Bruno barely delivers a few chuckles, gets the big thumbs down

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The Trav & SHE movie of the week: Bruno
"Public Enemies" is playing at the Malco Cinema 12 and the Carmike 14 in Fort Smith, and the Malco in Van Buren. Link here for ticket info and show times.

Trav: Some folks insisted that Trav & SHE not even bother with the review of Bruno since our beloved Fort Smith was poked at with Brüno’s schtick. We felt like we had to watch it. We had to let our readers know if this movie is worth the price of admission.

SHE: Thankfully, Fort Smith is not called out but Arkansas is and it takes me back to when I first moved to Arkansas over 20 years ago. Born and raised in California, I had many preconceived notions about Arkansas. What did I know about Arkansas or the South? Only what I saw on TV or the movies. Like any stereotype, be it race, ethnicity, gender, or class, big Hollywood is keeping it alive.

Trav: Sacha Baron Cohen is the creative force behind Brüno. My introduction to Cohen’s Brüno character was a few years ago via his Da Ali G Show on HBO. Da Ali G Show was the vehicle used by Cohen to introduce us to not only Ali G, a hip-hop loving poser, but to Borat, the journalist from Kazakhstan, and to Brüno, the gay Austrian fashion reporter. All these characters are played by Cohen. I always found his show to be funny and the characters on the show were entertaining. All that being said, Brüno was my least favorite Cohen invention. With Brüno, Cohen has now made big screen features with all of the characters from Da Ali G Show. Ali G Indahouse wasn’t great, but I found it amusing. I laughed till I hurt when I watched his Borat movie, so I was hoping for the same experience with Brüno.

SHE: I know all about hip-hop posers, yo! Gay fashionistas? Yes, I’ve counseled many. I’m a licensed hairstylist, worked years in retail and did I mention I’ve been through law school? You feel me? The fact that you speak with a lisp or listen to Andy Williams during foreplay does not make you gay. Now, if you were my boyfriend in the 80’s? That’s a sure sign. Cohen should have consulted with me before the making of this disaster. Of course, there is still time, if any movie studio dare finance another picture by Mr. Cohen, to consult with me regarding black face or cross dressing or some other nonsense. That’s right Sacha, I’ll tragic mulatto you upside your head.

Trav: Where to begin? Wow. To say I didn’t laugh during Bruno would be a lie. I’d label my laughter more like chuckles than guffaws; and the guilt associated with the laughter makes it unenjoyable. In this reality based movie, most of the laughter was directed at a real person instead of a fictional character. Brüno did some funny things, most of which I cannot discuss in this review. It’s just that the butt of the joke was generally an unexpecting or unassuming target.

SHE: There was not one single laugh. The closest I came was the reference to “carbicide.” Yes, you evil carbs, I know you too well! This movie was garbage and porn (not good porn, mind you!). So often I was tempted to walk out, but someone might see me! And, this will not be the first time you hear this, dear readers, but there is a depth to my shallowness and damn if anyone was going to see me punk out!

Trav: Dudeity is rampant along with homoeroticism and general depravity. The places Brüno visits on his journey to "fame" are questionable at times.

SHE: You say homoeroticism like it’s a bad thing!? I jest, but what a girl loves about men, that special function they have? Well, Brüno ruined it. Women are not visual creatures. Forget the warning about “humor of graphic nature” how about “Ladies, humor that may potentially swear you off men and all that’s good (if that’s what you like).”

Trav: Even though the movie delivers some humor, I didn’t enjoy it. I’m giving Brüno a 1 out of 5. Don’t watch. Don’t rent it. Just stay away.

SHE: The movie delivered NO humor, was offensive, stereotyped gay men, fashionistas, personal assistants, Austrians, and interfered with my extremely hot love life. And for that I give Brüno a 0 out of 5 and a warning. Please don’t let me run into you in Arkansas, Alabama, L.A., Jerusalem, or anywhere else … because I will cut a bitch.

Previews
• Gamer (Sept. 4)
Trav: As you may have guessed from the name of the movie, this is about a video game — a futuristic video game. I’m usually all about futuristic movies and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like video games, but I think I’ll skip this one in the theater and just add it to my Netflix queue. This looks like Microsoft’s Project Natal on steroids starring Dexter (Michael C. Hall) and Leonidas (Gerard Butler).

SHE: Gamer looks like an interesting concept. In the future, one can play video games by controlling a real-life person – a death row inmate, nonetheless. I have to say that this is usually not the type of film I’m interested in, but I spotted John Leguizamo who I adore. And what can I say? Gerard Butler could draw me to the theater all on his lonesome.

• Orphan (July 24)
Trav:  I wouldn’t say I like scary movies, but I’m OK with them. This is about an adopted child that starts terrorizing her new family members. This one looks more creepy than scary. Although it looks interesting, I’ll probably just end up adding this to my Netflix queue. I try to avoid horror movies with creepy kids.

SHE:  So, that’s why you never come over anymore? Gosh Trav, all you had to do was say something and I’d lay off the makeup and lock the kids in the closet when you come over!?

• Funny People (July 31)
Trav: Can a Judd Apatow movie starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen not be funny? We’ll find out in a couple of weeks.

SHE: Please, please, please don’t let this movie have all the best parts in the trailer! I’ve just watched a marathon of That 70’s Show to rid myself of the Sacha Baron Cohen debacle and to like men again! Trav & SHE need Hollywood to come through for us. Who else can we depend on if not Judd, Adam and Seth?

Look out … we go from Brüno to Harry. Next up next is Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

Feedback
Trav can can be reached at [email protected]

SHE can be reached at [email protected]