Tropic Thunder - A Review

Friday evenings come with difficult choices in our household. The two most important happen to be (1) What are we going to eat? and (2) What are we going to watch? For two people as different as we there is rarely an obvious choice for either. We review the choices, talk about them, and review again. Until recently, the outcome has often been pizza and some movie we both like but have seen 10 million times.

But Joseph - I give him the credit for this change - has recently made the decision that he would like to experiment with some cooking. We have therefore moved away from Papa Murphy's and towards new and exciting meals. This past weekend, we enjoyed fajitas.

As for what we watch we have been better about choosing movies. Since we don't rent and often purchase, we must ensure that the movies are ones that one or both of us will watch again. Firewall? Poor purchase. The Dark Knight? Over and over and over again.

This weekend, we both decided to go for a recently well-acclaimed movie in Tropic Thunder. A few friends recommended it. "You'll like the line 'Don't go full 'tard' Ashley remarked to us." And so, we purchased it at Costco and let roll the tape. Well, actually, the disc, but who's counting?

The movie, rated R, commences with a few 'over the top' trailers starring the likes of Downey Jr's, Black's, and Stiller's characters. Three entirely different Hollywood stars who, as luck would have it, are going to star together in the film Tropic Thunder. The movie - based on a book of the same name - is a Vietnam War film akin to Platoon and replete with ridiculous gore and lengthy explosions.

When the actors on the film prove to be a bunch of egotistical prima donnas, the director along with the special effects guy and the author of the book, Tropic Thunder decide to plop the actors - unbeknownst to them - into the wilds of Vietnam where they - the actors - happen to encounter a real threat in the persons of heroin dealers.

Along the way, the movie takes any number of pot shots at Hollywood with its premature explosions, commentary on acting as a mentally handicapped person, and unnecessary sequels. Not to mention the greed and insensitivity of the likes of Tom Cruise as Les Grossman, a part that has him nominated for a Golden Globe Best Supporting Actor.

In my eyes, the movie was better than average but by no means great. Unlike the Scary Movie franchise and others of that sort, this movie attempts a drier humor with more subtlety. And that works, at times. But at others, it feels like it's too subtle for those who wouldn't describe themselves as rabid movie watchers. It just tries too hard.

If I'm being honest, that's how I feel about Ben Stiller on the whole. He's a 'funny man' who just tries too hard to be funny. It takes too much effort for him and thus he breaks that contract of suspended disbelief between the character and the audience. I suppose manic for me just isn't funny.

Downey Jr and Black are funnier in their characters, to be certain. But even they try too hard. And that's most likely because they were following the direction of Ben Stiller himself.

A final note, this movie reminds me of the movie Mars Attacks that proved to be a box office flop. Replete with well known actors, the movie was one big inside joke. Though Tropic Thunder cannot necessarily be called an inside joke per se, it still went a bit over my head.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - A Review

I ain't no high-falutin' movie critic. I can't tell ya who deserves an Oscar, though I could probably tag the Razzie recipients. I just go see movies. Not often, mind you. It's too expensive. Eight bucks for this most recent movie I went to see. And that was a matinee price. As for the food, don't get me started. It's a bigger rip-off than the ballpark. But people still pay. That's why the only thing I go to see any more are those big action packed flicks with light sabers and crashing helicopters and exploding worlds and the Joker.

But I'm not here to rail against the movies. They do what they do. And I do what I do. And we're all copasetic in the end. Just don't buy the food...

Right, Ben Button. Why did I see this movie? Because there was nothing else playing and it was a movie day for us. The first we'd seen in some time. Since The Dark Knight for me. I think Joseph had seen Hancock.

So, we play eenie meenie miney mo between Ben Button and Marley & Me. Why Marley & Me? The dog. Schmaltzy. Lovey dovey. Not my thing. But the dog swayed me to consider it. Well, Ben caught the tiger by the toe.

Previews. Nothing terribly exciting. Nothing memorable even. Which reminds me. Star Trek's coming this year. So's The Half Blood Prince. No, they have nothing to do with Benjamin Button. Yes, I'm getting to it. Oh, hold your horses...

First impression of this curious case? Forrest Gump 14 years later. Except without the racist first name. And the chocolates. And Sally Field. But there's a boat. And a woman who plays the interweaving love interest. STOP!

This is no ordinary woman, mind you. She was the first actress to win an Oscar playing an actress who had won an Oscar. Extra credit for her character's name and the movie in which she played her. Oh, but there's more. She played an over the top weirdo Russian doctor in some little-known movie associated with a skull. She defeated the Spanish Armada single-handedly from her elvish stronghold in Lothlorien. And she played Rosie in Parklands. No, I've never seen that movie before. Yes, I did look it up. Now will you let me get back to the review, please...

Right oh, a stellar leading lady already. Splendid. Match her up with the likes of Brad Pitt, and yes, I agree, there was quite a bit of chemistry. Always helpful. Academy award material? Well, if I had seen all the other movies this year, I'd be able to comment. Nonetheless, I think Brad did rather well.

But then... then... then - I can tell you're riddled with anticipation - there's the story itself. Again, similar to Forrest Gump but by no means a copy. This story challenges the illustrious and ever-forward-moving concept of time. Whether you grow from old to young or young to old, time continues to pass. A surprise to any of you? Well, I would certainly hope not. Except for that immortal in the corner. Oh, don't lose your head. Get out before I come over there with this sword.

But that time passes was not the point. That we should do with that time what we should, is. If you want to stay in your cubicle or in acting or in the shoe store, then stay there. And if you want to change your luck someday and do what you know you should do, then do that too. Nor wife nor husband nor child nor pet nor house nor job nor unknown fear should keep you from accomplishing what you need to accomplish in the time you have.

Would I recommend it? Yes, but not for $8.00 unless you're eager for cinematicity. Wait for the DVDs to flood the nearest Blockbuster and Best Buy and Office Max and random weird corner store. And then rent it on Netflix because it's really not a movie you must own to see over and over. Unless you love Brad Pitt. Or Rosie in Parklands. Or movies directed by David Fincher.

Overall, I give it a B. Kept my interest. Played with time. Taught me a lesson. And sent me on my way.

Getting to Know Me: A Night at the Movies

Good evening...

Well, it is my intention to share with you the ethereal and the mundane - definitely more the latter - of my life. And so, every so often I'll offer opinions about exceptionally mundane topics. My goal is to bore you with incessant tripe - which can be defined either as utter rubbish or cattle intestine. This entry should fall somewhere between the two.

The first movie I remember seeing in the theater. You know, I couldn't tell you. There are those people in the world who happen to remember their pre-womb existence as an ant ready to be ground into ant-meal by Nancy Sinatra's boots. I personally don't have the ability to put into a meaningful chronological order any happenings in my life up until about age ten. With that said, I remember Goonies, Back to the Future, Return of the Jedi, and Gremlins. Enjoyed them all at the time. And I bet you couldn't guess which I'd still consider to be among my top favorites of all time. Well, some of you could, but don't tell. You'll find out later.

The first movie I remember seeing period? Oh Lord. No idea. I know I saw Patton about 1300 times as a kid. And the Sound of Music or Gung Ho every time I went to see my paternal grandparents. An odd fact. I've only ever been to the movies once with my maternal grandparents, and we went to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. They're also the older white folks - phrase stolen from my uncle - who have never owned a VCR, let alone a DVD player, and who barely know how to set their thermostat.

Scariest movie ever? Tie. Hated Jaws. Still do. Couldn't look at a shark until I was about 15. And then there was this movie about piranhas aptly named Piranha that scared the utter bejesus out of me. I ran up the stairs so fast when I saw that old fisherman's legs severed at the knees; didn't sleep right for a week.

Scariest scene. The Godfather. The toll booth. 'Nuff said.

Funniest movie. I don't have one. Don't get me wrong, I like lots of comedies. But none that I can watch over and over. Blazing Saddles. Holy Grail. Silence of the Lambs. Just checking. Yeah, I guess it just ain't my genre.

Movie that makes me cry. I've said it already in this blog. Do you remember? Field of Dreams. Kevin Costner playing catch with his dad. Gets me every time.

Movie that freaked me out the most. The Game with Michael Douglas and Sean Penn. If you haven't seen it, go watch it.

Movies that I will most likely never watch again. Schindler's List. Saving Private Ryan (first 20 minutes). The Passion of the Christ. Too difficult to watch.

Biggest disappointment. Now, this movie wasn't a disappointment. It was, in fact, probably the director's best to date. But, the day after it came out a friend said, he's dead. Yeah, you all know to which movie I refer.

Best superhero movie? Some would say Iron Man. Yes, it was good. Spiderman, also a good trio. Superman - the original. Certainly a candidate. X-Men? Second one ranks in the top five. The Incredible Hulk? Eh. Ghost Rider. No. Hellboy. Cult classic, maybe, but no. It's Batman. Both of the most recent. The original and the sequel were good too. No doubt. But I think Nolan just has the pulse of the character. Awesome.

Box sets that were purchased for me. Star Wars. Indiana Jones. Star Trek. The Bourne Series. Back to the Future. Die Hard. Lord of the Rings. That should give you some indication of the my leanings as regards movies.

Which brings me to an opinion. I will not go to the movies to watch romantic comedies. I'll most likely not be watching those anyway. I won't go for comedies. I won't go for most dramas. I won't go for foreign films. It's not because I don't like the movies. It's because I'm cheap. Even the matinees are ridiculous. No, give me the special effects with big bangs and space shots and such.

Guilty pleasure. All of the Disney Pixar films.

Documentary? Tie between The Civil War and Baseball.

A movie that I will watch no matter how bad? Any underdog sports story. From the good ones like Hoosiers to the questionable ones like Little Giants. Mystery, Alaska. The Mighty Ducks. The Bad News Bears. Glory Road. Remember the Titans. Friday Night Lights. Can't help it. Gotta watch.

Best movie with no action whatsoever of any kind? Mindwalk. Awesome. If you can sit and watch people walk around Mont St. Michel, watch it.

Okay, I'm ready for my ice cream so I shall now reveal what I tell everyone is my favorite movie and what movie I really will watch over and over without stopping. The former? Shawshank Redemption. The latter? Back to the Future. Love the Delorian. Love the Flux Capacitor. Love the premise. Love the line, 'Who's Vice President, Jerry Lewis?' and 'Great Scott' and '1.21 Jigowatts'.

There you have it. Movies at a glance, TD style. And now I must be off...

'Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads...'