Joe’s Review: Tropic Thunder
September 2, 2008 by Joe · 2 Comments
I finally got around to seeing this movie, and after hearing all the controversy about it, I have to say that it was really overhyped. If you don’t know about the uproar this movie caused, you can read about it here. Basically, it was that people felt the movie was making too much fun of “retarted” people. If you watch the movie and check out the scene they’re talking about, it wasn’t really that bad. I’m sure that the director knew what he was doing, and it was all really taken out of context. There was no reason to make a big stink of it, and I for one believe it is still worth seeing.
Tropic Thunder is a movie based on a movie that a group of guys made about a book that a guy wrote about something that happened to him during the Vietnam War. As if that last sentence wasn’t confusing enough already, it stars a whole bunch of guys who look like they were just thrown together to make a movie. A drug addict, a washed up action star, a young kid who is looking to make it big, a black dude, and a guy who’s playing a black dude. Throw in their crazy producer Les Grossman and agent Rick Peck, and you’ve got yourself one hell of a comedy.
The movie starts out with an amazing action scene, filled with explosions. Well, it didn’t really start there, but I missed the fake previews and commercials… think Grindhouse, but with comedy instead of horror. I’ll have to check them out the next time I’m at the theatre. In any case, from the beginning of the film, the actors are having trouble getting along with each other. Stiller’s character, Tugg Speedman, feels like he’s constantly in the shadow of Kirk Lazarus, one of the best character actors ever. Add to this the fact that their movie is already behind schedule and way over budget after just one day of filming. When this gets back to Les Grossman, he is extremely angry and demands that the movie get back on schedule or they’ll never work in Hollywood again.
The director, Damien Cockburn, is at a loss. He doesn’t know what to do to bring the guys together and allow them to be able to work together. Fourleaf Taybeck (Nick Nolte), who wrote the book Tropic Thunder, has a suggestion: take the guys out of their comfort zone, and put them in a real situation. Little can he expect what could possibly go wrong with this, as the guys end up in a real dangerous situation, and they don’t even know that they’re not on the set anymore!
Through their journey, the guys find out more about themselves and each other, and bond… in a really hilarious way. I highly recommend this movie if you’re looking for a bunch of good laughs. It’s not a cinematic masterpiece by any means, but it made me laugh.. and that’s all I’m looking for in a comedy.
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Movies this Weekend! 8/13/08-8/15/08
August 12, 2008 by Joe · 2 Comments
We’re definitely getting back into the fall movie season, and you can tell because a lot more movies are getting released on the same week. It’s tough to try to compete with The Dark Knight or Iron Man, so it seems like studios are holding on to their projects until the fall. In any case, that leaves us with much to talk about this week, so here we go!
Henry Poole is Here - Rated PG, Directed by Mark Pellington
Henry Poole lives the perfect life, full of opportunities and potential. However, after a bad doctor’s appointment, Henry gets news that he doesn’t want to hear. Trying to get away from it all, he flees his life. He’s now left alone in a new house and a new place, hoping that he can escape his fate. His new neighborhood is definitely not what he expected. They welcome him fine and are nice enough, but after a “miracle” is discovered on a backyard wall, and constant interruptions from a young girl with a tape recorder, all his hopes of peace are thrown out the window.
Joe’s Take - I have absolutely no idea how this movie is going to do. To be honest with you, I’ve never even heard of this movie, and I should know about most movies because I rummage through posters to check and see what’s coming out! It sounds like it could be a sleeper movie, but I’m not sure. Does anyone else know anything about this movie or want to see it?
Mirrors - Rated R, directed by Alexandre Aja
From the director who brought us High Tension
Joe’s Take - When I first heard about this movie coming out I actually thought that it might be pretty interesting to watch, and I still might head out to go see it, but I’m not so sure anymore. This movie concept seems so overused now… does anyone know if this is actually a take on an Asian horror flick? It’s interesting to see Sutherland in this kind of role, I’m interested to see how he will do. In the end, I see this movie making a little bit of noise on Friday night, like most horror/thriller flicks. Now I hope that I don’t have to babysit the kids again. Thanks, Hollywood, for the R-rated movies! On the plus side, the poster is pretty freaky
The Clone Wars - Rated PG, Directed by Dave Filoni
A new take on one of the more recent Star Wars
Joe’s Take - I’m actually excited about this movie. I’m not sure it needed to be made (kinds makes it seem like Lucas is just using it as a cash cow) but I surely hope that it doesn’t disappoint. I really like the animation style that has been used for The Clone Wars and I’m really interested in seeing how the story of Star Wars is adopted into this film. I predict that this will definitely have a strong opening weekend. Can’t wait to hear that theme again!
Tropic Thunder - Rated R, Directed by Ben Stiller
Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. play three actors who are working on a war movie in southeast Asia. Unfortunately for them, they get caught in the middle of a real war, and don’t even realize it! To escape the situation they are in, they must become as hard as the characters they play in movies.
Joe’s Take - Meh. I’m not a huge fan of all of these guys. I will admit that Robert Downey Jr. made me a fan with Iron Man but I saw the trailer for this movie and really just thought ugh. I know that people are going to want to see this movie, but personally I don’t see the appeal. It might have it’s funny moments but in my personal opinion, it’s going to be a pretty stupid movie. Maybe that’s what they’re looking for with it. In any case, it comes out on the 13th instead of the 15th like the rest of the releases. I’m assuming that’s to extend the box office weekend for the movie so it puts up some stronger numbers. Not for me, but maybe for you!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Rated PG-13, Directed by Woody Allen
Two young Americans spend a summer in Spain. While there, they meet a flamboyant artist and his beautiful but crazy ex-wife. Vicky is very straight laced and is about to be married, but Cristina is sexually adventurous and a free spirit. When love takes over, the results are both harrowing and hilarious!
Joe’s Take - Again, another movie that I’ve heard nothing about, though I’m interested because of Scarlett Johannsson. Woody Allen seems to have a way of making good movies with her, so I don’t doubt that this film will do well, but it only interests me on the surface. Basically, I want to see it for the ladies. I may also see it for the lady, but I don’t know if she’s interested in this one. How about you?
Phew. There you have it, the movies this weekend and my oh so important opinion on how they’ll do or if I want to see them. Do you agree with me, or not? What do you think you’ll see?
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