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The Dictator: Ruled by Tasteless but Funny Jokes

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:00:23 PDT

Full disclosure: I laughed out loud many times during The Dictator, knowing full well that I should have been offended instead. But what you see is what you get when it comes to Sacha Baron Cohen, and after movies like Bruno and Borat, you already know whether you'll be able to find humor in film about a horrifyingly ignorant world leader who's as naive, racist, and prejudiced as they come.

I know that sounds hard to swallow, but there is a big difference between The Dictator and Cohen's previous work: this time, it doesn't even feel remotely real. Whereas Borat and Bruno are made to taunt and embarrass what appear to be unsuspecting, everyday people, there's no mistaking The Dictator for what it is: a total farce that comes complete with actors you've seen before. It may sound obvious, but having Cohen's Aladeen interact with the likes of Ben Kingsley, Anna Faris, and John C. Reilly makes the whole story easier to digest - and much easier to laugh at in spite of yourself.

To see what else I enjoyed about The Dictator, just

At the core, The Dictator is really a fish-out-of water comedy, just taken to staggeringly inappropriate levels. Aladeen has ruled his North African country, Wadiya, since he was a small child, and in many ways, he's never grown up. While he's busy ordering execution for anyone that rubs him the wrong way (including the engineer that couldn't make his nuclear weapon pointy enough), his uncle Tamir (Kingsley) is the one that's really making the decisions about how the country should be run. Predictably, Tamir turns on Aladeen and seizes power during a trip to NYC, leaving Aladeen lost, penniless, and unrecognizable on the streets of the Big Apple.

The Dictator then turns into a bizarre romantic comedy, as Aladeen befriends a crunchy protester named Chloe (Anna Faris), who he initially mistakes for a boy. Chloe gives Aladeen his first job in her organic whole foods store, which opens a Pandora's box of jokes about the irony of a world leader wearing a hairnet. Meanwhile, Aladeen hatches a plan to bring down his uncle, and somewhere along the way, you start rooting for the same guy that suggests aborting a baby because it's not a boy.

I'm not saying that The Dictator is sophisticated by any means, or even groundbreaking as a comedy. Cohen spares us no expense of crude humor that pushes the envelope (and literally takes us inside a woman's birth canal), and if you're not a fan for Cohen's brand of humor, you'll probably walk out of the theater before you even get there. But if you've ever found his antics to be funny before, chances are you will again - even if you're slightly embarrassed to admit it when the credits roll.

Photos courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Buzz Time Machine: Sacha Baron Cohen Interviews the Beckhams as Ali G

Maggie Pehanick — Fri, 18 May 2012 04:00:00 PDT

Sacha Baron Cohen is everywhere this week with his new film The Dictator. But before he played the tyrannical ruler, even before Brüno and Borat, he was simply known as Ali G. Here he is interviewing David and Victoria Beckham back in 2006. This video includes a double bonus because you get to see Victoria adorably laugh out loud. The video itself is actually pretty hilarious too.

Video: Watch Sacha Baron Cohen's Dictator Spill Ashes on Ryan Seacrest!

Karli Bulnes — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 19:01:16 PST

Ryan Seacrest was a good sport on the Oscars red carpet this afternoon by interviewing Sacha Baron Cohen, who was in full character for his upcoming film, The Dictator. But before the playful chat ended, Sacha spilled an urn full of ashes on the E! anchor! See how Ryan handled the situation.

Sacha Baron Cohen Pranks Ryan Seacrest as The Dictator

Allie Merriam — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 16:32:08 PST

Sacha Baron Cohen managed to make a scene this evening - and the Oscars haven't even started yet! He arrived on the red carpet decked out as his Dictator character, and proceeded over to Ryan Seacrest's interview spot. Sacha joked with Ryan while in full military getup, but might have gone too far when he spilled an urn, allegedly full of Kim Jong-il's ashes, all over Seacrest's tux. Ryan didn't seem too pleased to be covered in white power, and he went on to recount the sad tale to pals Jennifer Lopez and Antonio Banderas. Do you think Sacha went too far?

Sacha Baron Cohen Will Attend the Oscars

Allie Merriam — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 07:57:57 PST

The Dictator Trailer: Sacha Baron Cohen Tries to Make Oppression Funny

Shannon Vestal — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:43:29 PST

Sacha Baron Cohen may have recently shown up in family film Hugo, but for The Dictator, he's going for more grown-up subject matter. In the political satire, Cohen plays the title character, a Saddam Hussein-like world leader who comes to America from his country, which he has been terrorizing for years. The film is a reunion for Cohen and Larry Charles, who directed Bruno and Borat, and though I love their collaborations, it feels like they're borrowing from their older material here. With his heavy accent and penchant for prostitutes, Cohen's tyrant seems a lot like Borat in a position of power.

While I have always loved Cohen's outrageous characters, the humor isn't as offensive as I was expecting, nor is it as funny; the Kardashian jokes just feel too easy, especially for the man who created characters like Ali G. Still, the preview is so brief I'm hoping that all the no-holds-barred humor is in the film, so check it out after the jump.

Link Time - Sacha Baron Cohen Joins Les Misérables

BuzzSugar — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:30:35 PST

Which character will Sacha Baron Cohen play in Les Misérables? - NextMovie
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See which new TV series Uma Thurman is joining - Aol TV
Find out about Eddie Murphy's latest biopic role - The Hollywood Reporter
See how well New Year's Eve is faring with critics - Rotten Tomatoes
Meet the last two Original vampires to be cast on The Vampire Diaries - Zap2It
The best guest stars of Supernatural in 2011 - BuddyTV
Five reasons girls who grew up in the '90s will like Young Adult - TrèsSugar

Link Time - Brad Pitt Announces Retirement From Acting

BuzzSugar — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:20:05 PST

Brad Pitt has announced when he'll quit acting - Moviefone
Find out why Anna Kournikova won't return to The Biggest Loser - The Hollywood Reporter
Sneak a peek at Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - Rotten Tomatoes
See Pamela Anderson as the Virgin Mary - Aol TV
Check out the best of The Amazing Race in Copenhagen - BuddyTV
Find out when you might get to see a Doctor Who movie - Zap2it
Is Colin Firth playing the villain in Oldboy? - /Film
Get the details on the film Russell Brand is starring in and producing - The Playlist
See the latest big star Quentin Tarantino is recruiting for Django Unchained - NextMovie
Get fashion inspiration from Fall movies like Breaking Dawn - FabSugar

Sacha Baron Cohen Celebrates 40 on a Boat Ride With Isla, Olive, and Elula

Allie Merriam — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:21:24 PDT

Sacha Baron Cohen's 40th birthday is today! To mark the special occasion, Sacha and his wife, Isla Fisher, brought their two daughters along for a walk in a Sydney park and a boat ride along the harbor. Later, Isla and Sacha emerged with a friend for an adults-only go-round on the vessel. The Baron Cohen-Fisher clan is in Isla's native Australia, so she can finish up work on The Great Gatsby. Her time on set may be extra sparkly, as Tiffany is providing jewels to the Baz Luhrmann-directed picture, including one-of-a-kind headpieces and necklaces. Isla was also just on set in NYC shooting a comedy with Kirsten Dunst and Lizzy Caplan. While doing press for her own movie Melancholia, Kirsten raved about Isla. Kirsten said, "I love her, she's amazing. We had the best time. Also Lizzy Caplan was in the film and us three girls got along so well. We had a great time together. . . . We worked really long hours and really hard, because it's an independent film, so we didn't have a lot of time to shoot. It was very quick."

Isla and Sacha Bring Olive and Elula to Visit With Their Australian Fisher Family

Allie Merriam — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 07:32:30 PDT

Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher arrived at the Sydney airport yesterday with their daughters, Olive and Elula. The family is in Isla's home country following a stint in NYC, where Sacha shot his new movie The Dictator. Isla also logged time on the set of Bachelorette with Kirsten Dunst and James Marsden. In addition to giving Olive and Elula a chance to say hello to their Fisher relatives, the Cohen-Fishers' time Down Under will allow Isla a chance to meet up with the cast of The Great Gatsby. Isla was in character as Myrtle Wilson back in August, but production on the Baz Luhrman adaptation of the classic Fitzgerald book has continued in the months since for her costars Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire. Newly single Leonardo DiCaprio has been in Australia working and dealing with his breakup from Blake Lively. He might not be single for long, though. Leo's already linked to Alyce Crawford, a 20-something who's appeared on Australia's Next Top Model.