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LarryB
Reviews
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)
False Advertising: Not About Political Incorrectness At All
Sadly, this movie is not about political incorrectness because whatever humor it attempts to generate is at the expense of the unprotected classes Christians, Jews, Whites, Republicans, etc. The protected classes that do appear e.g., Blacks and Gays remain untouched.
Aside from that, there is nothing here that is even remotely clever or amusing. It is about a boorish comedian doing his best to get a reaction from supposedly unsuspecting "normal" folks with his bathroom humor and childish antics. I use the word "supposedly" because there are plenty of clues to suggest at least half of his victims know the script, and are probably actors. They play along a little too well (including Pamela).
I certainly have no problem with the segment in the Christian church, showing those "true believers" for the brainwashed idiots that they are. But I got no laughs from it ... only concern for the future of our nation.
At best, this is a poorly done SNL skit ... and certainly not worth the cost of a theater admission, in my opinion.
Tom & Viv (1994)
A powerful message about psychiatric injustice
This film demonstrates how easily the state uses the psychiatric profession to unjustly incarcerate citizens, with full permission of family members, and eventually the victim themselves.
The scene of the "mind police" taking Viv (Miranda Richardson) out of a restaurant in broad daylight, and her struggle that ends with pushing her purse into the hands of a friend as she is brought into submission, is heart-wrenching.
The Fountainhead (1949)
The libertarian philosophy of the film fascinates audiences
Ayn Rand's groundbreaking philosophy is impeccably presented.
The 1949 film continues to find audience even though it shows its age in the stilted acting and overdone musical score. I've seen the film a dozen times over the years and continue to be fascinated each time.
It amuses me that the negative reviews in almost every case are based on an objection to Rand's philosophy of individualism. Need it be pointed out that these are the very collectivists that Howard Roarck was up against in the film? They haven't gone away, folks?they are still with us.
Maybe it is the libertarian philosophy that explains why Rand's books continue to sell in the millions, and why people continue to find meaning in this film 50 years later.
Ocean's Eleven (2001)
Third rate acting in a fourth rate script.
This is the perfect example of a film with nothing more going for it than a big-name cast. That cast apparently chose to wing it rather than study their lines, and it shows. To a person, it is third rate acting.
The plot is so ridiculous as to be laughable. The holes in the story line and the action are numerous and frustrating.
By the mid-point of the film, you must decide whether to ignore the problems and just let it happen, or pull the plug. I stuck with it, but without any satisfaction. It was a real disappointment!