Tropic Thunder, 2008

Directed by Ben Stiller
Written by Justin Theroux & Ben Stiller and Etan Cohen

Starring Ben Stiller, Robert Downey, Jr., and Jack Black

This movie is so over the top that, even after having seen it quite a few times, I find myself flabbergasted at the places to which it is willing to go -- and I mean that as a compliment. It is assuredly offensive in quite a few ways, but its willingness to, as they say, "go there" is quite something.  

The acting is actually quite good, though it's easy not to notice that because it's such broad comedy. It's easy to miss that because of Robert Downey, Jr.'s and Tom Cruise's performances (and I've known a number of people who didn't realize it was Tom Cruise for part or all of the movie). 

Particularly for anyone who has an interest in movie "culture," theater, actors, or other such topics, there is a steady stream of ridiculous moments and lines. My personal favorite is "I don't read the script -- the script reads me."

Also, the youngest member of the The Pantheon.

Don't miss the begninng --
it features Tobey Maguire in his brief, hilarious cameo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Batman, 1966

Directed by Leslie H. Martinson
Written by Lorenzo Semple, Jr.
Starring Adam West, Burt Ward, Burgess Meredith, Lee Meriwether, Cesar Romero, Frank Gorshin

This is not the dark pseudo-investigation of I-don't-know-what that Christopher Nolan's been pursuing recently. It's the full-length movie associated with the goofy TV show in the 1960's. It's like an extended and expanded episode of the show. There are bat-boats and bat-copters. Instead of one villain, there are four (Penguin, Catwoman, Joker, and Riddler). And the plot is more complex.

It's funny. If you haven't seen too many Batman episodes recently, it's more fun. The problem with Batman is that since there are a limited number of jokes, it does get old after a while; when I most recently watched this movie, I hadn't seen any Bat-thing in quite a while, so it was good that way.

If you're watching so you can see a fight with "Kapow!" on the screen, they save that until the end.

Also, regarding Adam West: a lot of people underrate his work as a comic actor. He is consistently funny in this movie and in the show. I've heard and read comments that he didn't know what he was doing, as if his timing and delivery were accidentally good. They're not. He knows what he's doing and he's good at it.

Batman at IMDB.