comment #1

Josh Massey says ...

It's damn near impossible to get a C-grade from CinemaScore.

comment #2

shanes5 says ...

I saw it Friday night. There was an employee at the theatre entrance checking IDs who said they already had over 1000 walkouts asking for their money back (and that most had walked out very early).

Jeff, I think you are spot on about its "semi mean spiritedness" being problematic. I was totally empathetic to Ron Paul and understood his anger.

It is after all a sequel in the sense that it is the same storyline just with a different central character and in sequels, the explosions, chases, etc have to be bigger/more over the top than the original. It seems SBH fell victim to this mentality somewhat.

In Borat, I felt those who'd been punked had pretty much volunteered themselves and their views - exposing their flaws by their own choice. But there were certainly moments in Bruno where I felt SBC had crossed a line--pushing people too far to get the big explosion.

Very funny in spots. But for me personally, the squirm factor was pushed too far at times. And because of that, I've given fair warning to every friend who asked about it. To me it's a matinee at best, but I'd rather have rented so I could fast forward through certain scenes.

comment #3

EnglishBob says ...

I haven't seen Bruno yet, but I did like Borat well enough. One of the crucial differences I can sense about the two movies is this: you could almost kind of believe that a guy like Borat could be so outrageously offensive without quite realizing it; Bruno, however, comes off as too smart to not know what he's doing. He just seems like an obnoxious jerk.

comment #4

Stringer Bell says ...

Saw Bruno last nite. While funny in spots, Borat was MUCH funnier.

comment #5

George Prager says ...

I eagerly await Cohen's next film, where he impersonates a black woman with Down's Syndrome.

comment #6

Rothchild says ...

It's not a good movie. It's tired, repetitive, and most of it feels staged. There are some good scenes, but that's it. It's going to drop like crazy next weekend.

comment #7

Myles says ...

"I eagerly await Cohen's next film, where he impersonates a black woman with Down's Syndrome."

So he's going to play Madea?

comment #8

Scott says ...

I saw a decently full 4:30 showing on Friday. I'd say around twenty people left at one point or another, but there's definitely a reason so many people left so early - if nothing else, the film makes its intentions clear from the start.

Film had some truly great moments to it (the cage sequence was kind of brilliant), but they were few and far between and in general I agree - Bruno is too despicable without any actually interesting traits, and the victims were mostly in the right to feel assaulted (whereas in Borat, I thought by and large they had it coming). Aside from the aforementioned Ron Paul segment, how does showing up naked to a guy's tent constitute any sort of "gotcha"?

What's worse is the more I think about is, the less I like it.

comment #9

BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey says ...

Why is everyone so obsessed with box office as an indicator of quality? Given the small budget, $30m opening weekend is absolutely great. It's pretty much made its money back already.

It was a good, funny film. Not as good as Borat, but I had a good time and pretty much the entire audience was laughing throughout.

Why are people so keen to start a backlash against anyone who is successful?

comment #10

CitizenKanedforChewingGum says ...

Because most financially successful films are dogshit. Hello, is this really any revelation?

comment #11

BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey says ...

Because most financially successful films are dogshit. Hello, is this really any revelation?

Yeah, but in this case it seems most HE readers went into Bruno actively hoping they'd hate it so they can slam it the next day on the blogs. Why? If you're so sure it'll be shit, don't go!

LexG made the same point here a few months back that a great number of people seem to enjoy about 1 of every 10 films they see at the cinema. He just asked why they keep bothering to see the stuff they know is going to rile them up unless they get their main moviegoing pleasure from writing snarky putdowns the next day online.

I'd say I enjoy 8 out of 10, perhaps even 9, of the films I see at the cinema. I know my taste and if there's something I think is going to infuriate me - like that Anna Wintour documentary or Bride Wars - I just won't go.

The knives were out for Bruno as soon as Borat made money.

comment #12

MovieBob says ...

The Ron Paul bit, while funny in it's own right, illustrates a lot of why this doesn't "work" as well the second time around - you have to go to bigger and stranger extremes once the schtick is more well known.

Paul isn't really an engaging public presence, so you're not going to get a "funny" reaction out of him because he's, well... incredibly dull. AND he's not even "on topic" since he's not an anti-gay crusader or anything like that. So why's he here? Because he's one of the few politicians OR celebrities who can be counted on to be so far out of the pop-culture loop as to have no clue who Cohen is.

comment #13

corey3rd says ...

small Budget? Small budget? NBC-Universal sunk $60 million into getting the rights and has spent $30 million promoting it. The movie might look cheap (since it's basically a reality TV show). but there's several folks who will be escorted off the lot tomorrow morning for not getting Borat and paying too damn high for Bruno.

ultimately the punk'd people were movie execs

comment #14

kneelbeforezod says ...

Spot on BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey.

If there have been walkouts, its probably because people weren't prepared for just how explicit the sexual content is.

But the film is funny, and the backlash so, SO predictable.

comment #15

Nigel Tufnel says ...

Where did you get 60 million from?? Everything I've read is 42.5. So with 30 million in marketing you get 72 million. Figure this ends up around 75 million domestic. But it's outpacing Borat internationally... So let's say it does 125 million abroad (equaling Borat). That makes 200 million total. Figure Uni gets about 120 million of that and you have a nice profit. Not Borat-type money but certainly not a Land of the Lost disaster.

But who gives a crap about BO anyway when you're discussing the merits of a film. Do you have points on this movie or something?? I saw it yesterday afternoon in a packed theater and laughed my ass off. So did the rest of the crowd, except for the pack of frat apes in my row who left after the dancing penis. But I don't think I've heard an audience laugh that hard, that consistently since Borat. I would never argue it's the best film of the year (or even the summer) but isn't that the ultimate arbiter of a comedy's success??

comment #16

corey3rd says ...

$60 million is what I heard from a pal at Universal. A pal who at this moment is extremely nervous after non-blockbuster status of Duplicity, Drag Me to Hell, State of Play, Public Enemies, Land of the Lost, Bruno and fears over Funny People. Thank goodness Universal's vault caught fire before these bombs were put on the shelves. There'd only be a pit and Lew Wasserman's smoking glasses left. Why do I care about BO? Cause I'd hate to see my pal sent packing because Bruno couldn't waggle his ass hard enough to make $100 million domestic.

The ultimate arbiter of a comedy's success is if we can laugh about it 10 years later or do we look at it and say, "We thought that was funny? People used to laugh at Ray J. Johnson Jr. People went to see David Spade movies once upon a time.

comment #17

azmoviegoer says ...

As far as I'm concerned, anyone fearless enough to tell the leader of a Muslim terrorist group that Osama Bin Laden looks like a homeless Santa Claus should get nothing lower than a B on Ciinemascore.

comment #18

Nigel Tufnel says ...

Your "pal" at Universal clearly operates the Back to the Future ride because I just double and triple checked and every single source (including Variety and THR) says it was 42.5. Universal has definitely had a disappointing summer, and I think most people expected Bruno to open higher, but 30 million is not too bad.

I hang out in some pretty snobbish comedic circles (don't do comedy myself but my BF does) and Sacha Baron Cohen is considered a god.I think 10 years from now we will think Bruno was ahead of it's time, not behind it.

comment #19

corey3rd says ...

although the biggest loser of the week goes to Chris Columbus for "I Love You Beth Cooper" pulling in a whooping $5 million. Good thing he kicked those Harry Potter films to the curb. they were holding him back from oblivion.

comment #20

Unison says ...

Yeah, Chris Columbus is the real stinker of the week, but I can't help but be suspicious that Bruno's final tally will drop below $30 million. It seems unlikely to me that a movie would drop 38% from Friday to Saturday, then only 19% from Saturday to Sunday.

comment #21

corey3rd says ...

I'm sticking to my pal's $60 million on Bruno number. They're not the operator of the theme rides. And do more than rely on reporters at dying publications for their scoops.

What's going to be interesting is if NBC-Universal can slice up and tone down Bruno enough so it can play on regular cable or broadcast at any point. Is it too gay for even Bravo? My contact said last week that the suits at USA were extremely nervous about running it down the road.

comment #22

Chapman Carruthers says ...

You're contacts seem extremely nervous about a lot of things.

comment #23

Chapman Carruthers says ...

Strike the apostrophe and ending e and carry on.

comment #24

George Prager says ...

BORAT and BRUNO are going to date very badly. After the initial shock value, what are you left with? In ten years these films will be about as relevant as EDDIE MURPHY RAW is today.

comment #25

BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey says ...

I really don't understand the Cohen hate, but there you go. The thing is, he's smart enough and talented enough to be able to have a long career in comedy even without his signature characters. He was funny in Talladega Nights and Sweeney Todd, so he'll be fine.

I think comedians get a raw deal from the internet. The level of hatred directed at Seth Rogen is baffling. The backlash has started against Simon Pegg, and even Paul Rudd is getting some abuse now. Why? They all seem like decent guys and this decade has seen a marked improvement on the quality of big-screen comedy compared to the '90s.

But if anyone connected with Apatow or Ben Stiller's crew has a new movie out there are always lines of people actively hoping it'll bomb. Baffling.

comment #26

corey3rd says ...

anyone working for NBC-Universal that isn't hosting The Today Show needs to be nervous about the next round of cuts.

And why backlash against Simon Pegg? Run Fat Boy and How to Lose Friends didn't get any front lash.

comment #27

maxfm says ...

First: I saw the movie yesterday in a community that has lots of folks quite similar to Donny and the hunting crew, and I can tell you that when Bruno walks up to the tent buck naked, he was in just as much (or more) danger as he was when he interviewed the terrorist.

Second: In addition to my friend and me, there were only two other people in the theatre for a 4 p.m. showing. Coming from a small town, that might be expected, but I was still shocked.

Third: After the film ended, I heard a theatre usher tell another usher: "Did you see how many people were freaked out by Bruno at last night's shows?"

Fourth: I laughed my ass off. And at 82 minutes, the movie flew by for me -- no slow spots. In fact, I Iaughed harder in Bruno than Borat -- likely because my expectations for the latter were so high from the hype at that time while my expectations for Bruno were so low from the rampant bashings as of late.

Fifth: As a straight guy, I must say the scene with the swingers creeped me out far more than any of the outlandish and over the top gay stuff.

comment #28

DarienStyles says ...

The problem with "Bruno" is that it's a one-joke movie. Bruno is gay, and that's it. Too much of the film is centred on the character showing us how outrageous his sex life is. And if you've witnessed the initial sex scenes, you'll understand why there were so many walk-outs.
I saw "Da Ali G Show", and the Bruno skits were much funnier, because it was more about confronting how ridiculous fashion and society's moral values are. When the film is centred on exposing prejudices and ignorance, it works (the baby audition scenes, Bruno interviewing fashion figures), but to get to that, we're forced to put up with endless sequences of lewdness and "kinky" sex.
The worst part is the Ron Paul skit. It's not funny. On the contrary, it's disturbing and very uncomfortable to watch. I think Sacha Baron Cohen is talented, but I he should have toned it down.

comment #29

Chicago48 says ...

PE at $66Mil -- Whoo hoo! Yeh, it can make it to $100Mil....slowly!

comment #30

Gordie Lachance says ...

I liked Borat because it was something new and no one knew who Cohen was, but I hate Bruno because he's all rich and successful.

This is also the reason I loved Pulp Fiction but hated Jackie Brown and Death Proof, and LOVED Sixth Sense but hated Unbreakable and Signs, and loved Boogie Nights but hated Magnolia and There Will Be Blood.

I think my system is fairly common.

comment #31

Alboone says ...

Just came back from it. Hilarious, not great, not as good as Borat, but hilarious nonetheless. The theater was in hysterics, a couple of frat boys couldn't take it and bolted after the Mili Vanilli seance scene(oh my God I thought I was gonna have a hernia from laughing so hard). Cohen really is a genius. Even if this doesn't do as well at the b.o. as Borat, Cohen is gonna have a long career.

comment #32

Alboone says ...

From a straight perspective the swinger scene was more than unnerving but ends on a truly hilarious note. As hot as that chic was I probably would've gone through the same exit.

comment #33

BurmaShave says ...

Prager BORAT holds up, and will continue to. BRUNO was dated opening night.

comment #34

MathewM says ...

Watched the Ron Paul scene on You Tube. The "seduction" would of been fine on its own (though not really funny) but what kills it is the "need" to show Ron Paul's reaction afterwards. Catching Ron Paul call Bruno queer is purely a factual observation: Bruno is queer. Queer is queer. Ron Paul looks like a normal guy caught in a stupid, uncomfortable situation. Sacha looks like the bad guy. If you're going to keep the audience on your side (which Borat skirted with losing and Bruno appears to lose without care) you cannot look like the bad guy. Andy Kaufman (who Sacha apes) was better at it thirty years ago.

comment #35

poseidon72 says ...

At least 10% of the audience I saw the film with walked out by the 30 minute mark.The mili Vanili scene caused that as well as the swinging penis. Personally, while I felt he pushed the envelope almost to far, I was buckeled over in laughter and so was many people in the audience. I say better than Borat. Cohen has balls and he does offend but I have a feeling he would enjoy seeing the minority walk out of his film. Also the movie should have been rated NC-17. I wonder if anyone will try and sue the MPAA for allowing an R-rating on a film with the most full frontal male nudity ever. Plus humor that was as vile as it gets at times. Many will say that this film is an example of our moral decay and they might be right but I still laughed till it hurt.
here's my review
http://blog.entertainmenttodayandbeyond.com/2009/07/12/bruno-offensive-yes-but-still-extremely-funny-stuff/

comment #36

115thDreamer says ...

I liked it - saw it Saturday. It does feel slight compared to "Borat" though. Surprise is big element of comedy, especially with SBC's stuff, and it's hard to surprise people a 2nd time. There's just no way for this flick to be as jolting as "Bruno". He certainly tries though - you've got to hand it to him on some level, really - there were parts that shocked me into laughing just by their sheer outrageousness. The other tough sell on this one is the in-your-face gayness. America has no problem laughing at the crazy foreign guy, but swing a dick in their face (literally), and well, that's another matter. Seriously though - if the member in question is actually SBC's.....well, congratulations, sir.

comment #37

CitizenKanedforChewingGum says ...

"This is also the reason I loved Pulp Fiction but hated Jackie Brown and Death Proof, and LOVED Sixth Sense but hated Unbreakable and Signs, and loved Boogie Nights but hated Magnolia and There Will Be Blood.

I think my system is fairly common."

I think your system is fairly broke.

Jackie Brown and TWBB? Seriously?? Am Are you being sarcastic here or just generally insane?

comment #38

CitizenKanedforChewingGum says ...

minus the "Am."

Apparently, my grammar-check is fairly broke.