Tropic Thunder's REAL Crime

There's been some silly uproar about Ben Stiller's film Tropic Thunder. Apparently, people are taking offense to the fact Downey's in blackface, which is ridiculous. He is playing an idiot character who thinks a surgical version of blackface is a good idea. Condemning Downey or the film for this, would be like convicting Anthony Hopkins of multiple homicides for his role in Silence of the Lambs.

Secondly, the film is taking heat for making fun of the mentally handicapped. And this too, is obsurd. The film is a satire. It's poking fun at people who believe and act like these characters. It makes me think of the silliness over the New Yorker cover that was making fun of the enormous number of people who are convinced that Barak is a secret muslim.

In the end, Tropic Thunder, although I have yet to see it, is probably guiltier of something else...

PLAGIARISM! Ben Stiller stole his gag about Hollywood exploiting the mentally handicapped to reap Oscars from Ricky Gervais's brilliant TV show Extras (a show we know he was familiar with, because he was on it!). See below -

43 of My Favorite Films / TV Shows (part two)

If you missed it... (Part One)

PART TWO

---

Life is Beautiful -

I've argued with more than a few smarty-pants cinastes about the themes of this film. Regardless of what you think it all means it is a moving portrait of a father's love that is conveyed in joy. This film will make you a better person.
Favorite Scene: Guido translating Nazi War Camp instructions into the rules of a game.
Movie Moment: The last *wink* in the movie. Gets me every time.

---

Angels in America; Millenium Approaches

I gushed about this one several weeks ago, but I think it belongs on this list. This is probably one of the most influential plays of the last twenty years and HBO hits it out of the park with this adaptation for the small screen. Al Pacino and Meryl Streep add their heft to a talented younger cast. This film wrestles with some tough issues and connects doubts about the conservative politics of our parents with doubts about God's activity in a world filled with suffering. And yet, it's not just a big pity party. There's wonder, and life, and humor in this play/film. A must see.
Favorite Scene: The shared dream/delusion between two primary characters that have never met each other.
Movie Moment: (BE WARNED, STRONG LANGUAGE)

---

Serenity (feature film) / Firefly (TV series)

Firefly was a Fox show for one glorious season before the netowrk got nervous and pulled it. There was a cult following that was so vocal, that creator Joss Whedon put together a feature film. The show was fantastic, great science fiction that was more about the characters than spaceships or robots. It had some big questions that will go forever unanswered, but that show was the best thing on American television for 14 glorious episodes. The film stands as one of the best Sci-Fi pics of the last 15 years. It stands alone for those who haven't seen the show, but it makes for a moderately satisfying capstone to those who have.
Favorite Scene: Too hard to pick from the whole series.
Movie Moment (TV show moment): WASH - Little River just gets more colorful by the minute. What will she do next?
ZOE - Either blow us up or rub soup in her hair. It's a toss-up.
WASH - I hope she does the soup thing. It's always a hoot, and we don't all die from it.

---

The Office (UK)

There is a worse boss than Michael Scott, and his name is David Brent. The UK version of The Office is a showcase for the kind of awkward that hurts as much as it tickles. Not as bright and cheery as its American offshoot, the bleakness makes the light that much brighter. Gervais (the creator and actor behind Brent) is a creative force to be reckoned with. He and collaborator Steven Merchant have taken their talents to Extras, a show that is the best kept secret on TV today. And in truly British style they know when a show is over. The Office (UK) only ran for two seasons and had a sublime two-episode ending. Always leave them wanting more. (It's the anti-Friends)
Favorite Scene: David in the Bird Costume
Movie (TV) Moment : An example of the painful/hilarious genius of Ricky Gervais

Extras; The HBO Series

I’m a huge fan of Ricky Gervais (the creator, writer and director of The Office – and star of the UK version). So, it’s no surprise that I’m loving catching up on his new HBO series Extras.

It’s a simple premise: a man quits his job to make it in the British film industry by working as an extra on as many films as possible. He lounges around the set trying to shmooze with the celebrities in order to convince them to finagle him a line of dialogue.

I’ve seen the first three episodes so far and I’m almost as hooked as I was on The Office when I first started watching.

It’s not for the kiddies, but it makes me laugh and wish I was British.