The Dictator

THE DICTATOR SHOULD HAVE TRIED HARDER

Readers already know that we at JCH are huge fans of Sacha Baron Cohen and Borat. In fact, we consider Borat the funniest movie we’ve EVER SEEN. (And Ali G is a favorite TV character.) That said, we viewed The Dictator with high expectations. The idea of an egocentric North African dictator loose in New York is a marvelous concept. And some of the movie was very entertaining. There were brilliantly funny lines, like when the misogynistic Dictator met a pregnant woman and remarked “Are you having a boy or an abortion?” Political satire like that makes the comedy worth seeing – it’s too bad there’s so much sophomoric slapstick in between the smart moments. Die-hard Cohen fans will enjoy the film, along with teenage boys, but it could have been better.

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By Janet / May 16, 2012

13 Comments

Academy Awards Red Carpet Ryan Seacrest Sacha Baron Cohen The Dictator

IN DEFENSE OF SACHA BARON COHEN’S RED CARPET JOKE ON RYAN SEACREST

We feel obliged to come to the defense of Sacha Baron Cohen’s red carpet hijinks. Far too many humorless people were actually HORRIFIED by Cohen’s stunt with Ryan Seacrest. Unfortunately for Sacha, it was not clear to E! TV viewers (or Ryan) what the gold urn carried by The Dictator was all about. The fact that it was supposed to contain the late North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il’s “ashes” was NOT clarified in advance to the ashes being “spilled” on Seacrest. So it wasn’t as funny as it COULD have been. As security dragged Cohen away, he shouted that when people ask Seacrest who he’s wearing he should say “Kim Jong-Il.” Viewers also missed that part. Ryan was annoyed, but regained his composure and described the powder as “Bisquick” although it appeared that the substance could easily be brushed off his jacket. (Ryan shouldn’t be a martyr – he ought to be flattered that Cohen selected HIM for the stunt.) An unnamed “A-list presenter” was later quoted as saying “It’s the Oscars, for God’s sake. It’s just not the time or the place!” HELLO – this is an award show for MOVIES, not a military funeral! More fun – related to movies – is what the show desperately needs, not more reverential worship of overpaid movie stars! Nice try, Sacha!

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By Janet / February 28, 2012

19 Comments

Banned Oscars Sacha Baron Cohen The Dictator

CAN YOU IMAGINE THE OSCARS WITHOUT SACHA BARON COHEN?

We are SO upset to hear that Sacha Baron Cohen has been banned from the Oscars! According to Deadline.com, Cohen was expected to attend with the cast of his movie Hugo but the Academy has pulled his tickets even though he’s an Academy member! The reason is that Cohen submitted a proposal to the Academy that he walk the red carpet in full costume as his title character in The Dictator, with the intention of donning a tuxedo after that for the show. The straitlaced Academy didn’t just TURN DOWN the idea, they banned him altogether. Must this dull award show be taken so SERIOUSLY?

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By Janet / February 22, 2012

17 Comments

Movies Sacha Baron Cohen Superbowl The Dictator

FOR THOSE WHO DON’T CARE ABOUT THE SUPERBOWL

Sacha Baron Cohen’s movie “The Dictator” won’t be released until May 11, but they’re spending BIG BUCKS to promote the film with an expensive ad during the Superbowl. For those of you who won’t be watching the game, (that includes us) here is the pricey ad you won’t see. And if that whets your appetite, watch the movie trailer below.

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By Janet / February 1, 2012

8 Comments

Sacha Baron Cohen The Dictator

SACHA BARON COHEN’S OTHER PERSONA IN THE DICTATOR”

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

Another look for Sacha Baron Cohen. He’s trying desperately NOT to be photographed by paparazzi while filming “The Dictator” in New York but it’s almost impossible. Cohen plays two characters in the movie – a Saddam Hussein-like dictator and a lookalike goat herder. They experience Americans and freedom for the first time. He’s pictured here protesting at United Nations Plaza. A lot of celebrities such as Megan Fox are doing cameos in the film.

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By Janet / July 11, 2011

6 Comments

Sacha Baron Cohen The Dictator

SACHA BARON COHEN STOPPED TRAFFIC AND RODE A CAMEL THROUGH NEW YORK

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

Sacha Baron Cohen continues filming “The Dictator” in New York. This weekend he rode a camel up and down three streets in the city. The script is loosely based on a book by Saddam Hussein and Cohen plays a middle eastern dictator who is stranded in Manhattan and forced to experience his worst enemy: democracy.

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By Janet / June 19, 2011

5 Comments

Borat Sacha Baron Cohen The Dictator

SACHA BARON COHEN’S “DICTATOR” IS POPPING UP ALL OVER NEW YORK

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

Sacha Baron Cohen is filming “The Dictator” all over New York, and this week his character was in a slapstick scene where the hungry dictator who is wandering around the city, stole a plate of food right off a diner’s table at an outside cafe and ran away with it. We’ll be happy if this movie is only half as funny as “Borat.”

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By Janet / June 15, 2011

8 Comments

Anna Faris Sacha Baron Cohen The Dictator

SACHA BARON COHEN’S “THE DICTATOR” HAS MAJOR LAUGH POTENTIAL

Photo Credit: Buzz Foto

Sacha Baron Cohen was photographed on the set of “The Dictator” currently filming in New York. A little more about the plot has been revealed: Cohen plays a dictator intent on saving his country from democracy, who arrives in New York for a meeting at the United Nations only to learn his seat has been filled by a sheepherder look-alike in cahoots with his second in command. The dictator wanders around New York in awe of the freedoms permitted, and he just might have a romance with a character played by Anna Faris.

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By Janet / June 8, 2011

4 Comments

Movies Sacha Baron Cohen Saddam Hussein Uncategorized

WHAT COULD BE MORE FUN THAN SACHA BARON COHEN PLAYING A MIDDLE EASTERN DICTATOR?

Sacha Baron Cohen’s next movie “The Dictator” is in the early stages of production and we’re already itching to see it. You may recall “The Dictator” was inspired by a sappy book written by Saddam Hussein but the movie will of course, be a comedy. Sacha will have duel roles as a goat herder and a dictator horrified by democracy, who vows never to allow it to come to his country. Somehow the dictator ends up lost in the USA and his clash with our culture will provide comic fodder. Sacha’s favorite director Larry Charles (Bruno, Borat) is in charge and Cohen will have a 20 million dollar paycheck. The production team is reportedly already having difficulty lining up appropriate locations due to Sacha Baron Cohen’s notoriety.

What do YOU think?

By Janet / April 19, 2011

3 Comments