, and if you say you’re a student you can nab one for each movie at $8 a pop. No, they didn’t even glance at my ancient school ID.
WHO RODE THE SHORTBUS?
Obviously not John Cameron Mitchell. His long, LONG awaited sophomore effort Shortbus will be opening late this month (hopefully). It’s inspired by Filter’s album of the same name...no, no...it’s porn! Art porn! With a touching story! Yep, hardcore penetration and money shots, yet written and acted as a real, legitimate flick. This is also tops on my list for things to see this year, as Hedwig And The Angry Inch is perhaps the greatest musical of all time, and it certainly in my top 20, if not my top 10, movies I could watch for eternity and never get sick of. Check out the website at http://www.shortbusthemovie.com/ .
NOTEWORTHY NOVEMBER
Looking to spend money? Maybe you should wait until "Black Friday" to decide what to throw that scrilla on when you see how outrageous the sales can get. Here’s the noteworthy releases for the month...
-Police Squad! was the short lived show that preceded Naked Gun: From The Files of Police Squad!, and all six episodes are finally on DVD on November 7th. Rejoice.
-Pixar’s latest Cars is also due on the 7th. It’s not the best Pixar’s made, but it’s still better than every other family film this year.
-My guilty pleasure Accepted comes on the 14th. I hate loving it, yet I couldn’t resist it.
-You knew it was coming because it was Peter Jackson! King Kong’s four disc collector’s set featuring an extended cut of the already far-too-long movie hits on the 14th.
-Speaking of bloated sets, my favorite flick of ‘05 AND ‘04, Oldboy, gets a three disc collector’s edition on the 14th.
-You ask for season four of Reba on DVD? Thanks a fucking lot.
-The super-duper awesome Six Feet Under collector’s set arrives in a burial plot on the 14th. Only $200 bucks! What a steal! Literally, steal me a copy. I love the show, but for the money I’d rather get an iPod. Well, then again, how can you deny this packaging???
-If you don’t already own both season’s of HBO’s Da Ali G Show yet, wait for the collector’s set which has no new features, yet puts both seasons in a box for you on the 14th. Spiff.
-Another evening with Kevin Smith? Nice! See why I wish he’d just stand and talk instead of making things like Jersey Girl on the 28th. In the meantime, track down the first Evening With Kevin Smith. Super storyteller, and seriously funny.
-14 discs of Superman, you say? 14???? Christ! How many devoted to the one with Richard Pryor? Only one??? SIGN ME THE FUCK UP. Only $70 on Amazon right now, and it includes every single Super-movie, excluding you the painful experience of having to own Supergirl. Oh, and don’t think they won’t try to re-release this if the planned Superman Returns sequel ends up happening. Looks like it will even though Returns didn’t give the studio, uh...returns. Like, at all. They hope you buy four copies. At wholesale, of course.
And in theaters...
-Will Ferrell and Emma Thompson get all Adaptation-y in Oscar-buzzed Stranger Than Fiction on the 10th. I personally think the trailer is cringe inducing, but I like the premise enough to believe it’s better than they’re trying to make you believe. Does that mean they succeeded? No clue.
-Christopher Guest is back with For Your Consideration, speaking of Oscar buzz. The usual suspects return along with the addition of Ricky Gervais, and it’s in limited release starting on the 17th.
-November 22nd tries to pack your Thanksgiving weekend with entertainment in the form of the next Tony Scott/Denzel Washington action vehicle Deja Vu (which I’ll try to review early as I’m seeing it this week), Darron Aronofsky’s first film since Requiem For A Dream, The Fountain, and Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny. Gotta love the D. Soundtrack, and consequently the D’s second album, comes out on the 21st.
-M
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