Jason KingTropic Thunder ($15.50)
August 21st 2008 04:24
Category: No Category
Tropic Thunder ($15.50)
Mild spoiler warning:
Close to the funniest thing I have ever seen and up there this year for my favorite film with only Dark Knight slightly in front. It's GOLD PEOPLE!!!
Tropic Thunder is a 2008 action comedy film directed by Ben Stiller and written by Stiller, Justin Theroux, and Etan Cohen. The film stars Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. as a group of prima donna actors filming a Vietnam War film when their fed-up writer and director decide to abandon them in the middle of the jungle, forcing them to fight their way out.
Stiller initially had the idea for the film while playing a small part in Empire of the Sun, and later brought on Theroux and Cohen to help him complete the script. After the film was greenlit in 2006, filming took place in 2007 on the Hawaiian island of Kauai over 13 weeks, and was deemed the largest film production in the island's history. The film had a large marketing promotion, including showing numerous screenings, selling the fictional energy drink advertised in the film, and posting faux websites for the characters, films, and products shown within Tropic Thunder.
The film met controversy among the the disability advocacy community prior to its release on August 13, 2008. It received generally positive reviews with an 84% positive rating based on 153 reviews from critics at the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes and earned $26 million in its opening weekend.
OK - I am not a very big Ben Stiller fan although have found a lot of his earlier work funny but this is a rebirth people - while Adam Sandler and Mike Meyers are sinking in crappy films Stiller has just released a dynamo of talent and humor to the screen.
The actors rundown:
Ben Stiller is Ben Stiller and quite funny, Jack Black is hysterical, Robert Downey Jnr is sensational, Brandon T. Jackson is great, Matthew McConaughey is great, Nick Nolte is in heaven but best of all TOM CRUISE is astronomical and should get a supporting actor nomination. He is BACK people and while this is far from what he would normally play it is some of his best work - I was crying with laughter and longing for a pair of incontinence pant liners.
The story is brilliant and out of control but with this much talent they all go crazy and attack their parts vigorously. The film oozes satire to the highest degree and makes the film industry a laughing stock. This is one top notch ensemble comedy film that works on every level. Be warned though it is at times completely crude and horribly rude. There were risks taken by everyone involved on this film. Downey Jnr could have been on a hit list if he stuffed up playing a black man or insulted the population with his portrayal. Ben Stiller could have been booed for making a directing comeback after 7yrs with so many talented actors and making it shit. Tom Cruise could have been hated even more. BUT - Downey's performance is being applauded, Ben Stiller has made a film of gold, and Tom Cruise may get offered roles again - all thanks to this film. Tom Cruise and Downy Jnr steal the show and their characters out shine most of the others.
Facts from the Net:
#1: The poster for "The Fatties" behind Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black) in the trailer features the names of a few of the film's actual crew members: costume designer Marlene Stewart, editor Greg Hayden, director of photography John Toll, and screenwriter Justin Theroux. In addition, the poster contains the DreamWorks Pictures logo, the Dolby Stereo logo, and a fictional composite of several MPAA ratings (reading "PG - Parental Guidance - under 11 requires accompanying parent or guardian").
#2: The title is a play on "Tropic Lightning," nickname of the 25th Infantry Division which did see action in Vietnam.
#3: Prior to the film a fake commercial and several fake trailers are shown, in a similar matter to those shown prior to the 2007 film Grindhouse. The commercial depicts fictional rapper Alpa Chino promoting his two brands: the "Booty Sweat" energy drink and "Bust-A-Nut" candy bar. The first trailer shows Tugg Speedman's latest film, Scorcher VI: Global Meltdown. Another trailer is for Jeff Portnoy's film, The Fatties: Fart 2, which spoofs Eddie Murphy's portrayal of multiple characters such as in Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.The final trailer, entitled Satan's Alley, features Kirk Lazarus and Tobey Maguire as two gay medieval monks in a parody of films like Brokeback Mountain.
#4: Downey's role of an Australian portraying an African American was created as a way of lampooning the great lengths that some method actors will go to depict a role. Downey acknowledged the potential controversy over the role: "at the end of the day, it's always about how well you commit to the character. If I didn't feel it was morally sound, or that it would be easily misinterpreted that I'm just C. Thomas Howell [in Soul Man], I would've stayed home." Brandon T. Jackson, who portrays Alpa Chino in the film, stated: "When I first read the script, I was like: What? Black face? But when I saw him [act] he, like, became a black man...It was just good acting. It was weird on the set because he would keep going with the character. He's a method actor." Ben Stiller also commented on Downey's portrayal of a white actor playing a black man: "When people see the movie – in the context of the film, he’s playing a method actor who’s gone to great lengths to play an African American. The movie is skewering actors and how they take themselves so seriously. Audiences that have seen it so far have totally embraced the character." Stiller also previewed the film before several African American journalists and the NAACP who reacted positively to the character. The script was initially written for Downey's character to be Irish, but was rewritten after Downey stated he could improvise better as Australian. In addition, Downey's practice of remaining in character off the film set was also written into the script for his character to perform as well.
#5: Cruise was initially going to cameo as Stiller's character's agent. Instead Cruise suggested creating a studio head position and it was reworked into the script. Stiller and Cruise worked together to create a middle-aged character that required a fat suit, fake large hands, and a fake bald wig. Owen Wilson was then going to portray the agent, but after his suicide attempt in August 2007, he was replaced by Matthew McConaughey.
#6: Stiller had intended to keep Cruise's role in the film as a fat, balding movie mogul a surprise. The film studio has refused to release pictures of Cruise's character as he appears in the movie. Images of Tom Cruise with a bald headpiece and in a fat suit appeared on Inside Edition, in November 2007, and also appeared on the Internet. Attorneys for Tom Cruise threatened a lawsuit if photos showing Cruise bald, bearded and wearing a fat suit were published. A representative for Cruise stated: "Mr. Cruise's appearance was supposed to be a surprise for his fans worldwide. Paparazzi have ruined what should have been a fun discovery for moviegoers." Photo agency INF responded with a statement: "While these pictures were taken without breaking any criminal or civil laws, we've decided to pull them from circulation effective immediately." MTV News reported that, "...reps are reportedly having the image of a fat, balding Cruise pulled from the Internet as quickly as sites can put it up."
CONTROVERSY: (this is taken from Wikipedia)
Tropic Thunder has caused controversy in the disability advocacy community. A website for Simple Jack, a faux film exhibited within the film, was pulled on August 4, amid several groups' concerns over its portrayal of mental retardation, called "intellectual disabilities" by disability advocacy groups. A spokesman for DreamWorks stated "We heard their concerns, and we understand that taken out of context, the site appeared to be insensitive to people with disabilities." A coalition of more than 22 disability advocacy groups, including the Special Olympics and the Arc of the United States, object to the repeated use of the word "retard", which disability advocates call "the R-word" because of its negative connotations. DreamWorks initially spoke of screening the film with the groups to determine if the film still offended the groups. However, the screening was postponed to the same day of the premiere on August 11 instead of August 8. After some representatives for the groups saw the private screening, they picketed outside the film's premiere. Timothy Shriver, the chairman of the Special Olympics stated "This population struggles too much with the basics to have to struggle against Hollywood. We're sending a message that this hate speech is no longer acceptable."
Disability advocates and others who have previewed the film report that the offensive treatment of individuals with mental disabilities is woven throughout the film’s plot. Disability advocates are urging people not to see the film, claiming it is demeaning to individuals with mental disabilities. They fear it will encourage bullying. Etan Cohen, the co-writer of the film, claimed "Some people have taken this as making fun of handicapped people, but we're really trying to make fun of the actors who use this material as fodder for acclaim." He went on to state that the film lampoons actors such as Dustin Hoffman and Tom Hanks who portrayed mentally retarded characters in Rain Man and Forrest Gump, respectively. A DreamWorks spokesman did not directly respond to the criticism, stating that the film "...is an R-rated comedy that satirizes Hollywood and its excesses, makes its point by featuring inappropriate and over-the top characters in ridiculous situations." The film's advertising has been altered, but none of the scenes in the film were edited as a result of the opposition.
While I think that the making fun of any body at their physical expense is despicable - my self even walking out on a Jerry Seinfeld stand up show due to gay jokes this has been happening since the dawn of time. Blondes cop it on a daily basis however I walked out when it effected me and if people don't like anything life is about choice and most films could not be made without insulting someone and no one has to watch it.
I found it fucking brilliant!! Worth $15.50 and the tears of laughter. Starts today 21st August.
And PS: I offered a free double pass yesterday in review of "Edge of Love" - not one person has claimed it yet - so will extend to another question. First person to private message me the answer to this or the Edge of Love question can have a free double pass to Tropic Thunder:
What is Brandon T. Jackson's character name in the film?
Mild spoiler warning:
Close to the funniest thing I have ever seen and up there this year for my favorite film with only Dark Knight slightly in front. It's GOLD PEOPLE!!!
Tropic Thunder is a 2008 action comedy film directed by Ben Stiller and written by Stiller, Justin Theroux, and Etan Cohen. The film stars Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. as a group of prima donna actors filming a Vietnam War film when their fed-up writer and director decide to abandon them in the middle of the jungle, forcing them to fight their way out.
Stiller initially had the idea for the film while playing a small part in Empire of the Sun, and later brought on Theroux and Cohen to help him complete the script. After the film was greenlit in 2006, filming took place in 2007 on the Hawaiian island of Kauai over 13 weeks, and was deemed the largest film production in the island's history. The film had a large marketing promotion, including showing numerous screenings, selling the fictional energy drink advertised in the film, and posting faux websites for the characters, films, and products shown within Tropic Thunder.
The film met controversy among the the disability advocacy community prior to its release on August 13, 2008. It received generally positive reviews with an 84% positive rating based on 153 reviews from critics at the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes and earned $26 million in its opening weekend.
OK - I am not a very big Ben Stiller fan although have found a lot of his earlier work funny but this is a rebirth people - while Adam Sandler and Mike Meyers are sinking in crappy films Stiller has just released a dynamo of talent and humor to the screen.
The actors rundown:
Ben Stiller is Ben Stiller and quite funny, Jack Black is hysterical, Robert Downey Jnr is sensational, Brandon T. Jackson is great, Matthew McConaughey is great, Nick Nolte is in heaven but best of all TOM CRUISE is astronomical and should get a supporting actor nomination. He is BACK people and while this is far from what he would normally play it is some of his best work - I was crying with laughter and longing for a pair of incontinence pant liners.
The story is brilliant and out of control but with this much talent they all go crazy and attack their parts vigorously. The film oozes satire to the highest degree and makes the film industry a laughing stock. This is one top notch ensemble comedy film that works on every level. Be warned though it is at times completely crude and horribly rude. There were risks taken by everyone involved on this film. Downey Jnr could have been on a hit list if he stuffed up playing a black man or insulted the population with his portrayal. Ben Stiller could have been booed for making a directing comeback after 7yrs with so many talented actors and making it shit. Tom Cruise could have been hated even more. BUT - Downey's performance is being applauded, Ben Stiller has made a film of gold, and Tom Cruise may get offered roles again - all thanks to this film. Tom Cruise and Downy Jnr steal the show and their characters out shine most of the others.
Facts from the Net:
#1: The poster for "The Fatties" behind Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black) in the trailer features the names of a few of the film's actual crew members: costume designer Marlene Stewart, editor Greg Hayden, director of photography John Toll, and screenwriter Justin Theroux. In addition, the poster contains the DreamWorks Pictures logo, the Dolby Stereo logo, and a fictional composite of several MPAA ratings (reading "PG - Parental Guidance - under 11 requires accompanying parent or guardian").
#2: The title is a play on "Tropic Lightning," nickname of the 25th Infantry Division which did see action in Vietnam.
#3: Prior to the film a fake commercial and several fake trailers are shown, in a similar matter to those shown prior to the 2007 film Grindhouse. The commercial depicts fictional rapper Alpa Chino promoting his two brands: the "Booty Sweat" energy drink and "Bust-A-Nut" candy bar. The first trailer shows Tugg Speedman's latest film, Scorcher VI: Global Meltdown. Another trailer is for Jeff Portnoy's film, The Fatties: Fart 2, which spoofs Eddie Murphy's portrayal of multiple characters such as in Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.The final trailer, entitled Satan's Alley, features Kirk Lazarus and Tobey Maguire as two gay medieval monks in a parody of films like Brokeback Mountain.
#4: Downey's role of an Australian portraying an African American was created as a way of lampooning the great lengths that some method actors will go to depict a role. Downey acknowledged the potential controversy over the role: "at the end of the day, it's always about how well you commit to the character. If I didn't feel it was morally sound, or that it would be easily misinterpreted that I'm just C. Thomas Howell [in Soul Man], I would've stayed home." Brandon T. Jackson, who portrays Alpa Chino in the film, stated: "When I first read the script, I was like: What? Black face? But when I saw him [act] he, like, became a black man...It was just good acting. It was weird on the set because he would keep going with the character. He's a method actor." Ben Stiller also commented on Downey's portrayal of a white actor playing a black man: "When people see the movie – in the context of the film, he’s playing a method actor who’s gone to great lengths to play an African American. The movie is skewering actors and how they take themselves so seriously. Audiences that have seen it so far have totally embraced the character." Stiller also previewed the film before several African American journalists and the NAACP who reacted positively to the character. The script was initially written for Downey's character to be Irish, but was rewritten after Downey stated he could improvise better as Australian. In addition, Downey's practice of remaining in character off the film set was also written into the script for his character to perform as well.
#5: Cruise was initially going to cameo as Stiller's character's agent. Instead Cruise suggested creating a studio head position and it was reworked into the script. Stiller and Cruise worked together to create a middle-aged character that required a fat suit, fake large hands, and a fake bald wig. Owen Wilson was then going to portray the agent, but after his suicide attempt in August 2007, he was replaced by Matthew McConaughey.
#6: Stiller had intended to keep Cruise's role in the film as a fat, balding movie mogul a surprise. The film studio has refused to release pictures of Cruise's character as he appears in the movie. Images of Tom Cruise with a bald headpiece and in a fat suit appeared on Inside Edition, in November 2007, and also appeared on the Internet. Attorneys for Tom Cruise threatened a lawsuit if photos showing Cruise bald, bearded and wearing a fat suit were published. A representative for Cruise stated: "Mr. Cruise's appearance was supposed to be a surprise for his fans worldwide. Paparazzi have ruined what should have been a fun discovery for moviegoers." Photo agency INF responded with a statement: "While these pictures were taken without breaking any criminal or civil laws, we've decided to pull them from circulation effective immediately." MTV News reported that, "...reps are reportedly having the image of a fat, balding Cruise pulled from the Internet as quickly as sites can put it up."
CONTROVERSY: (this is taken from Wikipedia)
Tropic Thunder has caused controversy in the disability advocacy community. A website for Simple Jack, a faux film exhibited within the film, was pulled on August 4, amid several groups' concerns over its portrayal of mental retardation, called "intellectual disabilities" by disability advocacy groups. A spokesman for DreamWorks stated "We heard their concerns, and we understand that taken out of context, the site appeared to be insensitive to people with disabilities." A coalition of more than 22 disability advocacy groups, including the Special Olympics and the Arc of the United States, object to the repeated use of the word "retard", which disability advocates call "the R-word" because of its negative connotations. DreamWorks initially spoke of screening the film with the groups to determine if the film still offended the groups. However, the screening was postponed to the same day of the premiere on August 11 instead of August 8. After some representatives for the groups saw the private screening, they picketed outside the film's premiere. Timothy Shriver, the chairman of the Special Olympics stated "This population struggles too much with the basics to have to struggle against Hollywood. We're sending a message that this hate speech is no longer acceptable."
Disability advocates and others who have previewed the film report that the offensive treatment of individuals with mental disabilities is woven throughout the film’s plot. Disability advocates are urging people not to see the film, claiming it is demeaning to individuals with mental disabilities. They fear it will encourage bullying. Etan Cohen, the co-writer of the film, claimed "Some people have taken this as making fun of handicapped people, but we're really trying to make fun of the actors who use this material as fodder for acclaim." He went on to state that the film lampoons actors such as Dustin Hoffman and Tom Hanks who portrayed mentally retarded characters in Rain Man and Forrest Gump, respectively. A DreamWorks spokesman did not directly respond to the criticism, stating that the film "...is an R-rated comedy that satirizes Hollywood and its excesses, makes its point by featuring inappropriate and over-the top characters in ridiculous situations." The film's advertising has been altered, but none of the scenes in the film were edited as a result of the opposition.
While I think that the making fun of any body at their physical expense is despicable - my self even walking out on a Jerry Seinfeld stand up show due to gay jokes this has been happening since the dawn of time. Blondes cop it on a daily basis however I walked out when it effected me and if people don't like anything life is about choice and most films could not be made without insulting someone and no one has to watch it.
I found it fucking brilliant!! Worth $15.50 and the tears of laughter. Starts today 21st August.
And PS: I offered a free double pass yesterday in review of "Edge of Love" - not one person has claimed it yet - so will extend to another question. First person to private message me the answer to this or the Edge of Love question can have a free double pass to Tropic Thunder:
What is Brandon T. Jackson's character name in the film?
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I can see why there is a bit of an issue with the whole disability thing. Although my concern is not that - the film just doesn't look that interesting from the trailor....
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Answer is Alpa Chino!
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I was surprised at how much I laughed at this one. I've found Stiller's stuff to be getting progressively worse, and while "Tropic Thunder" isn't a remarkable film, it still manages to be predictably funny enough...
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TAT always rocks!
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