Bruno Tagged Articles at Cinematical
Spin-ematical: New on DVD for 11/17
Filed under: Drama », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », New on DVD », Home Entertainment »
Star Trek
In rebooting the franchise, J.J. Abrams faced the daunting challenge of pleasing long-time Trekkies and roping in new viewers who think 'Live long and prosper' is a slogan for an insurance company. This is not your father's Star Trek, but he'd probably like it too (begrudgingly). Buy it. Also on Blu-ray (see Todd Gilchrist's review for more on that edition.)
Add to Netflix queue | Buy at Amazon
Bruno
I'm not a big fan of the 'ridicule the clueless' school of humor, so I turn to Cinematical's review by Todd Gilchrist: "curiously ineffective, a sort of middling effort that fails to liberate itself from the stereotypes that provide the character's foundations, even if it also doesn't deliberately or harmfully reinforce them." Skip it. Also on Blu-ray.
Add to Netflix queue | Buy at Amazon
My Sister's Keeper
Despite a relentless barrage of scenes evidently designed with the sole goal of jerking tears, Nick Cassavetes' My Sister's Keeper did not make me cry. It is, however, one of the most glorious-looking terminal cancer pictures I've ever seen. Cameron Diaz, Jason Patric, Abigail Breslin, and Alec Baldwin star in a film I found entirely unsatisfying. (See my review for more.) In addition, fans of the novel by Jodi Picoult may not appreciate the changed ending. Skip it. Also on Blu-ray.
Add to Netflix queue | Buy at Amazon
Also out: How to Be (with Robert Pattinson), Wild Child (with Emma Roberts).
After the jump: Indies on DVD, more Blu-ray, and Collector's Corner.
Cinematical Seven: The Pen...is Mightier Than the Sword
Filed under: Cinematical Seven », Lists »
It's funny over here. You're quite safe from penis shots in America because American people don't have penises, so you can't see them in film. Whereas in Britain you can see your penis in film. So since it's an American picture, it's just a bum you see. Ewan McGregor, interviewed by MTV
I apologize for the lame joke in the title, but in this case it rings true. As McGregor insinuated above, there's a certain phobia about male genitalia, so much so that the mere sight of it -- even in its inactive state -- leads to uproar. Why would I mention this today? Watchmen is now out on DVD, and that means full-frontal Dr. Manhattan.
While it's probably one of the most necessary uses of nudity (fake flesh at that), Manhattan's penis sent many conservative critics and moviegoers into a rant-filled panic. Never mind the fact that he's a full-stop superhero who is naked, and has a fulled developed body. Some of the masses expected him to keep prudish sensibilities in mind and Ken-ize his genitalia as he saves the world or works in his natural state. In honor of the Manhattan uproar, here are seven cases where male nudity became the main talking point of the film.
Discuss: Why is 'Borat' Funnier than 'Brüno'?
Filed under: Comedy », New Releases »
Having been adequately prepared for the lewd horrors that would await me, I finally got around to seeing Brûno in a surprisingly full theater yesterday afternoon. (My assumption that interest in the film would have petered out by the second weekend, especially for a midday showing, landed me in the second row -- bringing me a bit closer to experience than I might have preferred.) Like everyone else, I continue to be awed by Sacha Baron Cohen's incredible focus as a performer -- though did anybody catch the one moment where he cracks an inadvertent smile? It happens while Brüno is attempting to become a National Guard cadet. Anyway, I did laugh quite a bit, and smiled even more. To its credit, the movie actually gets better as it goes along, with the last twenty minute stretch probably rating the funniest.
The question everyone has been asking this week and last is whether Baron Cohen's Borat is funnier than his Brûno. The consensus answer -- which seems right to me -- is yes, absolutely. But why? Overwhelmingly, folks are blaming the fact that Brûno is more scripted, and crucial scenes appear more staged. That's true, although may I direct you to this clip of Baron Cohen on David Letterman, out of character, recounting the terrifying experience of putting Brûno in the same room with a living, breathing terrorist. And I do think the film's decreased "authenticity" has an effect. But I'd like to get your thoughts on the following...
Weekend Box Office: Let's See What This Mr. Potter Can Do
Filed under: New Releases », Box Office »
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is only the second Harry Potter film to open on a Wednesday, after 2007's Order of the Phoenix. By the Sunday of its opening weekend, Order of the Phoenix was looking at a pretty impressive $140 million, on its way to being the year's 5th highest grosser, and a solid #2 in the franchise. By the Sunday of its opening weekend, Half-Blood Prince has $160 million in its coffers, as well as a slew of rapturous reviews and positive fan responses. (Well, mostly. There will always be whining from Rowling purists who don't know what an adaptation is.)That raises a real possibility that Half-Blood Prince could dethrone current domestic franchise king Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, which holds the top spot with $317 million. At the very least, it looks like it might be the only movie other than Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen to break the $300 million mark in 2009. (Transformers itself is already at $363 million -- #13 of all time! Christ!* -- and is looking unbeatable.)
Brüno took the tumble that its front-loaded opening weekend suggested (it made more than half its first weekend gross on the Friday of its release), dropping over 70% to fourth place. It will end up with around half of Borat's $129 million final number. The other summer comedies in circulation, The Hangover and The Proposal continue to hold up very well, with the former boosting from #6 to #5 in its seventh week of release.
(500) Days of Summer, opening on 27 screens in advance of a steady expansion in the coming weeks, got off to a promising 12th place start with a per-screen average over $30K.
The full top 12 after the jump.
Irish Cinemas Warn People of 'Bruno'
Filed under: Comedy », Celebrities and Controversy », Exhibition », Trailers and Clips »
You know that old saying: "There is no such thing as bad publicity"? Well, Sacha Baron Cohen's newest film, Bruno, certainly seems to be putting that theory to the test. Cohen's latest has only been in theaters for a week now, but Bruno has galvanized audiences over whether or not the guy has finally crossed the line. Which line? We have no idea -- but there's gotta be some sort of line, and he has to be close to crossing it. Now a cinema in Navan, Ireland, has taken matters into their own hands and they're warning patrons about the "particularly vile" film when announcing show times during a hilarious pre-recorded message over the phone -- and they're not the only ones who feel that way about Cohen's latest creation.Since its July 10th opening, critics and fans of Cohen's work have been weighing in on the shock comedy, and the bad news is that most of them haven't been as enthusiastic for the British comedian's antics this time around. Having seen the film I can honestly say that, yes, it is everything you think it is going to be. Bruno is silly, surprisingly smart at times, and not for the squeamish (here's Todd's take on the flick), but vile? I think that might be going just a tad too far.
Now, I've got nothing against disclaimers, and I'm all for audiences being a little more educated about what they're going to see at the theater rather than waiting until opening night and launching complaints about their offended sensibilities. But here's the thing: when does a disclaimer become a 'slam'? If I were an exec at Universal, I don't think I'd be too jazzed about my latest film being introduced with a caveat which basically states: 'Everyone hates this movie and you probably will too'. Would you?
After the jump: Watch and listen to Diamond Cinema's full disclaimer...
Review: Bruno
Filed under: Comedy », New Releases », Universal », Theatrical Reviews », Summer Movies »
Given the kaleidoscopic venn diagram of contexts in which Bruno can and will inevitably be viewed, it's tough to know precisely where to start, and how far to go when deconstructing Sacha Baron Cohen's new comedy. Like the singular, groundbreaking Borat, it's a balls-out comedy, but it's also a social commentary; it's both the latest movie Cohen appears in, and the big-deal "next effort" from him as a performance artist and lead rather than costar or day-player; and finally, it's a lightning rod for controversy and also a generally innocuous goof on mainstream expectations of him and his character, a flamboyant homosexual. All of which suggests that the film is, or perhaps would necessarily be, richer and more substantive than its predecessor - the sort of galvanizing experience that leaves audiences buzzing, changes minds and perceptions, and transforms the face of entertainment forever.
And yet, Bruno is curiously ineffective, a sort of middling effort that fails to liberate itself from the stereotypes that provide the character's foundations, even if it also doesn't deliberately or harmfully reinforce them.
Universal Cuts Michael Jackson Scene from 'Bruno'
Filed under: Comedy », Documentary », Gay & Lesbian », Universal », Celebrities and Controversy », DIY/Filmmaking », Newsstand », Movie Marketing », Summer Movies »
The decidedly un-PC Bruno has gone sensitive. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Universal has decided to err on the side of caution, and cut a Michael Jackson related skit from Sacha Baron Cohen's raunchy comedy. The edit was made just hours before its Los Angeles premiere. "We decided to take it out for tonight, and we'll reassess before the release whether to keep it out," said director Larry Charles at the premiere's afterparty.
The scene involves Cohen's gay Austrian interviewing an unsuspecting LaToya Jackson about a number of topics, but focusing on her brother, Michael. As I haven't seen the film, I don't know what the jokes are, but THR says that they center on Jackson's high-pitched voice, and his one-time white glove trademark. It's already screened for critics, none of whom found the scene particularly offensive, but Universal was concerned it would upset his grieving family and fans. However, Universal might restore it for the film's wide release, as a studio spokesperson also confirmed that they were still undecided about whether it should stay or go. The film opens in two weeks, and cutting the scene out of every print would be expensive, and possibly delay the film a'la Spider-Man 2.
What do you think, readers? Is Universal making the right call to err on the side of caution or good taste? Or should they leave Bruno alone, and trust audiences will be less sensitive about Jackson in the coming weeks?
More Bruno: Check out this hilarious report from the Bruno premiere on Moviefone Minute.
The scene involves Cohen's gay Austrian interviewing an unsuspecting LaToya Jackson about a number of topics, but focusing on her brother, Michael. As I haven't seen the film, I don't know what the jokes are, but THR says that they center on Jackson's high-pitched voice, and his one-time white glove trademark. It's already screened for critics, none of whom found the scene particularly offensive, but Universal was concerned it would upset his grieving family and fans. However, Universal might restore it for the film's wide release, as a studio spokesperson also confirmed that they were still undecided about whether it should stay or go. The film opens in two weeks, and cutting the scene out of every print would be expensive, and possibly delay the film a'la Spider-Man 2.
What do you think, readers? Is Universal making the right call to err on the side of caution or good taste? Or should they leave Bruno alone, and trust audiences will be less sensitive about Jackson in the coming weeks?
More Bruno: Check out this hilarious report from the Bruno premiere on Moviefone Minute.
Forget About Reputations, Now Sacha Baron Cohen is Being Sued for Physical Injury
Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy »
With the assumed exception of Isla Fisher and Olive Cohen, I bet there's no one that Sacha Baron Cohen wouldn't torment with his outlandish alter egos. He's nabbed the ignorant, the rich and famous, and the less fortunate. Just the other day, he firmly planted his crotch in Eminem's face at the MTV Movie Awards. But for the most part, it's always been bruised egos and relationships in his wake -- not physical damage.But all that's changing. TMZ reports that a woman named Richelle Olson is suing Cohen, NBC Universal, and others after suffering serious physical injuries during one of his stunts at a Bingo hall in 2007. Using the guise of a celebrity who was willing to call numbers at the hall, Cohen showed up as Bruno -- who Olson accurately describes as an "extreme, outrageous, offensive caricature of a gay man dressed in sexually revealing clothing with an Austrian accent." He used offensive language, she tried to regain control of the mic, and a struggle resulted where she was "offensively touched, pushed, and battered." This sent her into tears. She then fell unconscious, hit a concrete slab, suffered brain bleeds, and now needs a wheelchair and walker to move around. Just to make it all the worse, TMZ followed up with Bingo friends who say Olson has lost a ton of weight, looks like she's aged 20 years, and continues to fall and hurt herself further.
Unsurprisingly, there's no comment to the allegations at this time, but the turmoil does ask an important question: Just how far should Cohen be able to push the line? Or, do you think there's any line he could cross where satire becomes cruel or inappropriate?
MTV Movie Awards Clips: 'Transformers, 'G.I. Joe' and More
Filed under: Fandom », Home Entertainment », Trailers and Clips »
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Above: MTV revealed the first clear shot of The Fallen in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Oh, admit it -- you totally watched the MTV Movie Awards last night because you're secretly obsessed with Robert Pattinson and you knew they'd be overdosing on the poor guy since MTV is fastly becoming the All Twilight Network. In case you missed some (or all) of the action, here are the new clips they aired, as well as a little of the show itself.
First up is that clip from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. MTV took it down for some reason, but Trailer Addict has it up in decent quality. Essentially, Sam and Mikaela are hiding from a whole fleet of Decepticons, and when Sam destroys some weird looking mosquito/satellite bot, all hell breaks loose. Check it out below.
Head after the jump for much more ...
Trailer Park: Beyond the Ninth Surrogate Home for Bruno
Filed under: Action », Animation », Comedy », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Trailer Trash »
Surrogates
Bruce Willis stars in this futuristic science fiction flick based on a graphic novel. Surrogates are remotely controlled robots through which everyone lives there lives. Regardless of what damage is inflicted on the surrogate, the operator remains safe in his or her home. At least that has been the case, but now it seems someone is actually killing people through their surrogates and Willis plays the police detective on the case. Looking forward to this one when it hits on September 25.
Sherlock Holmes
I've never had much more than a passing interest Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous character, but this trailer has got me on the bandwagon. Robert Downey Jr as Holmes? Way cool. Jude Law as Watson? Awesome. Am I reading too much into it or are they trying to make it look like there's some kind of sexual tension between the two? Either way, this looks film will be director Guy Ritchie's Christmas present to the world when it releases on December 25.
9
Not to be confused with another forthcoming film called Nine, this is the second trailer for an amazing looking animated feature about small man-made creatures apparently made of burlap fighting off killer robots in a post apocalyptic world. It comes out on September 9.
Bruno
There's a new trailer for Sacha Baron Cohen's followup to Borat. Bruno is a flamboyantly gay fashionista and as with Borat this film documents his adventures with people who don't realize Cohen is playing a character. This looks really funny and it will be out on July 10.
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