I liked Sascha Baron Cohen as “Borat“ and as “Ali G”, his Günter-Wallraff-like fake identities. With both characters, Cohen was able to reveal a lot about those around him because they felt like they could talk more openly. Some of the revelations were shocking.
As a fan of political movies, I was naturally excited to hear that Sascha Baron Cohen was working on a film called “The Dictator”.
But now, just before rushing to the cinema, I watched the trailer. I am glad I did, because otherwise I would have wasted 8 £ or whatever a movie ticket costs. Actually, the films seems so bad, I wouldn’t even want somebody else to waste their money by inviting me to it.
See for yourself:
I have seen enough. If this trailer represents the whole film, this is one of the worst, dumbest, flattest, un-funniest and most superfluous films ever. Don’t watch it! You have been warned.
If you want to see a funny film about a dictator, go for the classic: Charlie Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator” from 1940. Unsurpassed and unsurpassable.
The Happy Hermit 
I do not know about that Andreas. I liked Borat and Ali G too. Maybe this character is not as funny as the other ones but I think I will go and see it just the same – even for the simple reason that Cohen at least makes an effort to some humour, even if it is heavy handed at times and uses a combination of stereotypes of different Middle Eastern dictators. I am just so sick of standard Hollywood fare of flying super-heroes, exploding fiery cars, car chases and phantasmagorical creatures living in the netherworlds or puerile porky-type adolescent frat boy humour, supposed ‘comedies’,
Anyone who genuinely tries to make a humorous comedy that diverges from the prefabricated Hollywood type should have our support, if only to encourage others and send a message to the film industry.
I agree with you though that the old classic comedies were the best, but which theatres are now playing these? None that I know of.
I just saw one of the classics yesterday: a cinema in London showed the “Blues Brothers” again.
Did you see “Team America: World Police”? That I found quite a good and funny political film, and definitely different.
So, “The Blues Brothers” is CLASSIC film to you? Gee, thanks for making me feel positively ancient. I remember when Belushi and Akroyd first did that shtick on “Saturday Night Live”! Ya dang young punk! :p :D
There is at least one movie house in Chicago that runs films from back in the 20s through the 40s. They recently had a Marx Brothers retrospective. Now THAT would be worth the drive back there from Ohio – except I found out about it AFTER they ran the films. Bummer. :(
Just my thoughts exactly. Andeas is still a young puppy with a lot of things yet to be smelled. LOL
Just as I said, it is hard to find theatred that play the real old classics, – the Marx Brothers would be great to see and I must confess I have a soft spot for the Three Stooges (not very high brow I know). By the way did anyone see the episode where they are delivering beer in barrels to a mansion and one of the stooges says to someone. ‘who do you think you are, President Bush?” I was stunned when I heard that, seeing that this movie was made in the 1930’s and well before Presidents Bush Sr and Jr.
Wow – as a certified (or certifiable) Stoogeophile, it’s embarrassing for me to say I recall the episode but not the line. I wonder if the reference was to the beer company (Panther, I believe) they worked for? Now all I need to do is find my Three Stooges episode guidebook. (Hey, I TOLD you I was certified – or certifiable – or both! :D )
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