You can read my original review on Tropic ThunderHERE if you’re so inclined. This is a must-see for one reason: Robert Downey Jr. He takes what could have been an offensive, riot-inducing character and turns it into a high-wire act, balancing audacity and hilarity in a movie-saving performance. There are a lot of problems in Tropic Thunder, but there are also a ton of laughs, and laughter can cover up a lot of issues. Word of warning: Make sure you turn the movie off as SOON as the credits begin to roll. Gratuitous Tom Cruise dancing will erase any good memories gathered in the previous 100 minutes.
THE VERDICT: Rent it!
Wall E
Haven’t seen Wall E yet, but I’ve heard nothing but good things. It’s Pixar, we all know they can do no wrong.
THE VERDICT: Rent It!
David Lynch: The Lime Green Set
Any fan of David Lynch will be shocked to hear this is a 10 disc set that only includes 4 movies. Lynch has been notorious for not doing any commentaries or special features for his movies (until the recent Twin Peaks box set release). Hell, he even released Mulholland Drive without chapters, which drove me and my friend nuts when we spent an entire day trying to figure the movie out. Just try skipping around in a movie using only fast forward. It’s as maddening as Mulholland Drive itself! Anyway, this 10 disc set features a whole lots of Lynch extras, including animated web shows, his short films, deleted scenes (32 from Wild At Heart), and, the coolest of all…a MYSTERY DISC! Of course David Lynch has a mystery disc! From what I read, it’s got the deleted scenes on it, but also just a lot of weird, atmospheric stuff. I’m guessing it’s similar to the three hour mind-melter Inland Empire, but with less story. If that’s possible.
THE VERDICT: Buy It If You’re a Lynch Lover. Everyone Else Should Probably Just Forget It Exists. It’ll Hurt Your Brain.
Logan’s War: Bound By Honor
I just felt like the site was seriously lacking some Chuck Norris.
THE VERDICT: There is no chin behind Chuck Norris’ beard. There is only another fist.
When I talked about Hellboy II on Sticky Floor Friday, I urged everyone to see it the weekend it came out, because it was going to get trounced and forgotten the following week. Well, that was an understatement. 7 days later a little movie called The Dark Knight was released and laid waste to Hellboy’s meager $34 million #1 opening. It’s a shame, because Hellboy is a truly imaginative film and one of the best of 2008. Everyone was overshadowed by Bruce Wayne this summer, but now is the time to repent. Pick up Hellboy II and I guarantee you won’t regret it. Once you see the Tooth Fairies, you’ll be hooked.
THE VERDICT: Buy The Big, Red Bastard!
Star Wars: Clone Wars
I was ultimately outnumbered in my support of Clone Wars, but I stand by my review that it’s a great introduction to an amazing television show. Now that it’s on the air, the Clone Wars cartoon is proving there are still viable stories to tell in the Star Wars universe. And since the movie was originally part of the TV series, it’ll stand up much better on the small screen. I’ve read blogs where people think Lucas released it in theaters to “trick” unknowing moviegoers into buying a product intended for television. If that were the case, they would have heavily promoted the movie and crammed it down our throats. Instead, it was released with minimal expectations and advertising, and proved to be an entertaining piece of fluff.
You know, people hold Genndy Tartakovsky’s “Clone Wars” cartoon in high regard, but if the second season was released in theaters, people would have griped about how it was a money grab. I saw a special screening of that entire season in a theater, and walked away with the same feeling as the newest Clone Wars movie — fun as a TV show and cool to see on the big screen, but lacking scope. If people would have been asked to pay money to see the original “Clone Wars” series, I bet the perception would be a lot different today.
THE VERDICT: Wah, wah, wah George Lucas! Check it out if you’re not a bitter fanboy.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The third biggest movie of the summer is finally out on DVD today, and I for one am excited to revisit Indy. I mean, look how excited I was before I saw the movie! Yes, this movie is flawed, but I was on board with most of the outrageous story because it was handled with sheer exuberance. It’s FUN to watch Indiana Jones and Mutt Williams get chased through campus. It’s FUN to see him battle Russians. It’s even FUN to watch them outrun killer ants. And while it does fall off the rails towards the end, everything leading up to it (yes, including the nuclear blast) is ENTERTAINING. It’s a ridiculous, preposterous movie that goes way beyond the storylines of previous Indy adventures. But isn’t that what a good adventure sequel should do?
THE VERDICT: Buy it unless you’re my brother John, who felt very much like Stan and Kyle did on South Park
Dance of the Dead
Haven’t seen this movie yet, but my friend George Feucht is the cinematographer. I’ve shot with him before and he’s a talented guy, I’m excited to see what he did with this cool little zombie flick.
THE VERDICT: If You’re Mad at George Lucas, Give This George a Shot Instead!
Alien-Predator Total Destruction Collection
Contains all the Alien, Predator, and AVP movies. At the behest of this box set, I would buy it, destroy Alien Vs. PredatorAliens Vs. Predator: Requiem, and maybe Alien3, and just enjoy the Alien and Predator franchises for the greatness they USED to be. By the way, I have a special fondness for Alien: Resurrection, which is why I haven’t ordered it destroyed. What can I say? I’m a sucker for Ron Perlman, swimming aliens, and aborted Ripley clones.
THE VERDICT: Kind of a neat package, but if you’re a fan of the Alien or Predator series, you probably own the essentials.
Robert Downey Jr.’s career-changing movie is finally out on DVD after an excruciating 4 month wait. Well, 4 months since it came out in theaters. Probably 2 months since left theaters. It’s so difficult for a movie lover to wait SO long for movies to come out! How do we survive?? I remember years ago, when I had to wait an entire year for Terminator 2 to reach VHS, and even when it did, it was 100 bucks to buy!
Iron Man was my #2 movie of the summer, and it’s a no-brainer purchase. Plus, my aversion to origin stories allows me to skip past the first half hour!
The Verdict: I AM…BUYING THIS, MAN!
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Speaking of long waits, Forgetting Sarah Marshall came out wayy back in April. This is a hilarious movie that deserves a long life on DVD, settling nicely on the shelf next to 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up. It’s got Paul Rudd as a stoned surfer, Jason Segel as a mopey moper, and Kristen Bell as, well, a hot chick, and they’re all on top of their game. Russel Brand also makes a nice introduction to American audiences, even if he destroyed that goodwill with his MTV Music Awards hosting gig. All these positives make it easy to forgive the horrible and unnecessary inclusion of Jack McBrayer as a sexhausted newlywed and a fairly padded running time. Oh, and there’s some floppy ding dongs for the ladies.
The Verdict: Forget Renting. Buy the 3-disc special edition and watch Kristen Bell for 10 hours. In slow motion. (like my friend Mike will do!)
I don’t disguise my love for Jason Statham. Sure, his role choices are uneven (Yay for Crank! Boo for In The Name Of The King: A Dungeon Siege Tale!) but The Bank Job uses the reliable combination of Statham and sneaky heists. (Admit it, The Italian Job was fun). Who doesn’t love a good swindle? Plus, look at that coat!
Sure, this movie came and went in theaters pretty quickly, but it’s perfect for DVD. A funny concept with Jack Black recreating movies from memory, and it introduced the word “Sweding” into the YouTube crowd’s vocabulary. The result? People making their own movies from memory, like Jurassic Park. (although I guarantee they cheated a little bit.)
THE VERDICT: WAIT FOR HBO!
Her Azz So Thick
I’ll just let their description take it away:
“Another rump shaking hit!!! Watch as these thick in the trunk dancers show their assets. Get ready for some major Azz Overload in this movie!!! Shot live from the strip club capitol of Atlanta GA.”
Jumper made a good chunk of change in theaters. I haven’t seen it yet, but it’s gotta be worth a slot on my Netflix queue. People jumping all over the world, battling for one reason or another? I’m in.
THE VERDICT: RENTAL!
The Rock: The Most Electrifying Man In Sports Entertainment
Back in the day, I was a HUGE wrestling fan. When it hit its peak around 1998-99, I was thoroughly obsessed, to the point where I could easily predict an entire match, move for move. Then WWF bought out WCW, and everything fell apart. Now, I’m lucky to watch more than an hour during a year. Of course, around 98-99, The Rock was also hitting his peak. And while I wasn’t a huge fan of WWF’s storylines at the time, I would always tune in to hear The Rock bust out a promo. So now the WWE is releasing a 3-disc compilation of The Rock’s best promos and matches, presumably to capitalize on the release of Get Smart. If you were a wrestling fan, this will be a great trip down memory lane, remembering when wrestling was fun to watch. If you’re not a wrestling fan, just watch the clip below and you’ll get the idea.
THE VERDICT: DO YOU LIKE MEN IN TIGHTS?
Weiners
What. The. Hell? Is this a sequel to Good Burger?
THE VERDICT: Seriously. WHAT. THE. HELL?
Out Of The Blue
Just like Weiners, I have no idea what this movie is about. But I had to include it for one reason: KARL URBAN MOUSTACHE!
Semi-Pro did poorly in theaters and with critics, but if it’s even 1/10 as funny as the Old Spice commercials with Jackie Moon, then it’s probably worth seeing once.
THE VERDICT: SEMI-RENTAL (AS IN, BORROW/STEAL IT FROM A FRIEND)
Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights - From Hollywood to the Heartland
I still hate that title, and I know, for a lot of people, stand-up movies just aren’t worth their time. But hopefully this comes to HBO and we can all enjoy it without losing a spot on our Netflix queue.
THE VERDICT: IT’S SUMMER. THERE ARE TOO MANY OTHER GREAT CHOICES OUT THERE!
Meet The Spartans
You know that whole saying about keeping your friends close, but your enemies closer? It doesn’t apply to Meet The Spartans. Stay away AT ALL COSTS.
THE VERDICT: GIVEN THE CHOICE OF WATCHING THIS OR MURDERING PUPPIES, HARD CALL TO MAKE
Shark Swarm
I saw the cover for this and just had to let you know about it. It’s got a hilarious combo of Bo Duke, the mermaid from Splash, the unintelligible villain from Judge Dredd, and sharks acting like bees! And, oh my god, I just found the trailer — this was a Hallmark Original Horror Movie! My mind is officially blown.
THE VERDICT: BUY A HALLMARK SYMPATHY CARD, SEND IT TO HALLMARK FOR MAKING THIS MOVIE
My low energy Sticky Floor Friday preview of Rambo.
Stallone’s resurrection of everyone’s favorite bandanna’d hero is a strange, bloody two-sided coin. On one side, you have Stallone addressing the serious issue of genocide and needless violence in Burma. On the other side, you have Rambo solving the problem of needless violence with more violence. Luckily, the movie makes you hate the enemy so much that when Rambo is finally called into action, and body parts are literally EXPLODING from sniper fire, you can’t help but feel satisfied. Rambo delivers everything it promises, and actually provides an interesting group of characters to back him up in action. It reminded me of the old days, when movies like Predator would give you a badass squad of mercenaries looking to do some damage. If you don’t think violence solves everything, it’s time to see why you’re wrong. RAMBO!
THE VERDICT: OWN IT!
Games
Dr. Mario Online Rx
Listen to that classic music.
I love Dr. Mario. It’s one of the most addicting video games I’ve ever played. And now, WiiWare has just released it for download! This version has a couple different gameplay modes, including online two-player action, and a crazy four-player edition. For only ten bucks, this is easily the best deal of the week!
I am so stupid. In my delirious Indy excitement this week, I totally forgot to mention that George Romero’s DIARY OF THE DEAD came on DVD this week! A zombie movie set in a Blair Witch (Or do we now just reference Cloverfield?) world. Sounds good to me! Romero is the Master, the originator of zombie movies, and I am excited to add this to my collection! I just wish they didn’t have that stupid “EXTREME” logo in the corner.
THE VERDICT: RUN LIKE A DAWN OF THE DEAD REMAKE ZOMBIE TO BUY THIS!
