Tropic Thunder has the potential to be one of the funniest movies to premiere in Summer 2008. Or it could be one of the most angrily controversial movies in recent memory. Either way, it should be interesting to see the public’s reaction.

Starring and directed by the sometimes funny Ben Stiller, Tropic Thunder tells the story of a group of narcissistic actors (is there any other kind?) filming a new Vietnam War epic in the spirit of Apocalypse Now. One is a typical action star (Stiller), one is a comedic actor looking to establish himself as a serious actor (Jack Black), and one (here comes the controversy) is a white actor who is so serious about portraying a role written for an African-American actor, that he dyes his skin black (Robert Downey Jr.). The film crew eventually gets fed up with their high-maintenance cast that they dump them in the jungle to fend for themselves, all to the blissful obliviousness of the cast, who thinks the cameras are still rolling.

The idea of having a movie that stars a white guy in blackface is certainly raising some eyebrows, but Stiller insists that the movie is poking fun at pampered actors, not black people, as seen in this article in Entertainment Weekly. That may very well be the case, but is that what the audience will allow themselves to see? Given the mixed feelings I have about Ben Stiller movies, I’ll wait to RENT IT and find out.

Tropic Thunder is not yet rated and opens on August 15. (Official site)

So this trailer hit the internet a few days ago, and it immediately caught my interest. I love both Jack Black and Mos Def, and the idea of seeing those two together just brings a smile to my face. I also think Michel Gondry is a great director, although he can sometimes be a little too indulgent for his own good. And yet, for some reason, this movie isn’t a see it for me.

I suppose the main reason for this is the premise. It’s an interesting idea for sure. After accidentally erasing all of the movies in their video store, Jack Black and Mos Def decide to recreate all of the classic movies themselves…and the hilarity supposedly ensues.

This premise is as unique as they come, which I definitely admire. And it certainly has the potential to be a brilliant film. If they are able to match the tone of UHF (which I think is what they’re going for), I could see myself laughing my ass off at all of the ridiculous movie remakes. However, Be Kind, Rewind also has the potential to just be stupid and absurd. If it isn’t done right, it could be a painful experience watch these guys make arses out of themselves for an hour and a half. I just wish I knew which one it was.

My hope is that, with Black, Gondry, and Mos Def behind the wheel, they’ll steer it in the right direction. However, I’m just not confident enough to warrant me paying the $11. If friends tell me that it’s a good film, there’s a chance I’ll catch it in the theaters, but otherwise, I’m probably going to RENT IT.

Be Kind, Rewind is rated PG-13 and opens January 25.

If I had to pick a pair of actors that I never thought I’d see together in a film, Nicole Kidman and Jack Black would probably be at the top of my list (somewhere near Dame Judi Dench and Borat). But yet here they are, together in the latest portrait of a dysfunctional family from writer/director Noah Baumbach. Baumbach also wrote and directed The Squid and the Whale, a portrait of one of the most dysfunctional families I’ve ever seen, so the man knows what he’s doing.

Kidman is Margot, the disapproving and judgmental older sister of Jennifer Jason Leigh’s Pauline, who is engaged to Jack Black’s Malcolm, a role that’s far more serious than what we’re used to seeing him play. Pauline is perfectly happy in her relationship, until Margot arrives and plants the seed of doubt in her brain by bluntly stating that Malcolm is “like the guys we rejected when we were 16.” That seed starts to grow and blossom, causing strain and anger between all three characters.

I liked The Squid and the Whale and I like family dramas that don’t involve my own, but I’m going to wait and RENT IT. Now, if my Judi Dench/Borat vehicle ever gets picked up, that would be something worth paying to see…I’m thinking a comedic update of a Dickens’ novel…

Margot at the Wedding is rated R and opens October 19. No official site yet, here’s the IMDB page.