Ben Stiller doesn't get a lot of respect from the comedy community but his movies earn lots of money. So far, his films have pulled in more than $1.3 billion. Some of his biggest hits get the least celebration from his chuckle factory peers. They include Meet The Parents and the follow up Folkers. And there is Zoolander. And Night At The Museum and probably the sequel when it gets released next year. Expect his latest exercise in silly, Tropic Thunder, to add lots more box office although a critical response is Stiller pending. Anyway, it is the Ben Stiller show. He co-writes, co-stars and directs the action comedy about a Vietnam war movie that goes horribly wrong when the actors find themselves in real fire fights instead of reel ones. Adding to the hilarity is the fact that the actors think the attacks from a jungle drug lord's mercenary army are pre-arranged cinematic special effects. In the farce opening Aug. 12, Stiller plays an action star with more bronzer than brains. Jack Black's a buffoonish comic who specializes in passing gas for laughs. Robert Downey Jr. defines an award-winning Australian method man who stains his skin black to play an African-American solider. Also look for a cameo by Tom Cruise portraying a raving studio head: An interesting guest appearance when you consider Cruise and Stiller might be teaming up to re-invent a Hardy Boys as men mystery for the big screen. Anyway, first Tropic Thunder. Outlandis ...
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