Letters to the Editor

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If Austin Powers were French -- and funny
He might be the star of "OSS 117," a deadpan, borderline-brilliant satire of postwar spy movies and preening Euro-idiocy in the Middle East.
Andrew O'Hehir [2008-05-09]
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  • sounds totally hilarious

    I'll definately have to look into it. And you're also correct to say that the Austin Powers films were dumb, because they were way too obvious in the way they tried so hard to parody the spy flicks of the '60's. I would imagine this film to be more closely aligned with the subtle wit of the great Peter Sellar's Pink Panther films decades ago, something that Mike Meyers was never able to do.

    Looking forward to seeing it.

    -- melew1
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    Friday, May 9, 2008 01:48 PM

  • Austin Powers Films Are Hilarious

    I don't get why the writer has to bash one movie to praise another. I've yet to see a funny French film. They're a lot of things, some good, but at best, only funny in fits.

    -- tigerstripes
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    Friday, May 9, 2008 02:19 PM

  • This sounds like a promising picture

    I think there have been too many spy spoofs, but this one sounds a little different. It's also about time that a comedy make some sharp incisive fun at the expense of people who are afraid of Islam and Muslims.

    -- manos99
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    Friday, May 9, 2008 09:57 PM

  • If you didn't laugh at Austen Powers

    then something inside of you has died, baby.

    -- Traduced!
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    Friday, May 9, 2008 10:00 PM

  • Austin Powers is an idiot...

    ...which is why he's funny. I do laugh at the stupid gags, and he does execute them with such outrageous aplomb that sometime you can't help but laugh out loud, but never the less, you are correct about wishing there were a really good satire and it sounds like it's "c'est tout droit". I'm looking forward to it a lot more than the next Mike Meyers project but in fact I will probably laugh at both and appreciate 'em on their perpspective levels.

    -- dogu44
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    Saturday, May 10, 2008 09:26 AM

  • Un gar et une fille

    "A guy and a girl", was one of my guilty pleasures on French TV about 8 years ago, this dumb little ten minute nightly sitcom that somehow grew on me, and this actor got his start there. I haven't seen this movie yet but I'm happy to hear such a good review, he was excellent in the TV thing along with his partner who was hilarious.

    -- Timelagged
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    Saturday, May 10, 2008 08:32 PM

  • I thought that OSS 117 was supposed to be an American ?

    The OSS was, of course, the predecessor of the CIA. And Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath was supposed to be from Louisiana. Did all of this get changed in the new film ?

    -- Marshall
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    Sunday, May 11, 2008 01:33 PM

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