November 5, 2006

If you’re wondering whether that Borat movie is worth seeing, from my personal perspective the answer is YES. JB and I went to a matinee on Friday (thank god for daycare, because we still don’t have a babysitter) and I laughed my goddamned ass off. I can say with no exaggeration whatsoever that I witnessed the most outrageous, screamingly hilarious man-on-man naked brawling scene that has ever been filmed. It’s seriously worth the ticket price just for that part alone (“Eat my asshole!”), but I laughed through most of the movie (well, except for the Ugly America moments that kind of make you die inside), which is more than I can say for most comedies.

We also rented Down in the Valley last night, and despite multiple scenes lovingly showcasing Edward Norton’s edible torso (how is it that the man’s midsection can so readily make up for his chickenhead?) that one was long, dreary slog through Boring-ville. It featured the unfortunate visage of one of the Culkin kids, placing the movie into this weird demographic I’ve been seeing a lot of lately: Films Which Star Offbeat/Depressed/Medicated Young Boys With Giant Damp Bambi Eyes.

Other movies we’ve seen recently:

Slither, which stars the guy from Firefly, playing the guy from Firefly, only with space slugs. Also Pam from The Office, playing…Pam from The Office, only with space slugs. I guess it’s not typecasting if there are slugs involved. I was hoping for more from Slither; I wanted Tremors with better effects, but it was fairly flaccid overall. Not that funny (except for the part where the zombiefied girls, claiming to just have poison ivy, intone “We’re iiiiiiitchy”), not creepy, not even spectacularly gross.

Lucky Number Slevin, with Josh HOTnett. This was fun to watch, especially for the outstanding set designs (those wallpapers!) and filmwork. The movie bumps along leaving you in confusion in places but the tie-backs are clever. It’s one of those where at the end you say, “Ohhhhh. Oh, okay.” There’s snappy tennis-match dialogue, great actors (Morgan Freeman, Ben Kingsley) and, tastily, Hartnett in a towel for about 20 minutes.

Weeds, the first season. Okay, it’s not a movie, but this is some quality entertainment. I wasn’t interested in Weeds when I started seeing ads for it, but after watching the first season I can’t wait for Season 2 to come out on DVD. It’s smart, funny and features a great ensemble of characters, especially Elizabeth Perkins who is freaking brilliant.

Well, shit. I really didn’t intend for this whole post to be about movies, because hello, I am not exactly Ebert over here with the reviewing skills. But now my blog-writing chariot has pumpkinfied since the boy is waking up, so I will smell you later, alligator.

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jen
jen
17 years ago

I was really wondering if Borat would be worth it. Thanks! Off to the movies…

justmouse
justmouse
17 years ago

we went to go rent a movie last night and i was totally unimpressed with my choices. they all looked like knock-offs of one another. nothing original. i also was tempted by slither…as i adore the guy from firefly…but really…just slimy special effects and a cute leading man. meh. seen that before. i’m torn about whether i want to see Borat or not. i have seen Da Ali G show a couple of times and i can feel my brain cells DYING. i can’t STAND it. however, i have seen a couple of trailers and it seems really funny… so, maybe. also, lucky number sleven. i have to say i was pleasantly surprised. i don’t really care for josh hartnet. i don’t dislike him..he’s just…meh. and the trailers for this movie looked really lame. when i watched it though…it was excellent. all twisty and turny and not what i expected. and lucy was ADORABLE. definately a must-see. as for Down in teh Valley..neva hoid of it. although, i do rather like edward norton (go see the illusionist! it was awesome, even though i figured the ending out halfway through). and weeds? i can’t say i’ve ever watched it…but then, i can’t say i’ve seen anything about it that makes me want to watch it.

wow. that was a long lame comment. sorry about that. oh, btw, we ended up renting “stick it” which was a cute little movie about gymnastics. but holy SHIT! the crap those kids go through for a career that is over by the time they are 19??!! fucking crazy.

Mona
17 years ago

That asshole-munching scene was too fucking hilarious. Why did they have to black out his wang? Would that have given it an NC-17? And Sacha Baron Cohen is also h-o-t-t without the face pubes.

Pete
Pete
17 years ago

Ended up watching Mission Impossible 3 cuz the wife didn’t like the slow start of Angels in America. Talk about a contrast. ;-) MI3 would have been a much better movie if his wife (Michelle) took off her shirt as often as he did. ;-)

Cadencia
Cadencia
17 years ago

I was absolutely in love with Lucky Number Slevin. One of my most favorite movies of all time.

Keaton
Keaton
17 years ago

If you’re running out of DVDs to watch, I heartily recommend Arrested Development. It’s probably the greatest show ever made by man or beast, not that beasts readily prepare and film television programs. It’s the hip college show (the “God of American sitcoms” as I’ve heard it called), and it’s a hit with the everyone-over-twenty-two crowd as well. This sentiment goes all the way to my parents, who intend to buy the first season DVD set for every person they’ve ever met, and Dad’s getting the senior discount these days. I just thought I’d throw that recommendation out there (Almost safe for children!).

Jo
Jo
17 years ago

That’s SIR Ben Kingsley. He insists upon the Sir these days. Seriously.

Cali911Gal
Cali911Gal
17 years ago

Weeds. Way cool. You’ll be shocked and awed by season 2’s finale. That’s all I’m gonna say :) Here’s hoping it comes out on DVD before Season 3 starts, so you can find youself living for Monday nights on showtime too ;-)

Christine
17 years ago

Love Weeds.

And my boyfriend has been asking about how his “back pussy” looks since we’ve seen Borat, which I guess is okay since I keep telling him my mustache still tastes of his testes. We’re mature like that.

Mrs. Why
17 years ago

I was pleasantly surprised by “Slevin” as well. I think the towel had a lot to do with that. And the crazy wallpaper.

My husband and I saw “The Departed” last night. Little Leo DeCaprio is all growed up, that’s for sure. Yum.

Chloe
17 years ago

I watched Slither, while drunk, and I STILL wasn’t scared. It was so mediocre.
Heh. “Flaccid.” You said it.

MissThryn
MissThryn
17 years ago

Hotnett is right. I saw that on Friday night. We in Australia got a different title though. Here it was called The Wrong Man.
Good movie reviews, I like it alot, cheers.

CK
CK
17 years ago

I love Weeds…!!! And just so you know, Season 2 is even better than Season 1! It is quite funny and it has great plot twists…I told my husband we had to keep Showtime just because of this series.

Thanks for the recommendations – I can’t wait to see Borat!

Love your blog!

Amber
17 years ago

Cool! I’m dying to see Borat, maybe next weekend. We rented Down in the Valley last weekend and were not impressed with it. I watched The Lakehouse on Friday night and it might have been the worst movie ever…

jonniker
17 years ago

I loved Lucky Number Slevin. However, I have Down in the Valley sitting on top of my DVD player, where it’s been collecting late fees for an embarrassing number of hours, which now means, hooyah, I will return it, pay an exhorbitant amount of money for it, then never see it.

christen
17 years ago

I agree about Arrested Development. Definitely check it out. I just started watching Six Feet Under, too, but I’m sure I’m way behind the times on that one… :)

Meg
Meg
17 years ago

I could not agree more about Borat. I actually just got home from seeing it and holy shit, my throat hurts from laughing so hard! Also with you 100% on the dying inside when it comes to scary American scenes. We got out of the movie and were like, “Wow, no wonder it didn’t do well in some markets!” Still, it is doing amazing and raking in the bucks, so it seems like plenty of people are enjoying it, which rocks.

Emily
17 years ago

I went to see Borat last night, and by the time it was over, my abs felt as though I had been doing crunches for two hours. Although I did enjoy the naked brawling, I think my favorite part was the Running of the Jew.

Emily
17 years ago

P.S. To clarify, because I think I may not have, because when I read my comment back to myself, I got confused: my abs hurt from the laughing. Hence, pain similar to crunches.

Fuck, I may need to just go to sleep now.

anatomist
17 years ago

oh my god, borat was hilarious! i nearly peed myself laughing. and now i want a pet chicken. badly.

Hannah
Hannah
17 years ago

I LOVE Weeds!!! I, too, watched all of season 1 at one sitting and was hooked – just WAIT until you see what happens in season 2!!!

Gentry
17 years ago

Go see The Queen. It’s much funnier than you’d expect. I really liked it and I hate all movies. And I am praying to God that Borat comes to France. It might have too many non-European references to make it over. Sort of like why we don’t have Seinfeld, either. French people would never get it.

Amity
Amity
17 years ago

I downloaded the 1st season of Weeds from I-tunes before the DVD came out, and then had to get Showtime this season just so I could watch it! (Of course, immediately cancelled the day after the season finale…). LOVE it.

Sarah
Sarah
17 years ago

Borat was hilarious!!! I was crying from laughing so hard during the naked wrestling scene. Cohen is just not afraid of doing anything to get a laugh!

Liz
Liz
17 years ago

Manohman, I couldn’t agree more about the Borat movie. Hee! I’m laughing a little bit now just thinking about it. You know what just killed me? Besides the movie as a whole? The bear. Oh, the bear. I won’t say any more in case someone hasn’t seen it but hahahahahaha. Whew.

Karen
15 years ago

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