Cool News
Can you guess who this is?
SPOILER ALERT !!
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here. TROPIC THUNDER sounds great and now... thanks to EW.com there's a first look at the movie. Take a look at the picture below. Can you guess who the guy in the middle is?
Want a hint? Two words: Iron. Man.
No shit.
What's even better is that Robert Downey Jr. actually plays a white actor in the movie (about the making of a Vietnam flick) who is so method he actually undergoes surgery to play a black character in the flick. We've been getting great word out of test screenings. Can't. Wait.
-
+ Expand All
-
Downey rocks the bitches and leaves em in stitches.
-
I'm seeing this one... :'D
-
for anyone who doesn't know. That sounded slightly dirty.
-
wow, that's awesome if it's really downey jr.
-
Saigon Boogaloo!!!
-
Sounds like something I saw in the 80's.
-
I think you're right there'll be some hubbub about this, but why would it be okay for Eddie Murphy to play Asian and White people, but not Downey to play a black character? How is this any more offensive? I know it's not always balanced, but it's a worthless argument.
-
I'm just saying, some people are not going to like this. People like Spike Lee. But, really. The Eddie Murphy defense is probably a bad one. Because many have argued that Norbit was offensive. I never saw it and never will.
-
a white guy appearing in a film in blackface?
-
And Sam Malone in black face
-
Mar 05, 2008 6:47:53 PM CST
LMAO! This will be either comic brilliance or re-shot when riots
by mike_d
I'm seeing this.
-
I hope there is no controversy, it sounds like it's about a character, that is a white guy playing a black guy. Maybe they will build the controversy into the movie.
-
This could be funny.
-
Robert D'Junoir is the new C Thomas Howellllll
-
Mar 05, 2008 6:49:58 PM CST
Had zero interest in this, fucking hate Ben Stiller...
by caruso_stalker217
...but I might have to check this shit out.
-
This looks much better than Cats.
-
than Don Cheadle does.
-
I think you presume that it IS okay for Eddie Murphy to play Asian and White people. I'm positive that you could find objectors. And personally I find the "if it's okay for X, it's okay for Y" to be an equally worthless argument. The whole "two wrongs" thing, ya know? I think the better argument is that the filmmakers are presumably not racist, so everyone should relax before they get up in arms. If Downey Jr. starts munching on fried chicken and picking cotton, then you can feel free to furrow your brow.
-
history of racism behind it, duh.Not that I care, I love racial humor.
-
but look at the eyes...damn good makeup when its not latex heavy and you still couldn't tell it was Downey.
-
That's some impressive makeup. We've certainly come a long way from blackface.
I _am_ annoyed that there is (undoubtedly) going to be controversy over this. Racism against whites by black people is somehow tolerated because of some massive guilt trip over actions (read: slavery) that none of us had anything to do with. It's bullshit. -
Mar 05, 2008 6:56:31 PM CST
Did you guys forget they did the same thing in an 80s chick flic
by mike_d
That guy from "Weekend at Bernie's" (I think) did this in a movie where he painted his face like a black guy and fell in love with a black chick.
-
What're they going to do about the voice?
Why didn't they just get a black guy? -
then that just proves that people everywhere are pussies these days. See if the people of (pick a country, any country) Africa are offended by something like this--or do they have REAL problems to contend with?
-
Where'd the "Aw hell yeah..." that was there thirty seconds ago suddenly disappear to? Surely no one was afraid *that* was going to seem racist?
-
But first I have to go buy some fitted sheets.
-
Kansas Jungle
-
Had the IronMan clue not been given, I would have had no idea who that was. Thats some great make-up. As for any hubbub about controversy, I agree its too early to say without seeing the portrayal, but based purely on the photo, there's nothing offensive about it since he legitimately looks like a black person, rather than a stereotype of a black person, hence there's nothing offensive about it. But as necgray said, if he uses typical black stereotype traits in the movie, that will be different.
-
from the waist down.
-
You know: he played Pig Vomit, was in Sideways and Paycheck and Lady in the Water. I apologize in advance to the actor ... wait, it's Paul Giamatti. Yeah. that's who I thought it was at first.
-
i mean , uh .... my blackedneyness aint no controversial, bitches
-
Like Prince.
-
That was SOUL MAN with C. Thomas Howell. The guys in WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S were Jonathan Silverman and Andrew McCarthy.
-
Would never have guessed, but once you know you can sort of see it in the eyes. Ben Stiller, blacked-up Robert Downey Jr and Jack Black playing actors in a Vietnam film. I'm there!
-
Look closely he looks even more like Tiger Woods than he looks like Don Cheadle. All he needs is a Nike hat and a goofy nerdboy voice. And a hot wife. Damn you, Tiger!!!
-
Is that Michael?
-
OBAMA WILL ACCUSE CLINTON OF DIRTY TACTICS B/C OF THIS!
-
...was that a controversy back then? Midgets are people too and they deserve to be mad
-
BARACK HITLER HUSSEIN MUSSOLINI CASTRO OBAMA!
-
seriously you didn't even have to give the answer, it looks like downey jr. and jack black looks like phillip seymore hoffman.
-
The "Method" is an acting technique developed by Lee Strasberg after he had digested the teachings of Stanislavski - incorrectly, as it turns out. It deals with how an actor can go about experiencing the emotions of a character instead of faking them. The main precept was the use of "emotional memory," which was Strasberg's idea of an actor recalling tramautic events from his or her own life that corresponded to what the character is going through. Anyway, my point is that calling an actor "method" is not the same as calling him devoted or serious or anything. It's a very specific technique. Daniel Day-Lewis, for instance, is NOT a method actor.
-
...just sayin'. Finally, a chance for Stiller to play something besides "neurotic, bumbling, no-play with the ladies" guy.
-
I would have never guessed that was Robert Downey Jr. That's good makeup... but will his acting give him away? I thought it was the guy from Jericho. People will really get upset about this? Our whole country needs to take a big chill-pill... or just legalize marijuana
-
Until Ben Stiller dies and/or stops making movies.
-
I mean after all, and yes this is a terribly old and cliched argument example, but there still seems to be no good answer for it -- that is, you have how many different awards shows now (& for years) that are centered around only black performers, yet if there was an all-white version, it'd suddenly tornado cats and dogs.
Mind you, I'm not saying there *should* be strictly to "balance it all out", not at all. Hell I think pretty much ANY awards show is unnecessary as it is. And forgive me but the old standby defense of "well ALL the other awards shows already ARE the 'white versions'". Oh please, especially after all these years now, you're just out of touch if you still believe that. But, I'm just saying, it's a valid question ultimately. -
Is this a roast?
-
If this is supposed to be a serious film then I don't think having him in this would be appropriate for the tone. It's like having Jack Black in King Kong but worse.
-
EXCELLENT makeup. I personally don't think this will be a big deal. If they gave him an enormous 'fro and exaggerated, stereotypical features, it WOULD be a problem. And, no, a black actor in "white face" is not as offensive as a white actor in black face. Ever study American history, Quint? Reverse discrimination is such an ill informed, pussyish, and essentially inane concept...
-
My ticket is already bought!
-
Why? Because.
-
I doubt Jack would even be willing to have anything to do with it.
-
Asian role in that fat suit movie. They have to be careful but if done correctly, it could work.
-
Tom Hanks as 'The last Nigga on Earth'! Someone make it happen!!
-
yeah, I know; been there, done that.
-
If anyone actually moans about this, I say get the fucking shovel and pound them into paste.
-
I think Rob Shnieder's "Asian minister" in Chuck and Larry will be more offensive than RDJ in this. The pic looks more legit than Ms Doubtfire. And did anyone think the guys in white chicks looked like white chicks? I didn't.
-
starring C. Thomas Howell. & all of you people getting your panties in a bunch out there need to chill out & lighten up; Amadou Diallo, Michael Griffith (Howard Beach) & Yusuf Hawkins are all serious cases of racially-motivated injustice in need of examination...Robert Downey Jr. playing a black man in a movie...not so much. & Quint, are you sure that's not Tim Meadows???
-
Gene Simmons in blackface.
-
Oh great another film where Ben Stiller gets to try to flex his small (but in his mind Arnold Like) muscles. He always gives me douche chills. I say boycott Ben Stiller. I like his Pappy alot more
-
........I thought it was Tiger Woods
-
Unless he puts his rifle to the back of Ben Stiller's head and fires point blank, I really have no interest in this. Ben Stiller needs to fucking die; is not, never has been funny.
-
WOW! That makeup is AMAZING!
-
I predict a riot.
Seriously, though: the make up seems perfect, not over the top at all. Fucking credible. And the reviews you posted a few days back gave me confidence in that flick, even if Stiller jumped the shark after Zoolander. Directing what sounds like pure comedy gold is something I waited for him to tackle again.
Now, like some talkbackers already mentioned, it's not as much the blackface that's a problem as the way Downey plays. His character is supposed to be pretty stupid (I mean, an actor going through pigmentation process to play a black character MUST be stupid; at least Eddie Murphy uses prosthetics) so I guess they'll use some stereotypes to make him even more silly. Maybe changing his voice, or some other racial winks to the audience about fried chicken and watermelon (insert any other cliché HERE)...
I hope they won't just rely on the make up, and push the envelope about the stereotypes in a way that makes both Whites and Blacks (sorry, Afro-Americans^^) laugh about the absurd of the situation. I know they'll probably pussy out and tone down this aspect, but I hope the writing is on par with Downey's craziness. Anyone remember Heart and Soul? He was absolutely insane in that flick (and actually "played" Alfre Woodard for a few scenes if I remember well) so I truly hope playing some kind of schizophrenic and highly absurd part will deliver the goods, the way Murphy used to back then in Coming to America (before he jumped the shark himself)... And screw the wet blankets who can't appreciate that kind of humor; go back watching Fool's Gold. -
I am willing to give this flick the benefit of the doubt. I HATE Ben Stiller and I am not a Jack Black fan (don't hate him but he's just not a draw for me) but I absolutely love Robert Downey Jr. I'm going to say that this will probably fall into the "someone will complain but it's probably not going to be as bad as people make it out to be" category. I wouldn't suggest that if this gets by alright that Hollywood should make a habit of it but with great care I think anything can be explored by the movies. I think that's one of the reasons movies exist, to do some things that "can't" or aren't "allowed" to be done. Saying all that if it becomes some kind of excuse to have him drinking grape soda, eat watermelon and fried chicken, I'll be rescinding all of my good will. I hate when these things types of things bring out idiotic statements from people though. This shouldn't be an excuse to throw out the "N"-word or make big lips and white women jokes. I don't blame white people alive now for slavery, or assume they are out to get me, and I've also experienced true racism in my life. (I know the difference between the real thing and the imagined kind.) Assuming there will be a controversy is fair, using that as an excuse to pull out the racist jokes or try to become "serves 'em right reverse racism" martyrs is not fair. Let's be smart enough to discuss this sensibly. So call me cautiously optimistic.
-
where is the talkback for this?--comingsoon.net---
-
and yeah I recall Hearst and Souls. Downey was genius in it! this will be hysterical. I find myself just thinking about this photo and laughing! it will be huge.. mark my words.
-
I sure Harry's problably typing this up, but just found out Patrick Swayze may have weeks to live, due to Terminal Cancer. sad news indeed.
-
... if some of the AICN community stopped assuming the reaction from members of another community. This is especially when one considers that most of us know little about the context within which this occurs. For instance, Ted Danson's blackface should've been viewed as problematic well in advance... whereas James Whitmore in "Black Like Me"-- with an entirely different set of underlying intentions--- was received quite differently. This photo does not yet give a decisive indication as to the context or intent of this character, so any conjecture as to how people would react to it is simply speculation. Admittedly, it's interesting that so many people think this will be great. I wonder if those same individuals had that level of optimism when before viewing "Norbit" or "White Chicks?"
-
sorry
-
@ a rolling stone -- Please, the Wayans didn't even look like *human beings* in that god awful excuse for professional Hollywood makeup, much less trying to pass as a couple of caucasians. Yeeesshhk.
-
I've said this time and time again. Ben Stiller I really find to be a curious case. I don't think I've ever seen someone in modern Hollywood more who for considering the amount of genuine talent he's got, continues to associate himself with the most brainless, head scratchingly inane junk. Seriously, his unique ratio there, kid's got some real chops for comedy deep down, but for the love of god, Ben, have you ever actually READ one of the scrips you signed on for BEFORE shooting of any film of yours the last 8 years or so?!
-
White Chicks and Norbit were viewed with skepticism and deemed offensive because whites and asians are constantly victimized and baraded in public. Truly, unless you are white or asian, you just cannot understand the fear, anxiety, and shame that we deal with on a near daily basis. If its a black man...well, that is just comedic gold, sir.
-
What with all the minorities trimming my hedges and chittering in their inane tribal babble. And don't even get me started on my having to settle with a BMW instead of a Jag. It really is hard, you know?Peace
-
In Zoolander, the last movie Ben Stiller wrote and directed, he and Owen Wilson don black makeup to pretend to be janitors, though their black counterparts are played by different actors.
-
TheSeeker7... when was the last time you visited the mid-western states in the US? All the United States doesn't look like Baywatch, fellow poster. Moondoggy... is that sarcasm? Whatever the case, it would be specious for anyone to disregard the fact that European Americans "made-up" as African Americans tend to be lambasted when they're offensive, and not simply on general principle.
-
the second one is for Spike Lee.
-
European Americans??? Yeesh. Anyway, there is a reason for such "lambasting," as you put it: its idiotic. As a rule, I usually disdain race jokes and racial humor in general. Yeah, its offensive and all that, but really, its just asenine, easy humor in the guise of witicism, brought to you buy the makers of pee-pee, ka-ka, and poo-poo. You can debate double standards and percieved social injustices till you're blue in the face, but in the end, its much ado about nothing...or very little, anyway.
-
I just wish they had cast RDJ as James Rhodes in Iron Man. As a comedic foil, of course. Ohh, the possibilities...
-
that people are already wondering if there will be some kind of reaction to this movie, some kind of controversy, means that there will be. Just having a discussion on this seems to be an indicator of what is to come. I'll see the movie first. Then I'll decide how I feel about it.
-
You've made an excellent point, my brother. And it is balanced. It's equality.
-
...that's hysterical...
Sign me up. -
?????
-
...He fucking does look black. Thats some good work there. This film sounds huge, by the way. Big cast.
-
Way to let us know what the spoilers might be associated with. There's no way to know unless you actually click open the link. At least it's not an actual spoiler. I really have no idea what this is supposed to be spoiling.
-
Is this for season 4? Where's Dave?
-
...Whats still doing in a serious movie? Are you mong? You have a picture in which includes a douche looking Still, Jack Black and Downey in black face, and you think its a serious drama? Of course Stiller is flexing his muscles like a douche. Thats the point of the character. Jesus, you went to the trouble to create an AICN account, and yet you have no idea what this film is about, despite its numerous stories on this very site. I honestly dont understand where the controversy will be either. Wayans and Murphy have been using make up effects to play other races to comedic mediocrity, but financial success for years now. This is film concernes an Australian actor going so over the top he gets surgery to become black. Thats the joke...
-
Seriously the world has become way too precious.
A lot of people have brought up Spike Lee, and yeah that guy makes Bill O'Reilly look balanced.
But as others have stated as long as he isnt in jail, eating fried chicken, it surely can't be offensive. But do you think Spike will care if the stereotype shown is a positive one, i.e. he is hung like a donkey. -
coming to a theater summer 09
-
tim meadows...but not quite.
so yeah. wow.i guess blackface os okay now. no matter what the premise.
but i guess you have to push the taboos to get your movie seen, so...
-
...In a giant, broad, slapstick comedy, where the offensiveness be? Im betting they will play up the offensive angle in the film for laughs anyway. How would this be anymore offensive than the carictures presented by a white director like Craig Brewer? (note, I like the dudes films)
-
Yay me.
It's all about the eyes, they give him away in a second. -
Its a fucking uber mega budget broad comedy from a huge entertainment conglomerate that will be seen and enjoyed by tens of millions of people, the bulk of which will be lowest common denominator folks of all colours who wont even raise an eyebrow.
-
...Since they had a bunch of reviews already talking about how funny Downeys black face routine was.
-
Wow. Cool make-up. I'm actually curious about this movie now...
-
For shizzle, bitches!
-
No motherfucka we can't get along!!!
-
well i guess it is hard to find a black guy with unkempt hair, that's impossible to find.
-
Dual role! :)
-
Tiger Woods
-
Now we GOTTA elect Obama, or there will be the mother of all race riots.
-
The black green one.
-
He never said anything about being in a movie.
-
It'll be completely unfounded. The movie isn't making fun of black people; it's making fun of Method actors who will do anything to "inhabit" the character they're playing. Since the movie is ABOUT the making of the movie, I can imagine controversy about RDJ's character playing a black character as a plot point IN the film. Anyone who'd complain in boring old real life would be someone who hasn't seen the movie, has no intention of seeing the movie, and had an instant uneducated knee-jerk reaction. And we all know how reliable THOSE reactions are.
-
alot of the comments on race in this talkback really solidify what i've been thinking- mainly 13 year olds post on here. that ridiculous "how come blacks get all these awards shows and stuff celebrating how they're like niggas and shit and we dont get anything?" argument is so retarded. we get something. its called every day society in america where we are on top of the game just because we're white. let them have their awards shows. its the lesat we can do.
im talking to you, theseeker7, by the way. -
That's funny stuff right there.
-
Who knew Tim Meadows looked like Robert D. Jr and vice versa.
-
Stiller is also the director. So, there you go.
-
I always thought Stiller could spoof Stallone effectively. I say he should make like the deleted Nam scenes from First Blood and grow a big ole' porn mustache.
-
All white guys who put on make up to look like black guys look exactly alike to me.
-
"Penultimate" means second to last. I'm not sure what word you were looking for there, but that's not it.
-
feel that Hot Rod was a copy/sequel to Zoolander? Very very similar, both funny. I was a bit drunk during Hot Rod but still it was pretty funny, better then anything William Ferrell has put out since Anchor.
-
Hoffman. But this racism thing is bullshit!
-
He's a darn fine actor.
-
solid snake with don cheadle and phillip seymour hoffman.
-
He's in the film, and him and Katie were at a screening I attended the other nite on the Paramount lot in which Ben got up in front of the crowd and thanks the small group of attendees for coming. The movie is hillarious!!! This is not your typical Ben Stiller comedy...its is a comedy as funny as the good shit they did in the 80's...
-
are idiots with no understanding of what the sociological definition of discrimination is.
-
But Robert Downey in blackface seems like a really awful idea.
-
to look like Jerry Stiller's kid is very offensive.I see the Soul Man comparisons already "ben" made. Still, "Oh look, See Thomas Howl. Howl, Thomas, Howl."
-
I'm not sorry to say that anyone offended by this needs to realize that we are in the year 2008. It's time to get over this racist bullshit. Most black people I know are more annoyed and disturbed by REAL racisim anyway. You know, burning crosses, hangings, thats the type of racisim that needs to be addressed, not a white guy playing a black guy. If that's the biggest racial problem worth discussing then I'd say we as a people are doing pretty good, and it's time to move on. I'd also be willing to bet that the magority of people "offended" by this are white people anyway.
-
R-rating is going to kil it.
-
What a damn stupid thing. Reverse racism is a ridiculous term, not because it doesn't exist, not because it's ok, but because it should just be called what it is: Racism. The color of the bigot and the color of the subject don't matter.
"Socialogical definition of racism." What pretentious crap. Don't wave a ridiculous definition by an group of academics who have a jargon that is so out of touch that it would make just as much sense to ask a Computer Science tech what reverse discrimination means in server/client terms. -
As a director he's both blessed with impressive skills and cursed with horrid luck as far as his films getting their releases fucked up by meddling studios (CABLE GUY) and/or international terrorist attacks (ZOOLANDER) goes. This Downey "Controversy" is a bunch of rah rah bullshit. Downey isn't playing a black guy, he's playing a white guy who's playing a black guy in the fictional film-within-the-film. The insult lies in assuming black audiences can't tell the difference.
-
Mar 06, 2008 2:07:46 AM CST
I'm Black and think that's one hell of a makeup job!
by theghostwholurks
Soul Man, on the other hand, was simply an insult. No black person would EVER be fooled by C. Thomas Howell's shoe polish job... we'd have taken turns beating him and then wiping that crap off his face with a Brillo pad for trying to steal a scholarship from us!!!And yes, I'm still bitter. I'm BLACK! >:(
-
CABLE GUY is underrated, who gives two tits of a nutsack if it bombed, still has some incredibly witty shit in that one.
-
LMAO!!!! Holy fuck...I laughed.
-
the people who'll whine and bitch the most are white people. You can throw in the usual bigot and/or humor deprived black "leader" (many of which are leader of none except their own agenda) but mostly in that kind of shit the guilt-ridden, attention whores white morons will try to steal the show, proving how "open-minded" they are by displaying the range of their "tolerance". It worked with Borat. It worked with The Passion of the Christ. You can't tell me there won't be a controversy. There WILL. It's the US of A, or rather the pussified version of its former self. It's sad but true.
-
Iron Man looks great and will probably be a great big stonkin' hit and this picture of Downey Jr alone is going to get my ass in the theatre. Honestly I think he's got a good shot at hitting Depp levels of popularity if both of these films turn out to be as groovy as they promise.
-
He probably had to stop eating Mayo for the roll...
-
wow. fucking blackface.
-
I think if anything the jokes will probably revolve around Downey's character doing all those things you fear, except it being Ironic. ie. He's doing it because his character is some ignorant actor and he just embarrasses himself, so *he* becomes the joke. I could be wrong, but that's what I think is likely.
-
It is okay for white to play asians, or blacks, or fucking aliens or poor people or whatever. its called acting. In fact, its often more impressive when they do. Felicity Huffman played a man, Travolta played a woman. Thats even more of a stretch. People were probally upset that Murphy played his characters as broad stereotypes where the humour came from laughing at the perceived failings of a race.
-
And if that's the case, I can see this movie being banned in the US but airing quite happily here in Britain. I just can't see the US being ready for this kind of stuff. Too much walking on eggshells about it all over there...
-
http://tinyurl.com/2bswfv
-
White people gonna die when this movie comes out. I'm staying home until the storm's over.
-
Away from the sanitised movie world, people laugh at all kinds of warped shit - sick, racist, whatever. The point everyone seems to miss is why, for the film within the film, they cast a white guy to play black. This is not Downey Jr. stealing a black actor's job, it's his character doing it. The opportunity exists for the inside film's casting director to be a racist shitbag who refuses to work with real black actors so casts RDJ and forces him to undergo surgery to black up. Despite what the controversialists will say, this is not a return to "blackface" in the Hollywood mainstream.
-
Shia's twin transgender brother in blackface!
-
now I'll see this.
-
Read the script and this is pretty funny and ridiculous! Jack Black and Robert Downey's characters are really silly (I auditioned for Black's and at the time they told me to "be more like Jack Black" and then they just hired Jack Black)
-
He plays an actor who plays a black man. No controversy for me.
-
...I think Blazing Saddles is hysterical and I nearly shat when I watched the South Park wheel of fortune ep.
Does that make me a racist?
Cos I just don't know anymore. This issue isn't so black and white after all. -
Mar 06, 2008 8:30:29 AM CST
So, Ben Stiller wrote this script over a period of 20 years ??!?
by livingwater
!?! WTF !!!!
-
That is fucking, HIL-arious...RDJ is, like everywhere, now-a-days, huh?
Definitely gonna check this one out, now... -
Can't believe everyone thinks he looks like Don Cheadle when he looks more like the swinger of magic four irons. yeah, i thought briefly about that one.
-
No kiddin- when I look at this photo...with the hair and beard...I see...
The black Gi Joe 12 inch figure from the 60's/70's!!! Google an image of that figure and deny it!! Go Joe! -
That would be Fred Armisen, a very white actor, playing Obama these days on SNL. There's already a stink about that with the black community. If they have Tom Cruise playing a Viet Cong soldier, this movie will be as popular as "Song of the South".
-
I don't suppose lyncing often happens nowadays, but that's kind of my point. Lynching, The KKK, slavery, segregation were things to be dealt with; not a white guy playing a black guy. When you stand that side by side with real and dangerous acts of racisim it seems silly to bum out about white guy playing black guy. It's harmless. On the other hand Al Sharpton does need something to bitch about, I haven't seen him on the T.V. lately.
-
I think I saw this in a movie already - some unknown movie about a clan of Irish who find a leprechaun and he turns the bigoted white mayor into a black guy.
you probably never heard of it. -
I don't consider this a must-see.
-
So let's save the controversey talk till we see how it's portrayed. I don't think that they are planning on having a script straight from a minstrel show or anything. Besides as an Asian person I was pretty offended by Eddie Murphy in Norbitt...
-
Mar 06, 2008 10:35:47 AM CST
My God! I Thought Someone Brought Cleavon Little Back to Life!!
by lang the cat
I was trying to figure out who it could be and my first thought was Cleavon Little (from Blazing Saddles). My second thought was, no, he is dead. Robert Downey, Jr. has always appeared to be a tragically, gifted actor, but damn, this is just insanely brilliant. Very much like Linda Hunt or Debra Winger playing men. I have to see this film.
-
Mar 06, 2008 11:55:40 AM CST
Lang, you're right it looks like Sheriff Bart
by grammaton cleric binks
Where did Stiller get those guns? I think he just never lost his Dodgeball arms because daaaaaamn. As far as this being racist, which it isn't, don't forget the Eddie Murphy skit from SNL. If it's racist for Downey, then Murphy too was a racist.
-
do that "look up and show some white under the pupils of your eyes" thing people thinks it makes them "cuter." On RDJ in black face it makes him "look angry"? Sorry, I'm just not getting that at all. He lookslike a guy walking across a field to me.
-
I don't think your argument works. First, there is something called history. Second, I think Eddie Murphy's portayals are pretty offensive. Third, the one thing that you do NOT mention that makes the portrayal acceptable is that he is portraying a character who decides to go in black face - so the portrayal has a hint of irony and self-awareness - he is NOT just portraying a character straight away like Eddie Murphy. Rather this is A CHARACTER PLAYING A CHARACTER. So, I think it's fine and kind of interesting.
-
It has taken a long time for a white actor to get fully in touch with his inner black man, but between the drug busts, being pulled over by LAPD and jail time, RDJ might be the man to do it.
-
I forgot for a minute that he was dead...I gotta go watch "Fletch Lives" and "Blazing Saddles" again... I miss Calculus Entropy and good ol' Bart.
-
I'm boycotting this movie. I'm going to stay home and watch White Chicks instead.
-
...is that anyone mistook that picture for Don Cheadle or Cleavon Little! What does THAT say???
-
But damn, I still stand by the Cleavon Little. I even went back and looked at photos of Mr. Little and tried to figure out where differences were. If he were alive today, he could easily look like Mr. Downey, same hairlines, same forehead, similar coloring and highlights. If you gave Mr. Downey Mr. Little's last driver's license, I bet he could use the I.D. without anyone thinking twice.
-
Yeah, race war!!! It's on! RACE WAR!!!
-
Or is it the biopic of the Ted Dansen and Whoopi Goldberg relationship?
-
"bringsexyback" said:
"Now we GOTTA elect Obama, or there will be the mother of all race riots."
You are such a fag. Go smoke Obamas pole on your own time....... -
...that RDJ is holding a pump action shotgun in one hand and a pistol in the other? Do you see where I'm going with this?Heh.
-
Who has been coating people's keyboards with LSD? C'mon, fess up! Otherwise I am recommending mandatory drug testing as a requirement for posting here.
-
This is AICN Talkback. LSD would probably only level out some of the insanity put forth here.
-
I just thought we were discussing actors and movies. Somehow white supremacy and politics popped up with a totally unnecessary (but completely relevant) Owen Wilson comment and I was transported to a wild Philip K. Dick drug flashback involving phocomelae bouncing hither and thither with Boschian demons sipping Snapple and eating soy energy bars in preparation for the seagull orgy waiting to start.
-
What about the West Indies and Jamaica?? Black people are descended from other places than Africa you know. Only in America could such a sweeping generalization be made in the name of political correctness. Aboriginees from Australia would be pretty pissed if they visited the States and were called African-Americans.
-
I have always preferred Lustrous Ebony or Tawny Teak, depending on who I talk to. Though I do try to refer to people by their names, labels get so repetitive and limit my thinking.
-
by jokes like this and Family Guy because however good the intentions are, they are designed to flatter the vanity and the "I get it, it's wrong" 'compassion' of the straight white male 18-35 demographic that almost all american media is designed for. Not saying it's right or wrong, just saying it does not account for the concept of white privilege, and by default tells large segments of the world population that "this was not made for you". And it wasn't made for them, most things aren't. They are designed to flatter that demographic in one way or another. So why should anyone else like them or be enthusiastic about them? That's one of the reasons people get irritated by jokes like this no matter how well-meaning they are. They are being left out of the conversation about themselves.
-
WATERMELON MAN? Cambridge's Caucasian makeup was unconvincing -- he was so heavily paint-rolled with WASPish foundation that it made his face look like a department-store mannequin come to life! And the sandy-brown wig to cover his natural 'fro merely added to the phoniness. BUT, I enjoyed the movie!
-
Mar 07, 2008 7:08:22 AM CST
If anybody was going to do this AND IT NOT be offensive...
by napolean solo
It's Robert Downey Jr.
There's not the same history of racism with black people playing white people. That's why 'it's okay'.
An above poster said Spike Lee will take offense. I disagree. I think it depends on the context it's played in. Black people (including Spike Lee) are not as overly sensitive as you may think. Spike doesn't just pick on people for no reason... When you hear him out, there's always a justified explanation.
No one complained about the black face joke in ZOOLANDER. Nor the hilarious scene in BE KIND REWIND when Jack Black (in an unwitting Black face) said; "That would be racist". People's memories are very fickle... black people didn't even complain when Driving Miss Daisy came out.
Quite frankly, some of the things we let slide are outrageous. So again... I think it all depends on the context. I for one, will be seeing this the day it comes out. I bet it's hilarious. -
LLkRve IGMtsY
-
VHLarocX dMTIaYkH
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 209 total posts 207 posts
- AVENGERS enemy revealed as pink boardgame pieces... You might suffer some form of elation... SPOILERS!!! -- 160 total posts 97 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 144 total posts 77 posts
- Here's The Red Band Trailer For Drafthouse Films' THE FP! -- 68 total posts 68 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 67 total posts 67 posts
- Does ‘SNL’ Rhyme With ‘Deschanel’?? Learn Which SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Vet Hosts After Sexy Zooey!! -- 64 total posts 60 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 480 total posts 55 posts
- HANNA's Saoirse Ronan to boss around seven little people -- 53 total posts 50 posts
- Friday Brings SWEEPS DAY NINE!! Gab Here About Tonight’s FRINGE!! Plus Einstein on TIM, Wiig On PORTLANDIA, MAHER, CLONE, GIFTED, GRIMM, SPARTACUS, SUPERNATURAL, GOLD RUSH And More!! -- 118 total posts 32 posts
- SPACE 2099!! -- 182 total posts 27 posts