Review: "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm" is Another Rib-Tickler from a Comedy Master

Scene from Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

With the release of Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Sacha Baron Cohen proves something quite impressive: he is ageless. It has been 14 years since he first brought the character to the big screen and revolutionized comedy with his blend of interrogative fiction. It was unlike anything else, and even revisiting it all of these years later reflects a fascinating yet damning exploration of the Mid-2000s, when War on Terrorism paranoia was at its highest and everyone, no matter how innocent, couldn't escape some memorable reaction to his wild behavior, revealing small ways that America has certain biases that they may be too ashamed to admit.

Cut to 2020, and one thing feels true. Even if Borat hasn't changed, everyone else has. We're living in a time where the question of fact and fiction are more confusing than ever. The Coronavirus has divided the nation, and the idea of prank videos have only gotten worse since the rise of YouTube and various other platforms. The world is catching up, and it raises a certain question about this abrupt sequel: is there a reason for Cohen to pull his most beloved character out of storage, doing his best to tear apart our reality to understand a truth that nobody agrees on? The results are mixed as a result, though what makes this outing worth checking out is the fictional story underneath, a heartwarming yet perverted father/daughter story that comes to symbolize America's own views on feminism. It's not that Borat has grown irrelevant. It's just that, like most of us, his personal fantasy is more compelling than reality. 

Review: "The Trial of the Chicago 7" is a Defiantly Urgent Drama

Scene from The Trial of the Chicago 7

It has been some time since writer and director Aaron Sorkin has taken his audience inside a courtroom. While most of his films have pivotal scenes taking place in these judicial buildings, they have rarely been used for than a few minutes, allowing actors to chew through some meaty dialogue, As the Oscar-winning writer quickly proves, he's rarely better than when giving actors a chance to espouse their deepest desires, yelling to the masses in a hope that they will listen. It's the belief in The American Dream, that everyone deserves freedoms. A courtroom is the perfect setting for these ideas to be lobbed at each other, forming a tennis match of intensity that turns dialogue into its own action sequence. At his best, Sorkin grabs you and hypnotizes you into believing that whoever's talking is the most important person in the room.

He does that a lot with his latest The Trial of the Chicago 7, which finds a riot surrounding the 1968 Democratic National Convention turned into a hub for something grander. As people outside chant "The whole world's watching," there is this urgency for the legal system to recognize the change, the belief that The Vietnam War is unjust, and that the police are not as innocent as they claim. Whether intentionally or not, Sorkin feels like he's struck lightning this time around, finding several exceptional performances lobbying riveting language, mixing in small sways of humor, and action sequences that pull at the emotions. This is a story that feels urgent, reflecting the divide between the people and the government, and in 2020 it's rarely felt truer. It's another home run that never lets up, making the most complicated of legal jargon into something accessible. He hasn't been this much of a livewire since The Social Network, and he's finally come into his own as a director. Welcome back, Sorkin. We've missed you.

Sacha Baron Cohen is Back in "Borat 2" Trailer and Ready for More Laughter

Well, well, well... one has to wonder how we got here. Over the past decade, it became clearer that Sacha Baron Cohen wasn't going to make a comeback to his guerrilla-style approach to comedy. It was becoming unsustainable, with everyone expecting him to show up and do something wacky. However, the past few years have been a pleasant surprise, as his lackluster TV show Who Is America? found him trying to add humor to these divided times. However, nobody could've expected what came next. Considering that he remains one of the biggest icons in 21st-century comedy history, the idea of a Borat sequel was unfathomable.

And yet, here we are. Not only was it announced this week that a movie was on the way, but it's less than a month away. It's the type of action that would make fans yell "Jagshemash!" and wonder what the beloved character has to say about the current times. From the looks of the trailer, very little has changed as far as his absurd and spry approach to social commentary. Only the names and events have changed, and it looks to be a good time. The question is if this will live up to the original, bringing with it a timeless look into a time that's maybe best ridiculed. If nothing else, there are more than a few good jokes here to offer that hope.

The First Trailer for "The Trial of the Chicago 7" Brings Sorkin to the Oscar Race

Scene from The Trial of the Chicago 7

If there is one thing that the year 2020 will be remembered for, it's that it was politically fraught. No matter what's going on right now, there's some division in America right now that is causing conversation, forcing citizens to ask what the merit of this country truly is. It makes sense then that Netflix's latest Oscar-contending film, The Trial of the Chicago 7, comes with urgency and exploration of these themes in vivid and entertaining fashion. The first trailer has been released and, along with a surprising mix of actors, it feels like an energetic molotov cocktail through the system, finding ways to discuss hard issues with such vigor and soul. It looks like a great way to shake up this fall, and one can hope that it delivers.

After 10 Years, "Borat" is Still a Very Nice Film

Sacha Baron Cohen

In the 21st century, has there ever been a phenomenon quite like Borat? Yes, there are many comedians who do excellent work while pranking audiences in costume, but think of the cultural impact that just one comic creation had. It was the second spin-off movie from Sacha Baron Cohen's Da Ali G Show series, which focused on Kazakhstan journalist Borat Sagdiyev as he explored the great country of America. Part of the joke can be found in the entire title, which is actually Borat: Cultural Learnings of America to Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazahkstan. Yes, part of the joke was in Borat's (played by Cohen) broken English. However, it would be a definitive, ground breaking mockumentary meant to explore America's real feelings on touchy subjects. It's hilarious and 10 years later is still among the sharpest comedies ever.

10 Highlights from This Year's Academy Awards Ceremony

The four acting Oscar winners

With the ceremony behind us, it's time to remember everything that happened at this year's Academy Awards. For many, it marked one of the most exciting races in recent years. In fact, the year was not without some big surprises. For starters, the racially charged evening by host Chris Rock is likely to split many viewers. Even then, it's still great to know that this year wasn't the least bit dull. In the annual two part wrap-up, I will be recounting the highs and lows of the ceremony. In this article, I will be highlighting the positive, of which there's plenty to choose from.

Birthday Take: Sacha Baron Cohen in "Borat" (2006)

Scene from Borat

Welcome to The Birthday Take, a column dedicated to celebrating Oscar nominees and winners' birthdays by paying tribute to the work that got them noticed. This isn't meant to be an exhaustive retrospective, but more of a highlight of one nominated work that makes them noteworthy. The column will run whenever there is a birthday and will hopefully give a dense exploration of the finest performances and techniques applied to film. So please join me as we blow out the candles and dig into the delicious substance.

Review: "Les Miserables" is the Amazing Musical Adaptation We've Been Waiting For

Hugh Jackman

One of the greatest joys of watching director Tom Hooper's latest Les Miserables is the realization that the musical genre has been regenerated with life. After mainstream duds like this past summer's Rock of Ages, it is fascinating to watch as Hooper takes the beloved stage show based on Victor Hugo's novel and turn it into this big lavish story with an all star cast and live recordings. Even if the film has flaws (which it does), it wears the passion and craft so proudly that it turns a movie that is essentially three hours of singing into a well constructed narrative with vivacious tunes and some jaw dropping performances. Les Miserables is a refreshing sight for the sheer fact that it feels like people are trying. But with all of this effort in place, can it go the extra mile and earn Best Picture?

An Amazing Trailer #2 for My Best Picture Front Runner

Amanda Seyfriend

Update: I have written a review posted here.

There is no doubt that anyone who has been to the theaters to see the "prestige" films of 2012 this fall has been forced to sit through the original trailer for director Tom Hooper's Les Miserables, which features Anne Hathaway belting "I Dreamed a Dream." It has been effective enough to make it this long as the film's sole trailer (not including the Regal Theaters exclusive behind the scenes video). However, as the release date for one of the biggest films of the year comes around, it is time to start moving out the heavier promotional materials.