Movie Review: The Dictator (2012)

Sacha Baron Cohen in 'The Dictator'

The movie begins with an introduction to Admiral General Aladeen (Sacha Baron Cohen) who rules the fictional country, Wadiya with an iron fist. Aladeen is a certifiable megalomaniac, who hosts his own version of the Olympic Games, Golden Globe awards and demands complete submission from his countrymen.

His plans to develop nuclear weapons soon incur the ire of the UN and Wadiya is threatened with military intervention. Aladeen decides to pay a visit to the UN headquarters.

Unbeknownst to him, his close ally Tamir (Ben Kingsley) has been plotting for quite a while to dispose of the much-hated dictator and bring democracy to his nation. The upcoming visit to the US proves to be a very tempting chance to finally achieve his goal and Tamir plan to replace Aladeen with a decoy.

The plan does not go as expected and Aladeen escapes with his life and finds himself penniless on the streets of NY and has also lost his infamous beard to boot!

As per his plans, Tamir performs the switch and plans to declare democracy at the UN summit. Aladeen is determined to regain his throne and ensure that democracy is not ushered in Wadiya.

Anna Faris with Sacha Baron Cohen in 'The Dictator'

Cohen is back with his frequent collaborator Larry Charles to deliver yet another exercise in absolute irreverence. Nothing is sacred or beyond reproach as far as this movie is concerned. Spoofing recent world events in addition to their usual targets (religious/national/cultural stereotypes), the movie also has scenes with humor of an extremely infantile nature. Private parts are on abundant display and even a romantic scene between the leads has some groan-inducing moments.

Jason Mantzoukas plays the character of Nadal, a former top scientist in Wadiya and has some excellent scenes with Cohen. The scenes where these two talented actors share the screen are easily the highlights of the movie and help the movie overcome the lazy script. The scene at a cafe in NY where Aladeen comes close to being lynched and comes up with made-up names (by reading the various instructions and signs posted inside the cafe) is a genuine piece of rib-tickling comedy without any gross/vulgar undertones.

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Anna Faris has been cast as Zoey, the requisite female lead and does her best with the role. Sir Ben Kingsley reminds us that even actors need to pay their bills.

In addition to Megan Fox, Ed Norton has a cameo as well.

Megan Fox and Cohen in 'The Dictator'

It is an out and out star vehicle for Cohen. He has a very unique brand of humor as evidenced in his previous movies, especially Borat. If this is your cup of tea, the movie is right up your alley. If that is not the case, the movie will disgust and amuse you in equal turns.

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Image Sources: Ain't It Cool News, Indiewire, Screenrant

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TV Review: Sherlock - "The Hounds of Baskerville"

Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Holmes and Watson

Holmes is in between cases and as is his wont, starts craving for artificial mental stimulants. Watson does his best to dissuade Holmes from his drug intake and is relieved when Henry Knight arrives at 221 B with his case.

The case in question is arguably the most popular novel in the Sherlock Holmes Canon: The Hound of the Baskervilles. As was the case with A Study in Scarlet, the canonical novel has been updated for a modern adaptation.

Henry has recurring memories of his father being killed by a hound 20 years ago. Henry returns to the place of his father's demise and claims to have seen the footprints of a gigantic hound. Holmes is quite dismissive of Henry's beliefs in the existence of a hound, but his interest is nevertheless piqued and takes up the case. Holmes and Watson soon arrive at Dartmoor and Watson does some sleuthing of his own in a local café.

Instead of the Baskerville Hall, we have a military complex. Barrymore, Lyons, Frankland and Stapleton work at the complex. Dr Mortimer though still remains the same except for the fact he is now a she (a trait shared with the character of Stapleton). The escaped convict Selden does not directly appear in the episode but does contribute to a cheeky moment.

Sherlock comes face to face with a nightmare

Sherlock uses Mycroft’s credentials to sneak into the military complex. Sherlock and Watson discover that there is a lot of research and testing going on, that may or may not be related to the hound. Soon their adventure is cut short and the cheerful Dr Frankland comes to their rescue by (wrongly) confirming Sherlock’s identity as Mycroft.

There is a little mystery involving Dr Stapleton as well, that confirms Sherlock’s suspicions that there is some genetic testing going on at the complex.

Soon Sherlock encounters the cause of Henry's fear and is forced to reevaluate the case. Sherlock copes with the emotion of fear and overcomes it soon enough to solve the mystery. Mark Gatiss has done a fine job of reworking the original story.

There are quite a number of clues spread throughout the episode that astute viewers would have noticed. I will not reveal the resolution, except to note that readers familiar with the canon will be reminded of The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot.

Russell Tovey as Henry Knight

Cumberbatch gets to display his acting chops as the character of Sherlock evolves further in the second season. Freeman provides ample support as Watson. Russell Tovey makes an impressive Henry Knight, the man who has been scarred for life after witnessing his father getting killed. Rupert Graves has a bigger role in this episode and as always delivers a nice performance. Mark Gatiss is a gifted writer and has a fine command over the language. From the reworking of the episode title to renaming Sir Henry Baskerville to Henry Knight and the term HOUND, Gatiss has woven a fine web of word play.

Now on to the trivia section. I caught the following references to the original stories:

1.   The Adventure of Black Peter (Holmes’s appearance at 221 B with a harpoon)

2.   The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle (Holmes placing a bet with a local guide to get some information)

3.   The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter ("Mycroft is the British Government")

4.   The Sign of the Four (“When you have eliminated everything that is impossible, the remaining however improbable must be the truth”)

5.   The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot  (I will leave it to the readers to figure this one out)

The episode is easily the best of the season and returns Holmes to his Doylean roots. This is my favorite episode so far after A Study in Pink.

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