Almost Famous

2000

Almost Famous is a coming of age story about a 15 year old aspiring writer who lands a gig at Rolling Stone magazine to interview a rock band as they rise into prominence. Set in the early seventies, the movie is semi autobiographical about the experiences the director Cameron Crowe had when he was 15 writing for Rolling Stone and touring with iconic bands like Led Zeppelin, Lynard Skynyrd and the Eagles. The film stars Kate Hudson, Frances McDormand and Jason Lee. It also co-stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Zooey Deschanel and Jimmy Fallon. It received four Academy award nominations and won for Best Original Screenplay. It also won a Grammy for it’s soundtrack.

Zoolander

2001

Zoolander is a hilarious satire movie about a dumb and narcissistic male model who is brainwashed to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Starring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell, it was based on elements in two short films made by Stiller for the VH1 Fashion Awards in 1996 and 1997. The film was banned in Malaysia because of how it was depicted in the movie. It was released in the United States on September 28th, 2001 (two weeks after 9/11 under some controversy because Ben Stiller had the twin towers digitally removed from the New York skyline. The film has many cameos of famous people playing themselves, including David Bowie, Donald Trump, Donatella Versace, Tommy Hilfiger and Paris Hilton.

Austin Powers in Goldmember

2002

Starring Mike Myers (who plays multiple parts in the movie), Austin Powers in Goldmember is a spy action comedy film. It is also parodiy of the James Bond series. It is the third movie of a series and includes Beyonce making her film acting debut. It also has cameos from prominent Hollywood stars such as Steven Speilberg, Tom Cruise, Kevin Soacey, Britney Spears, Katie Couric, Danny Devito and John Travolta.

School of Rock

2003

School of Rock is about a wannabe rockstar who gets kicked out of his band, Broke, he cons his way to get hired on as a substitute teacher at a fancy prep school. When he discovers his class has musical talent, he convinces them that they all should form a band as a project for school. The movie stars Jack Black, Joan Cusack and Sarah Silverman. Jack Black received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in Comedy or Musical and won a MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance. The film was later adapted into a Broadway musical in 2015 and a Nickelodeon tv show in 2016.

Anchorman, The Legend of Ron Burgundy

2004

Anchorman, The Legend of Ron Burgundy is about a famous Sand Diego local news anchor and his news team who struggle to share the spotlight with a newly hired, rising woman co-anchor. Set in the 1970’s, it’s a satire film about the action news culture at the time. It stars Will Ferrel as Ron Burgundy, a male chauvinist, narcissist news anchor. Christina Applegate, as the rising woman co-anchor, representing the changing feminist times. Paul Rudd, as the sex crazed reporter in the field. Steve Carrell, as the low IQ weatherman. And David Koechner, as the heavy partying sports commentator. It was ranked number 6 on Time Out’s Top 100 comedy films of all time, # 100 on Bravo’s 100 Funniest Movies and # 113 on Empire’s 500 Greatest Movies of all Time. It is also considered one of Will Ferrel’s best characters.

40 Year Old Virgin

2005

40 Year Old Virgin stars Steve Carell as a 40 year old virgin electronics salesmen and toy hobbyist. When his co-workers find out that he’s a virgin they vow to help him lose it. It was Judd Apatow’s director debut and was cowritten by him and Steve Carell. The film also stars Seth Rogan, Paul Rudd, Catherine Keener, Elizabeth Banks, Leslie Mann, Jonah Hill and Jane Lynch.

Borat

2006

Borat is a mockumentary-comedy about a journalist named Borat for the country Kazakhstan who shoots a documentary about America and Americans. The film was written and produced by British comedian Sasha Baron Cohen who won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. All the Arab countries except Lebanon and United Arab Emirates banned the film outright. The latter released it heavily censored. The Russian government did not want it’s cinemas to show it either.

Knocked Up

2007

Knocked Up follows the relationship between a slacker and a media personality who have a one night stand resulting in a pregnancy. The film was directed, written and co-produced by Judd Apatow and stars Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann. It also has Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Jay Baruchel and Martin Starr. Steve Carell and James Franco make cameos playing themselves. Anne Hathaway was suppose to star in the film but decided not to because she disagreed with Apatow’s plan to use real footage of a woman giving birth.

Tropic Thunder

2008

Tropic Thunder is about a group of urban, temperamental, ego centric actors who go to Vietnam to make a war film. When they get lost in the jungle because their director stepped on a land mine they must fend for themselves. The movie was directed by Ben Stiller and he played the lead role. It also stars Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr, Jay Baruchel, Tom Cruise, Steve Coogan, Nick Nolte and Brandon T. Jackson. Robert Downey Jr. was nominated for an Academy award and Tom Cruise was nominated for a Golden Globe. The movie was made famous for having fake trailers of fictional films in the beginning. However, it did receive some controversy because the film depicts black face by Robert Downey Jr’s character and Ben Stiller’s portrayal of a mentally handicapped person.

The Hangover

2009

The Hangover is about a group of friends go to Las Vegas for a bachelor party. However, they wake up extremely hungover and can’t find the groom to be with no memory of the night before. It stars Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Heather Graham, Mike Tyson and Jeffrey Tambor. The film won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. The Hangover is the sixth highest grossing rated R film.

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