Tropic Thunder (2008)

Director: Ben Stiller
Starring: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr.

Synopsis:
The troubled production of a big-budget war movie is thrown into chaos when its prima donna cast becomes stranded in the Golden Triangle.

Impressions:
It's funny how sharply Hollywood can hone the blade of satire and turn it inward. This is a hilarious lampoon that covers a broad swath of Tinsel Town. Starting from the fake trailers at the beginning all the way to the end, it's great fun if you know much about Hollywood and even if you don't, there are plenty of laughs to be had. There are a lot of big names in that cast and they all do quite well. Of particular note are Robert Downey Jr. as the Australian method actor Kirk Lazarus, Tom Cruise as the vicious producer Les Grossman, and Matthew McConaughey as the agent of Ben Stiller's character. It's very dark comedy that veers dang close to pitch black at times and can be rather vulgar, but I'll be daggone if it isn't a riot. I definitely recommend it for a watch, but if you're on the sensitive side, you may want to weigh your choice first.

Rating:
Own It