Comments on: Face it, Borat sucks http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/ the tao that can be blogged is not the eternal tao Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:35:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: John Murphy http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22669 John Murphy Sat, 18 Nov 2006 12:36:46 +0000 http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22669 If you look back, you'll see this pattern occurring over and over again. Borat is appealing simultaneously at the guilt of America and the vidictiveness of - well - his tarantula folk. He's sofftening up America while he makes the shameless even more shameless. If you look back, you’ll see this pattern occurring over and over again. Borat is appealing simultaneously at the guilt of America and the vidictiveness of - well - his tarantula folk. He’s sofftening up America while he makes the shameless even more shameless.

]]> By: Ezra http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22568 Ezra Thu, 16 Nov 2006 17:35:48 +0000 http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22568 Trixie, I don't have a comprehensive list of friendship-imperiling beliefs, but I'm pretty sure you'll have to try harder to get rid of me than liking a movie. Unless it's like a Leni Riefenstahl movie or something. Trixie, I don’t have a comprehensive list of friendship-imperiling beliefs, but I’m pretty sure you’ll have to try harder to get rid of me than liking a movie. Unless it’s like a Leni Riefenstahl movie or something.

]]> By: Editrix http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22560 Editrix Thu, 16 Nov 2006 12:39:41 +0000 http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22560 Will you still want to be my friend if I say that I liked the movie, despite the flimsy plot and blatant gross-out bits? I could stand for a moratorium on imitating the character's accent, however. Will you still want to be my friend if I say that I liked the movie, despite the flimsy plot and blatant gross-out bits? I could stand for a moratorium on imitating the character’s accent, however.

]]> By: John http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22540 John Thu, 16 Nov 2006 01:46:27 +0000 http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22540 Well, I saw the movie and thought it was pretty funny. It has certainly been overhyped, however. Yes, it's a social satire, but in spite of what you hear, I think that's less of the focus...at least for me. I found it funny for the same reason that something like "Candid Camera" is funny...watching what ordinary people do and say when they suddenly find themselves faced with the unexpected and ridiculous. Well, I saw the movie and thought it was pretty funny. It has certainly been overhyped, however. Yes, it’s a social satire, but in spite of what you hear, I think that’s less of the focus…at least for me. I found it funny for the same reason that something like “Candid Camera” is funny…watching what ordinary people do and say when they suddenly find themselves faced with the unexpected and ridiculous.

]]> By: Marco http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22533 Marco Wed, 15 Nov 2006 21:50:11 +0000 http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22533 I'm not surprised that YOU mentioned him. I just thought, given the amount of press Borat has receieved, some critic or pundit would have invoked Kaufman's name by now but I haven't heard it mentioned once. He'll have to retire Borat pretty soon now that everyone is in on the joke, but expect to see Cohen around for a few more years yet. Just yesterday it was confirmed that he will be in Tim Burton's adaptation of Sweeney Todd. I’m not surprised that YOU mentioned him. I just thought, given the amount of press Borat has receieved, some critic or pundit would have invoked Kaufman’s name by now but I haven’t heard it mentioned once.

He’ll have to retire Borat pretty soon now that everyone is in on the joke, but expect to see Cohen around for a few more years yet. Just yesterday it was confirmed that he will be in Tim Burton’s adaptation of Sweeney Todd.

]]> By: Ezra http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22529 Ezra Wed, 15 Nov 2006 20:50:52 +0000 http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22529 Q: Terri, how many racists does it take to screw in a light bulb? A: That's not funny! Q: Terri, how many racists does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: That’s not funny!

]]> By: Ezra http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22528 Ezra Wed, 15 Nov 2006 20:49:27 +0000 http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22528 I don't think it's so risky. Fox has been taking stuff like that to the bank for years. Stuff that is supposedly subversive, which in reality offends no-one, but comes close enough to the line to get free publicity. But I think you and I are in almost complete agreement on this one. Why are you surprised I thought of Andy? I have always felt a spiritual connection to him, even before that play we were involved in which I will not mention again. Didn't you know that? Maybe it's because I saw him <em>in utero</em>. I don’t think it’s so risky. Fox has been taking stuff like that to the bank for years. Stuff that is supposedly subversive, which in reality offends no-one, but comes close enough to the line to get free publicity.

But I think you and I are in almost complete agreement on this one.

Why are you surprised I thought of Andy? I have always felt a spiritual connection to him, even before that play we were involved in which I will not mention again. Didn’t you know that? Maybe it’s because I saw him in utero.

]]> By: Marco http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22527 Marco Wed, 15 Nov 2006 20:13:34 +0000 http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22527 This was a risky film for Fox and sending Cohen out to promote the film, in character no less, was a good idea at first. However, the constant barrage of hype, and Cohen's refusal to drop the act, has steadily worn away whatever curiousity I initially had. I'm glad you mentioned Kaufman because he's an obvious point of reference and I'm surprised more people haven't pointed it out. I think the main difference is that Cohen's act is so clearly politically motivated. In that sense I think he's closer to the Michael Moore/Daily Show "give 'em enough rope and they'll hang themselves" style of interviewing. It can be funny at first (and I really like the Daily Show and even enjoyed Cohen's Ali G Show in very small doses) but I always feel a little sorry for most of the poor bastards who agree to the interview. It's such an unfair, lose/lose situation. With enough leading questions and clever editing they can use your own words to make you look like an idiot. If you choose not to participate than you look like you look like an unhip, humorless grouch who probably has something to hide. This was a risky film for Fox and sending Cohen out to promote the film, in character no less, was a good idea at first. However, the constant barrage of hype, and Cohen’s refusal to drop the act, has steadily worn away whatever curiousity I initially had.

I’m glad you mentioned Kaufman because he’s an obvious point of reference and I’m surprised more people haven’t pointed it out. I think the main difference is that Cohen’s act is so clearly politically motivated. In that sense I think he’s closer to the Michael Moore/Daily Show “give ‘em enough rope and they’ll hang themselves” style of interviewing.

It can be funny at first (and I really like the Daily Show and even enjoyed Cohen’s Ali G Show in very small doses) but I always feel a little sorry for most of the poor bastards who agree to the interview. It’s such an unfair, lose/lose situation. With enough leading questions and clever editing they can use your own words to make you look like an idiot. If you choose not to participate than you look like you look like an unhip, humorless grouch who probably has something to hide.

]]> By: Terri http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22524 Terri Wed, 15 Nov 2006 19:47:07 +0000 http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22524 I totally agree on all points, and the Lehrer quote is right on. There's something evil about making racism a joke. Mind you, I haven't seen the movie, either, but like you, I don't want to. I totally agree on all points, and the Lehrer quote is right on. There’s something evil about making racism a joke. Mind you, I haven’t seen the movie, either, but like you, I don’t want to.

]]> By: Meredith http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22513 Meredith Wed, 15 Nov 2006 16:53:33 +0000 http://realfake.org/blog/2006/11/15/face-it-borat-sucks/#comment-22513 I agree, Ezra--I even found Borat's mug leering from Wired Magazine. I agree, Ezra–I even found Borat’s mug leering from Wired Magazine.

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