Mark Kermode - Borat

[@WeAllReviewMovies]

I can understand what Mark's saying but I laughed hysterically throughout the film.

[@WAAAAAAAAAAAY]

I absolutely loved this film when it came out, Borat was my favourite character in Da Ali G Show way back when & I laughed an awful lot. Having said that [Curb reference lol] as time has gone by I've found myself agreeing more and more with what Kermode says about the easiness and softness of the targets SBC goes for. I wish he would go for more difficult targets. I've not watched it in a few years and I'm really worried that if I did I won't find it as funny as I did the first time.....

[@Josh-od9gn]

don’t watch the 2nd film then most predictable targets possible

[@scousiered3124]

Anyone else watching this after watching Borat 2? I loved the original. I don't think its about making fun, its about being uncomfortable. It's playing with our societal limits. What can you say and then saying what you can't. I laughed hard.

[@paulklein8048]

My dad laughed his head off when Borat did the national anthem.... that was it.

[@executioners_bong]

as an american who has lived in many of its regions, the idea that white southern conservatives don't deserve to be lampooned is absolutely asinine.

[@guitarreilly]

Absolutely. Look how close they came to storming the capital and starting another civil war. Kermode needs to stand just because they're an easy target doesn't mean they don't deserve it. Which they do at every opportunity

[@deeceea9488]

You set these rules for lampooning, I suppose. Mr Moral High Ground.

[@jonoessex]

I agree with you completely Mark!

[@Goochbot]

Borat is, in my opinion, the best comedy of the last decade. Hilarious from start to finish

[@chris060372]

Borat is one of the funniest films ever made. There were a few objectionable scenes and a few set ups, but it was a film trying to be funny, and succeeding.

[@andyr0ck]

+C Chadwick "one of the funniest films ever made"...really? I didn't find it as distasteful as Mark but it was just A Bit Shit. Sure, I did chuckle a few times but no belly laughs. And if we're going for Funniest Films Ever Made, this ain't even in the top 250.

[@chris060372]

andyr0ck you do know what you find funny is a subjective thing right? And putting 'one of the funniest films ever made' in quotations really wasn't necessary. You could've just paraphrased, or responded to the assertion with your own *subjective* view. I like your use of the word 'ain't' in your final sentence. The grammatical change is effective (but 'A Bit Shit').

[@andyr0ck]

+C Chadwick Of course, comedy is *patently* a subjective thing. The quote marks, they were double, not single so I wasn't being quite as condescending as it maybe appeared. I do believe, however, that if you make bold statements like "Borat is one of the funniest films ever made", you should be prepared to defend your position (even just a bit), regardless of the subjectivity of humour. Regarding my subjective review, me saying it A Bit Shit was just that, my subjective review. If I was actually reviewing the film for a publication, I would have titled it "Borat: A Bit Shit". I was also being serious about a lack of belly laughs. But maybe I over-simplified, allow me to expand the point: as someone who used to enjoy the Borat TV pieces, I was disappointed to see that it had lost what subtlety it originally had and replaced it with trying to be rank (the wrestling scene, for one) and pointing and laughing at 'stupid Americans'. I definitely don't take as much issue as Kermode does with the concept of laughing at our dear cousins but I don't want to actually pay for the pleasure, especially when it's done quite so crudely. Call me snobby but the original material had a *little* bit more brains than that. Anyway, apologies if you thought I was being rude, or condescending or any other kind of negative...I was merely questioning the concept whilst trying to maintain a bit of levity, hence capitalising phrases and using shifts in tone. Hope this has been less inflammatory to read. :-)

[@chris060372]

andyr0ck your first comment wasn't inflammatory. It was a critique of my 'position' on Borat's comedic stature. Your second comment was an overzealous over-explanation of your first comment (if you'll pardon the tautology). My response to you was my analysis of your first comment being overkill. My second response (this one) is my reassurance that your first comment wasn't inflammatory and that your second comment was overzealous; the irony being that this response is now an overzealous over-explanation of your overkill. It's becoming complicated. I didn't give examples of which parts of Borat were funny because 'prerogative'. My original comment was an innocent ejaculation that I intended only as minimal relief. Catharsis if I can put it that way.

[@andyr0ck]

+C Chadwick Ah good, glad that got straightened out.

[@yotoffotographer]

Kermode not being "entirely happy" with a "rampant anti-Americanism" starting all those years ago, amuses me to no end.

[@dougiefairfax396]

First time I've ever heard Mark miss the point.

[@leedsfanzines5497]

Search for his Superbad review. He's miles wide there.

[@dougiefairfax396]

Yak-sa-mesh chun-qui

[@badleatherlad]

Dougie Fairfax well, yes, quite

[@andyr0ck]

Nah, it was a pile of bollocks. Some of his worst output by a country mile, especially as that character. Worked much better when it was more subtly done.

[@dougiefairfax396]

+Mr. Wapojif Your mum

[@SkinnyEMedia]

I'll not forgive him for saying ALI G INDAHOUSE was terrible. It was absolutely hilarious even if it ditches the documentary, interview aesthetic from the original sketch programme!

[@alexballish]

But he also does something that points out the nature of people. Its great...I agree with both of you by the way!

[@dreddbustya2153]

Mark seems to have forgot that : a) they're taking the piss out of Borat as much as anyone else b) Borat's fictional

[@commieRob]

Taking the piss out of himself? you mean doing a stereotypical accent while acting stupid and pretending to be from a poor country? Yeah, that's really punching down.

[@commieRob]

100% agree with kermode. There was one funny scene in all of Borat, and it was cut out of the movie. It takes place in the cheese aisle of a grocery store. It is on the special features.

[@Topnomad]

It was hilarious. Don't be such a bore mark

[@Revelian1982]

It was one of the greatest comedies of all time. It will be remembered long after we have all passed.

[@rockets4kids]

3:13

[@nifralo2752]

When I was at school I spoke to people in all years from 1st to 6th even when I was in 1st year.

[@Milkpipe]

+Toad Lash Good for you. Did any of them NOT punch you, and instead reply?

[@nifralo2752]

Nope no punches, I got along with most of them.

[@SweetMintPie555]

@flanginaflan perfect point.

[@spyrothedragon590]

@blokey8 Yer Ino. Hey Ik this is turning into a question/conversation sort of thing but what did you think of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween & The Omen Remakes?

[@wnapholi]

Ah Mark, lighten up.

[@SIGNIFYING_NOTHING]

I know the movie is schiesse, but I did laugh more than six times....

[@chrishiggins7166]

The film’s terrifically acted, hilarious, stylish, well directed, well written & is an unbelievable comedy classic. (90%) (4.5/5 stars) (positive)

[@watchdisspace1]

I gotta admit I almost took your comment seriously for a moment and then I realised the irony of it. Great work. I like comments which make you think a little. Too many people jump straight on the face value of words and don't look deeper into the meaning. Bit like Kermode. Haha.The last part about meaning, not jumping to conclusions.

[@dreddbustya2153]

I saw a unfavourable Roger Ebert review of the South Park movie and I thought "You're the type of person they're laughing at". Same here.

[@spare7400]

exactly, Borat was trolling stuffy white people, and Mark is one himself. Its just a movie Mark!

[@decenthypocrite]

Funniest thing i ever saw in my life

[@JM-gw7he]

Go on kermode.

[@spyrothedragon590]

@blokey8 And yer, I was even surprised that he hated Let Me In which I thought was well made as well.

[@badhead]

@jakebiomask you have not seen enough of his reviews then. There are many films he gives good reviews to.

[@badhead]

@chanceie12 no, thats an excuse he uses to make the audience not feel guilty at that fact that a well educated man snearing at the less fortunate. The racist, sexist people who cause the most problems, are the wealthy, smart ones. But he does not pick on them, becaue thay would see through him, and the comedy would not work.

[@SweetMintPie555]

@jakebiomask Have you seen another reviewer you like then? Because I have seen no other reviewer who, while i don't always agree with him, talks a heck of a lot of sense.

[@rizvaldo7209]

Ali G Indahouse is hilarious. It was never going to be like The Exorcist, Mark.

[@The3rdGunman]

Oh hi Mark

[@blokey8]

@spyrothedragon590 To be honest I haven't seen them. I was just saying what Mark thought of them.

[@blokey8]

@spyrothedragon590 Fair enough. I've yet to see it, I'm just saying what Mark thought of it.

[@edobriensgrin]

I enjoyed this film the first time I saw it and laughed heartily. I rewatched it on DVD, didn't laugh once and cringed through much of it.

[@SweetMintPie555]

@jakebiomask Why, you know him personally?

[@alanpower8234]

If Mark Kermode likes something I l know I usually wont, cold not resist checking this 4 conformation. If it was set in a french village before the war and nothing happens for 2 hours he would love it.

[@spyrothedragon590]

Everyone's got their own opinions. Everyone eaches their own. I like Mark Kermode, one of the best crititcs ever. If he deosn't like this film, I RESPECT it. He didn't like Nightmare on Elm Street and Texas Chainsaw Massacre Remakes. I found them decent. I RESPECT that. I think Borat is an excellent comedy but once again, i respect his opinion because everyone in general is entitled to their own opinion.

[@notnek011]

Why does every scene have to have a point? It's a comedy film and an extremely funny one.

[@spyrothedragon590]

@blokey8 oh really, they're kinda decent.

[@JJJackson777]

Ali G In Da House wasn't all bad, we did get to see Bilbo Baggins drop several N bombs

[@JohnDRobinsonelectronicdrums]

the cheese sketch is hilarious

[@gideoncaplan6814]

His reviews on comedies are usually poor. He doesn't get humor. He doesn't seem to understand that it doesn't take a thought process, laughter is just a natural reaction. Borat should not be taken seriously and its not trying to make any serious political statements like kermode thinks it is. The bottom line is its hilarious.

[@Alexandra-Rex]

Pamelar?

[@pinster112]

@123rockfan Just look at his obsession with Inception

[@jodu626]

kermode isn’t lost. everyone else is.

[@chanceie12]

this isnt just a comedy , this is a social look at the way some americans are .. shame kermode didnt find that out.

[@123rockfan]

@jakebiomask You must be kidding. He loves many movies. And the movies he loves, he's obsessed with.

[@lolacarolla7329]

Agreed. Borat plays to the audience with an inherent need to feel superior to others. Unfortunately, that's a lot of people. Here's hoping that Freddy Mercury biopic is axed before they start filming.

[@SweetMintPie555]

@jakebiomask Take a look at pans labyrinth or inception then. Then you'll have seen him give 2 'good' reviews.

[@wrjszu]

Usually agree with Kermode, but wronf on this and Ali G in da house was hilarious

[@paulvsmith]

Great film though

[@terrortorn]

Not once did you laugh? What a Mangina!

[@garymitchell5899]

A lot of Borat doesn't work, for the reasons Kermode gives. It's a good idea and it does work well sometimes, but yes, it is mostly crass, limp and superficial.

[@spyrothedragon590]

@blokey8 Yeah, I think the the nightmare on elm street is nothing special. But they tried with what they had. It was purely done for the money I do know that and it did show. Ever that way, the makers of that film were selling themselves short. What made the 1984 film a classic was that the film was smart in terms of story, plot holes, scenes, kills and the dread of surealism and the dream world. The remake is good and beats most of the sequels, it just doesn't stand on the original's level.

[@watchdisspace1]

The user watchdisspace1 has blocked all comments from you. You are unable to send any messages to this user. Sorry for the inconvienence.

[@jakebiomask]

@123rockfan He still hates 97% of movies.

[@Andy_Arkadata]

borat was a cult classic, kids where saying his stuff in school for years

[@blokey8]

@spyrothedragon590 good point, though the Nightmare remake ended up in his worst films of that year.

[@jamesrad6317]

I think to be fair Borat in his own right is such a laughable character that he drives the comedy forward in his own right. The reason my friends and I enjoy this movie so much is because it gave us a load of soundbites to throw at each other from time to time. That wasn't dependent on the setups or the politics. It was just because Borat is a funny character🤷‍♂

[@watchdisspace1]

Yes, I can use 'archaic' words too. Secondly I am not going round in circles, merely replying to things you are stating - all of which are pointless to the original statement that I find Kermode pretentious. While my 'personal attack' about you being not a nice person and getting a kick out of trolling other people's comment is not entirely unfounded, I fail to see how any of your personal attacks are meant for me? How am I a hypocrite, for example? Dislikeable? Unlikeable, you mean.

[@Goochbot]

@attenbergdvd Well humour is subjective. Personally I don't find the Big Labowski or Life of Brian funny at all, but it must be funny since it works for so many people. If you go into a screening of Borat, or even Bruno, I'd say about 95% of people will be howling with laughter the entire length of the movie. In that way it works brilliantly at what its trying to do. Still, I respect Marks opinion as I do yours, we all have a different sense of humour.

[@jkws2007]

Ohhh, Kermode. I live the guy, but totally up his arse with this one.

[@terratrema]

Oh wow. Sarcasm! You're a clever one, aren't you. (See what I did there?)

[@James-ke4gq]

It’s a silly ass movie but he’s absolutely right I have a really dumb friend who quotes it all the time and it makes me laugh cause it appeals to that silly absurdist side of you that frankly Eric Andre has done much better at this point.

[@BenPole90]

How lucky your friend is to have you describe him as really dumb!

[@theonlyantony]

Yes, you're not part of the same species, you're a supercilious movie Analisa and no longer a citizen of Punterville, as you occasionally allude to being. Too late - it's gone

[@llamasarus1]

Kermode didn't laugh once? Wow.....

[@watchdisspace1]

Good comeback using my retorts as your own. 'Challenge not accepted'...you've resorted to quoting tv shows now have you? (also 'Smeg off'). It is a very valid point that no one uses them. If someone were to start talking in Middle English then this would be strange so, sorry, point stands. You need to re-read what I said. I was exampling the way YOU are behaving. You are the one who started this argument (can't even call it a debate now because you bought it down to the level of ad hominem).

[@AirmanRugby6]

Kermode truly missed the value of Borat, maybe he just brought in an overtly liberal mindset into the viewing. I doubt Kermode would be able to find a theatre that showed Borat and didn't have a majority of the audience howling, which goes to the point of the "if everybody else likes it, maybe there's something wrong with you" argument. In this review, Kermode truly comes off as a stuffy old liberal (the type in America who say, "we need a female president" without any thought into the actual ideology and interests of that person).

[@robertmcelwaine7024]

Couldn't agree more, the point with Borat is the character lifts the lid on the ignorance and the potential racism. They meet this guy from another country who appears backward to them and the way they react to him reflects this. It also shines a light on the misogyny of those frat guys who pick him up in their camper van. It's a funny and more insightful film than Kermode gives it credit for, and he clearly can't see anything beyond his narrow liberal world view. It's not perfect but it scores far more than it misses. The scenes in New York are fantastic.

[@aspurr20]

I thought that all college kids act like that

[@cinimatics]

I think what happens is the most people, myself included just think its hilarious because its so rediculous and the way the peoples incredibly objectionable veiws seem to come flowing out. It is incredibly stupid and I totally agree with the review...but I just cant not laugh when he does stuff like sign a song about throwing jews into a well lol

[@Yorosero]

"why bother being a movie reviewer if you hate movies?" Maybe if you are a movie critic?

[@AfrikaanPrincess]

no sense of humour

[@bassface4]

Loved it when I first saw it. Slightly despair now at how much I enjoyed it. Not very funny, ludicrously self-righteous x

[@terratrema]

You started the ad hominem attacks, not me. The evidence is here, in black and white. Comparing my use of "words no one else uses anymore" such as "diatribe" to writing in Middle English is unutterably stupid. Reading Middle English is almost like reading a foreign language. "Diatribe" and "infantile" are still used by people, and people (including you) are well aware of their meaning, so for you to dismiss me on those grounds demonstrates that you don't know what the hell you're talking about.

[@yaserthe1]

Mark, you just don’t get the joke. 1st review of yours I didn’t agree with at all. U have seriously over analysed this.

[@farzanamughal5933]

Wdym "What is the point?" Its just meant to be funny

[@terratrema]

Haha. Sadcase.

[@Lilyanna298]

Some people just assume that you can't dislike a film they like without being up your own arse.

[@SardonicALLY]

I'm in the same boat as Mark here, I hate the soft target bits, and personally I don't really like cringe comedy.

[@watchdisspace1]

I think you know are wrong and trying to use a thesaurus to rehash near-obsolete words to undermine me hasn't worked. I am not upset that you disagreed with me. You are entitled to your opinion, just as much as I am but the fact you stated my opinion was 'diatribe' (who says that?? plus 'infantile') was just as assumptious as me telling you how to 'spend your life'. It also appears you need the last word otherwise satisfaction is not guaranteed. Prove me wrong on that one.

[@terratrema]

"It also appears you need the last word... Prove me wrong on that one." Challenge not accepted. Again, you criticise me for using words like "diatribe" and "infantile", not because you think those words are being used out of context, but because apparently "no one else says them". Seriously, are you 7 years old or something? What kind of point is that to make? And re-read your post, you wrote that I "spend my life getting kicks blah blah blah". You wrote that, no assumption necessary. Smeg off.

[@terratrema]

The one great and reliable thing about Kermode is that he is absolutely un-pretentious. I don't know who you're trying to convince with that little diatribe of yours.

[@watchdisspace1]

I won't critcise you for using the word pompous, though. I'm not saying I am. Just won't criticise you for the usage. I will however state that because I am right about you unable 'to let sleeping dogs lie' (talking to you on your level), you can retort to your heart's content. Whatever makes you sleep at night. Considering you started this, I'll let you believe you can finish it. Good luck.

[@vorjay]

Ali G the movie...remember that turd.

[@attenbergdvd]

@reservoirdog666 i think its terrible

[@TheMANOFBLU]

I don't get why people find this film so offensive. Take a FUCKING joke. I don't think Mark gets this film at all. I love how he says the film is so anti-American when the director is American.

[@andyr0ck]

+Bjorn Bouterse It's not even that it was offensive, I can appreciate offensive. It was just plain cack.

[@ZemplinTemplar]

Yes.

[@Leatherbubba]

Borat IS Jackass. I think this movie believes it's better than Jackass, but it's really not. It's just Jackass with less physical stunts.

[@stephenkissane4268]

The running of the jew is hilarious because people really believe bull shit stereo types and some of my heroes are Jewish American

[@phelimheming8593]

Ali G was brilliant. Guess he's alabour voter

[@alanbrown667]

Phelim Heming I put it to kermode that he sucked off a horse

[@Hysteria98]

@mruncommon1 I feel the same. I was only a young 'un at 12 when everyone in school and the neighbouring offices had quotes rolling off their tongues, and I the same found it utterly hilarious- but strangely, always condescending. Like it felt the need to just abash American stereotypes for a cheap laugh.

[@560smr4]

This film is lost on mark kermode. Because it doesn't follow the BBC narrative of woke/pc boring comedy. Well done Sasha.

[@felyxmillicent6538]

One of the funniest movies ever made.

[@steve0ooo]

BORE OFF KAMODE

[@0508Gee]

get off your high horse kermode

[@powerbite92]

Kermode is too right on for his own good. Its not funny because its not PC enough. The guy needs to get over himself..

[@Lilyanna298]

The problem isn't being un-PC, it's that the film plays it too easy and goes for easy targets.

[@rjun67]

Let's face it Mark Kermode thinks his opinion is so superior to everyone elses, he is the kind of guy who would of hated 'Titanic' 'Top Gun' 'Pretty Woman' & Silence of the Lambs just because the majority loved them! Borat was very funny when I watched it first time but i was aware that it wasn't a film I could watch again as I knew it's shock value was the best bit!

[@keeblergraham211]

This guy gets it. The smugness of this film was so overwhelming, I only lasted forty-five minutes into it and I don't recall laughing once. Great comedians, even when poking fun at specific groups, remind us that we're are all in the same boat. Borat, however, was all about looking down on "the other". It was mean-spirited, and even worse it was boring.

[@RadarDurden99]

I have listened to several of these now, and he seriously hates everything. It might be something psychologically with him, he looks for something to hate about everything.

[@watchdisspace1]

No, because sacarsm is in the intonation of voice, not through text. I actually thought you were being ironic (which doesn't need intonation of voice to express itself) but I can see you are just not a nice person and spend your life getting kicks out of commenting on other people's comments. No one uses the word diatribe nowadays and I hardly think my opinion equates it. I'm not a fan of Kermode. Quite a few other people aren't either. Get over it.

[@marijumanji]

I've seen Kermode give positive reviews to complete garbage. This film is something called "cringe humor". Kermode doesn't understand what cringe humor is imo. I love Kermode but he missed the mark on this one.