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MadGez
Dont Mess with the Gez
Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2004 9:54 am Posts: 22919 Location: Melbourne Australia
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Tropic Thunder
Tropic ThunderQuote: Tropic Thunder is a 2008 American action satire comedy film written, produced and directed by Ben Stiller, and starring Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey, Jr.. The main plot revolves around a group of three prima donna actors (portrayed by Stiller, Black, and Downey) who are making a Vietnam War film. When their frustrated writer and director decide to drop them in the middle of a jungle, they are forced to portray their roles without the comforts of a film set and rely on their acting skills in order to survive the real action and danger. Also written by Justin Theroux and Etan Cohen, the film was produced by Red Hour Films and distributed by DreamWorks Pictures through Paramount Pictures.
Stiller's idea for the film originated while playing a small part in Empire of the Sun, and he later enlisted Theroux and Cohen's help to complete the script. After the film was greenlit in 2006, filming took place in 2007 on the Hawaiian island of Kauai over thirteen weeks and was later deemed the largest film production in the island's history. Tropic Thunder had an extensive marketing promotion, including faux websites for the main characters and their fictional films, airing a fictional television special, and selling the energy drink advertised in the film, "Booty Sweat". Prior to the film's release, it was met with criticism from disability advocacy groups for its portrayal of mental retardation.
The film received generally favorable reviews with critics approving of the film's characters, story, and faux trailers while criticizing its offensive content. The film's soundtrack and score debuted on August 5, 2008, before the film's theatrical release. In its North American opening weekend, the film earned US$26 million and retained the number one position for the first three weekends of release. The film and its cast were nominated for several awards by various groups including the Screen Actors Guild, Broadcast Film Critics Association, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Tropic Thunder grossed $180 million in theaters before its release on home video on November 18, 2008. A spin-off is in the works about Tom Cruise's character Les Grossman. It was announced in 2010 when Cruise appeared in the MTV Movie Awards.
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Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:58 pm |
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The Mr Pink
What would Jesus *not* do?
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:55 am Posts: 829 Location: Going Up the Down Escalator
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Re: Tropic Thunder
Tropic Thunder is Ben Stiller's masterpiece. Going in I had somewhat high expectations and I can honestly say they were exceeded beyond anything I could've hoped for. The film perfectly blurs the line between homage and spoof, comedy and action adventure. The action plays off the comedy and the comedy plays off the action with the cast hitting each note exactly as they should. Jack Black seemed to be reinvigorated, Downey jr was having a blast, Nolte at his best, and Stiller not overdoing it. And one cannot forget Tom Cruise, his role is so against type yet he absolutely nails it. He's laugh out loud funny. Tropic Thunder is so over the top its almost daring you not to laugh at times but manages to reign you in and keeps you laughing till it hurts.
Grade A+
_________________ Top ten of 2008, Updated!
1. Slumdog Millionaire 2. Wall-E 3. Dark Knight 4. In Bruges 5. Tropic Thunder 6. Young @ Heart 7. Mongol 8. The Band's Visit 9. Visitor 10. Iron Man
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Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:52 am |
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Flava'd vs The World
The Kramer
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 11:36 am Posts: 24442 Location: Classified
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Re: Tropic Thunder
Had a lot more dead jokes than either Pineapple or Step Bros. However, it has enough huge laughs to make up for it. Plus RDJ. Oh my, Mr. Downey Jr., bravo. A-But WTF is with Bill Hader not getting one funny line the entire movie? What a fuckin' waste.
_________________ Kamala 24-32
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Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:14 am |
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MadGez
Dont Mess with the Gez
Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2004 9:54 am Posts: 22919 Location: Melbourne Australia
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Re: Tropic Thunder
Does Thunder have anything to do with Apatow though?
As far as I know these five films had Apatow attached in some way...
Pineapple Express Step Brothers Drillbit Taylor Forgetting Sarah Marshall You Dont Mess with the Zohan
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Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:30 am |
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MadGez
Dont Mess with the Gez
Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2004 9:54 am Posts: 22919 Location: Melbourne Australia
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Re: Tropic Thunder
The Dark Knight wrote: MadGez wrote: Does Thunder have anything to do with Apatow though?
As far as I know these five films had Apatow attached in some way...
Pineapple Express Step Brothers Drillbit Taylor Forgetting Sarah Marshall You Dont Mess with the Zohan I thought all this time he was involved in some way. Though in fairness to you - it was a 50/50 thing. Apatow's everywhere.
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Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:52 am |
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Flava'd vs The World
The Kramer
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 11:36 am Posts: 24442 Location: Classified
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Re: Tropic Thunder
Nah Thunder is all Stiller. Downey Jr. certainly had enough screen time to be considered a lead. Seemed like it was equal to Stiller and much more than Black (I would've liked Owen Wilson in that role better though, sans the The Klumps trailer). Oh and Has any movie ever had one of it's lead kill a panda before?
_________________ Kamala 24-32
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Tue Aug 12, 2008 1:10 pm |
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Mr. Inc
Veteran
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:50 am Posts: 3350
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Re: Tropic Thunder
What is with the boycotting thing going on? Is the film that offensive?.
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Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:03 pm |
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MGKC
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Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 10:42 pm Posts: 11808 Location: Kansas City, Kansas
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Re: Tropic Thunder
Compared to Step Brothers & Pineapple Express, does it have a lot more vulgar stuff in it? Or more language?
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Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:13 pm |
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Supafroius
Star Trek XI
Joined: Thu May 11, 2006 10:59 am Posts: 370
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Re: Tropic Thunder
It is pretty offensive to Mentally challenged types but oh well..
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Tue Aug 12, 2008 5:42 pm |
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Flava'd vs The World
The Kramer
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 11:36 am Posts: 24442 Location: Classified
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Re: Tropic Thunder
It makes fun of actors trying to win oscars by playing "disabled" people. However, you should never go full retard. Sean Penn learned that the hard way.
_________________ Kamala 24-32
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Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:10 am |
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Mr. Lobotomy
Well I'm not stoned, I'm just fucked up - I got so high I can't stand up
Joined: Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:21 am Posts: 993
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Re: Tropic Thunder
The Dark Knight wrote: Supafroius wrote: It is pretty offensive to Mentally challenged types but oh well.. it's not as if they would notice.
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Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:11 am |
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zingy
College Boy Z
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:40 pm Posts: 36662
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Re: Tropic Thunder
I'm pretty disappointed.
It's definitely clever (the fake trailers, full retard, etc.), and I'm not counting out the possibility that, like Zoolander, this could be a LOT better on a second viewing, but it's just not that funny. Lots of jokes fall flat. Most of the good stuff was featured in the trailer (unlike PE and Step Brothers, since we're comparing late summer comedies and stuff).
RDJ is the only real standout. Brilliant cameo casting in Tom Cruise (didn't even notice for at least half the film, and everyone else I saw it with didn't realize it until the credits). I also liked Matthew McConaughey. The rest of the cast was average, in my opinion.
I guess I just had really high expectations, but it was never really laugh-out-funny. But it's a good film.
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Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:49 am |
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MGKC
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Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 10:42 pm Posts: 11808 Location: Kansas City, Kansas
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Re: Tropic Thunder
Oh my gosh, I had just about the opposite reaction of Zingaling. This was really the only comedy I wanted to see this summer, so I had pretty high expectations. There are SO many great lines and laugh-out-loud moments. I will say there are a few lulls, especially in the 2nd quarter of the movie. The movie couldn't have had a better beginning though. Robert Downey def shined the most. Danny McBride, Jack Black, and the Butt Sweat guy were great too. It did need a better conclusion, ended waay too quickly.
Grade: A-
"If you untie me, I will LITERALLY suck you dick right here" and etc. LOL
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Wed Aug 13, 2008 3:23 am |
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TonyMontana
Undisputed WoKJ DVD King
Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:55 am Posts: 16278 Location: Counting the 360 ways I love my Xbox
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Re: Tropic Thunder
One of the better comedies I have seen recently. Downey Jr. is the obvious standout, but it's a pretty good script and concept from Stiller. Does have a couple lulls (especially after the very hilarious first 15 minutes of fake trailers and the part with RDjr and Stiller trying to get through their emotional scene).
I definitely don't get the criticism over the "retarded" character that Stiller played. It seemed to me they were poking much more fun of actors than they were of mentally challenged people.
Anyhow, I'm not sure it's a Anchorman sized masterpiece, but it's pretty close. I give it an A
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Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:13 pm |
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Vanilla Sky
Speed Racer
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:02 pm Posts: 151
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Re: Tropic Thunder
Tom Cruise really is the shit
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Wed Aug 13, 2008 11:08 pm |
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Libs
Sbil
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:38 pm Posts: 48667 Location: Arlington, VA
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Re: Tropic Thunder
An absolutely hilarious flick, Tropic Thunder easily takes the crown for the funniest comedy of the summer. Ben Stiller effectively skewers the art of making movies and takes no prisoners while at it. He has also assembled a nearly perfect cast. He and Jack Black are indeed funny (and, my god, Stiller is ripped for this movie, he was looking good), although the obvious standout is comeback kid Robert Downey Jr, who I don't previously remember showing so much comic aptitude in previous films. Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Steve Coogan, Brandon T. Adams also impress in their smaller roles, although I didn't find Nick Nolte particularly funny. On to the big cameos, Matthew McConaughey is great and an unrecognizable Tom Cruise (seriously, what?) have obvious fun in these sorts of surroundings. I should also note that this film has one of the most creative prologues I've ever seen (it may have been the funniest part of the movie, actually). Loooved it. A-
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Wed Aug 13, 2008 11:14 pm |
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Bradley Witherberry
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:13 pm Posts: 15197 Location: Planet Xatar
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Re: Tropic Thunder
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 1:02 am |
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Chippy
KJ's Leading Pundit
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 4:45 pm Posts: 63026 Location: Tonight... YOU!
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Re: Tropic Thunder
Bradley liked it... means I'll LOVE it!
_________________trixster wrote: shut the fuck up zwackerm, you're out of your fucking element trixster wrote: chippy is correct
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 1:04 am |
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Bradley Witherberry
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:13 pm Posts: 15197 Location: Planet Xatar
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Re: Tropic Thunder
Chip [Bot] wrote: Bradley liked it... means I'll LOVE it! Errrr, Chip - - I " L- O- V- E- D- I- T!!!!!!!" - - so this might not bode so well for you...
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 1:06 am |
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Chippy
KJ's Leading Pundit
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 4:45 pm Posts: 63026 Location: Tonight... YOU!
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Re: Tropic Thunder
Bradley Witherberry wrote: Chip [Bot] wrote: Bradley liked it... means I'll LOVE it! Errrr, Chip - - I " L- O- V- E- D- I- T!!!!!!!" - - so this might not bode so well for you... That's not a word. 55 out of 5 is like.
_________________trixster wrote: shut the fuck up zwackerm, you're out of your fucking element trixster wrote: chippy is correct
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 1:07 am |
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Bradley Witherberry
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:13 pm Posts: 15197 Location: Planet Xatar
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Re: Tropic Thunder
Chip [Bot] wrote: Bradley Witherberry wrote: Chip [Bot] wrote: Bradley liked it... means I'll LOVE it! Errrr, Chip - - I " L- O- V- E- D- I- T!!!!!!!" - - so this might not bode so well for you... That's not a word. 55 out of 5 is like. Nope - - 55 out of 5 is my highest rating to date - - it's love alright...
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 1:09 am |
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Chippy
KJ's Leading Pundit
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 4:45 pm Posts: 63026 Location: Tonight... YOU!
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Re: Tropic Thunder
No it's not.
Don't lie.
_________________trixster wrote: shut the fuck up zwackerm, you're out of your fucking element trixster wrote: chippy is correct
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 1:10 am |
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snack
Extraordinary
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 9:18 pm Posts: 12159
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Re: Tropic Thunder
Bradley Witherberry wrote: Chip [Bot] wrote: Bradley Witherberry wrote: Chip [Bot] wrote: Bradley liked it... means I'll LOVE it! Errrr, Chip - - I " L- O- V- E- D- I- T!!!!!!!" - - so this might not bode so well for you... That's not a word. 55 out of 5 is like. Nope - - 55 out of 5 is my highest rating to date - - it's love alright... Yeah...you definitely gave a 69 out of 5 to some movie you liked involving themes of that (69) nature. I think. Not sure what though.
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:30 am |
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Christian
Team Kris
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2004 5:02 pm Posts: 27584 Location: The Damage Control Table
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Re: Tropic Thunder
snack wrote: Bradley Witherberry wrote: Chip [Bot] wrote: Bradley Witherberry wrote: Chip [Bot] wrote: Bradley liked it... means I'll LOVE it! Errrr, Chip - - I " L- O- V- E- D- I- T!!!!!!!" - - so this might not bode so well for you... That's not a word. 55 out of 5 is like. Nope - - 55 out of 5 is my highest rating to date - - it's love alright... Yeah...you definitely gave a 69 out of 5 to some movie you liked involving themes of that (69) nature. I think. Not sure what though. Sounds like Shortbus, lol.
_________________A hot man once wrote: Urgh, I have to throw out half my underwear because it's too tight.
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 2:53 pm |
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nghtvsn
Extraordinary
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2005 7:13 pm Posts: 11015 Location: Warren Theatre Oklahoma
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Re: Tropic Thunder
Tropic Thunder
I caught this today at a 1710 showing the next showing was sold out in the big auditorium. Anyway, bottom line I think this is a decent comedy but not a great one. Some of the scenes are just not needed like the discussion over blu-ray and hd dvd or the whole twig man scene with the asian kid. I liked most of the scenes with Downey. I thought Cruise's performance was overhyped. He was okay but the parody wasn't that great for me. I thought they did great with the action and the stunts. That reminds me that my favorite image from the film was Downey dressed up as a rice patty farmer. Oh, I also enjoyed the end credits too.
grade = b
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:09 pm |
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