Double Trouble

MOVIE REVIEW 1
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan: Two things you would not figure out from this movie: Sacha Baron Cohen is British and Jewish. You will become familiar with his physical anatomy, his apparent ability to endure unbelievable social awkwardness, and something of his sense of humor. Borat the character is bigoted, sexist, innocent, and perseverent (consider that combo). Borat the movie is a satire. David said it's hard to like a movie that he felt compelled to hide through three-quarters of, but I rather did like it (and so did David in truth). The jokes are not what you'll be quoting verbatim at cocktail parties, the physical mannerisms of the characters (real people most of them) won't inspire much mimicry, but you will find yourself seeking out fellow movie viewers and dropping a reference, "the naked fight", "etiquette lessons", calling scenes to mind that make you both laugh uproariously (it's already happened to me). There are also scenes to make you cringe, including a variety of natural-born bigots and sexists that make you wish these were actors like Cohen, putting us on. Cohen as Borat puts himself into situations that bring out the worst in people, and we find ourselves alternately laughing hysterically and cringing in silence. Borat is not a comfortable movie, and I don't feel the need to see it again (the film is more outrageous stunt than compelling narrative, though there is a story), but I am glad to have seen it once.

MOVIE REVIEW 2
The Departed: It's been a while since I saw a Martin Scorcese film and I'm glad to have waited for this one to return to his genre of gritty drama. Leonardo DiCaprio was very good (and surprisingly good looking, may I add) as Will, a boy from a mixed upbringing (money and the streets) who takes on Boston bad guys by going deep undercover with the state police. He's lonely, confused, and angry, deep down a good guy who just wants a regular life. Out in the open as a cop, Matt Damon's character hides his loyalty to the exact bad guy he's charged with catching, Frank Costello. The bad guy is played by Jack Nicholson, who is decent in his cool control, tacky wardrobe, and intermittent accent. I liked the movie's details, introduced and then reinforced in words and deeds, as well as the overall feel of the movie. It's not clear early on who will win out, it's not obvious in the middle who will win or lose most. You may predict the ending but it doesn't make it feel contrived; things work out as logically as life. The Departed isn't an extraordinary movie but it is solid. Good acting, fair pace, interesting story, some tense moments, several compelling characters, nice scenery. Again, I probably won't see it a second time, but was satisfied with the one viewing I did partake.