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Vern sees TROPIC THUNDER! The horror! The horror!

Sounds pretty sweet. by Cybyer	Jul 13th, 2008 04:55:28 AM
Downey Jr is kickin all kinds of ass lately.
Can't Wait! by Autobot Optimus Prime	Jul 13th, 2008 04:55:39 AM
This movie looks like it will be hilarious. Time will tell.
And yes... by Cybyer	Jul 13th, 2008 04:56:38 AM
I know I was first. Who gives a rat's ass?
First? by the_scream	Jul 13th, 2008 04:56:54 AM

Yep it looks good. by Redfive!	Jul 13th, 2008 04:58:41 AM
Ill be checking it out Maverick.
Can't wait to see this. by The Guy Who Slept Through Everything.	Jul 13th, 2008 05:00:27 AM
And EVERYONE knows who that unnamed actor is. His DAYS OF THUNDER are sure gone?
7th! by CaptainTripsUK	Jul 13th, 2008 05:06:39 AM

Damn You Michael Bay by MCMLXXVI	Jul 13th, 2008 05:10:36 AM
Damn You Michael Bay
As someone who actually liked by comedian_x	Jul 13th, 2008 05:19:47 AM
THE CABLE GUY, I support Stiller in all his directorial outings.
I Agree With Guy Who Slept Through Everything by Guy Who Got A Headache And Accidentally Saves The World	Jul 13th, 2008 05:24:40 AM
Can't wait.
I've slept with Matthew McConaghey by hiperaktiv	Jul 13th, 2008 05:34:44 AM
and it wasnt bad...
I'm gonna name my next son Alpa by Diagnostic	Jul 13th, 2008 05:35:34 AM
I will use a family name for his middle one thought.
This sounds great by Col. Tigh-Fighter	Jul 13th, 2008 05:45:38 AM
And tell us more about sleeping with Matthew McConaghey. Like his phone number lol
Good review, but I already know I want to see this by O_Goncho	Jul 13th, 2008 05:46:36 AM
I wish you reviewed something other than Steven Segal's waist line more often, Vern. It's always an entertaining read.
MCMLXXVI by SugaMouth	Jul 13th, 2008 05:52:50 AM
You sir, are a terrible cunt
I also agree with Guy Who Got A Headache And Accidentally Saves by The Guy Who Slept Through Everything.	Jul 13th, 2008 06:02:04 AM
Cause we're both guys, who agree.
Saw an early screening at the Landmark in Westwood by billypilgrimisunstuck	Jul 13th, 2008 06:32:44 AM
spoilers..kind ofAgree with what most of Vern is saying. Although, i did find some of the flick stale, mostly between the 1st and 2nd act. I felt that once the attention was moved away from Stiller, the movie really became funny. I think I laughed the hardest when RDJ and camp we're just sitting around figuring out what to do..especially the script part, where RDJ would scream "SPIT IT OUT!" and change his facial expressions accordingly. The 3rd act was awesome. Bombastic, outrageous and everything else that makes these type of comedies enjoyable. The "unnamed" actor, as Vern calls him, has already been leaked by various sources (thanks Entertainment Weekly. you assholes). Just to hear the shock from the audience was GREAT. Knowing that he was going to play a prominent role in the flick didn't impinge on its enjoyability. Good call on "unnamed"'s behalf.
p.s. Steven Coogan by billypilgrimisunstuck	Jul 13th, 2008 06:35:45 AM
kind of spoilery Big effin fan of Coogan. Without getting into spoiler territory, I can say that I was vastly disappointed in his limited use. Although, the reason why we don't see him too much is almost worth it. After the screening, I did go home and pop in "The Therapists" episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm that features Coogan to make up for the lack. Hands down my fav episode of that season. But I digress. Coogan was solid, for the little he did in it.
Cannot wait... by davebaxter1989	Jul 13th, 2008 06:57:34 AM
...for this effin film! after The Dark Knight (obviously) this is my most anticipated!
Fuck you, you cocksucker! by merricks14yearoldson	Jul 13th, 2008 07:15:47 AM
Is this movie as good as Team America?
Is there a single person... by kgerm	Jul 13th, 2008 07:26:21 AM
that doesn't know Tom Cruise plays a fat bald guy?
Nick Nolte at the father of the baby in Juno? by Lloytron	Jul 13th, 2008 07:29:22 AM
That would be more disturbing than anything! BTW as much as I am looking forward to this movie, I find it slightly worrying that it is reviewed favourably in the same text that says that Forgetting Sarah marshall was funny. Oh dear.
kgerm by BadMrWonka	Jul 13th, 2008 07:34:53 AM
not anymore asshole!
If Nolte was the Bodyguard in Dilbert.. by Zombieflicker	Jul 13th, 2008 07:45:07 AM
The film makers of Dilbert would have feared for the child actors safety. They wouldn't have been able to insure the kids. I wouldn't let my kids with him. I want to know why they haven't made a movie with Gary Busey and Nolte together yet. How about a "Two Men and a Baby" type theme?
So it is shit and studio payed for the blowjob review? by EvilWizardGlick	Jul 13th, 2008 07:51:04 AM
Sounds that way.
w00000000000t by WallyWonka75	Jul 13th, 2008 07:54:43 AM
About time we got a decent comedy
Yeah!...all the things that you think are funny are the... by FlickaPoo	Jul 13th, 2008 07:56:52 AM
...exact things that are not at all funny and all the things that I....Oh, who gives a shit...I just laughed my ass off. Nicely written.
billypilgrimisunstuck, Tristram Shandy by EvilWizardGlick	Jul 13th, 2008 08:00:09 AM
Have you seen that horror? How did they manage to con Gillian Anderson into screen time. Must have been big bucks. While I enjoyed Saxondale it wasn't really a comedy. And the other series just before it sucked ass, "Dr. Terrible's House of Horrible" . I'm sure there was another weak one revolving around a village. So while Coogan is hit or miss, frankly he rides the Allan Partridge high wave, I was really disturbed by the Coogan Owen Wilson rumors. Fuck I can't picture Coogan as the die hard doper described as involved with the Wilson suicide affair.
Oh, and hey Lloytron... by FlickaPoo	Jul 13th, 2008 08:11:59 AM
..."Nick Nolte at the father of the baby in Juno?...That would be more disturbing than anything!"...that's the sort of observation my Aunt Claire would make.
kgerm by cyrent	Jul 13th, 2008 08:13:17 AM
I knew Cruise was in the film, but I didn't know anything about the specifics of his role. Although shame on me for feeling surprised to see it when I opened the talkback.
Steve Coogan by nobletoast13	Jul 13th, 2008 08:31:30 AM
Needs to get the fuck out of Hollywood and back to the U.K instead of wasting his talent for tiny roles in this and Night at the Museum 2. This is the third Tropic Thunder review with no or little mention of the man ive read, so his role must be tiny. Steve just because Sacha has pulled off success in America doesnt mean you can. Time to be a big fish in a little pond again and come home. The new Alan Partridge tour is a good start.
Anybody seen Richie? by Motoko Kusanagi	Jul 13th, 2008 08:49:57 AM
I keep coming back until someone REMEMBERS seeing Richie.
Coogan's role is small.... by Jarek	Jul 13th, 2008 08:59:52 AM
Because you can clearly see in the R-Rated trailer that he gets decapitated. That's a fake head of Coogan that they are messing with.
Nice Carlin shout out by Sebilrazen	Jul 13th, 2008 09:02:47 AM
regarding smooth jazz and novelty answering machine messages.
RDJ by Iowa Snot Client	Jul 13th, 2008 09:03:12 AM
Is it just me or does anyone else read that as Richard D. James, aka Aphex Twin? That derails me every time I see it. P.S. I hate Janeane Garafalo and Andy Dick and yet loved the Ben Stiller Show...must've been good writing or something.
Is EvilWizardGlick by Laserhead	Jul 13th, 2008 09:22:47 AM
laugh out loud time no? or else funny to blow job studio mess? When will military be racist to Iraq? Another studio pay-off!
SugaMouth by Knuckleduster	Jul 13th, 2008 09:28:49 AM
That wasn't very nice.
Vern by Mr. Nice Gaius	Jul 13th, 2008 09:29:10 AM
Thanks for the review. For some reason, I don't see a lot of comedies in the theaters. But this one has peaked my interest. BTW - Like Nolte, do you know who else is criminally underused? Gary Busey. Think about that.
Forgetting sarah marshall... by davebaxter1989	Jul 13th, 2008 09:32:35 AM
...why the hate?? that was a funny ass movie. Not up there with Anchorman, Zoolander and such but then it's a different kind of comedy. I'd say that Tropic will be nearer the first two. So no need to rip forgetting sarah marshall.
maybe this will pave the way for my Michael Bay biopic by Spandau Belly	Jul 13th, 2008 09:43:23 AM
Seriously, I want to make a movie that starts off with Bay (played by Christian Bale) as a loser taking jobs directing music videos for rock stars everybody considers washed up and longing for a father figure. The film will chronicle the development of his signature style when he realizes that everything is more exciting when you stand really close to it and shake your head. There will be a big scene where he's watching Lethal Weapon shaking his head really close to the screen and listening to rap music and a light bulb just goes on and he concieves Bad Boyz. The film will follow his rise to glory as he competes with Tony Scott (Philip Seymor Hoffman) for the affection of his father figure, Jerry Bruckheimer (Hugh Laurie). Bay will become increasingly egotistical and fall into problems with drugs and women as his success builds to his ultimate achievement, Armageddon, and then we'll see his fall from grace with Pearl Harbor. Bay will hit the skids and become a drunken loser tormented by the Pearl Harbor's reviews. Tony Scott will taunt him and Bay can no longer support his Hollywood lifestyle. Bay moves into a shitty apartment and takes an evening gig teaching youngsters how to film oiled-up cleavage and sports cars at community college and wanders around in a haze of failure. Then Meat Loaf (played by Meat Loaf) shows up and encourages him to get back in the saddle saying that Bay believed in him when no one else did and he came back. 'Rock 'n Roll Dreams Come True' by Meatloaf starts playing and we get training montage of Bay getting back into shape, studying copies of Maxim, applying Rogaine, visitng sports car dealerships, shaking his head really close to shit, until we get to a scene where he's watching Rush Hour 2 and we just see him get that twinkle in his eye. The film will end with him prepping for Bad Boyz 2 when Tony Scott shows up to confront him. Scott screams "You're all washed up, Bay! You're filming a movie and you don't even have a script!" Bay retorts "I have something even better than script: a budget and a release date." Scott looks all cresfallen knowing he's defeated "You motherfucker." Bay triumphantly quotes Paul Newman from The Color of Money "I'm back!" THE END I'm thinking P.T. Anderson to direct.
I haven't read every word on this yet, but... by posbasso	Jul 13th, 2008 10:00:25 AM
It seems like everybody loves the premise, but no one has mentioned THREE AMIGOS. A little respect, maybe?
My favorite line from this review? by JOHN CONNORS SKIN	Jul 13th, 2008 10:00:43 AM
"I kind of feel like discussing what's funny and what's not is for assholes" Nice.
Three Amigos by Chakaconair	Jul 13th, 2008 10:09:06 AM
I want to see this movie but I have yet to read one person post the fact that this movie is the exact same plot as Three Amigos!
"equally noble and retarded gesture of friendship" by Autodidact	Jul 13th, 2008 10:14:48 AM
You just sold a ticket to this movie my friend! I love things that equally noble and retarded, sort of like the entire running time of Napoleon Dynamite.
Three Amigos? by dignan26	Jul 13th, 2008 10:19:07 AM
Uh, guys. Three Amigos has the same plot elements of The Magnificent Seven which had the same plot elements as The Seven Samurai. And Bugs Life and lots of others. So its pretty much as unoriginal as The Matrix's story was (Christ-like hero discovering abilities and conquering, see alos Kung Fu Panda) and therefore not a big deal to borrow it, shape it, evolve it. Its just a standard heroic story type and lends itself to repetition.
Nick Nolte and Gary Busey Together in One Movie by Autodidact	Jul 13th, 2008 10:19:20 AM
My gosh, that would be awesome.
The reason I don't see a lot of comedies in theatres by Autodidact	Jul 13th, 2008 10:25:07 AM
There's almost always some asshole, often there alone, who is doing a Robert DeNiro in Cape Fear routine. The guy will laugh loud and hard at every cue from the director, so that he can be sure everyone knows he "gets it." Either that or you get the FUCKS who have to repeat every joke. Someone in the movie will say a funny line, or something funny will happen, and this person will then have to repeat the line or describe what just happened out loud "AHAAHA He farted!" I wish people could just shut the fuck up and watch the movie. After The Dark Knight this week I might decide never to go to the movies again, except in very special cases. Not that anyone cares but this is because I paid $15 for a coke and popcorn combo on Friday, and there was a full cup of merry widows in the bucket of corn. So I spent the whole movie either being annoyed that I couldn't eat my popcorn, or trying to eat my popcorn and almost breaking my fucking teeth in half with every bite.
Greatglam.com ad by Itto Ogami loses Daigoro	Jul 13th, 2008 10:26:51 AM
do any of the womens get nekkid in it?
Is this something like Three Amigos 2008? by Itto Ogami loses Daigoro	Jul 13th, 2008 10:31:55 AM
but more explodey? Forget Iron Man 2, Robert Downey Jr. for Soul Man 2!!
Reign of Fire is totally underappreciated, IMO. by theredtoad	Jul 13th, 2008 10:50:42 AM
Bale in one of his better roles in his filmography, and the fact that McConaughey(sp?) was more-than-decent surprised a lot of people. Great action sequences too, like the skydivers-as-dragon-bait. And who didn't love Gerard Butler and Bale doing Star Wars as a play for the kids, telling it like an old fable to young ears and eyes who would never see Star Wars at all. Great CGI as well, best dragons in a long time.
The Vern by teddytanner	Jul 13th, 2008 11:15:17 AM
The one and only. Great review as always, captain.
reign of chaos by ValMcKee	Jul 13th, 2008 11:18:44 AM
kicks my ass to pieces
50 Cent is a metaphor by smackfu	Jul 13th, 2008 11:31:38 AM
for how fucked up our celebrity culture is that we elevate some dirtbag nig gangbanger to stardom simply because he looks cool being a dirtbag nig gangbanger.
"Peaked My Interest" by Autodidact	Jul 13th, 2008 11:35:23 AM
Saying something has "peaked" your interest is a great way to look like an illiterate fuck. Things "pique" your interest, you fucking nitwits.
There's not enough complaining in this talkback by ebonic_plague	Jul 13th, 2008 11:52:29 AM
Y'know, fuck those "rollover" ads, the next time I want to see a bunch of worthless shit swirl around in front of me I'll just remember to flush. Now fuck off. OK, with that out of the way, I can say what I came here to say: FIRST, BITCHES! I mean, good review Vern, thanks for that one, I think I'm gonna make a point to see this.
Funny, when I criticized rappers, Vern got all PMS-y. by IAmJack'sUserID	Jul 13th, 2008 11:52:38 AM
I have a rap name for you, Vern. Try 'Hippo-Chris'.
Mmmmm by BDT	Jul 13th, 2008 11:55:02 AM
This comedy sounds delish. Can't wait!
The tone of this sounds like Stiller's TV show by wash	Jul 13th, 2008 11:55:12 AM
...which is hard for most people to remember, but it was really fucking good! Especially for the time. After I saw Stiller on "Extras" a few years ago, I knew he still had a bit of the old spark in him.
smackfu I'd like to smacku by wash	Jul 13th, 2008 11:56:38 AM
Fucking racist POS.
Someone send Mr/Mrs smackfu to the naughty corner. by palimpsest	Jul 13th, 2008 11:58:03 AM
No need.
Sorry by smackfu	Jul 13th, 2008 11:58:13 AM
Little early for the blue material I guess. Just to clarify, I reserve that word for people that are embarrassments to their race. In the sense of say, Denzel Washington is an african american, whereas guys that go through life with a 9mm tucked into their belt, deal drugs and shoot people...are nigs.
Autodidact by Mr. Nice Gaius	Jul 13th, 2008 12:09:42 PM
Thanks fella. I appreciate the fact that you've taken the time to point out my mistaken choice of words. It really was a gaff on my part. Next time, try not to look like such a bi-polar netnerd by jumping on my Gary Busey train before attacking my verbage.
smackfu by Vern	Jul 13th, 2008 12:46:01 PM
Sorry, that is still not cool. That is exactly the same "there are good black people and then there are bad black people" that racists have been using for decades. How about just criticizing individuals for the behavior you disagree with and not including the ignorant racial slur? If you criticize somebody for dealing drugs and shooting people nobody's gonna disagree, but you throw in that word and you look like a moronic asshole. The solution is easy, bud. Think about it.
IAmJack by Vern	Jul 13th, 2008 12:49:16 PM
I don't know, Hippo-Chris sounds pretty dumb, but not as good as Chamillionaire or Flo Rida. I don't know what the specific incident is that you refer to, but I'm pretty sure I must've "got all PMS-y" about a specific thing you said that I disagreed, not that you were criticizing a rapper. Did you call Common a gangster rapper? I know that one has come up multiple times in talkbacks.
Kinda off-topic, but... by DerLanghaarige	Jul 13th, 2008 01:03:20 PM
...because we are talking about parodies: Yesterday I watched Young Frankenstein for the first time since something like 10 years again and DAMN, this one is still funny.
"Maybe he really wants to be doing Kate Hudson movies for the re by Voice O. Reason	Jul 13th, 2008 01:04:40 PM
Or maybe he just really wants to be doing Kate Hudson for the rest of his life? Because I can relate.
Chris Rock basically agrees with smackfu... by cool_britannia79	Jul 13th, 2008 01:05:15 PM
...when he says he loves black people, but hates niggers. It's dodgy ground either way, probably best left out of talkbacks....
Oh, and while we are talking about dumb rap-names: by DerLanghaarige	Jul 13th, 2008 01:07:04 PM
Here in Germany we got a very successful gangster rapper, who is all about "women are bitches", "I kill you and if I don't kill you I will at least beat the shit out of you" and every cliche you can imagine. Now guess his name. BUSHIDO
I love... by Neil_the_Sheep	Jul 13th, 2008 01:19:48 PM
...movies that potentially could piss whiny people off...RDjr as a black guy has that potential. I cna't wait.
Down and Out in Beverly Hills by Mr. Poohgas	Jul 13th, 2008 01:27:26 PM
Nolte has played a Homeless Man in a comedy and gets to padiddle Bette Midler and Elizabeth Pena in it...
Fur Q - Uzi Lover by cool_britannia79	Jul 13th, 2008 01:28:44 PM
"Uzi like a metal dick in my hand, magazine like a big testicle gland, bitch wanna try it, I said keep it quiet.. shove it up your mother[(musical note)] ass and fry it"
The Chris Rock bit.... by tbransonlives	Jul 13th, 2008 01:32:32 PM
Was done best by Steve Carell on The Office.
anchorman sucked by DavidDunn	Jul 13th, 2008 01:33:16 PM
way overrated just like all of will ferrells crap. forgetting sarah was better
David Dunn by cool_britannia79	Jul 13th, 2008 01:34:10 PM
Why poop? Poop come out your mouth. Keep a tight perimeter, we're going into the bear pit.
To Kalon Reza by tbransonlives	Jul 13th, 2008 01:34:48 PM
Watch yourself, you hypocrite homophobe.
This sounds like the funniest movie ever made. by HoboCode	Jul 13th, 2008 01:36:58 PM
sure it's concept is disturbingly close to The Three Amigos, but this just sounds hysterical from start to finish.
DavidDunn... by davebaxter1989	Jul 13th, 2008 01:42:00 PM
...can feck off. Anchorman is hilarious. A sequel to that may actually get me as excited as The Dark Knight has.
WALK HARD Was Fucking Great by LaserPants	Jul 13th, 2008 01:55:02 PM
I do not understand why it didn't catch on. Its my favorite Apatow movie.
wash you pretentious douche by LARDASSESREVENGE	Jul 13th, 2008 02:01:36 PM
only I WASH REMEMBER the ben stiller show, and i wash noticed ben stiller had a slight small spark of comedy left in him when i watched extras, cause ofcourse ben stiller has become sooooo unfunny in the last 3 years, but luckily I WASH noticed that he still has a smidge left in him and believe the poor soul can do it one more time, just enough to make one last funny comedy before he passes on into utterboring unfunny ness that he's destined for cause i wash noticed this. ben stiller will always be funny.
Vern: You're confusing "Spoof", "Parody" and "Satire"... by BurnHollywood	Jul 13th, 2008 02:10:23 PM
"Spoof" and "Parody" are more specific and blatant in intent (as with MEET THE SPARTANS, SCARY MOVIE, etc) and tend to involve less imagination and understanding on the part of the viewer..."Satire" (clearly the genre of TROPIC THUNDER) is more free association and requires a bit more brainpower.
Tom Cruise Should Play A Closet Homosexual Cult Member by LaserPants	Jul 13th, 2008 02:11:07 PM
Oh no, wait, he's already playing that role. In real life.
Parody vs. Satire by LaserPants	Jul 13th, 2008 02:19:54 PM
Parody is a work which makes fun of a particular work of art, book, film, or generalized genre. WALK HARD, for example, is a parody of music bio-pics. Satire is broader. Through exaggeration, it examines and pokes fun at social conventions, societal issues and mores. THE SIMPSONS, for instance, is a satire of modern american life. It may contain elements of parody (like when they riff on Star Wars or the Godfather or whatever), but the overarching comedy comes from dissecting and making fun of the broader social context, not other forms of art.
In Other Words, Sounds Like TROPIC THUNDER Is Parody by LaserPants	Jul 13th, 2008 02:24:14 PM
In that its making fun of the Rambo type of action movie. Of course, it could go deeper than that, and maybe there is satire there (Of Hollywood as a social phenomenon? Of celebrity as a social phenomenon? I dunno.), but on the surface it looks like its just a parody of Rambo-ish 80s para-military fetish movies.
BurnHollywood by caruso_stalker217	Jul 13th, 2008 02:25:17 PM
I'd say that MEET THE SPARTANS shit is somewhere below parody. If you're one of the unlucky fuckers like myself who have seen the trailer for DISASTER MOVIE then you know that every moment in the trailer is stolen from other trailers. The movies aren't even out yet when these dumb fuckers are making their pieces of shit so they just take what they saw in the previews (like that shitty ZOHAN scene, but with Juno instead because that makes it completely different) and they throw it in there. Same thing with EPIC MOVIE. They saw the previews for BORAT so they took what they saw and they put it in the movie except they didn't change it. They just gave Borat goat ears or something. So I don't think we've got a word for when you don't even have the talent or energy to parody something you just lift it word for word and put it in your movie except you have washed-up MADTv cast members play the parts.
I think that... by davebaxter1989	Jul 13th, 2008 02:35:20 PM
...Meet the spartans, disaster movie shit have tainted the word spoof. So call this a satire or a parody and its fine but if its labeled a spoof it'll die a death at the box office. too many people have had spoof switched with shit
Funny vs. Not Funny. by micturatingbenjamin	Jul 13th, 2008 02:35:23 PM
If it's smart, to me, it's funny. Brevity is the maidenhead of wit, and nothing's faster for a laugh than getting kicked in the nuts. Ow My Balls! The Movie - Written By Paul W.S. Andersen and Russell Crowe and directed by Michael Bay. Laugh all you want, that shit is a license to print money. Ladies and gentlemen, Robert Downey Jr. has become a goddamned star again...and I couldn't be happier. I'm the guy who liked him on SNL, for chrissakes. Vern, my only criticism of your review is playing the rhetorical card of 'Before you begin discussing, all who discuss are assholes' that reviewers do to try and temper the TalkBacks. I don't know if it's deliberate or just reflexive Web-speak at this point, but it's overused. We're going to argue amongst ourselves, and it's not cool to call your readership assholes, even unintentionally. This movie looks funny.
I'm sticking with TROPIC THUNDER being satire... by BurnHollywood	Jul 13th, 2008 02:49:36 PM
Stiller's Rambo-esque character muddies the water, but the satire comes from watching this buffoon try to apply his overt style to a "serious", PLATOON-type movie. Same goes for the Black and Downey characters. The movie's satirizing Hollywood's obvious, simplistic thought processes, along the lines of Ricky Gervais' EXTRAS. Not all spoofs and parodies are lazy POS, BTW...I thought WALK HARD was a good example of what happens when you do the genre correctly.
I also enjoyed WALK HARD by caruso_stalker217	Jul 13th, 2008 02:54:56 PM
And was offended when some people said it would've been better with Will Ferell. Jesus.
three amigos by I.P. Awnu	Jul 13th, 2008 02:55:28 PM
"I think that's a mail plane"
parody or spoof... by davebaxter1989	Jul 13th, 2008 03:03:50 PM
...I'd say that parody takes something serious and finds amusement ie. Walk Hard, Airplane!, Spyhard. Spoof takes something and...ummm...redoes it verbatim on a lesser budget.
...so this is satire... by davebaxter1989	Jul 13th, 2008 03:04:28 PM

I just can't take Stiller as the "tough guy action star." by GQtaste	Jul 13th, 2008 03:08:10 PM
I mean come on. He can take all the steroids he wants he's still a nerdy Jewish stereotype. How in the hell could he pull off an action star type role? When you think about it all three of main characters are jewish: Stiller, Downey and Black and that other young dude, Jay Baruchel is as well. Only in Hollywood do you see this type of fantasy. Maybe QT could use the same group for his next film?
PANDA JERK! by cool_britannia79	Jul 13th, 2008 03:11:41 PM
Compelling, and rich.
here's the thing about racism by Kloipy	Jul 13th, 2008 03:15:02 PM
It will never die. There are good people and bad people of every race. However as long as there are people that are different someone will judge or hate them because of it. We don't think of ourselves as human beings but we label ourselves as white, black, ect. Even still we choose to segregate ourselves by calling ourselves a race instead of just humanity
EvilWizardGlick - Cock and Bull Story by mooli_mooli	Jul 13th, 2008 03:16:17 PM
Not wanting to get into exactly the kind of funny/not funny pissfest Vern dislikes so much, but... You are just wrong on this. A Cock and Bull Story is funny, intelligent and ambitious. Plus, Rob Brydon's impression of Alan Partridge is worth the price of admission alone.
John C. Reilly Is Much Funnier Than Will Ferrell by LaserPants	Jul 13th, 2008 03:20:09 PM
Ferrell's schtick stopped being funny several years ago. ANCHORMAN was his last, best work. Now he just does pretty much the same thing over and over and over and over again. His schtick is played. John C. Reilly, on the other hand, is a lot funnier, and has a broader range. WALK HARD was pure comedy genius. Again, easily Apatow's best work to date.
in response to merricks14yearoldson by applescruff	Jul 13th, 2008 03:29:40 PM
This movie is very good and with repeated viewings may only get better, but I'd say it's slightly under Team America in the pantheon. The problem is I don't have the luxury of seeing this movie again anytime soon unless there's another screening and I'm pretty sure that after The Dark Knight comes out I'll have forgotten every movie I've seen this year except Pineapple Express and Wall-E.
C. Reilley, Ferrell... by davebaxter1989	Jul 13th, 2008 03:29:46 PM
...Ferrell's funnier and I think thats a given. Also a given that C. Reilley's a better actor so I think thats a fair trade off. Cause no way does C. Reilley get the Ferrell sized following. And anyway no need to complain because Step Brother will be AWESOME!
Brevity Is The Maiden's Head Of Wit? by LaserPants	Jul 13th, 2008 03:34:24 PM
You do know that maiden's head refers to virginity right? So what you just said is that brevity (short, concise, to the point) is wit's virginity, meaning that wit hasn't occurred yet, it hasn't had its cherry popped (it's waiting for the right guy and/or girl with strap-on, perhaps?). This, in turn, would imply that your next statement -- "nothing's faster for a laugh than getting kicked in the nuts" --- is actually not funny. Or, at least, isn't funny yet. Either you're shooting for something really high concept and abstract here, or you don't understand what you wrote.
Night at the Museum 2?? Really??! by Touche_Douche	Jul 13th, 2008 03:47:21 PM
How!!!! Why???
Tough action star? by antonphd	Jul 13th, 2008 04:00:06 PM
um... unless you are Arnold, Sly or Snipes you are not a tough action star... but if you are playing a modern action star then you are playing Cruise, McCantspellhisname, The Rock, Vin Diesel.
antonphd you forgot one thing by Kloipy	Jul 13th, 2008 04:01:36 PM
Tony mothafuckin' Jaa
EvilWizardGlick by billypilgrimisunstuck	Jul 13th, 2008 04:08:44 PM
Really enjoyed Shandy. My cup of ironic, self referential tea. I usually dont pay attention to Hollywood rumors/PerezHilton bullshit. But I dont think Courtney Love isnt the best person to tell someone he or she has a problem.
great review, " you you cocksucker, etc."? by pipergates	Jul 13th, 2008 04:10:17 PM
Great parody of the talkbackers too. Movie sounds like one instant classic. Hope they finally start making some more comedies with balls again after this. Based in reality, filmed like a real movie and not depending on lame clichès.
parody v. satire by billypilgrimisunstuck	Jul 13th, 2008 04:19:50 PM
Parody – an imitation with an ulterior motive to mock the original or norm. With a parody the viewer usually knows that this copy is not a serious reproduction meant to replace the original, but a playful copy made to entertain. Satire- a literary manner which blends a critical attitude with humor and wit to the end that human institutions or humanity may be improved. The true satirist is conscious of the frailty of institutions of man's devising and attempts through laughter not so much to tear them down as to inspire a remodeling Tropic Thunder is a parody.
MCMLXXVI - eat a fat fuckin dick by Lamerz	Jul 13th, 2008 04:29:56 PM
You overweight, four-eyed, dateless, ghost white, cock-gobbler.
Vern, what rapper endorses Hitler? by ganymede3010	Jul 13th, 2008 04:43:22 PM
That's a fucking lie!
Vern used the R-word! by Iowa Snot Client	Jul 13th, 2008 04:59:33 PM
I have a friend with Down Syndrome and she says the only thing that hurts her feelings is when people use the r-word, because, she says, "I do the very best I can." And she published a book, too.
Yeah, cat's out of the bag on the "unnamed actor"... by DarthCorleone	Jul 13th, 2008 05:09:09 PM
I think it was their original aim to keep it a surprise appearance, but a lot of the press on this movie has been mentioning him. I wouldn't be surprised if they actually outright name him in the commercials once the advertising push arrives.
UNNAMED ACTOR by alice 13	Jul 13th, 2008 06:13:50 PM
is it "?" ?
Iowa by Vern	Jul 13th, 2008 06:41:29 PM
I don't know if you're serious or not but I actually agree with you. I tried to stop using that word after I got a very thoughtful email from a guy who worked with mentally retarded children. It's hard though because I haven't yet figured out a word that matches it for that particular meaning. So I got lazy on that one. I apologize.
You should see me right now. by Garbage	Jul 13th, 2008 07:16:00 PM
I'm leaning so far (to the left) over in my chair, against the wall, that I've got my right (opposite) leg stretched out and resting on a table. It's really sick. I suppose you clowns all sit up straight, but not this guy. I find this position enhances the pleasure I get from reading talkbacks.
I can't wait by Glamour Fairy	Jul 13th, 2008 07:19:41 PM
I've been so excited to see this all spring and your review just tells me what I wanted to hear. I love that Downey can really have fun with the role.
I wish Reilly would get out completely. by Balcony Fool	Jul 13th, 2008 07:36:11 PM
How he got mired in these inane comedies is beyond me. The guy is a brilliant actor, and every year he wastes on this garbage, we're all a year poorer. Seriously, yo. Tropic Thunder, though, does look funny.
The Good Thief was a good Nolte film. Also Vern is N#1 Reviewer by Stormwatcher	Jul 13th, 2008 08:01:34 PM
Seriously he should get his own column. Vern get it done! I want a 'a movie a day' but by Vern.
Vern, if you don't want to say retard by Chicken Thunder	Jul 13th, 2008 08:02:42 PM
Just call them spastics. Seriously though, what about fuckwits? That's a good one.
Of course Downey is Jewish. by GQtaste	Jul 13th, 2008 08:20:09 PM
In fact, If your in the industry most likely your a jew. This is for Dogcat. Case in point: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C ategory:Jewish_actors
To Kalon Reza by tbransonlives	Jul 13th, 2008 08:42:26 PM
I'll end this here, I'll take the Obama high road.
any movie that uses the Three Amigos blueprint is okay in my boo by Prossor	Jul 13th, 2008 08:58:02 PM
comrades
Actors aren't necesarally Jewish in Hollywood by I Dunno	Jul 13th, 2008 09:14:22 PM
The guys who signs their checks probably are though.
Downey is half Jewish by waites	Jul 13th, 2008 10:26:39 PM
Someone up the thread was commenting on this. His Dad.. Robert Downey Sr. real last name is Elias.. He changed it some time ago. So Robert's real last name is Elias.. he has it tattooed on his ankle.
PLANTY MCPLANT by hatespeech	Jul 13th, 2008 10:39:02 PM
put some fertilizer on this one.
hatespeech by kungfuhustler84	Jul 13th, 2008 11:05:53 PM
funny
you must be bored by kungfuhustler84	Jul 13th, 2008 11:06:07 PM
me too
still by kungfuhustler84	Jul 13th, 2008 11:07:07 PM
this movie looks to be funny shit. And not at all because it has any resemblance to Three Amigos. Can people please just shut the fuck up about that movie?
Matt McConaughey by unclefishbits	Jul 13th, 2008 11:22:29 PM
This guy was amazing in the Texas Chainsaw film. He was AMAZING. Scares the shit out of me to this day.
I told you all this was a good movie by BrightEyes	Jul 13th, 2008 11:48:46 PM
Plant that bitch
Why is Cruises' cameo a big surprise? by TVguy4566	Jul 13th, 2008 11:52:15 PM
There has been talk about Cruise donning a fat suit for months for this movie. Big friggin surprise! It would totally blindside you if you don't read or watch minor media outlets like Entertainment Tonight, Perez Hilton, TMZ, etc. Matthew McConahey is a far bigger surprise cameo.
So all it takes to improve your image is.... by Han Cholo	Jul 14th, 2008 12:09:06 AM
To make fun of a serious condition which millions of Americans suffer and die from each year, one of which owns this fucking site? Fuck that shit. Cruise's career is done motherfucker, DONE!!!
Instead of retard, just say mong by Chicken Thunder	Jul 14th, 2008 12:46:03 AM

Instead of retarded, just say Disaster Movie! by otm shank	Jul 14th, 2008 01:26:53 AM
As in Dude, you are such a Disaster Movie.
TV guy and others by Vern	Jul 14th, 2008 02:05:48 AM
For fuck's sake, how hard is it to understand that I deliberately did not mention the name of the actor because I didn't want to ruin it for people who may not have heard it yet? There are people in the world who have not followed the making of this movie or the celebrity gossip bullshit. I know this because I heard about it long enough ago that I forgot about it while watching the movie. Sometimes I let loose with the spoilers if a movie is out, but this one doesn't come out for a month so I tried to be careful about it. Congratulations, you knew who it was and proved it by putting it in talkbacks. You got one over on me now for sure. The only sacrifice you had to make was to waste away your life watching and reading moronic, humanity-sucking filth like Entertainment Tonight, TMZ and Perez Hilton.
i for one cannot take seriously anyone who by kamar	Jul 14th, 2008 02:09:40 AM
can use the word chameleonic in a sentence but cannot comprehend that "Alot" is not an actual word.
Vern by Project424	Jul 14th, 2008 02:12:20 AM
You had me at "Hello"... I'll download tha shit outta' this one.
funniest spoof ever is Naked Gun 2 1/2 by Prossor	Jul 14th, 2008 02:17:40 AM
'what was he doing in the red light district?' 'sex frank?' 'not right now we have work to do.'
Hot Shots Part Deux was another good one by Prossor	Jul 14th, 2008 02:19:25 AM
war! it's faaaantastic! ..... [big smile]. best part is the martin sheen cameo where it's platoon narration and as they near the other boat with martin it overlaps to apocalypse now narration.
I for one think names are supposed to be capitalized. by Vern	Jul 14th, 2008 05:04:47 AM
Who do you think you are kamar, e.e. cummings? I don't read e.e. cummings but one thing I can say for the motherfucker, he didn't go around correcting people's spelling. He had poems to write.
And still no mention of Galaxy Quest. by DerLanghaarige	Jul 14th, 2008 05:10:23 AM
Okay, when you say "It rips off Three Amigos", you basically mean "so did Galaxy Quest" too, but I think Galaxy Quest should be mentioned in every talkback. Just for being the funniest movie since Ghostbusters.
Yeah, I think if I would intend to come up with... by DerLanghaarige	Jul 14th, 2008 05:12:53 AM
...a stupid "running gag" like "Damn you Michael Bay" or "I'll be pigfucked", I would post in every talkback "But what about Galaxy Quest?" Don't worry, I won't do something like this.
Vern by TVguy4566	Jul 14th, 2008 08:53:31 AM
So you ruin the surprise cameo of Matthew McConaughey which hasn't been reported nearly as much and hide the fact that Cruise has a cameo and has been reported everywhere including this site. And then you get defensive when people point out it isn't exactly a secret? Instead of being pissed off at me and others on this board who pointed out that Cruise's cameo isn't a secret, you might want to be pissed off at Merrick who posted a column on this site on March 21st entitled "BrightEyes Exalts Tom Cruise In TROPIC THUNDER, And Likes The Rest Of It, Too!!".
If you thought the end of Rambo was funny... by NiceGuyEddie19	Jul 14th, 2008 08:59:19 AM
Then chances are we don't have the same sense of humor. That movie rocks your boxers.
Looking forward to this one by finky089	Jul 14th, 2008 11:56:55 AM
I was committed when I first saw RDJ. And solf when I heard Owne Wilson was replaced.
Wow! What a bunch of douche bags... by TheBigLebowsky	Jul 14th, 2008 01:06:24 PM
this TB has attracted! I never saw Vern being annoyed and attacked by so many stupid fucks!... Great review, Vern...
for the record by nobletoast13	Jul 14th, 2008 02:09:09 PM
Police Squad! is better than the movies. Actually I’d probably go as far to say it’s the funniest American TV Show ever made rivalled, only by The Simpsons. Maybe Cheers and Frasier.
nice e.e. cummings reference, vern by irrelevntelefant	Jul 14th, 2008 06:04:29 PM
fuck capitalizing anything! i would get rid of my shift keys altogether if it were't for exclamation points!!!!!!
this does sound like the first REAL ben stiller film... by duanejones	Jul 15th, 2008 01:02:21 PM
...for everyone who still bows three times daily towards l.a. in the mid-90's for those thirteen peerless half-hours of _the ben stiller show_, it sounds like homeboy FINALLY is delivering the smart, funny goods on the big screen. please fuck _reality bites_, _the cable guy_, _the time i milked mice or zipped my balls up in high school or something_ &c., &c., g-d save me &c. what kept you, benjamin? oh, right -- the benjamins. here's hoping you'll direct an episode of _david's situation_, which hbo had best step to greenlight...
Looking forward to this. by Ellipsian	Aug 6th, 2008 10:58:18 AM
That's all; the real reason for my post is as a test...HTML seems to hate me. Let's see if I can make it official.

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Vern sees TROPIC THUNDER! The horror! The horror!

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