Here you can find
comprehensive database of movies with film
synopses, reviews, casts and characters,
theatrical trailers and photos of upcoming
films, production notes, official sites and
photos from new releases, as well as
exclusive interviews and articles, news,
Read movie reviews of current films from top
critics and many other sources.
Download your free
Desktop Wallpapers
Tropic Thunder is an upcoming 2008 action comedy film directed by Ben Stiller and starring Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. as a group of actors filming a Vietnam War movie when their fed-up writer-director decides to dump them in the middle of a real war. It is due for release on August 15, 2008.
Downey's role was originally written for a black actor, but was re-cast and re-written for Downey (thus calling for the blackface part of the plotline). Downey acknowledged the potential controversy over the role, but "at the end of the day, it's always about how well you commit to the character. If I didn't feel it was morally sound, or that it would be easily misinterpreted that I'm just C. Thomas Howell [in Soul Man], I would've stayed home." Ben Stiller also commented on Downey's portrayal of a black actor: "When people see the movie – in the context of the film, he’s playing a method actor who’s gone to great lengths to play an African American. The movie is skewering actors and how they take themselves so seriously. Audiences that have seen it so far have totally embraced the character." Owen Wilson was to have Matthew McConaughey's role in the film, but dropped out after his suicide attempt in August 2007.
Cast:
Ben Stiller
as Tug Speedman, a pampered action star who attempted to turn into a serious actor - with disastrous results.
Jack Black as Jeff "Fats" Portnoy, a comedian-turned-drug addict well known for playing multiple parts in films.
Robert Downey Jr. as Kirk Lazarus, an Australian multiple Academy Award-winning method actor who portrays an African American character Sgt. Osiris.
Stiller had intended to keep Cruise's role in the film a surprise, and he is not credited in the film. The film studio has refused to release pictures of Cruise's character as he appears in the movie. Images of Tom Cruise with a bald headpiece and in a fat suit appeared on Inside Edition in November 2007, and also appeared on the Internet. Cruise is reported to play a fat movie mogul in the film. Attorneys for Tom Cruise threatened a lawsuit if photos showing Cruise bald, bearded and wearing a fat suit were published. "Mr Cruise's appearance was supposed to be a surprise for his fans worldwide. Paparazzi have ruined what should have been a fun discovery for moviegoers," said representatives for Cruise. Photo agency INF responded with a statement: "While these pictures were taken without breaking any criminal or civil laws, we've decided to pull them from circulation effective immediately." MTV News reported that "..reps are reportedly having the image of a fat, balding Cruise pulled from the Internet as quickly as sites can put it up". In an April 2008 interview with MTV News, Ben Stiller refused to discuss Tom Cruise's role in the film.
Ben Stiller got the idea for the film while shooting Empire of the Sun, in which he played a small part. Shooting for the film took place on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, where Stiller has a home. The island was chosen based on a tax credit for in-state spending that was negotiated with the Kauai Film Commission. Before the film, three fake trailers will be shown, similar to the 2007 film Grindhouse. One of the trailers, entitled "Satan's Alley", features Downey Jr. and Tobey Maguire. Another trailer, entitled "Simple Jack", features Ben Stiller, Justin Theroux, and Mickey Rooney.
Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey, Jr. appeared on the seventh season finale of American Idol in a sketch (funded by themselves to charity) as The Pips performing with Gladys Knight, using archival footage of her. The three actors also later performed a sketch in the 2008 MTV Movie Awards which featured the actors attempting to create a successful viral video to promote the film, with awkward results. Afterword, the three later appeared to present the "Best Movie" award.
As a tie-in for the film's release, Paramount announced that it would be marketing an energy drink known as "Booty Sweat" which is shown throughout the film. This is the first product to be released concurrently with a film's release, as other fictional products are usually released after the film has ended its theater run. Michael Corcoran, the president of consumer products for Paramount Pictures commented on the release: "Not to my knowledge has this ever been done before. We're very excited, because it has the potential to live for quite a while, well beyond the film." The drink is going to be marketed in college bookstores, Amazon.com, and other retailers.
Film website Ain't It Cool News received positive reviews of the film from people attending test screenings in both February and March of 2008, with one user writing "Overall, I had a great time watching this movie." and another writing "I laughed hard and consistently, and in that i felt the film was a great success." After attending an industry screening in April 2008 Michael Cieply from The New York Times is quoted as saying the film "...is shaping up as one of the studio’s best prospects for the summer." The film's trailer also received "best comedy trailer" at the 9th annual Golden Trailer Awards.
Movies and Films
Wallpapers 
