Kirk and Tug discuss Simple Jack
The fake trailers are selected as an opening that works before the movie proper begins. The first battle and its gore effects are selected. The Simple Jack discussion between Kirk and Tug is selected by two participants. Les Grossman's ransom meeting and credits dance are selected. The actors around the fire while Jeff detoxes are selected. The shootout and awards ending are additional candidates despite criticism of the final act. The Excess Hollywood interview is selected for its precise period parody. The improvised San Antonio and cooking exchange is selected.
In the discussion (8)
- The fake trailers are selected as an opening that works before the movie proper begins.
- The first battle and its gore effects are selected.
- The Simple Jack discussion between Kirk and Tug is selected by two participants.
- Les Grossman's ransom meeting and credits dance are selected.
- The actors around the fire while Jeff detoxes are selected.
- The shootout and awards ending are additional candidates despite criticism of the final act.
- The Excess Hollywood interview is selected for its precise period parody.
- The improvised San Antonio and cooking exchange is selected.
TiVo
Wii Tennis is proposed as a 2008 marker. Tobey Maguire's MTV Best Kiss credit, Maxim, Maria Menounos's presentation, and the HD DVD versus Blu-ray discussion are proposed. Lance Bass's cameo and Qualcomm phones are proposed. TiVo wins because it saves the characters at the end. An early iPod, Xbox, Spalding NBA ball, and period chapstick are also noted.
In the discussion (5)
- Wii Tennis is proposed as a 2008 marker.
- Tobey Maguire's MTV Best Kiss credit, Maxim, Maria Menounos's presentation, and the HD DVD versus Blu-ray discussion are proposed.
- Lance Bass's cameo and Qualcomm phones are proposed.
- TiVo wins because it saves the characters at the end.
- An early iPod, Xbox, Spalding NBA ball, and period chapstick are also noted.
Les Grossman and the ensemble's longevity
Les Grossman's indifference to human costs is judged more recognizable in the contemporary executive class. The aftermath of the opening explosion and Danny McBride's explosives role remain comic strengths. The YouTube reference and the continued prominence of much of the cast are praised. Vietnam-film parody is said to remain enjoyable even though the genre has faded. The claim that pornography determines video-format adoption is said to have held up. The fake trailers remain a favorite comic device. Walking through the jungle and the young Flaming Dragons leader are also praised.
In the discussion (7)
- Les Grossman's indifference to human costs is judged more recognizable in the contemporary executive class.
- The aftermath of the opening explosion and Danny McBride's explosives role remain comic strengths.
- The YouTube reference and the continued prominence of much of the cast are praised.
- Vietnam-film parody is said to remain enjoyable even though the genre has faded.
- The claim that pornography determines video-format adoption is said to have held up.
- The fake trailers remain a favorite comic device.
- Walking through the jungle and the young Flaming Dragons leader are also praised.
Tug before the bridge explosion
Tug running ahead of the exploding bridge is proposed as the cinematic-shot choice.
In the discussion (1)
- Tug running ahead of the exploding bridge is proposed as the cinematic-shot choice.
Late pacing; Jack Black; Ben Stiller
The last third is judged seven or eight minutes too long, with a preference for more pre-jungle ensemble scenes. Jack Black is selected because his withdrawal material sometimes pulls focus from stronger combinations. Steve Coogan is considered funnier in the mockumentary than in the main film. Ben Stiller is selected because the performance feels familiar. The defense of Stiller is that his nuanced straight-man work supports the more extreme performances and makes his own self-parody effective.
In the discussion (5)
- The last third is judged seven or eight minutes too long, with a preference for more pre-jungle ensemble scenes.
- Jack Black is selected because his withdrawal material sometimes pulls focus from stronger combinations.
- Steve Coogan is considered funnier in the mockumentary than in the main film.
- Ben Stiller is selected because the performance feels familiar.
- The defense of Stiller is that his nuanced straight-man work supports the more extreme performances and makes his own self-parody effective.
Action, changed comedy context, and diminished laughter
The action is selected as having aged worst. The film's gamble that being funny could excuse every large provocation is considered harder to sustain in contemporary theatrical comedy. One participant says the comedy fell flat and was less funny than remembered. Others defend the first hour and Hollywood satire while agreeing Anchorman and Step Brothers have broader cultural reach.
In the discussion (4)
- The action is selected as having aged worst.
- The film's gamble that being funny could excuse every large provocation is considered harder to sustain in contemporary theatrical comedy.
- One participant says the comedy fell flat and was less funny than remembered.
- Others defend the first hour and Hollywood satire while agreeing Anchorman and Step Brothers have broader cultural reach.
Jack Black
Jack Black is selected for overacting.
In the discussion (1)
Platoon parody effect; two qualified reactions to the portrayal; two proposed role swaps and Craig's response
Tropic Thunder is said to affect later viewing of Platoon in the way Walk Hard affects music biographies because many shots closely parody Platoon. One answer says the blackface performance has never personally offended him, while emphasizing that blackface outside this satirical context is objectionable. A separate qualification agrees that it had to be as good as it was to meet that bar. A second answer says he is not offended by the blackface at all, understands the joke, and can laugh at material like it. Matthew McConaughey is proposed for Tug because Ben Stiller's version feels too similar to his Zoolander mode, with Stiller moving to Rick Peck. Bill Hader is proposed for Jeff Portnoy because he would have brought fresher improvisation than the already-established Jack Black. McConaughey as Tug is explicitly endorsed when Craig is asked, but the Jack Black replacement is challenged because Black's physicality and Chris Farley-like energy enliven the jungle passages.
In the discussion (7)
- Tropic Thunder is said to affect later viewing of Platoon in the way Walk Hard affects music biographies because many shots closely parody Platoon. — Chris Ryan
- One answer says the blackface performance has never personally offended him, while emphasizing that blackface outside this satirical context is objectionable.
- A separate qualification agrees that it had to be as good as it was to meet that bar.
- A second answer says he is not offended by the blackface at all, understands the joke, and can laugh at material like it.
- Matthew McConaughey is proposed for Tug because Ben Stiller's version feels too similar to his Zoolander mode, with Stiller moving to Rick Peck.
- Bill Hader is proposed for Jeff Portnoy because he would have brought fresher improvisation than the already-established Jack Black.
- McConaughey as Tug is explicitly endorsed when Craig is asked, but the Jack Black replacement is challenged because Black's physicality and Chris Farley-like energy enliven the jungle passages. — Craig Horlbeck
Yvette Nicole Brown
Yvette Nicole Brown as Peck's assistant is selected under the background-player interpretation; Danny McBride and Christopher Walken are also considered.
In the discussion (1)
Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise as Les Grossman is selected, with debate over whether reducing him to one major scene plus the ending would increase the impact.
In the discussion (1)
- Tom Cruise as Les Grossman is selected, with debate over whether reducing him to one major scene plus the ending would increase the impact.
Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. is judged at Apex because Iron Man arrived the same year. Ben Stiller is considered but not affirmed. Vietnam War parody is judged at Apex here. Jack Black, Brandon T. Jackson, Jay Baruchel, Matthew McConaughey, and Bill Hader are considered without affirmative selections. Politically incorrect comedies are discussed, with Blazing Saddles remaining the leading historical example.
In the discussion (5)
Cruise
Cruise is the choice; the discussion notes his episode lead and debates films from his less-popular period.
In the discussion (1)
- Cruise is the choice; the discussion notes his episode lead and debates films from his less-popular period.
Untouchable; possible Scorcher 7
The film is considered effectively untouchable, though a Scorcher 7 sequel on another planet is proposed.
In the discussion (1)
- The film is considered effectively untouchable, though a Scorcher 7 sequel on another planet is proposed.
Paulie Walnuts as Les Grossman; Nell crossover
Paulie Walnuts is imagined delivering Les Grossman's threats. A Nell and Simple Jack crossover or romance is also proposed.
In the discussion (2)
- Paulie Walnuts is imagined delivering Les Grossman's threats.
- A Nell and Simple Jack crossover or romance is also proposed.
Simple Jack display and Booty Sweat
The large moving Simple Jack display is selected. Bluetooth headsets, BlackBerrys, a Qualcomm phone, and the TiVo box are proposed as period artifacts. A movie-used can of Booty Sweat is selected.
In the discussion (3)
- The large moving Simple Jack display is selected.
- Bluetooth headsets, BlackBerrys, a Qualcomm phone, and the TiVo box are proposed as period artifacts.
- A movie-used can of Booty Sweat is selected.
Porn leads format adoption
The lesson is that pornography sets the direction for media formats.
In the discussion (1)
- The lesson is that pornography sets the direction for media formats.
Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. is the declared winner.
In the discussion (1)
Podcast choices
Most Rewatchable Scene
