Tropic Thunder

Tropic Thunder: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. not only spoof Hollywood war movies, but also the whole Hollywood system. For starters, Robert Downey Jr. plays an esteemed Australian method actor who dyes his skin in order to play an African-American captain in the movie. When it looks like the production is in jeopardy, the director decides he needs to get the best out of his cast. He brings them out into the jungle and has them find their own way home. The actors are under the impression that everyone is in on the movie, when in actuality their lives are on the line. It took a little time for this movie to grow on me, but the movie just kept getting funnier. I think a second viewing would only illuminate more amusing pleasures. Tom Cruise like you have never seen him before has a small, but hilarious role as the head of the studio. This is a very big….very silly movie….so give it a spin and have a laugh!

“Pick it Up"

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Kung Fu Panda

Kung Fu Panda: I think the title of the film pretty much sums up what the movie is about. Jack Black voices Po, a panda that dreams of becoming the dragon master of Kung Fu. When an open Kung Fu competition finally arrives, he idiotically ends up as “the chosen one”. Did the grand master make a mistake or is this really Po’s destiny? This really is a Jack Black movie, the character was written with him in mind. He supplies enough humor for this film to be enjoyed by older and younger viewers alike. Yes the movie is funny, but it also is action packed. The animation and sound effects during the action scenes are a big highlight. The plot is about as simple as it can get, but the movie never tries to be that serious – it knows what it is = A fun spin for everyone!

“Pick it Up”

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Get Smart

Get Smart…..better yet: Get bored, really bored! Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway star in the big screen version of the 1970’s hit TV show. Carell plays Maxwell Smart who is promoted to “agent” and is needed immediately to help solve an internal crime at the agency. He is partnered with Agent 99 (Hathaway) to try to find out how vital information about the agents and their identities was stolen. Maybe it is because we have seen the “silly detective partnered with a more skilled partner” scenario so much, but the humor just came off as stale. The irony being that it was the original TV show that inspired a lot of knockoffs throughout the years that in return hurt this film’s originality. I was really hoping for some funny moments from Carell, but the majority of the laughs supplied were of the slight chuckle variety, although I did have a laugh during the film's main dance sequence. Meanwhile, the action portion of the movie tried too hard. I was actually annoyed by having surround sound at this point. All of this added up to a big yawn.

“Kick it to the Floor”

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v Pooped!!.............................