So, I saw Borat yesterday: wicked hilarious, just as I expected. There are scenes that will make you cringe (and one scene in particular…oh my lawd…), but the sheer irreverence is awesome. Cohen is brilliant. It’s amazing that he wasn’t arrested (or killed) for some of the stunts he pulled, though. But there isn’t an unfunny moment in the film. I don’t want to spoil anyone, but the B&B scene and the gypsy scene are among my favourites. Go see this film, if you have any sense of humour.
Some scenes that were deleted from the film:
The movie isn’t always funny, though — there are some frightening moments where Borat encounters some scary and extremely bigoted people. But Borat’s ability to trick these people into saying bigoted things is funny in itself. The movie is shot primarily in New York City and the South, so one wonders if it would have been nearly as provocative (or funny) had it been filmed elsewhere. It does show the dark side of some Americans, although I hope non-Americans realise that the people shown in the movie are hardly representative of the country as a whole. For the most part, anyway.
As for other films I’d like to see, let me break it down week-by-week through the end of the year.
Currently playing: Babel, The Departed, The Prestige, Flags of our Fathers. Since I don’t really have time to go to Hollywood to see these, looks like I’m gonna have to wait for the DVDs. 😦 The Will Ferrell flick Stranger than Fiction looks potentially funny, but I’ll definitely wait on the DVD for that.
Nov. 17th: Casino Royale, Let’s Go to Prison. I *have* to see Casino Royale in the theatre (what kind of Bond fan would I be if I didn’t?), which means I might make an exception to the no-Hollywood-trip rule. You’d think they’d play it at the local theatre, though. Ugh. As for Let’s Go to Prison…well, the ads haven’t really caught my attention at all, but it has Will Arnett! That’s the only reason I want to see it, but it probably depends more on the quality of the writing. I’ll be waiting for the DVD.
Nov. 22nd: The Fountain. Definitely going to see this in the theatre. I’ll see it in New Hampshire with my family over Thanksgiving break.
Dec. 1st: The Nativity Story. Haven’t heard much about it, but I’ll be interested to see it. Stars Keisha Castle-Hughes as Mary (who is pregnant in real life at age 16…seriously, is there really not that much to do in New Zealand? That’s ridiculous) and also Shoreh Aghdashloo (of 24 season 4 fame…haha) as Elizabeth. She has perhaps the most frighteningly seductive voice in the world. Scary Persians. At any rate, I’ll be waiting for the DVD on this one.
Dec. 8th: Apocalypto. Entirely in the Maya language? Hell yes. I very much want to see it in the theatre, although since it debuts during finals, I’ll probably wait until I get home.
Dec. 15th: Eragon. Haven’t read the books, but any big-budget fantasy film looks good to me. Not sure how good this one will be (LotR level? No way. But a 15-year-old author can’t compare to Tolkien, obviously). However, I’m sure it’ll be fun. If I can manage to see it in the theatre with someone (Devin, perhaps? 🙂 ), then I will. Otherwise, I won’t be too upset to have to wait for the DVD.
Dec. 20th: Night at the Museum. The previews look funny, and Ben Stiller + Robin Williams + Ricky Gervais = auto-win. However, given the number of films I want to see while I’m at home, I might have to wait for the DVD. Unless I have the chance to see some once I get to England, especially if the release dates are later. In the case of this film, though, I’ll probably wait for the reviews before I go see it.
Dec. 25th: Children of Men. Limited release, so I probably won’t be able to see it at home (unless it’s playing in Boston), but I should hopefully be able to see it in England (after I get settled…). I would like to see it in the theatre if possible, though.
Dec. 29th: Pan’s Labyrinth. Also limited release. Planning on seeing this in Boston with Woodwind Ensemble if it’s playing there. Otherwise, I might have to wait for the DVD. Looks good, though.
And now, moving from the big screen to the small screen…
I’ve stopped watching 30 Rock and Twenty Good Years. The latter was unbearably bad despite the immense talent and potential, and the former just couldn’t sustain me…I chuckled a few times, but that was about it. And it also had immense talent and potential. Oh well.
Now that Lost is off the air until February (ugh! I can’t take it :(), I have nothing to watch on Wednesdays! Lost kicked off the season with an amazing start, though, and I can’t wait to see what happens come February. We’ll get 16 episodes with no breaks. Coolio. In the meantime, at least I still have Heroes, L&O and E.R. to keep me entertained in the drama departmnent. Yay!
Of course, I’m looking forward to January. 24 + Scrubs = heaven.
Speaking of January — technically, I still haven’t heard back from Sussex (no one has), but I feel good about my chances. It is a bit annoying, however, because I have to fill out a ridiculous number of forms this weekend even though I don’t know if I’ve been accepted or not. And if I don’t find out by Monday morning, I’ll have to register for classes at USC, and then drop them if I get accepted to Sussex. I’m anxious but also excited.
God save the queen!
Lastly, my most recently memorised French poem (“Sensation”):
Par les soirs bleus d’été, j’irai dans les sentiers,
Picoté par les blés, fouler l’herbe menue :
Rêveur, j’en sentirai la fraîcheur à mes pieds.
Je laisserai le vent baigner ma tête nue.
Je ne parlerai pas, je ne penserai rien :
Mais l’amour infini me montera dans l’âme,
Et j’irai loin, bien loin, comme un bohémien,
Par la Nature, — heureux comme avec une femme.
-Arthur Rimbaud
Colourless Green Ideas Sleep Furiously 
Leave a comment