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Sacha Baron Cohen Wages Class Warfare with ACCIDENTES!

Published at:  Jul 22, 2008 1:43:48 AM CDT

Beaks here...

Is Sacha Baron Cohen being indecisive, or is he just keeping his options open? Whatever he's doing, he just attached himself to a third studio comedy that could be his follow-up to BRUNO (which is presumably in search of a woefully distended subtitle). Guy's like the Ridley Scott of comedic shapeshifters.

This one's called ACCIDENTES, and it only sounds like a Francis Veber farce. Written by Peter Baynham (who chipped in on BORAT), the film would star Cohen as an ambulance-chasing attorney (of "Latin descent") who becomes a champion of Los Angeles' many exploited immigrants when he wins a huge court case against a deep-pocketed employer. This creates a schism between the richest and poorest citizens of L.A., which, in the end, can only be healed through the re-release of SPANGLISH. It really is a very good movie.

If I sound skeptical, it's just 'cuz I'm cranky from transcribing interviews all day. Cohen's a genius. Whatever he wants to do next is fine by me. Personally, I'd love to see this Judd Apatow-produced Sherlock Holmes movie happen, but only if they can get Ricky Gervais to play Moriarty (although David Thewlis would be wonderful, too).

In case you're wondering, ACCIDENTES is set up at Fox Atomic with Cohen producing. Also, I really do like SPANGLISH.



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    Readers Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 1:47:11 AM CDT

    Why is Cohen a genius?

    by xiphos_2

    I'm not trolling here, I don't understand why he would be considered a genius.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 1:47:23 AM CDT

    Hmmmm

    by jubba

    Not sure what to make of this. SBC can be pretty damn funny when he's on his A-game. Here's hoping.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 1:48:04 AM CDT

    THIRD!

    by tuan69

  • Jul 22, 2008 1:48:28 AM CDT

    something about the word embiggened

    by iknowstuff

    makes me fear that someone will get hip to the idea of remaking Big. i know that has nothing to do with cohen, but whatever. shit.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 1:57:10 AM CDT

    yes, Ricky Gervais in a Judd Apatow thing

    by amy chasing

    if you put all your crap in one place it makes it easier to flush

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 2:02:13 AM CDT

    Cohen is a genius...

    by clarence boddicker

    Because of his lighting fast comedic timing. 99 percent of his stuff is real time on the fly...almost nothing is scripted. So you have to give him kudos for his ability to adapt and react to incredibly fluid situations...and make it funny!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 2:34:19 AM CDT

    Anybody seen Richie?

    by motoko kusanagi

    I'm gonna keep coming back until someone REMEMBERS seeing Richie!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 2:34:49 AM CDT

    Bruno already has a subtitle

    by lavatory love machine

    I don't remember the whole thing but it's something like "delicious journeys to make american men unconfortable because of a beautiful european gay" or somethin like that

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 2:37:22 AM CDT

    Doomsday is one crazy fun movie

    by lavatory love machine

  • Jul 22, 2008 3:29:42 AM CDT

    Doesn't 'Bruno' have a woefully ditended title?

    by sepulchrave

    I thought it was: "Delicious Journeys Through America for the Purpose of Making Heterosexual Males Visibly Uncomfortable in the Presence of a Gay Foreigner in a Mesh T-Shirt"

    No?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 3:29:54 AM CDT

    Doesn't 'Bruno' HAVE a woefully distended title?

    by sepulchrave

    I thought it was: "Delicious Journeys Through America for the Purpose of Making Heterosexual Males Visibly Uncomfortable in the Presence of a Gay Foreigner in a Mesh T-Shirt"

    No?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 3:35:12 AM CDT

    Uh . . . what?

    by mullah omar

    While I know Cohen has some off the wall concepts that almost defy simple description, Beaks is not being very clear here in terms of what this film is really about.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 3:47:20 AM CDT

    Never understood the appeal of Sacha Baron Cohen,

    by wowsah156

    he is an asshole who makes movies for assholes. Theres nothing charming about him. His sole trick is to make ordinary people look stupid on the a cinema screen. why do i want to pay money to see that crap for. Cohen's success is proof that Hollyweird rewards assholes and nasty people at the expense of genuine talent and skill.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 4:24:37 AM CDT

    Wowsah

    by barrignite

    By ordinary people, are you referring to the everyday wholesome racists, bigots and generally predujuced people that pepper BORAT?

    Of course, there are plenty of regular folks in there, duped by the premise but the whole point of his film is to highlight the overwhelming ignorance of many Americans.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 4:43:55 AM CDT

    wowsah156...jealous much?

    by conans sword

    Wow, your so cool and alternative the way you shit a celeb whos really popular at the moment in a talkback. your so much more charming than him as well. seeing as you've such a keen eye for genuine talent and skill why dont you go and make a better film, no really...ill wait right here while you finish polishing that script you've been working on.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 5:10:07 AM CDT

    Beaks needs to stop editorializing

    by bobo_vision

    When reporting news, Beaks needs to realize that people reading the article care very little about his opinions, and he should simple report the news.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 5:26:23 AM CDT

    Baron Cohen

    by tomdolan04

    In the rare interviews he has given, he comes across as a very eloquent educated thoughtful quiet man who takes his craft very seriously ironically. He could have toured the UK with Ali G, made his money and buggered off but at least he's diversified.

    If anyones a one trick pony it's the ever hyped Gervais. One genuinely good format which I enjoyed at the time, but jesus the UK version ended over four years ago. After seeing him in standup in manchester during his Fame run he was mediocre at best and nothing he's done since has raised a smile.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 7:49:58 AM CDT

    "Guy's like the Ridley Scott of comedic shapeshifters."

    by drunken rage

    Beaks, what the fuck does this mean?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 8:15:04 AM CDT

    I don't see the genius thing either.

    by kgerm

    I mean I chuckled at Borat but found it extremely off-putting, childish, and fucking stupid. Oh I know. He was showing Americans how we view the world. What a crock of shit.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 8:54:47 AM CDT

    Conans Sword

    by slone13

    I don't like Sacha Baron Cohen very much either. I find his "Borat" character mean-spirited and not funny. But that hardly means I'm "jealous" of him.

    And since when does someone have to be produce a movie or write a script for you simply because they don't like a particular actor? Get off you fucking high horse. This is an Ain't It Cool talkback, jackass. Relax.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 9:47:57 AM CDT

    Seriously Barrignite

    by yaw

    How would you respond to one of the Cohen's deliriously ID-like caricatures? I guess the only benevolent response would be to laugh at him but that's only if you are in on the joke: Cohen is basically a nightmare for a lot of people, me included. And the thing is, he is SO audacious and over the top that it is hard to believe that he is making it up as he goes along. I do think that there is something a little cruel in what he does; and yes, his films do attract some very bigoted people who are laughing at him and his crude, albiet informed, pandering. (And I can say that they have highly bigoted attitudes because I know them; a lot of homophobes think he's the shit EXACTLY BECAUSE he reinforces the stereotype.) I think his comedy is funny but overrated and worth actually stop laughing and paying attention. To slander the people wholly caught off-gaurd in his films is unfair and hypocritical IN THE LEAST. There is also good chance that it is a reaction Cohen would like to keep to a minimum. I actually sort of see Cohen as a Kaufman type minimalist; the thing is, you got to remember, "Never trust a busdriver." It's purely instinctual comedy and to be morally polar about the reactions in his SUBJECTS (and it does all reek a little of psychological testing for response) is to miss the point. "You who have not sinned, cast the first stone."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 9:59:01 AM CDT

    Oh, and I apologize Barrignite...

    by yaw

    ... if it seems I'm jumping down your throat. I appreciate how you restate and add depth to your first statement with your second sentence. Still, Americans are not the only prejudiced people on this planet; we are overly complacent and take many things that fall outside of our status quo instinctually as an affront, largely due to the protective and isolationist community aspect of many small towns fostered by our geographical peculiarites. Far too often we take see our arbitrary reality for granted, expecting others to appreciate it in the same sense that we do, forgetting the complexity of our own highly engrained values and their peculiar moral codes and that of others. But that is most people. I think that Cohen's comedy is a sense would benefit from Dave Chappelle's introspection; that is still one of the bravest things I've ever seen a comedy do: to quit. And I know the dude has a lot of personal quirks and difficulties but I think he did that as a moral judgement and he should be respected for it. I just don't think that the black and white, they are bigots and we are not and this is the line I stand on and laugh from is a healthy sentiment.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 9:59:37 AM CDT

    But.

    by yaw

    It does foster conversations. That is good.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 10:01:17 AM CDT

    And it may be the intuitive intent. Just don't know.

    by yaw

  • Jul 22, 2008 10:03:53 AM CDT

    First post...

    by yaw

    ... quote is supposed to be, "Never trust a NAKED busdriver." Not just any busdriver. That'd be wrong. And how would you get to work? Bad quote... the first one I mean. I cribbed it from Woody Allen who I think cribbed it from someone else.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 11:12:07 AM CDT

    I think he is a total cock.

    by smashing

    Not clever, not funny and not cool, he laughs at people not with them and this while exposing hypocrisy angle the mad middle classes have flung around him seems like so much distraction from the fact he is a rich Jewish boy mocking minorities, he is a twat. If Bruno is more laughing at gay people rather than laughing with them I will kick his arse.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 11:32:27 AM CDT

    "Latin Descent"

    by scrivener

    Is he related to caesar? Does he read Cicero in Cicero's original language? Does he hold long, deep conversations with the Pope? Seriously, people, stop misusing the term "latin." If you mean "Mexican" say "Mexican." If you mean "Spanish" say fucking "Spanish." The term "latin" inherently refers to the language of Rome, originating in Italy. As for the spanish language, it's all over the fucking place... so it could be South America, or the Caribbean, or Europe. When you say "of Latin descent" it means nothing. There neither is nor was any PLACE called "Latin."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 11:48:13 AM CDT

    Latin America.

    by yaw

  • Jul 22, 2008 11:51:16 AM CDT

    Genius....ummm..yeah....OK

    by m_prevette

    Ummm....gotta give you a big no on that one. I guess now anyone can post anything here on this site, if Cohen can be declared a genius.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 11:51:55 AM CDT

    (further elaboration, and me being less smug)

    by yaw

    And I think it is used because for so long in America the nomenclature of "Mexican" had derogatory connotations, the word itself used as a slur. Its tricky but words do carry meanings and insinuations as such. "Latin" is more of a term of cultural pride, often linking colonies with a larger European hertiage. You got to admit, the Europeans definately fucked over much of the world's definition of itself.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 12:38:10 PM CDT

    sorry, beaks.

    by horsetranquilizer

    he's a very funny man. but, only occasionally. not on a genius level. ali g was the dumbest creation i've ever seen. and, sorry beaks, but if you think 'spanglish' was a good movie- your opinion is highly suspect. a chef who doesn't speak mexican?! my ass. every kitchen in la, and around the country for that matter, is run by mexicans. but, that's only one flaw in that turd...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 1:10:38 PM CDT

    Juno, Bruno, what's next..?

    by aeghast

    I like this guy, Sacha Baron Cohen.. not what he does

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 2:02:24 PM CDT

    Based on an actual person.

    by cider mouse rules

    This is actually based on a real person! In Los Angeles an accident attorney named Juan Jose Dominguez has these hysterical-looking ads on the backs of LA Metro buses.

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v405/SaraMorrison/Bus2.jpg

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 3:08:33 PM CDT

    And then we all Yawn at once.

    by debrislide

    what the hell was that I just read. Made no sense. I love movies. I'm angry. Genius. Stupid.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 4:13:19 PM CDT

    Yaw

    by barrignite

    Fuck you!
    Just kidding man, but that's the only place i could go after your clinical response that rivalled an Oxford end of term paper. All great points, many agreed with.

    Reply to Talkback

  • and have spent a lot of my life studying bigotry and all the other political connotations of racism and other forms of stratification. All just to make sense of the sometimes very fucked up situations and attitudes I witnessed. Thanks for the humour and graciousness, Barrignite.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2008 6:55:15 PM CDT

    Oh, I'm not a Blues Singer...

    by yaw

    That was supposed to be "(a Blues Singer and James Brown)." It was to indicate that Blind Willie McTell was raised down the road, over the creek from me. And James Brown grew up in Augusta, used to dance on the side of the road for tips soldiers from Fort Gordon would toss off conveys. It was just to indicate the type of environment I grew up in; you can hear those men's experiences in both their music by the sheer exubrance and elevatory nature of it. *For your Viewing Pleasure, Greatest Name ever: lawyer in my town worked for James Brown, his name's BUDDY DALLAS. He doesn't look like a Buddy Dallas but he does act like one.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2008 4:32:58 AM CDT

    Pretty baby?

    by barrignite

    Beautiful woman? Sexy photos? Awful grammar? Whats not to like?



    Count me in.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2008 10:21:32 AM CDT

    There's bad taste, then there's Cohen

    by niceguyeddie19

    Who takes bad taste to a whole new level. And yeah, I "get it", just as much as I get any other cruel, infantile and predatory humor. South Park pricks make a career of it.

    Reply to Talkback

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