Answers to the previous article, that married rhymes and anagrams at a wonderful ceremony.
Will Shortz thought of it. I imitated it. You solved it. Now you can check your answers from the original word puzzle.
Due to further word limit issues, I have resolved to sharing more film reviews, in order to make this film category more filmic. Wow, apparently that is an actual word. Who knew. Check below for a review of Borat, now available on DVD.
1.
BALM LAMB
ALMS SLAM
MASH SHAM
CALM CLAM
2.
BAKER BREAK
SNEAK SNAKE
TAKES STAKE
EACH ACHE
3.
DIVER DRIVE
EVIL LIVE
RIVETS STRIVE
VIED DIVE
4.
STREAM MASTER
STAPLER PLASTER
ACTORS CASTOR
STARE ASTER
5.
DUNE NUDE
WELD LEWD
CURED CRUDE
TWEEDS STEWED
And here's the review for Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan:
The path from television to the big screen is not an easy one. Charlie’s Angels, Dukes of Hazard and even Sacha Baron Cohen’s first theatrical (although not in the US) spin off, Ali G Indahouse were all hit or miss. Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan proves there’s possibility for success after all. Cohen plays Borat Sagdiyev, the ultimate fish out of water, armed with a slew of sex and race jokes that only an immigrant could get away with.
Immigrant humor is not a new topic, and it’s one that the Marx Brothers (dare I say) perfected in the early 20th century with a countless number of films (with Duck Soup (1933) around the top of the list). Using an outsider’s standpoint, the comedian can question the values that the host country takes for granted. Just to name a few: laws, etiquette, and attire, which all have norms for specific cultures. Seeing the respective norms for opposing cultures clash often results in laughs. Normally an example would fit nicely right here, but as one opposed to giving away plot or jokes, I’ll provide an example from the Marx brothers.
It can be argued that the greatest obstacle between immigrants and natives is the language barrier. Cohen, like the Marx brothers, knows this and tests the strangers he encounters with his mock naiveté of the English language. Herein lies the different between the aforementioned comedians; Borat is persistent on having a pussy magnet installed in his new car, while Groucho Marx as Rufus T. Firefly in Duck Soup has the following exchange with Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont):
Mrs. Teasdale: “As chairman of the reception committee, I welcome you with open arms.”
Rufus T. Firefly: “Is that so? How late do you stay open?”
Subtlety is the keyword here. Others would call it mature, cerebral humor, where less is more, but for most modern day young adults, explicitness is a plus. The language Borat uses is full of sexual innuendos, which, unlike puns, are obvious, but also very funny.
Cohen exploits the cultural differences of Borat and the featured Americans, creating uncomfortable situations which, interestingly enough, produce genuine human responses. Whether many of the scenes in the film are scripted or improvised is up for question. The camera filter on the subway scenes certainly suggests that it is a hidden camera and the public’s reaction to Borat is real. This is just part of the genius of the film, since it poses as a documentary, yet weaves in and out between documentary and narrative. The narrative parts are the weakest section of the film, but fortunately they do not overextend their welcome.
One of Borat’s most blatant and unknowing faux pas is his view of Jews. Scarily enough, he shares the notion of some Midwesterners circa 1960s that Jews have horns on their head (heard that story from my Mom years ago and couldn’t believe it at first- I was young, what can I say). Unlike the protestors seeking to ban the film for its (not so?) obvious satirical stance, I was laughing at the Jew jokes just as much as those ripping on females, blacks, gay, rednecks, and everyone else you’d find in America.
If you already like Borat from the television show, you will most definitely enjoy the movie. For those unfamiliar with Borat, and not into bathroom humor, this isn’t for you. Cohen satisfies the common viewer with enough sex jokes and bathroom humor to last the film’s length. The political incorrectness works so well because Cohen is aware of what he is saying, while many of the people he speaks with are completely unaware of his awareness (follow that?). In short, it’s a twist on dramatic irony with Borat and the viewer playing the joke on the uninformed interviewee. I am anticipating the DVD release, hoping it restores plenty of the footage that didn’t make the final cut of the film.
Movie Grade: A-
