TROPIC THUNDER

This was written, directed, and produced by Ben Stiller. And he was also the star of the show. I have never been a Ben Stiller fan. Strike one. The other main star here was Robert Downy Jr., of whom I am a huge fan. However, their characters played the roles of actors. Bad actors. Now I'm wondering how much of a stretch that is to pull that off. How hard is it to pretend to be a bad actor delivering poorly written lines (how hard is it to write bad lines either, Ben), pretending to overact them? How hard is it, or how much of a stretch is it to pretend to be a spoiled and pampered big-time actor who is constantly catered to, to the detriment of their character, in essence, turning them into some unmanageable person who no one can stand to be around? I'm thinking this was not a stretch for either of them. Hey guys, just be yourself. We'll just keep rolling.

Strike two: the opening spoof on a commercial for a sports drink "booty sweat" was so wrong that I would have rated the movie NC-17. There was absolutely no excuse for this, no purpose for this at all. It added nothing to the movie, it did not support the story line in any way, was gratuitous, utterly vulgar, degrading, and I have no other words to do this justice. In fact, this part alone was simply X-rated. Keep in mind this was within the first 3 minutes of film, and I nearly walked out.

Strike three: The language was bad throughout the entire film. However, what got to me was not necessarily the language, but the sexual references. People have mentioned "innuendo." There is no innuendo here. This is spelling it out and drawing you a mental picture. There is no subtle undertone so some people will get it and others won't. There was one scene in particular with Jack Black who was attempting to "get clean." Black was offering services (that is an example of innuendo) to another actor in exchange for being released after having second thoughts. The "services" he offered were descriptive to the point of being nauseating. So wrong, in fact that the NC-17 rating again should be applicable.

A SMALL SHINING MOMENT
There was a shining moment or two in the film. (Gasp) Thankfully, someone thought to cast Tom Cruise and Matthew McConaughey, who were absolutely brilliant in their roles, although their screen time was insufficient. Cruise's performance was over the top and he was almost unrecognizable-this was laugh out loud funny. Matthew McConaughey brought a more serious tone to the film, and was not to be outdone by any cast member. By far, their presence in the film is the best thing about it.

I would never recommend this film to anyone for any reason. I would recommend that you wait for it to come out on DVD, fast forward to the parts with Tom Cruise (particularly the parts where he is dancing) and watch those 10 or 15 minutes of footage only. Spare yourself the crass, vulgar, and cheap slapstick that you can find in any comedy flick.

-Juli

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THE PINEAPPLE EXPRESS

I suppose you are wondering why I would have seen this movie. The easy answer is that it had been at least five days since I had been to the theatre, and there really wasn't anything else playing that I wanted to see, or hadn't already seen. Mamma Mia! (plz). The Dark Knight? (saw it). Kit Kittredge? (shoot me). Step Brothers? (I saw the preview, which means I likely saw the best part of the movie and can fill in the rest with my imagination). Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (chick flick… revive me so you can shoot me again). Star Wars? (waiting to take all the kids). I don't remember what else was showing. I just remember thinking that it was slim pickings. And so my initial response to Mike's suggestion that we go to the movies was just not to go. But he said, what about The Pineapple Express?

I didn't know much about it other than it was a comedy, and so, obviously, I'm thinking that I'd rather stay home and mow the lawn. With scissors. Then, Mike being the little salesman that he is, tells me that although it's a comedy, it's really more of an action/comedy, and it didn't look good to him at first either, but he read the reviews and it's supposed to be really good, and he's sure I'd like it. I'm skeptical, but since I have my laptop where it belongs (on my lap), and I'm already on the internet, I decide to look it up. Besides, I'm not sure where my scissors are.
Initial reviews were positive, and it did mention that it was action-packed, gory, in fact. This peaked my interest. BUT, it was written by Seth Rogen (Superbad-how ironic), and James Franco played a major part in it (Spiderman). It also revolved around dope smoking (the name of the "brand" of weed was the rare Pineapple Express). Rogen, Franco, and the drug aspect aside, it was enough to get me to go.

The Pineapple Express was actually not half bad. And although comedies are rarely funny to me, I did find myself laughing out loud on several occasions. This is a rarity that warrants a party or something. It was, however, over the top and vulgar on several occasions, and the language was gratuitous. This, I could have done without.

Probably the most surprising thing about the movie was the presence of James Franco. He was bad in Spiderman. He was OK in Annapolis. He was absolutely phenomenal in The Pineapple Express. I guess I've never seen him in a funny role, smiling from ear to ear and giggling the entire time. This is his niche. He must actually be that way. Or maybe he really was high throughout the entire filmmaking process instead of acting like he was. I choose to think he is actually a very happy person. Anyway, he was absolutely hysterical, and this is his role (not necessarily as a pot dealer, just as a humorous laid back person). He should never play those sucky roles where he has to play a pissy person. That is so not him—he is a funny man. So much so that Seth Rogen was actually going to play the part Franco played, but stepped down when he realized how much funnier Franco would be playing it.

Rogen's screenplay is unfortunately written in a way that creates characters that suck you in. Truly he is a gifted writer. I say unfortunately because the subject matter he chooses is simply a waste. It's a waste of his talent, and the movie, filtered with an ounce or two of morality, would be just as funny without causing me to cringe every time a vulgar reference is made, including a particularly crude one that even to make a point here I cannot repeat. I will say only that it had something to do with a supreme-being and ownership of a female reproductive organ. I can't believe I even explained that. My jaw dropped at the sound of it and I slowly turned my head toward my husband in awe and wonder and he, too, looked like a deer in headlights, wondering if perhaps we might soon be struck by lightning simply for being within earshot of such a phrase.
There were others, although not quite as offensive to me (or to God, I'm sure).

So, my little movie-viewing friends, I suggest that you not take your children to such a dope-peddling movie unless you condone pot-smoking and unless you think hearing sexual references and the f-word over and over again is an occurrence not unlike their home life. Yes, I'm referring to your teenage children as well. And what a shame, that they should miss out on Franco's stellar performance and Rogen's would-be brilliant script.

-Juli
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