Hooray,

I raised my $200 for the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)’s Night of Writing Dangerously, and I’ve booked my ticket to San Francisco for November 22. G-d bless SouthWest airlines – el cheapo dealo. I really wanted to fly Virgin America but their prices were high-in-the-sky. So bye-bye Virgin, for now at least.

Great thanks to my mum (aw shucks), Tania Hershman, James Tumminia, Eddie and Melissa Rabin, Etan Lerner (well his parents Paul and Michelle) and Susan Meadows for raising the funds for the Office of Letters and Light. You all rock! And thanks to Lisa Alcalay Klug for offering to host me in SF.

My mum was visiting from Israel in November last year and we went to San Francisco for a few days and I came down with the world’s worst flu – but NOT H1N1 (it hadn’t occurred yet). So it will be great to spend a day in SF and do all the things I didn’t get to do last time (after the six hours of writing for NaNoWriMo), because I was stuck in my hotel room bed.

Of course, this does mean I DO have to write my 50,000 words in one month, and I’ve still yet to come up with a concrete idea. Oh well, I have a couple of weeks. I’ve been checking out all the NaNoWriMo posts on Twitter and it’s all a little daunting. There’s almost 40,000 people signed up for NaNoWriMo and it makes you realise how many writers are actually out there – a lot! It’s also fun to know that others will attempt this deranged, insane, activity.

In the meantime, I’m working on three separate stories. Just sent to my editor an article on an Israeli fashion designer in LA who almost lost her hand in a car accident as a teenager and still is managing to pursue her dream. Pretty inspiring stuff. And I just interviewed a former Israeli soccer player who is now the hair extension guru to Hollywood stars (Zohan, anyone?). And I spoke with Hilary Helstein about her moving documentary As Seen Through These Eyes – a decades in the making film about Holocaust survivors who documented their experiences through their art. Narrated by Maya Angelou it’s extraordinary. If you’re in LA – go see it!

All three articles will be written, and up in in the coming weeks – will keep you posted on the links. And of course there is more wonderful work up at Scribblers on the Roof. Go check it out.

I hope to get to do this every month. Basically an outline and a line on two on what I’ve done the past month. Some of these things will still get their own post.
Stuff done in whole, so I might mention some other things, but we’ll see.

July was a month I was feeling crappy for much of, and had tests in the University, so it may be both more and less than usual. More anime and less books, certainly.

Movies:

• Ice Age 2: Turns out I have this on DVD. Watched this in preparation for Ice Age 3. Wasn’t very funny or good.
• Ice Age 3: Went to the cinema for this one. This one was quite hilarious, which is something I like seeing in movies. A rollicking good fun.
• Don’t Mess with the Zohan (uncensored): An ok movie, I guess. It could’ve been considerably better with some better editing. Cutting a 1-2 minute here, another 1-2 minute there, that were simply awful, would have done the movie good. It did show people what an Israeli accent sounds like though.
• Yes Man. An ok movie, relatively good time. Loved the music, loved Zooey Deschanel.
• Japan: A Love Story. A documentary. Voluntary slavery almost comes to mind, but of course, I’m an outsider looking in.

TV:

• Daily House M.D. re-runs continue, season 3 and 4. I guess when this ends next week or so we’ll get season 5. I’ve watched the episodes before, still, fun.
• Boston Legal season 5 started showing.
• Damages season 2 is showing. I am enjoying it a lot thus far.

Books:

• Wheel of Time 6, large portion of 7. This is where the going begins to get tough, but it’s easier than I remember it, because I was reading it quickly. Then again, barely touched it the last three weeks or so.

Manga:

• Fullmetal Alchemist 19: I had a great time, we’re finally getting to uncover more of the past of the series. Mood considerably different from the beginning of the series, I might need to read it all again when it’s all out.
• Future Diary 1: I did not get to read this one, apparently Tokyopop has issues. I thought the concept was cool, still want to read it.
• Rurouni Kenshin 1-15: I’ve decided to re-read the series.

Anime:

• Mai-HiMe: I’ve really enjoyed this series. I’ve loved Mai, I liked her Seiyu, the art, the story, the emotional impact. A+.
• Gintama: Watched episodes 1-8. Since I’ve had it, decided to watch it already. Highly suggested to Hayate no Gotoku fans. I like this one better, funny.
• Zero no Tsukaima / The Familiar of Zero; Seasons 1-3: I like how they are doing this series right, with the story continuing in its own pace, season by season. Series is nice, series is cute. Series is by no means “something special”. You do get a Yuki Nagato clone in it, and another “Sanzenin Nagi”.
• Tenjho Tenge 1-10. As I’ve covered it during the month, I decided to watch it again. Undecided if I’ll watch it all again or not.
• Onegai Sensei / Please Teacher: A series designed to appeal to teenaged geeks. It has some moments where it can “get you”, emotionally. Its backdrop is especially designed for that effect.

Had been reading bits and pieces of the Transhuman Space RPG.
I also got to eat at “Black Bar and Burger” for the first time. The hot-wings were a bit skinny and tough, the burger was delicious. Medium.

Stop being such a prickly pear and come sit on Papa Kiwi's lap.

For earlier installments of the ultra-popular Fruitface series, click here.

Don't mess with the Wineapple. Or the Zohan.

For other recently discovered fruitfaces, click here.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love having a PVR?  It has totally changed the way I watch television-I think I’m watching less overall which can only be a good thing.  The problem can be that I get behind on my recordings.  I finally watched “Gone Baby Gone” this morning, which I think I recorded over a month ago.  Who knew that Ben Affleck could direct such a complex and thought provoking movie?  Twists, turns, complicated morality, unexpected results and situations…this movie was very well done.  Great performances, too.  I’ve always been a fan of Ed Harris and he’s fantastic, as usual.  Kudos also to Amy Madigan, Michelle Monaghan, Amy Ryan…well everyone, really.  I was also surprised and pleased with Casey Affleck.

Based on a book by Dennis Lehane (who also wrote the book Mystic River…which was turned into another powerful movie) and adapted by Ben Affleck & Aaron Stockard, this is not a happy, feel good flick.  It is dark, complicated and thought provoking.  Watch it.  It is definitely worth it.

Lest you think that I’m only about the complicated and clever, I also watched “Don’t Mess with the Zohan” this weekend.  While not the worst movie I’ve ever seen, it certainly wasn’t the best either.  Mildly funny, and with some tiny attempts at satire it was a mindless little romp.  I’m starting to feel that I only REALLY like Adam Sandler when he stars with Drew Barrymore.  (“50 First Dates”‘ & “The Wedding Singer”)  Maybe that says more about her than him?

Speaking about Drew Barrymore, did you watch “Grey Gardens”?  Taking the advice of Lainey, of LaineyGossip (love her!) I watched the 1975 documentary first, then the HBO movie.    I agree that was the best way-I had something to compare with.  Hasn’t Drew become a luminous woman?  And a far better actress than I ever would have given her credit for.  She managed to keep up with Jessica Lange, and that’s no small competition.  Even if you don’t want to know shocking stories about Jackie O’s relatives, it is a strange, sad tale about mental illness and family dynamics.  Very well done.

Before we start My fight rankings have nothing to do with numbers and statistics, but rather entertainment. My rankings are all infamous movie titles, and are as follows:

1. Raging Bull

2. Rocky I

3. Million Dollar Baby

4. Rocky II

5. Rocky Balboa

6. Ali

7. Rocky III

8. Cinderella Man

9. Rocky IV

10. Rocky V

I know that is a convoluted way of simply giving a 1-10 entertainment rating, but I love movies, and I love boxing. Put the two together and you get a confusing unnecessary ranking system.

8:30

Like so many of my pre-game moments, I’m wondering what I should be eating during this marathon of boxing brilliance. My mind goes wild with the fatty, sodium-laden possibilities. But Unfortunately I just ordered a $50 fight, so maybe a $20 pizza isn’t the best way for a starving student to spend his money.

9:00

I learn that in a last minute change, Ricky Hatton’s brother, Matthew won’t be fighting on TV. That’s a disappointment. I can’t wait to hear this soccer like crowd cheer for their fellow Mancunian. Now I’m just going to have to wait longer. Also James Kirkland, an exciting light middleweight trained by legendary female fighter Ann Wolfe, won’t be fighting either. Kirkland was found with a gun which violated his probation. This is truly a shame as Kirkland is an exciting, BAT SHIT CRAZY fighter.

9:15

I flick over to see the Celtics Bulls score in between rounds. After a slow start the Cs are into halftime with a 14-point lead.

Side Note: At this point I panic. I changed the channel….Will Pay Per View ask me to pay again when I change back? I grab the remote with trepidation…Will it work? Will I have to pay another $49.99?…I firmly press the “return” button on my remote………….It changes, and all is well.

Sorry about that lack of drama. But this is just how stupid I can be.

Erislandy Lara vs. Chris Gray (and a Michael Buffer Side Note)

The first undercard fight went the full 4 rounds. Erislandy Lara soundly defeated Chris Gray. Gray only connected on 11 of his punches. Overall I give the fight a Rocky IV, but only because Lara could be a future star.

At the same time as I listen to Michael Buffer announce this 40-36 snoozfest, I wonder “why was Buffer cast as the bad guy in Don’t Mess With The Zohan?” What Hollywood exec thought casting MICHAEL FUCKIN’ BUFFER was a good idea?

Matt Korobov vs. Rodrigo Aguilar

Korobov beat Rodrigo Aguilar by TKO after the ref rescued the poor American fighter. He was being destroyed. Rodrigo Aguilar landed only 1 power punch. I thought 11 was bad. DAMN!! This one gets an Rocky III rating as it was entertaining if nothing else. The power punching and TKO helped, and much like Lara, Korobov could be a future star in the Middleweight division.

Daniel Jacobs vs. Mike Walker

Jacobs was substituted for the afore mentioned James Kirkland. Seriously Kirkland is BAT SHIT CRAZY but in a good way!! But it wasn’t to be to lets move on.

As I watch this, I keep thinking about how screwed Mike Walker would have been if he faced Kirkland. Walker would have been going down faster than a Vietnamese hooker. Can you tell I was a James Kirkland fan? I’m so disappointed he’s in jail now. The fight ends with a unanimous decision for Daniel Jacobs and gets an Ali rating. But with Kirkland it was a Rocky I waiting to happen.

Humberto Soto vs. Benoit Gaudet

ATTENTION!!! ALERT!!! WARNING!!! CANADIAN CONTENT AHEAD!!! That’s right Benoit Gaudet is a Canadian fighting out of Quebec, challenging Soto for the WBC Super Featherweight Title. Mine That Bird won the Kentucky Derby, and the Jays won in a great 11-inning thriller, so lets see if Gaudet can continue a great day for Canadian sports.

Side Note: the Singing for Ricky Hatton has begun… It’s 12 rounds early, but still it has started.

Another Side Note: Gaudet speaks French, Soto speaks Spanish, but the ref speaks English….there is something wrong here.

Gaudet goes down in the first minute of the fight, but fortunately gets back up continue to take on the Mexican born Soto. If I were in Gaudet’s corner I would tell him to yell, “Look over there, it’s SWINE FLU!” then when Soto is distracted…BAM.

So the Swine Flu distraction method wasn’t used. Maybe it’s still too soon.  Gaudet got KOed in the 9th round. But Gaudet fought a great fight and gained some fans along the way. Overall the fight gets a Rocky II.

Yet Another Side Note: the Celts just won by 10. I believe if you scroll down you’ll see I called that yesterday.

Pacquiao vs. Hatton

Months of hype, thousands of fans, two fighters, one ring; Here we go. Since I’m openly cheering for the Hitman I might as well join in. THERE’S ONLY ONE RICKY HATTON! ONE RICKY HATTON! WALKING ALONG! SINGING A SONG! WALKING IN A HATTON WONDERLAND! (rinse & repeat).

Holy Shit ANOTHER Side Note: While they were singing the American national anthem they showed video of the Vegas Strip. If you’re trying to invoke national pride in the US, should you really show the Vegas Strip? When the girl sang “land of the free” I thought she was going to add “free…shrimp cocktail after 12pm at the Golden Nugget, and the land of the hookers!”

ROUND 1

I should never cheer for any team or athlete I want to be successful. Hatton went down twice in the FIRST ROUND!! Pacquiao’s hands are AMAZINGLY fast.

ROUND 2

Hatton looked to be doing okay for 2 minutes 59 seconds. A PERFECT left-hand hook to the chin, and Hatton went limp. Three months of training for a round and a half. Is sucks for such a great athlete, and by all accounts great guy to go down in such a poor showing.

JUDGEMENT

If you’re a Pacquiao fan, it’s a Raging Bull. If you’re a Brit, or cheering for the more charismatic Hatton, it’s a sad sad moment. Overall I’ll give this fight a Rocky I.The Atmosphere was amazing, and the fight was vicious.Very Entertaining.

With Pacquiao being THIS dominant, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. coming out of retirement earlier today, how long until we see the two in the ring? Now that fight will be worth $49.99. But until then I’m going to take a page from Hatton’s massive following and keep singing. “THERE’S ONLY ONE RICKY HATTON!”

By Scott

my friends and i got to hang out today, and it wasn’t as exciting as i thought it would be. i did, however, appreciate our laid back approach. we were just pretty chill with everything… it was nice.

we started off late because farouk wasn’t free until 3PM. feeling generous and wanting the group to be whole, we decided to wait for him. i’m not rich, and i don’t really have any money on me at the moment (my online shopping addiction isn’t necessarily helping me out here… i’m in the process of gathering $18 for a shirt). i’m working towards getting a job… but my efforts have turned up fruitless thus far.

back to today’s highlighted events – we went to the library to borrow some videos because (again) there’s no money to go to blockbuster. we ended up watching 1/4 of DON’T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN [w/ adam sandler]. bored to death, the gang and i headed off to the EVERGREEN INN for some chow.

the service was alright. it wasn’t fantastic because we had to wait for a waiter to come by (and that somewhat irked me). the food… was really heavy. lots of carbs and fat and wholesome. INN had a very ‘mom and pop / small-town-diner’ appeal; very homey. tipping was also calculated for us, so that was nice… typically, us asians don’t tip the whole 15% though.

we then went to McDonald’s where i asked for an application form. I’m going to start applying to places like mad. really, i need to (though the majority of the places aren’t hiring!). the only negative to the whole outing was Kev’s constant repeating of “i’m so sleepy” and Kell doing his calculus BC hw. it was pretty rude / inconsiderate.

now i must restrain myself and start on that 5 – 8 page government essay!! /*dies

I’m after a two day break, well it wasn’t really a break as I had been quite busy the past 2 days (I did have something on one of those days, but I have forgotten what it was).

So moves had watched to English movies this week DON’T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN and HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS AND ALIENATE PEOPLE. I have to say their were both funny and should be recommended to watched but I prefer Simon Pegg’s HTMFAAP (abbreviation), this is possibly because that I am British (well half) and the movie could relate to me. But DMWTZ (abbreviation) is a movie to the mick out of the Israel – Palestine war but has good and meaningful message for people part of any war (including in Sri Lanka)

Back to Tamil Movies watched Saroja yesterday brilliant and funny movie, I especially like the way that movie been edited, that is the new style and brill ant it is the storyline good as well. But hopefully not as good as Varanam Aayiram, which I hope is not like another Dhaam Dhoom (brilliant songs crap storyline, well it was good the whole story is actually supposed to be 1hour long which has been dragged onto another hour, badly orientate songs they all could within an hour!). But any way here is a Public Opinion Vid done by Indiaglitz which is surprising has mixed review and the the opinion actually is spilt down the middle guyz vs girls but it depends if you are into watching all genre romantic and action but this one is defiantly not action it meant to like Minnale (which is one of my favourite movies).

This film was so funny.

Loved: Almost everything but this topped things up -

I dont know what you have but mine is the biggest, it does not get bigger then this. Its enormous, scary, i mean woh.

What

I have the biggest, its the biggest. Take a look at this, look

Its not that big

ITS NOT THAT BI…. No no no no, the bush, the bush is the biggest

Per chi mi segue da un po’ la mia avversione al doppiaggio dei film italiani non è una novità. Ormai non riesco più a vedere i film se non sono in lingua originale. Non è un’ammissione di snobbismo. E’ semplicemente che una volta che si è scoperto che la voce degli attori ricalca il movimento delle labbra difficilmente non si può considerare un film doppiato come ridicolo. Altra cosa importante: il volume del doppiato sovrasta il volume dei suoni di background e quindi si sente che è finto. Tra l’altro gli errori di stile, di cambio di voce nelle situazioni sono onnipresenti.

Esempio di un paio di film recenti:

1. Sulla “recensione” di Tropic Thunder (in realtà non è una recensione, ma il titolo del post ha ingannato Google: 400 visite solo per quel post) concludevo col dire che non assicuravo lo stesso risultato comico nella versione italiana. Ebbene mi è capitato di vedere il trailer italiano e alcune scene sparse, e il mio giudizio è che hanno fatto un pessimo lavoro. La comicità di Downey Junior stava proprio nella sua parlata afroamericana incomprensibile e me lo hanno doppiato come se fosse lo zio Tom della famosa capanna. “Sì buana” è diverso da “Yo, man whatafucka”.

2. Don’t mess with the Zohan. Un film demenziale ed originale, una ventata d’aria fresca tra titoli comici ormai noiosi. In breve, il personaggio è un agente dell’antiterrorismo israeliano che parla con l’accento israeliano per tutto il film. Il 90% dell’effetto comico del film sta nell’accento israeliano. Ora nella versione italiana gli hanno fatto un accento francese che non ha niente a che vedere con l’originale. Perché Zohan (come dice il titolo in inglese) è un duro, un macho, un agente israeliano l’acerrimo nemico del terrorismo palestinese.

Insomma sarebbe come tradurre in inglese i film di Fantozzi o di Lino Banfi. Non avrebbe senso. Perché non ci abituiamo ad usare i sottotitoli come in tutti gli altri paesi (a parte francia, spagna e polonia). Non roviniamo le opere d’arte, ci divertiamo dipiù imparando le lingue fin da piccoli.

Comunque questo è il vero Zohan!!!

]]> http://theechochamberblog.com/2008/10/19/richard-belzer-loves-deez-puppies-dave-matthews-hates-deez-puppies-winner-dave-matthews/ Sun, 19 Oct 2008 20:24:53 +0000 Tenacious Lee http://theechochamberblog.com/2008/10/19/richard-belzer-loves-deez-puppies-dave-matthews-hates-deez-puppies-winner-dave-matthews/

I love deez puppies!

Detective Munch is a dog-loving wussy.  No wonder why he never hits the streets on SVU anymore.  He was interviewed about his new book, I Am Not a Cop!, on Today the other morning and brought his pint-sized dog, Bebe.  Rather than stick to his book-plugging script on Today, Belzer finished the interview by preaching to America about how we should all adopt animals. 

Doubt it, Munchie.

Scope out the puppy hating reaction from Dave Matthews…

If Munch hadn’t carried his dog in his purse, none of this would have had to happen.  Hate, hate, hate!

Sin dudas, uno de mis actores cómicos favoritos. Mucha gente no entiende su humor pero para mi es un genio.

1. Happy Gilmore: Happy es un jugador de Hockey frustrado que debe jugar al golf para recuperar la casa de su abuelita. Desde ya revolucionara el pulcro mundo golfistico con sus actitudes obscenas y desmedidas.
2. Billy Madison: Billy es el hijo de un multimillonario. Vive de fiesta, borracho y drogado hasta que su padre, que esta por retirarse, amenaza con darle la compañía al maligno socio. Por un arreglo un poco raro Billy deberá volver a la escuela primaria y secundaria, pasando cada grado cada 2 semanas para salvar la compañía.
3. Mr. Deeds: Deeds es un hombre tranquilo de un pueblito tranquilo, tras la muerte de un tío lejano hereda una fortuna, pero debe ir a Nueva York a cobrarla.. allí comienzan los problemas.
4. Big Daddy: Sammy Koufax es un vago sin rumbo al que por un extraño episodio y para ayudar a un amigo, le toca hacerse cargo de un niño y esto le cambiara la vida para siempre.
5. 50 First Dates: Henry Roth se enamora de una mujer con un problema de memoria y por ello debe conquistarla todos los días de su vida. Sin duda la película mas romántica del ranking, igualmente sigue siendo comedia o comedia romántica.

BONUS TRACK: Don’t Mess with the Zohan: La ultima pelicula del Sandler, un heroe de guerra israeli emigra a NY para cumplir el sueño de su vida: trabajar como peluquero. MUY graciosa!

Ca nimic din ce e sub soare nu scapa privirii vulturesti a producatorilor de la Hollywood nu mai e o noutate pentru mine. Dar, sincer, nu ma asteptam ca o tema precum interminabilul conflict arabo-israelian, care e oricum, numai hazlie nu, sa se regaseasca intr-o comedie. Si nu una oarecare, ci una cu Adam Sandler. Adica un diluviu de gaguri variind de la spumoase la mega-imbecile si in care pudibonderia e o notiune necunoscuta.

De obicei, filmele lui Sandler prezinta cele mai mari tampenii sub masca seriozitatii, dar Don’t mess with the Zohan se apropie mai mult de stilul rivalului sau, Ben Stiller. Ca sa argumentez, fiti atenti la sinopsis: cel mai tare agent israelian, ZOHAN(!!!::::))), incearca sa se lase de meserie si pleaca in America pentru a incepe o noua viata si a-si urma pasiunea – sa coafeze femei. Ajuns aici, devine celebru pentru ca, pe langa tunsoare, ofera fiecarei cliente (de regula, baba sau, ca sa fiu politically correct, persoane in etate) si cate o strasnica partida de sex. Nu stiu de ce, dar mi-a adus aminte de Zoolander-ul lui Stiller.

Ca sa contrabalansez pregnanta senzatie ca imi irosesc 2 ore din viata, am incercat sa gasesc si ceva care sa justifice timpul pierdut: tupeul cu care sunt luati la misto la gramada americanii, arabii si israelienii; doi actori – Rob Schneider, care m-a facut sa rad la fiecare aparitie pe ecran, si un necunoscut, Ido Mosseri, care emana o smecherie evreiasca super-amuzanta.

Cu toate ineptiile lui, Don’t mess with the Zohan are meritul de a readuce aminte ca, atata vreme cat avem umor, oricat ar fi de slab, mai avem o sansa.

i just want to  make people silky smooth!

Any movie with adam sandler would of course be hilarious. Having to watch the trailer, i understand that dont mess with the zohan would be larger than life fictional over the top comedy. But never i expect its going to be so hilarious and filled with spot on pokes on the issue between arab-israeli. and of course over the top penis joke. lol

in a way, i felt sorry for parents who bring their kids along to watch this movie. This movie is rated “U” in malaysia which is open for general audience. i think it should be more approrately rate under 18SX or 18PL.The minute i went out of the cinema there are few bunch of kids giggling recalling few jokes from the movie, a boy specifically mention to his dad that the “konek” jokes is so funny!.*Pengsan.

I must say rob scheinder play a good role as salim. i didnt notice it was him as salim, until the movie end credit role up. He play an arab with a perfect 10.

Of course any mariah fans would have smile in joy since adam sandler basically unshamefully puts mariah carey everywhere in this movie from zohan’s tshirt, to using her songs in few scenes. and Mariah Carey herself did a hilarious cameo playing herself in the movie. its funny.

Went to watch this last night with a few mates, and have to say it’s the best comedy I have seen in a while. Not sure why they allowed it though, its just a film basically taking the piss out of middle easterns, specifically Palestinians and Iranians. If you loved Borat, you’ve got to go and watch this film. I’m not sure how new it is, but it wasnt showing at my local cinema, I had to travel to the next city to get it. Was definetly worth it. I’m not normally a fan of comedies, give me a James Bond any day So basically, it is a must watch, so go now and watch it!

Okay, am vazut recent 3 filme pe care le consider deosebit de proaste. Am facut update si intr-un post anterior Cele mai proaste filme, dar le enumar si aici:

1. Don’t Mess with the Zohan ( 2008 ) – Unul dintre cele mai slabe filme ale lui Adam Sandler. Un agent Mosad care vrea sa devina silist de par?!?! wtf

2. Prom Night ( 2008 ) – Un criminal psihopat omoara familia unei fete. Ea scapa. Scapa si el din inchisoare in ziua balului ei de absolvire. Incepe sa-i omoare colegii(nu-i bai ca erau cam bulangii). El vrea sa fie cu ea, ea nu prea vrea ca are iubit. El rezolva problema asta. Ea se cam supara. Vine un politist negru si il impusca. the end

3. Meet the Spartans ( 2008 ) – singura parte nenegativa este Carmen Electra care ne aduce aminte de Baywatch si de slow-motion running .

Radu D.

 A few weeks ago I was went to see a movie.  Can’t think of which one as I see so many of them, but I remember slurping on my Mr. Pibb and watching the trailers.  I love trailers.  They reflect (most of the time) the better parts of the movie and definitely pass the time while you’re waiting for the movie to start.   So when I saw the trailer for the movie ‘Tropic  Thunder’ by Ben Stiller, a grin popped on my face.  Not because I think he’s a great writer /director or that all his movies are guaranteed ‘funny’ but he’s built a personna for himself as a ‘comedic’ filmmaker.  He also writes and directs the movies HE wants to see and he hires his friends and family.

I also like the fact that he’s trying to bring humor in the world we live in today. Make people laugh for a spell to take them out of the craziness of this world.  I like the fact that he can do crazy, sometimes senseless movies and actually get the greenlight and bring them to the big screen.  

But when are you being funny versus being inconsiderate or rude? When are you creating jokes and not embellishing stereotypes.  I haven’t seen the movie but I plan to, why?  Because of Robert Downey Jr’s character.  When I saw it I immediately thought ‘Oh no,’ not another black face’.  With all the recent, careless and public use of the ‘N’ word by prominent celebrities the past couple of years, I knew after seeing RD Jr’s character, that African American elements in the film would be ‘pulled’ back or reigned in ‘just RIGHT’ so that it wouldn’t come across offensive. 

I’m pretty openminded so I can find humor in alot of wierd stuff and even be objective.  And I admit, seeing RD jr’ in disguise as a black man and the way he did it, I laughed! HYSTERICALLY.  So I’m prepared for the ’stereotypes’, not just of African Americans but of other races and personality types.  That’s what Ben Stiller does, he pokes fun at stuff that people tend to take too seriously and he amplifies stuff that people may be too sensitive about.  

I will commend Ben for going to the NAACP to preview the movie before it was release to make sure the use of the white man in black face character didn’t borderline on the offensive and I’m sure that Ben checked with other leadership organizations before releasing the film.  BUT apparently he didn’t get the ‘okay’ from a certain group of people.  Hmmmm read about that here….   See article here

Will this be like Adam Sandlers movie, ‘Don’t Mess With the Zohan’?  Where Adam exxagerates the characteristics and tradition of Israli’s and Palenstinians?  I reviewed the Adam’s movie at Film Reviews 2 Go.  To find out what I thought about that one, check it out here

So I guess my question is, how far is too far, when you’re making fun of a race of people, a culture, a negative word like the ‘N’ word or ‘Retard’?  How far is too far, when you’re making fun of a person’s disabilities?  Comedians are here to make us laugh at ourselves but what if it really isn’t that funny?

I will admit I’m going to see Tropic Thunder, I’m curious to see how Ben is going to pull it off.  What are you concerns or thoughts about these types of productions?