Watch:The Stunt Man (Richard Rush, 1980), Tropic Thunder (Ben Stiller, 2008)
Read: Cinephilia (Links to an external site.) / Clark
It’s also peculiar, but perhaps not too surprising, how these film screenings coincide with all the heated current public discourse about movies, entertainment, toxic masculinity and insensitive comedy in poor taste.
Please take this as a friendly precaution: these two satire films about filmmaking are chock full of what many may take as toxic masculinity, offensive humor, and variations on misogyny. Tropic Thunder especially goes overboard with potentially offensive jabs at African Americans, East Asians, Jews, persons with disabilities, Vietnam Veterans, people who may be considered overweight, drug addicts, and women. Loads of super foul language, and what we used to call “bathroom humor.” Pretty severe violence too – much of it “fake” (they’re making a movie).
This kind of thing is obviously a big part of our film and entertainment culture; let us do our best to bring to the table a sober yet tolerant higher education lens.
With so many potential mine fields of controversy, let us make an extra effort for a fruitful teaching and learning moment.
Let us be honest but respectful of the wide range of possible reactions here, in our discussion.
Anyone who prefers not to watch Tropic Thunder, fine; just focus on The Stunt Man.
- PROMPT: For starters, think of both these very different reflexive films as post-classical Hollywood films that are parodying the production of A-list, blockbuster style action films. Specifically, both films are about making war movies, with the Vietnam War looming large, if differently, over each film.
For this discussion, I’m asking you to
1) stick primarily to our “film about filmmaking” focus, in considering the war film genre and the portrayal of a more modern Hollywood film industry;
2) connect any dots with previous class films (although other film and television references always welcome);
3) read and comment on both assigned essays.
