76 replies to this topic

[Loomis]

Dunno about y'all, but the following article has me seriously looking forward to BRUNO:

http://www.independe...fe-1675107.html

BORAT is, I think, one of the best films of recent years. Hilarious, original, shocking and thought-provoking, it's kinda like J.A.C.K.A.S.S. meeting BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE with a touch of ROCKY (which pretty much makes it my perfect movie, come to think of it). I can recall no other "comedy" that has had so much, uh, sociocultural impact (he writes, pretentiously).

So BRUNO - the GODFATHER II of the Cohen canon, or a cynical and inferior rehash of BORAT? Well, time will tell, of course, but the omens are good and the tea leaves shaping up nicely. Anyone else here excited about this one?

[Qwerty]

I think this movie looks hilarious.

[[dark]]

I am looking forward to it, and the trailer does have its fair share of hilarious moments (the Velcro suit, "That's such a Samantha thing to say"), but it does strike me as a bit more "stagey" than Borat was.

I suspect I'll think the same of the film itself - hilarious, but ultimately more artificial (and thus, less thought-provoking) than Borat.

[dodge]

I never did see BORAT...but despite my boyish innocence, I do feel I'm ready for BRUNO!

[Harmsway]

I didn't care for BORAT or its brand of "satire," so I'll skip out on this one.

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

I'm really looking forward to Bruno. I think it's going to take us where Borat never dared to go!

[Loomis]

I didn't care for BORAT or its brand of "satire," so I'll skip out on this one.

Did you actually see BORAT?

Also, what's wrong with its brand of satire?

[pgram]

Borat was one of the best (if not THE best) ground-breaking comedies (or even films in general) in many many years. We (my mates and I) are already making plans to attend the premiere of Bruno. If it is half as good as Borat, it 'll be one of the best cinematic nights of 2009.

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

Borat was one of the best (if not THE best) ground-breaking comedies (or even films in general) in many many years. We (my mates and I) are already making plans to attend the premiere of Bruno. If it is half as good as Borat, it 'll be one of the best cinematic nights of 2009.

[Matt_13]

I thought it looked less genuine, and Borat pushed its limits as it is, but I'll probably give it a go. Cohen occasionally hits the ball out of the park so it's worth seeing.

[Zorin Industries]

I didn't care for BORAT or its brand of "satire," so I'll skip out on this one.

I could be wrong, but I'm not sure that BORAT was meant to be - er - satirical.

[Harmsway]

Did you actually see BORAT?

Yup.

I could be wrong, but I'm not sure that BORAT was meant to be - er - satirical.

Well, plenty of people praised it for being so upon its release, regardless of whether it actually is one. My use of quotation marks was meant to indicate that I have my doubts about all of that; if BORAT really is trying to be satirical, well, I don't think it succeeds. BORAT is merely a prank flick, and an occasionally funny one (though I don't find BORAT as hilarious as many others, and it quickly began to grate on me), but with absolutely nothing important to suggest.

[JackWade]

BORAT is a "prank flick" but it's complemented by a fairly surprisingly well done social commentary. Not only was it utterly hilarious, it was shockingly provocative.

[Vauxhall]

I don't think BORAT tries to suggest anything important. The occasional ignorance and bigoted behaviour it exposes is by no means a revelation. It merely attempts to entertain by showing people to be moronic; I'm quite happy for BRUNO to be more of the same.

BORAT is, I think, one of the best films of recent years. Hilarious, original, shocking and thought-provoking, it's kinda like J.A.C.K.A.S.S. meeting BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE with a touch of ROCKY (which pretty much makes it my perfect movie, come to think of it).

Loomis, where does the touch of ROCKY come from? I can't see it myself.

[Judo chop]

BORAT is, I think, one of the best films of recent years. Hilarious, original, shocking and thought-provoking, it's kinda like J.A.C.K.A.S.S. meeting BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE with a touch of ROCKY (which pretty much makes it my perfect movie, come to think of it).

Loomis, where does the touch of ROCKY come from? I can't see it myself.

I've been waiting breathlessly for an explanation to that one myself!

Because the 'supporting cast' wants to punch BORAT's face into a bloody ribroast??

[Loomis]

Loomis, where does the touch of ROCKY come from? I can't see it myself.

Because Borat is the underdog with everything against him. He has heart and charisma (as well as, obviously, some rather, uh, unpleasant traits and offensive views). He comes from poverty and goes out in pursuit of the American Dream. Thus the touch of ROCKY.

[AgentBentley]

I saw Borat at the end of the hype, so I was expecting too much from it. He's a funny type alright, but the movie was not as hilarious as I was expecting.

So I don't think Bruno will catch my attention.

[Mr Teddy Bear]

I was underwhelmed by Borat, so I'm not too excited about this one.

[Safari Suit]

I laughed a lot at Borat and I remember think Bruno was a good character when he appeared in short sketches all those years ago, but Cohen's humour can be wearyingly crude in an adolescent manor which always makes me slightly apprehensive about his forthcoming projects.

[dinovelvet]

Looking forward to it, though I think it won't be as good as Borat, if only because the same surprise/shock factor won't be there. Still, if Bruno is the QOS to Borat's CR, then that'll be all well and good.

[Loomis]

Saw BRUNO today. Loved it.

Essentially, it's a remake of BORAT. Same format, same structure. Inevitably, it doesn't seem as fresh as BORAT, and one is now very much on the lookout for scenes that were faked (that said, Baron Cohen has once again taken clearly taken some utterly lunatic personal safety risks).

However, BRUNO is funny, outrageous and outrageously funny. It's full of scenes that make you think, How the hell did they dare to do that? How the hell is Baron Cohen still alive?

Whether he's frolicking with his midget Filipino airline steward lover, or provoking Harrison Ford into snarling one of the most vicious " off!"s I've ever heard, or getting Paula Abdul to come across as though she thinks she's the messiah, or somehow making a pair of "gay converter" pastors unwittingly seem as camp as the most flamboyant guys on a pride float, things are never dull when Bruno's around. In fact, they're usually hilarious and jawdropping in equal measure.

Baron Cohen is a comedy giant and a bloody good actor as well. Somehow, he manages to create patently ridiculous characters like Borat and Bruno and inhabit them as though they're utterly real people.

And, as with BORAT, the main reason that BRUNO works as well as it does - leaving aside all the larfs and all the Let's Shock the Prudes™ moments - is that its protagonist, while obviously monstrous (Bruno shares Borat's antisemitism, and is also super-shallow, ultra-vain and has an appalling attitude to child protection), is also curiously likeable, perhaps because he's so unapologetic and indomitable. After a while, you're rooting for him as the underdog - you're no longer merely laughing at him, but you want him to succeed, and you leave the cinema on a high when he does.

In essence, then, BORAT and BRUNO are ROCKY, and BRUNO even provides a similarly crowdpleasing climax in the ring (fnarr), thanks to which "My Heart Will Go On" will never sound quite the same. Film of the year.

[zencat]

Saw it last night. Outrageous and VERY funny. Thumbs up.

[The Dove]

Sorry gang.. I'm not jumping on the Bruno bandwagon..I passed on Borat and from what I can tell the previews make this movie look just as awful...

[Loomis]

Well, if you didn't like BORAT then you won't like BRUNO. By the same token, if you found BORAT to be your cup of tea then you'll find BRUNO a blast. Essentially, BRUNO is the sequel to BORAT, and it comes up to the required standard every bit as much as THE GODFATHER PART II was a worthy successor to THE GODFATHER.

[JackWade]

Can't wait to see this. BORAT might be the funniest film I've ever seen, so naturally, I've had BRUNO in my sights for awhile.

Everything I've read points to it being pretty good so I'm looking forward to catching this soon.

[DamnCoffee]

Seeing this tomorrow, I can't wait.

[Mr. Blofeld]

I caught Borat on the night of its American premiere; I had read about Baron Cohen's various acts, but never had I actually seen them. I was probably the only one in my class even slightly familiar with Baron Cohen's material before the inevitable "quote-a-thons" began at school. Nevertheless, despite liking the movie, I only saw it once; once was enough. I didn't want to risk dying at a second showing; I laughed so hard, my sides actually hurt once the movie was done.

The main reason I want to see Bruno is the Ron Paul scene.

[Qwerty]

I'm hoping to catch this sometime this weekend. It just looks too good to pass up.

[JackWade]

Saw it today. Maybe funnier than BORAT.

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

Saw it tonight. Result: A brilliant movie! Absolutely brilliant! Even better than Borat! Bruno is louder and even more morally provocative than its predecessor, and is definitely not one for those who are easily offended. Five stars neverthless, based purely on the sheer bravery of Cohen to push the boundaries of comedy to almost frightening levels.

Spoiler

The funniest scene has to be Bruno's pilot for his entertainment show, which features an 'abort or not abort' baby discussion, long clips of Bruno dancing in the most hilarious fashion, a two second interview with Harrison Ford and a good minute's worth of a dancing penis. Believe me, it's better than it sounds!!!