Brazil - Visa Required?

I need a Tourist Visa in order to go to Brazil. Why? I thought you needed Tourist Visas to visit tight-ass countries that really didnt want you there. You know, like China or the Stans - Afghanistan,Turkmenistan, and DontComeToMyCountryOrIWillKickYourAssiStan. But Brazil? When I think of Rio I think of Carnival and people frolicking naked on the beach, not machine-gun wielding guerillas patrolling the street monitoring your every move. Oh well, so it goes, off to the Brazilian Consulate, passport and mini-pic in tow.