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Which Thirty Minutes of Funny People Did Universal Want to Cut?
Would Brüno Be Possible Without Borat?
Why Wasn't Sacha Baron Cohen In Character on Letterman Last Night?

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Spirit Fingers
07/27/09

In reply to Which Thirty Minutes of Funny People Did Universal Want to Cut?
Well, I find it interesting that in the latest ads for the movie, the whole marital/I'm dying drama arc has been reduced significantly. Now it's mainly about the stand-up, especially if Comedy Central and HBO have anything to say about it, as both are showing the funny stand up bits as stand alone movie extras. That seems like a big change of focus to me. So that tells me the studio wasn't as impressed with Mann's melodrama. You get the impression that after the "funny" is over, you really won't want to stick around for whatever else is left, you know all the emoting, true-love realizations, and awkward moments between Apatow's wife and Happy Gilmore.

By the way, if this turns out to be a hit, Sandler needs to kiss the ground Apatow walks on. His last like 12 movies should have really relegated him to a VH1 reality show by now.
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ajn007
07/27/09

@Spirit Fingers: I work as a projectinist at a movie theater and, let me tell you, the marital/I'm dying drama arc has not been "reduced significantly" from the newest trailer (at least the one we currently have on screen, the second one released). This trailer has NO MENTION AT ALL about that aspect of the film. The closest it gets is that "funny" scene in the doctor's office. Other than that, it focuses heavily on the comedic side of the film. Play the two trailers side by side and you're looking at two completely different films.
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dado
07/27/09

In reply to Which Thirty Minutes of Funny People Did Universal Want to Cut?
They should cut out the part that makes me think this is the worst movie about comics since "Punchline."
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snugbug
07/27/09

In reply to Which Thirty Minutes of Funny People Did Universal Want to Cut?
Can't get over how this poster is begging me to watch the movie, like a kitty uttering silent meows to be petted. Least self-confident propaganda in memory.
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She_of_the_Socks
07/27/09

@snugbug: Seriously. It is inviting and adorable. It's almost like three of my friends being all slouchy and calling me over to hang out. Only it'll cost me at least 12 dollars and I'll have to smuggle in candy in my purse.
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Randall Tex Cobb
07/27/09

In reply to Which Thirty Minutes of Funny People Did Universal Want to Cut?
Why would they want to cut it? Because it's a Judd Apatow movie it is already too long by about 20 minutes.

Like his movies, but they are always too long.
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Gnip-Gnop
07/27/09

In reply to Which Thirty Minutes of Funny People Did Universal Want to Cut?
When the title of a movie is "FUNNY PEOPLE" I can only think, "Eh, probably not funny".
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Paul_Is_Drunk
07/27/09

@Gnip-Gnop: That name is not doing the movie any favors.

Just like any album with "Forever" in the title.
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ampersandparade
07/27/09

@Paul_Is_Drunk: And I was so sure the Spice Girls would stay together for ages after "Forever." 'Forever' apparently means "twelve weeks, after the delivery of the Christmas single."

Good luck on this one, Apatow.
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bytememehard
07/27/09

In reply to Which Thirty Minutes of Funny People Did Universal Want to Cut?
To quote Mr. Guidice, "Happy wife, happy life."
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daveyjonesisdead
07/27/09

In reply to Which Thirty Minutes of Funny People Did Universal Want to Cut?
Which 30 minutes? All of them!
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Nice Beaver
07/27/09

In reply to Which Thirty Minutes of Funny People Did Universal Want to Cut?
"Leslie, we want to cut your screen time 'cause you're old as fuck. For this film, you know, not for the Earth."
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yourfriendandneighbor
07/13/09

In reply to Would Brüno Be Possible Without Borat?
I saw this movie today. It really is not funny.
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Edited by yourfriendandneighbor at 07/13/09 12:54 AM

RollsRoyceRevenge
07/10/09

In reply to Would Brüno Be Possible Without Borat?
What lesson are we learning, Richard? That some people hate gays? I think everyone knows that. That gay men are effete, mincing and highly obnoxious or one-track-mind sexual predators? Some are, some aren't. But I don't think this film is a credible critique or exploration of those who are.

I am trying to think of a publicly gay actor/actress who made an entire film about how straight people are over the top. Maybe Anne Heche in that thing with Harrison Ford in it where they crash on a tropical island and she runs around the beach in spike heels.
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HiredGoons
07/10/09

@RollsRoyceRevenge: Sigourney Weaver in, well... everything.
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Niko Bellic
07/10/09

@RollsRoyceRevenge:
I am not sure if it's done well (I haven't seen the film), but I think that the point is to bring out the homophobia in people who may not be willing to openly admit it. To show an ugly look into the mirror to those who say "I have nothing against the gays", while in fact they very much do.

This is different than merely informing us that such people exist. It's to inform them on who they really are.

It's like that lesson for kids when you bring in a clown with a red nose, and then make kids feel ashamed for laughing at a person who has a red nose: it's ok to have a red nose, it's ok to be gay, it's ok to be a flameball, and only those who laugh at others for who they are are the ones who should be made fun of for how they behave towards others.
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ShanghaiLil
07/10/09

@RollsRoyceRevenge: And what lesson did we learn from Transformers? That machines are secret giant robots that can destroy the earth if they so choose? Jesus, why must everything be a "teaching moment?"

But if I were my Cuisinart, I'd be pretty pissed right now.
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RollsRoyceRevenge
07/10/09

@Niko Bellic: There's a little problem with an otherwise fine thesis--I'm gay and people who act like Bruno, not that there are many, drive me up the wall. Sometimes annoying behavior really is annoying behavior.
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RollsRoyceRevenge
07/10/09

@ShanghaiLil: I was referring to Richard's last line. I personally don't think that everything has to be a teaching experience. And I don't think Bruno is a teaching experience.
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ChillbearLatrigue
07/10/09

@Niko Bellic: I did get to see it today. I was pleased that the target definitely appeared to be homophobes. Yes, there was a lot of outrageous, flamboyantly gay behavior, but it was generally used to expose the irrational hatred of the people who are watching it. "Homosexuality is not synonymous with perversion, but even when "perverted" homosexual acts being performed how exactly does it really affect you," seems to be a lesson that we could take away from the film. Other than the social commentary, the movie was hilarious.
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Edited by ChillbearLatrigue at 07/10/09 7:24 PM ChillbearLatrigue was starred

BBooms
07/10/09

@ChillbearLatrigue: I saw it today, and, while I laughed during the movie, I thought it noticeably failed in ways Borat didn't. The problem was that a significant number of the scenes didn't expose homophobia in his targets (and getting his targets to act as inappropriately as his own character is where the best humor comes from). The unsuspecting people he picked actually handled themselves very well for the most part. He would act incredibly inappropriately unprovoked, and people simply chose not to engage -- they weren't riled up by any homophobic impulses. This obviously wasn't the case in every scene, but it was in a lot of them.

Overall, I think the most questionable actions were SBC's. The shock humor of the shit that he pulled was funny, but the bottom line is that this was a straight white guy caricaturing a minority and a minority culture (and often the easiest parts of it). What would the response be if he was caricaturing a socially incompetent Asian guy who drove terribly and had funny sex b/c of his stereotypically small dick?
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Edited by BBooms at 07/10/09 11:12 PM BBooms was starred BBooms was unstarred

1.1.1.
07/11/09

@Niko Bellic: @RollsRoyceRevenge:

"To show an ugly look into the mirror to those who say "I have nothing against the gays", while in fact they very much do. "

Somehow I doubt that they are unaware of their homophobia.

Like Borat, it sounds like a purported exercise in exposing bigotry while stoking it at the same time. Either way, it's butts on seats.
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Edited by 1.1.1. at 07/11/09 2:14 AM 1.1.1. was starred 1.1.1. was unstarred

anyonecanwhistle
07/10/09

In reply to Would Brüno Be Possible Without Borat?
There was an Ali G movie first, but I guess that was just... testing the waters. I've never thought about the sequence of these roles, but you're probably right, Borat had to go first. Must be all the old-fashioned testosterone, still (surprise!) ruling the world.
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DorothyMantooth
07/10/09

@anyonecanwhistle: Pretty sure Indahouse was never released in the US (though it's been all over cable since the success of Borat), so it wasn't much of a "test," I don't think. Also? Indahouse is fucking charming, and I highly recommend it for a 4:20-friendly Saturday afternoon.
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Lincolnsbeard33
07/10/09

In reply to Would Brüno Be Possible Without Borat?
Just saw it and it is ok. Most of it feels fake and set up. However the swingers party was pretty funny. Still no where near as good as borat.
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TedSez
07/10/09

@Lincolnsbeard33: Thanks for the concise early review! Now we can wait for the DVD.
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m4ximusprim3
07/11/09

@Lincolnsbeard33: Yes, but what did it teach you about yourself? Eh? Eh?
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Awesome X
07/10/09

In reply to Would Brüno Be Possible Without Borat?
Oh, America got over homophobia with Franck from the "Father of the Bride" remake. You know, with the "chipper chicken" and the 'caaack." Right? No?
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Edited by Awesome X at 07/10/09 5:11 PM Awesome X was starred Awesome X was unstarred

HiredGoons
07/10/09

In reply to Would Brüno Be Possible Without Borat?
I am already so sick of this movie. Sometimes extensive pre-rolls can actually be a movie-killer.
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T-RO
07/10/09

@HiredGoons: I also agree, that because of Borat's success, we were seeing so much of the Bruno footage as he was filming it ("He crashes Paris fashion week,") that many of the gags are already known. The other thing is that, I think how people are going to react to a character they think is flaming gay is more predictable, than how they might react to a weird guy with personal space issues from a country they've never heard of, which means Bruno's going to be more predictable by default. (Yeah, the gay guy is gonna talk about anal sex in front of the obvious redneck, and the redneck's gonna get all crazy about it. And, point being?)

Still, I hope I laugh. Need to laugh.
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MrInBetween
07/10/09

In reply to Would Brüno Be Possible Without Borat?
Borat appeals to the Archie Bunkers but Bruno appeals to the Stanley Ropers. Fewer Stanleys than Archies.
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Edited by MrInBetween at 07/10/09 5:11 PM MrInBetween was starred MrInBetween was unstarred

Baroness
07/10/09

@MrInBetween: And then there's Maude. "I don't care if he's gay! And I'd have a hundred abortions to stop this war in Vietnam!"
-a wag at the AV Club
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ShanghaiLil
07/10/09

@Baroness: I love you for remembering that quote.
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Baroness
07/10/09

@ShanghaiLil: It was fucking memorable! And v funny.
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