The Dictator: Pointy Not Round

Paramount Pictures

Official Site: www.republicofwadiya.com
Director(s): Larry Charles
Writer(s):  Sacha Baron Cohen, Alec Berg
Producer(s):  Sacha Baron Cohen, Alec Berg
Starring:  Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley, John C. Reilly, B.J. Novak. Rated-R. 

Can a ruthless dictator fall in love with a vegan human rights activist? An unlikely couple indeed.  Aladeen ( Cohen) did not travel to New York to fall in love, but who could resist a cute vegan who cares about everything from animals to a dictator's masturbatory habits. I  don't think  Cohen was trying to say dictators have feelings too, but inadvertently  he sort of made that point. Aladeen noticed how much passion Zoey ( Faris) had. He could not stop talking about  her even when he was planning to regain his position as dictator of Wadiya. Living  as a commoner,  Aladeen noticed certain things about himself.  He realized he was actually a nice guy beneath the inclination to kill everyone who had different views.

Paramount Pictures

Satirical as can be, Cohen employs his trademark crude humor to make a statement about dictatorships while entertaining the masses. Irreverence with a purpose as usual. There is also commentary on democracy, but not just any democracy; democracy defined by corporate policy, noted in a scene where Tamir(Kingsley) cut a backdoor deal with several major oil companies for millions. The film eludes to problems with the U.S prison population, and bank bailouts amongst other issues. Definitely.Cohen wrote a comedy with substance.

Paramount Pictures

Was The Dictator funny ? Kind of. It was not hilarious. But it was deeply amusing. May be it's because I have grown accustomed to Cohen's comedic style, and the effects from the days of Borat, and Bruno have worn off, and I have become desensitized to the shocking antics. Still  the things this guy gets away with, like kicking a kid on screen, and rubbing sperm on a woman's face. Only Cohen. It was not great. It was not disappointing. It was simply entertaining. Metacritic.com rated the film 58/100 for mixed reviews. Rottentonatoes.com rated the film 112 fresh tomatoes to 80 rotten ones. I'll rate it a 75.

The killing Room: MK Ultra

Baam! The first scene shocks you into the movie. Absolutely unexpected.  As the plot develops to indicate why these  four people have been gathered in this white room which seems to have no way out,"What would  I do?" is the question that comes to mind. The four are subjects of an experiment. Not sure of  what is going, and who is tormenting them, Dr. Phillips ( Peter Stormare ) is the only face they have seen , but he is not very nice. Along with the highly recommended intelligence officer Emily Reilly ( Chloey Sevigney) Dr. Phillips induces panic and mayhem amongst the test subjects by placing them under extreme pressure with the ultimate goal of choosing one to be the martyr for patriotism.

Using the mind control operation MK-Ultra  as a foundation to raise the question, is it  ever justified to experiment on people for the sake of the greater good even if death is likely the result of the test subjects ? Emily and Dr. Phillips agree such tests are justified. But if they were the test subjects would their answer be different? Probably, unless they are a member of the few who are willing to commit suicide for the sake of their country's security. These four people were willing test subjects who were offered a compensation of $250. They did not know what they were getting themselves into. 

Beyond the issue of experimental testing for the greater good, is the film's effort to inform the public about the United States' involvement in mind control experimentation under MK-Ultra, and how administrations of the past have tried to stop the practice, only to have the experiments continue outside of government control. The Manchurian Candidate is recognized for exploring the idea of mind control, and the dangers of abusing this power for  political advantage. The Killing Room paints a picture of the process and how cold, and ruthless the players involved can be by treating human life as disposable.           

Jeff Who Lives At Home: This is Fate Calling

Paramount Pictures

This film could be making a point about determinism, but the focus on choice as the main ingredient  to shaping one's life suggests otherwise. For people who believe everything happens for a reason,  this film is absolutely right for them. Jeff (Jason Segel)  believes signs are everywhere. People must be open to these signs in order to make the right choices. He lives by this belief wholeheartedly.

Fate is actively involved in people's lives; by simply understanding the language of fate, people will  be properly instructed what course to take in life. Signs of  an  interconnectedness is powerfully preached, and is at the core of this film.  Intertwining events leading to a moment of joy and clarity is so well conveyed, it is easy to convert any one who views life as possessing no meaning, into believing, the universe possesses an intention responsible for helping people through life.  Jeff's  belief supports the notion of an ordered universe,  in  tuned with people's happiness and sorrows.  

Paramount Pictures

It's a "struggle." Fate may be involved, but people must choose. Sometimes it is difficult to understand the message fate sends. Not fully understanding what his fate was, Jeff was awaiting an answer. As a  pothead slacker with no job, living in his mom's basement,  fate sent a message to Jeff , and it was  "Kevin."  Through Jeff's pursuit of understanding this message,  the film makes the point,  reaching one's destiny may require enduring hard times. One may have a destiny that is not destined to be easy.   

Paramount Pictures

The characters are dealing with adultery, disillusion,  sadness from being unloved, and being misunderstood. How happiness can be drained from people's lives in disappointment, life did not end up as they planned, was delicately treated in one scene featuring Susan Sarandon and Rae Dawg Chong. If there is a plan, if everything happens for a reason, what's the reason for an unfulfilled life ? Fate does not provide reasons, it provides signs, and people must be cognizant to recognize these signs. Again people must choose.This is a beautiful film that makes you feel may be there is a force in the universe looking out for people.       

Ben Hur: Condemned Men

Warner Bros

" You are all condemned men. We keep you  alive to serve this ship, so row well and live."  Quintus Arrius (Jack Hawkins) boldly announced the fate of the slaves steering the Roman battle ship. Sweaty, hopeless, bony, and shackled to the machinery of death that will claim their lives, these condemned men have a lot in common with those who are working hard, and earning little. When the economy sinks, many people sink with it. 

I could easily imagine Quintus Arrius saying, " You are all condemned people. We keep you  alive to serve this economy, so work well and live." In actuality some  economist stand as Quintus Arrius promoting employment as the source of economic life.  Yes there are variations in economic schools of tought, but the comparison  of  the slaves  being worked to death reminds me of the common worker who commits long hours to realize a descent quality of life that is becoming increasingly challenging to achieve. 

Warner Bros

In this scene Ben-Hur saves Quintus Arrius who is part of the governing class. In stretching one's analogical muscle, one can say this scene is somewhat symbolic of  a bailout where the poor, middle, and possibly upper class rescue the ruling elite, despite facing economic adversity.  In fairness, if the economy cannot be salvaged, the wealth of the poor, elite, and middle class will be affected, with the elite possessing more resources to endure abject economic conditions that others cannot withstand.   

Beyond economic concerns, it is about living a fulfilled life, and  not merely existing as an object of labor.  This is painfully difficult to do, in the case of dire need demanding economic interest be prioritized simply to make ends meat. Many work jobs that provide no emotional satisfaction.  Dreading Mondays, dreading another meeting that you find boring, regardless, you play the role of concerned employee simply to keep your job. There  may be some who are truly condemned, but if your at a point in life that allows you to explore the option of doing something you love. Just do it.   
 
 

Dr. Evil Talking to Michael Dell

As of right now, roomer has it  Dr. Evil will be using Dell computer systems to take over the world. That is why you see him talking to Michael Dell. Tears for Fears said it best. Everybody wants to rule the world. Dr. Evil is no exception. Maybe Mr. Bigglesworth does not want to rule the world.  After all, He is just an ugly bald cat. 
Hopefully I' ll see Mr. Bigglesworth in Austin Powers 4. As of yet there is no release date for the film at all. Mike Myers, will be writing the script, and it seems like Jay Roach will be directing once again. My favorite of the franchise is Goldmember.