DVD Review - Tropic Thunder (2 Disc Director's Cut) 2008

           The 2008 summer comedy blockbuster that is Tropic Thunder has now become two discs of an amazing movie and great features.  Disc one has the feature with two separate commentary tracks with the director (Ben Stiller) the writer and a few of the lead crew including the editor, production designer, and the director of photography.  On another commentary track there is the actors Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black.  If you missed this movie in the theaters last year, by any means that you can, see this movie on DVD.

            This is an incredibly smart love letter to making movies by actors that really enjoy their craft.  Building the characters as previously acclaimed movie stars in the beginning with faux trailers and advertisements, this sets up the main comedic plotline of actors being stuck in a remote part of Vietnam.  Their movie takes a turn for the worse and the crew including the actors has to fight their way back to the states.   The acting by the cast was amazing and having Ben Stiller as the director was a double pleasure from him.

            On the second disc there are hours of extras that include hilarious outtakes and deleted scenes with introductions by Ben Stiller and the editor for the movie.  There is also a faux documentary for the making of the movie about the failed movie in the film.  This documentary was “directed” by the writer of Tropic Thunder, Justin Theroux.

 For more information, check out the trailer from IMDb and check out their website: 

www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2677539609/

Film Reviews - The Hangover

First off, I never thought I’d like this as much as I did. Secondly, I want to see it again! This isn’t just a d!ck and f@rt movie. It’s mostly a who-done-it-and-how movie. For a great majority of this film, we’re on the adventure of tracking down where one of our lead characters, the bachelor ended up after a night that they’d obviously forgotten. Through bizarre clues (i.e. Mike Tyson, tiger, family heirloom, et al…) they’re finding their way through Las Vegas, where this wild bachelor party has taken place. Meanwhile, back home, the women in these men’s lives are worrying and wondering about how they are and where they are. Lies and misleading conversations are the guy’s only saving grace in order to buy them enough time to find their friend who they’ve misplaced. Obviously, after jumping through amazingly ridiculous hoops, they find their friend in the nick of time; but not without one surprise after another that keeps you laughing and wanting for more once the movie has come to an end. But don’t get up yet…stay for the credits.

Film Reviews - Fanboys

*special limited release*
*possible spoilers*

I just saw "FANBOYS" this evening and no, I didn't go kicking and screaming. I had higher expectations than I should have, but it's probably my inner-geek that was hoping and wishing.

Though there was suppose to be a touching underlying story, it never came through. In full feature length, it looked the same as in the previews: road trip to Lucas Ranch and toss in some poignant (and totally random) characters that all geek freaks know of; mix in a little misunderstanding, escorts and mayhem and POOF!...Let there be “FANBOYS”. I enjoyed how this was a Star Trek vs. Star Wars movie. What can I say, I’m a Shatner fan! (And that’s PRE-Priceline.com!)

This had underdeveloped subplots that I unfortunately tried to pay attention to, and they got completely lost in the shuffle. It was a cute ending, but a little too easy of a wrap-up.

I’d recommend renting this one with friends (who will share in the laughter and cringing) rather than travel to pay full price. I can’t say whether I laughed more or cringed more, but in the end, I was amused and amazed that they were able to get so many big actors to cameo. (Moreso, I think I was amused that we traveled over 40 miles round trip to check out this special release.)

May the force be with you as you live long and prosper!