It's looking like Borat will be the biggest movie this weekend (and maybe the sleeper hit of the year). Did you guys like it? I thought it was clever and hysterical.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LinnTate,

I honestly thought it was hysterical, sad, repulsive, etertaining, truthful, and culturally necessary. People need to continually show us how other people see us whether we agree with the perception or not.

I agree. Some of the attitudes on display in this movie were absolutely appalling, and the worst part is they're pretty typically "American" (in some circles). Where else in the world can a foreigner be threatened with violence simply for walking up and greeting someone with friendly enthusiasm?

My favorite part, though, was when the kids ran up for some ice cream

I remember another gross comedy with deep social significance - South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut. They nailed the culture wars before the pot boiled over.

WARNING- POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Scariest yokels:
1. The guy at the Rodeo who tells Borat to look more "Eyetalian"
2. The gun store guy who recommends a gun to use against Jews without batting an eye.
3. The fratboys who want to bring back slavery and bellyache about affirmative action.

Funniest animal trick- throwing money at the cockroaches.

Frickin' hilarious. Went way past my expectations and I had pretty high expectations. S.B.C. is seriously one of the most talented comic actors of this generation.

One of the best things I found about it is that it isn't just funny, but really says a lot about us as a country and people in general. Ex: There are people like the New Yorkers on the subway ("My name? Mind your own f***ing business, that's my name") and people that are willing to show a total stranger some genuine kindness (like the Jewish couple, assuming they weren't in on the joke).

Unfortunately, it also brings out some of the uglier sides of America (see last post).

I kept wondering how much of the movie was staged and how much was real reactions. The part at the book signing must have been at least semi-staged. What do you guys think?

According to what I've read in various magazines and online articles, I've pieced together the following...

Certain parts were completely candid, like the subway/sidewalk scenes, or the invasion of the business convention . These were completely guerilla and none of the "real people" on camera were aware that it was being filmed.

The people more intimately involved (humor coach, Alan Keyes, women's group, etc.) were aware it would be filmed, were handed a standard release form and fed the fictional story--that SBC was a reporter from Kazakhstan named Borat, etc. They were told he was making a documentary for his home country. Essentially the filmmakers were vaguely convincing enough that the people kind of shrugged and said "Alright, what the hell," and took it as the truth. They had no idea what was really going on...yet signed a legally binding release form, and were not "misled" enough to invalidate the release in a court of law.

Others were approached on the spot (antique shop, gun shop) and fed the same story.

Obviously, Borat's "dinner guest" must have been let in on everything at some point--she appears at the end of the movie in Borat's hometown. But I think Borat did just call her up out of the blue, and during the actual charade she only knew the fictional story.

Only Pamela Anderson (and perhaps her security force) had total prior awareness of the ultimate reality of the project--who Borat really was, that it would be a feature Hollywood film, etc. Which makes sense--Borat's a little too hands-on and assault-like for it to be a "Punked" kind of thing.

Certain other people were probably let in on *part* of the joke--the "homosexuals" Borat brings back to his hotel, for example, may have been goaded into spoofing the gay community for the cameras somehow, without knowing who Borat really was.

Apparently, SBC and the crew had to literally *flee* the rodeo, as dozens chased them ready to beat them to a pulp.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Commontone,

Not bad, Commontone. The only thing you missed is that the prostitute is actually an actress. She's even on IMDB. That whole scene was real, but the prostitute was in on the joke with Borat (SBC).

I thought it was the funniest movie I have maybe ever seen. When I wasn't laughing I was making the "home alone" face in shock at what I was seeing/hearing.


Honestly, I can't remember ever seeing something that didn't stop being funny for even a second. Absolutely brilliant.

I do believe, however, that some folks are liking it for the wrong reasons, but otherwise, what a jab at certain pockets of the states.

GO SEE BORAT.

Its probaly one of the funniest films I have seen in a long, long time.

Some people on the news here were accusing borat of anti-semitism and causing peopel to be racist. Now, obviously if you don't know much about Sacha Baron Cohen it may appear like he actually is racist. But he is in fact himself a Jew. He is merely taking the piss out of racist people, and racial intolerances.

It does highlight the racism in certain parts of america tho, as wel as homophobia and the aggression towards fpregners/strangers.

Other parts I found shysterical is when he calle dthat man 'a real chocolate face, not painte don' and when he walked into the hotel lobby saing ;yes my nigger etc etc'

The naked figth wa shorrible to watch!

The Jewish couple scene was pricless, and ye sthe bear scaring the kids was funny as hell as well

I think it really is an amazing film.

i thought the movie was ridiculously funny too, and it seems like the majority of people who are calling SBC racist towards jewish people haven't actually seen the movie. Borat's racism is so cartoonish and ridiculous that it has nothing to do with reality. People are saying "oh he's just perpetuating jewish stereotypes." Really? I didn't know it was a stereotype for jewish people to have claws and morph into cockroaches.

Semi spoilers ahead, maybe:

Anyways, the whole movie was funny, but one of the parts where i laughed the most was this little subtle joke. Through the whole movie Borat keeps a chicken in a briefcase, and when he's really depressed about three fourths of the way in he throws the suticase against the ground and you can just barely hear this ba-CAWK come from it. I was laughing for like two minutes and i don't know why.

Overall, the movie was terrific. In the original Ali G show, much of Borat's material was hit or miss, however, in the movie they seem to have compiled all of the hits into an over-far-too-soon comedy bonanza. Most of the film was a little over the top, but it was all in good humor. It is fairly frightening that people like those in the movie still exist. The depressing part is that the producers would not have to look very far to find some asshole with a narrow mindset to make stupid comments in front of a camera.

I do find it humorous, however, that the USC students decided to sue. They really have absolutely no moral or legal grounds for such an action. They got drunk, said things that they meant, then later blamed it on the alcohol a la Mel Gibson. Pathetic if you ask me. Oh, you weren't asking me? Forget I mentioned it then.

Easily the funniest movie I've seen in years. Seriously if you can handle this kinda humor (Example: Borat making fun of Jew's throught most of the movie) go see this movie. I actually think im gunna go see it again, but I still have to see Casino Royale yet though...

I would give Borat 9.5 out of 10

sacha baron cohen is a genius, for doing everything right there on the spot. if he does not win the golden globe for his performance, it will be an unjust lost

Yagsemash. I like you. I like sex. I like Borat.

I just watched this. I haven't laughed so much in ages. When I saw the trailer,I thought maybe I'd seen the funniest bits. I really hadn't!

The naked wrestling is one of the funniest, not to mention most disturbing things I've seen in a long time. Any man who is prepared to have another man's hairy beanbag stuffed in his face in the name of art, deserves every plaudit he gets!

i thought it was funny, except for that one
naked scene, you know...