This weekend, unless you are one of those few poor souls who are just finally getting around to seeing the "The Dark Knight," chances are the popcorn in your wallet is going to fund a trip to see "Tropic Thunder." Well before you end up in that nicely worn in movie theater seat, here’s a few flicks worth picking up on DVD that without which, "Tropic Thunder" would have been a very quiet storm.
Apocalypse Now (1979) -- The Complete Dossier - Two Disc Special Collector’s Edition
Beyond just the color palate, cinematography, and setting, "Tropic Thunder" first and foremost spoofs every frame of "Apocalypse Now." If you are unfamiliar with this adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness,” somehow you have been missing out on jokes from "Back to The Future II" through "Iron Man." Go watch immediately.
Hot Shots Part Deux (1993) -- Hot Shots & Hot Shots Part Deux, Double Feature
In my book, you can’t watch a funnier spoof of war movies. If there was an award for Slapstick War films, this would win the Lifetime Achievement statuette. Also spoofing "Apocalypse Now," Charlie Sheen is priceless.
The Ben Stiller Show (1992-1993) -- The Complete Series
He directed "Zoolander" and of course "Reality Bites," but go back further and you find some of Ben Stiller’s funniest work. Parody galore, this thirteen episode gem was a breeding ground for some of today’s brains of comedy. Judd Apatow, David Cross, and Janeane Garofalo, all sunk their teeth into this series before we knew who they were.
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