The Frat Pack Movie Scorecard

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Bottle Rocket (1996)

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Andrew Wilson, Wes Anderson (Director, Writer)

Leslie Mann (scene deleted)

Upon his release from a mental hospital following a breakdown, the directionless Anthony (Luke Wilson) joins his friend Dignan (Owen Wilson) who has hatched a hair brained scheme for an as-yet unspecified crime spree that somehow involves his former boss, the legendary Mr. Henry. With the help of their pathetic neighbor and pal Bob, Anthony and Dignan pull a job and hit the road, where Anthony finds love with motel maid Inez. When our boys finally hook up with Mr. Henry, the ensuing escapade turns out to be far from what anyone expected.

Owen plays the fast-talking manipulator while Luke plays the nice guy who can't help but go along with his friends. Familiar archetypes for future Frat Pack roles to be sure.

The Cable Guy (1996)

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Andy Dick, Jim Carrey, Kyle Gass

Janeane Garofalo, Leslie Mann

Underrated dark comedy features cameos by Ben (who directed) as child killer Sam Sweet and Owen who is beat up by Jim Carrey in a men's room.

Black has a bigger role as Matthew Broderick's suspicious (and jealous?) friend.

Look for Frat Pack friend Andy Dick as well.

Permanent Midnight (1998)

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Andy Dick

Recommended, but this is a drama, not a comedy, and as such does not qualify as a true Frat Pack movie.

That said, this is a powerful movie anchored by Stiller's amazing performance as a heroin junkie.

Owen plays Ben's friend and fellow user. His part is larger than in Meet the Parents.

Bongwater
(1998)

The Suburbans (1999)

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Perrey Reeves

An important milestone as it featured the first great "cameo" appearance by a fellow Frat Packer. Ben Stiller's brief inclusion is one of the few highlights of this otherwise poor film.

Interestingly, Perrey Reeves plays Will Ferrell's wife, a role she would reprise in Old School.

Heat Vision and Jack
(1999)

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Christine Taylor

Sort of a parody of Knight Rider, Black plays astronaut "Jack" who gets too close to the sun and returns with super intelligence. Owen is "Heat Vision," a talking motorcyle.

Low budget special effects and a strange visual style doomed this TV pilot from being picked up, but the principals sure had fun making it. Christine Taylor has never looked better as a Sheriff who "connects" with Jack.

View "Heat Vision and Jack" (Quicktime)

Meet the Parents (2000)

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Judah Friedlander

Teri Polo, Shauna Robertson (Producer)

It is a bit of stretch to call this one a "Frat Pack" classic, but the Stiller/Wilson interplay is outstanding in this hilarious film and sets the stage for a series of "buddy pictures."

Zoolander (2001)

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May be the best Frat Pack movie of all time. The walkoff between Stiller and Wilson is one the classic scenes of modern cinema.

Ferrell takes over a role originally written for Andy Dick and makes it his own.

Though Vaughn has no lines in the movie, we still treat it as a supporting role since he appears in multiple scenes.

Also look for: Frat Pack Sorority Sister Christine Taylor. We'd share an orgy with a Maori tribesman anytime she's involved.

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

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 Andrew Wilson, Wes Anderson (Director, Writer)

An estranged family of former child prodigies reunites when one of their member announces he has a terminal illness.

Three Frat Packers in major roles, but the pace and style of this film is definitely not "Frat Pack-ish." There's a spectacular chase scene with Ben and Owen, but Luke is the standout here. He's by far the most interesting character in the movie.

Frat Pack Trivia: Owen was nominated for an Academy Award for co-writing this film.

Run Ronnie Run (2002)

Run Ronnie Run is a heart warming spin-off from the cult hit HBO series "Mr. Show". It is the story of Ronwell Quincy Dobbs (David Cross), who has a unique talent for getting arrest. A British television personality, Terry Twillstein (Bob Odenkirk), gets sight of Ronnie and brings Ronnie to Hollywood to get him his own TV show. Ronnie must then deal with his new life, while having to deal with missing his ex-wife that he left back home.

Kochner plays a character indistinquishable from T-Bones. Ben cameos as himself in a very brief apperance.

Jack's cameo is more satisfying, singing the profane children's song "Golden Rule Song" (watch clip, 15 mb mp4)

Orange County
(2002)

Old School (2003)

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The movie where the Frat Pack got their name!

An outstanding picture in many ways. Ferrell is inspired and Vaughn channels a grown-up version of his Swinger's character. Wilson is the glue holding this together but has his own comedic gems as well.

If only Ben Stiller had played Dean Pritchard...

Along Came Polly
(2004)

Frat Pack Classic

 

 

 

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Written and directed by John Hamburg (Meet the Parents, Meet the Fockers, Zoolander), this is closer in "Frat Pack" sensibility than Meet the Fockers. We thought this was a good movie that features Stiller and Aniston very well.

Stiller plays a risk analyst who is fascinated by a woman (Aniston) who is theoretically all wrong for him. It's a role similar to Greg Focker, though a bit more innocent and sheltered.

Azaria nearly steals the show in a small but important role. Check out the outtakes on the DVD for more Stiller/Azaria interplay.

Starsky & Hutch (2004)

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Stiller and Wilson play to typecasted strengths in this goofy take on the Seventies TV series.

Ironically, Vaughn has better punchlines than Stiller or Wilson.

Ferrell nearly makes the movie with his supporting role as Big Earl. We count this as a supporting role since he appears three times in the movie and is referenced in several other scenes.

We really wanted to like this one. I mean, we really did. And there are a couple good laughs at the beginning. But, unfortunately, this movie is a mess nearly as big as the "poo" the movie's key plot line is supposed to eliminate.

We did find some interest in Walken's character, before the joke wore thin.

The movie is not without hardcare fans, though.

Around the World in 80 Days
(2004)

Phileas Fogg (Steve Coogan), a Victorian inventor fixated on time, makes a costly bet that he can circumnavigate the world in just 80 days in this remake inspired by Jules Verne's classic novel. With his loyal, martial-arts-wielding sidekick, Passepartout (Jackie Chan), by his side, Fogg sets out to win, and the two soon find themselves on the grandest adventure of all, one beset by problems and dangers at every turn.

Owen and Luke cameo as the Wright Brothers in a funny scene from this remake. Watch the scene (Windows Media)

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
(2004)

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Vaughn gets top-billing in this satire of inspirational sports movies. He also gets the girl, Christine Taylor, who is also in top form.

As with Starsky & Hutch, the "villian" of the piece gets the best lines. Stiller is genius-like in his portrayal of White Goodman, the egotistical trainer with low self-esteem.

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

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A movie that plays better on repeat viewing, Ferrell has created an amazingly rich character in Burgundy. The DVD features tons of hilarious outtakes and deleted scenes (be sure to pick up the unrated version).

Clearly this is Ferrell's movie, but Vaughn appears in several scenes and the hilarious cameos by Stiller and Wilson definitely make this a Frat Pack movie.

Learn more about the Filming Locations for Anchorman.

Anchorman: Wake-Up Ron Burgundy (2004)

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Culled from the cutting room floor, the film features a major plotline that was dropped in favor of the panda birth in the actual movie. And there's a good reason it was dropped.

That said, there are lots of funny moments, including great cameos by Dodgeball's Long and Root.

We also learn more about Wilson and Vaughn's characters, including the fact that Vaughn's Wes Mantooth is actually Ron Burgundy's brother.

Dustin Hoffman, Tim Blake Nelson

Teri Polo 

Owen Wilson returns in a pivotal cameo as Stiller's extisential nemesis, Kevin.

Does this movie fall prey to "sequelitis." Yes, absolutely. But, is the movie funny? Focking A, it sure is! Definitely not a classic but thanks to Owen's cameo is does qualify as a Frat Pack movie.

Melinda and Melinda
(2005)

Will plays a role that might have been played by Woody Allen twenty years ago, in this ensemble movie from Woody Allen. The premise centers on two stories, one a drama and one a comedy, each with a central character named Melinda (played effectively by Radha Mitchell).

The movie features dialogue delivered in "stage play" style, a format that isn't our favorite. Ferrell has a couple nice moments but overall the movie isn't very compelling or funny. Carell is wasted as Ferrell's best friend.

Bewitched
(2005)

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Wilson and Vaughn play womanizers who sneak into weddings to take advantage of the romantic atmosphere. Later, they clash when Wilson falls for a bridesmaid played Rachel McAdams.

Wilson and Vaughn are in top form and Rachel McAdams and Isla Fisher definitely provide a lot of appeal and charm. This may well be Vaughn's best performance ever! He really takes over every scene he appears in.

The dinner table scene, Vince's late night rendezvous, and the quail hunt scenes are classics.

Ferrell is on hand for a small but pivotal supporting role (about the same as his Starsky & Hutch appearance) as Chazz, the crashers' guru.

Learn more about Wedding Crashers.

The 40-Year-Old Virgin
(2005)

Frat Pack Classic

Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, Judd Apatow (director, writer, producer), David Koechner, Jonah Hill

Leslie Mann, Jane Lynch, Jenna Fischer, Shauna Robertson (Producer)

40 year-old Andy Stitzer (Steve Carell) has done quite a few things in his life. He's got a cushy job stamping invoices at an electronics superstore, a nice apartment with a proud collection of action figures and comic books, good friends, a nice attitude. But there's just one little thing he hasn't quite gotten around to doing yet--something most people have done by his age. Done a lot. Andy's never, ever, ever had sex--not even by accident. Andy's friends are psyched by the possibility that "it" may finally happen ...until they hear that Andy has begun a relationship based on a mutual no-sex policy.

Carell brings real heart to the role, and has great chemistry with co-star Catherine Keener. Most of all, this movie is hilarious. There are great scenes including one where Carell's chest is waxed.

The Wendell Baker Story (2005)

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 Andrew Wilson (Director)

Luke writes and co-directs this charming light drama with brother Andrew Wilson.

Luke plays an ex-con who works in a retirement home run by Owen Wilson, and who tries to win Eva Mendes. Owen is great as the villian of the movie, and Luke brings charm to his character as well. The movie features a cast a lovable misfits and while it isn't laugh out loud funny (except for a couple moments from Will Ferrell), the movie keeps you smiling all the way. It's a must-see!

The movie has played at several film festivals and is available on DVD in a couple European countries, and now opens in LA/NYC on May 18, and in additional cities in June.

Add Wendell Baker to Your MySpace Friends

The Frat Pack Tribute's Wendell Baker Preview Page

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
(2006)

Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny
(2006)
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Lots of Frat Pack friends in this movie based on Black and Gass' musical group. The film won three Frat Pack Earmuff Awards.

"It's definitely the funniest movie on paper that I've ever read," Gass says. "It starts off as kind of how the D was formed. It goes into a quest for 'the pick,' a magical pick that will supposedly help us rock like the rock gods we so admire. It's a zillion laughs."

Stiller takes over in a role that was originally slated for Will Ferrell, the "Guitar Shop Dude" who introduces Tenacious D to "the pick."

Tenacious D Movie Site

Read the Frat Pack Tribute's review

Night at the Museum
(2006)

In the film, Ben Stiller plays good-hearted dreamer Larry Daley who, despite being perpetually down on his luck, thinks he's destined for something big. But even he could never have imaged how "big," when he accepts what appears to be a menial job as a graveyard-shift security guard at a museum of natural history. During Larry's watch, extraordinary things begin to occur: Mayans, Roman Gladiators, and cowboys (including Owen Wilson) emerge from their diorama to wage epic battles; in his quest for fire, a Neanderthal burns down his own display; Attila the Hun pillages his neighboring exhibits, and a T-Rex reminds everyone why he's history's fiercest predator. Amidst the chaos, the only person Larry can turn to for advice is a wax figure of President Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), who helps our hero harness the bedlam, stop a nefarious plot, and save the museum.

Read the Frat Pack Tribute's review

Blades of Glory
(2007)

In 2002, two rival Olympic ice skaters (Ferrell, Jon Heder) were stripped of their gold medals and permanently banned from men's single competition. Presently, however, they've found a loophole that will allow them to qualify as a pairs team. Their main rivals are a brother and sister team (Arnett, Poehler).

Luke has a cameo as a sex therapist. However, Ben does not appear in the film.

Read the Frat Pack Tribute's review

Knocked Up
(2007)

From the same production team of The 40 Year-Old Virgin comes Knocked Up. Rogen says "Right now it is called Knocked Up and it is about me impregnating a woman (Katherine Hiegl) on a one night stand and us having a baby together. We’ve just finished the first draft and it’s somehow far more graphic than The 40 Year-Old Virgin."

"The nice thing about Virgin is that it shows the studios that if the premise is a strong one, you can take a chance on a new actor in the lead" says Writer-Director Judd Apatow. "So I'm going to do the same thing with Seth Rogen," Apatow says.

Carell and Wilson filmed cameos as themselves, interviewed by Heigl's entertainment news reporter, though Owen's scene was cut (but available on the DVD).

Read the Frat Pack Tribute's review

Tropic Thunder
(2008)

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Bill Hader, Jay Baruchel, Steve Coogan, Danny McBride, Theodore Shapiro

Stiller is starring as Speedman, an action movie star who, along with four other macho co-stars, is forced to rely on his boot camp skills to stay alive when things go horribly awry on their new movie. Ben co-wrote the comedy screenplay with Justin Theroux (Zoolander, Charlie's Angels Full Throttle) and Etan Cohen (Idiocracy).

Black will play Jeff “Fats” Portnoy, an overweight gross-out comedian, who’s forced to kick his drug addiction while filming on location in the jungle.

Also starring are Robert Downey as Kirk Lazarus, the greatest actor of his generation and a four-time Oscar winner. Jay Baruchel (Knocked Up) will play Kevin Sandusky, an unknown actor on the set.

Frat Pack Tribute Preview Page

Year One
(2009)

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Michael Cera, Judd Apatow (producer), Harold Ramis, David Cross, Hank Azaria, Bill Hader

Night at the Museum 2: Escape from the Smithsonian
(2009)

Family-friendly sequel moves to the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. where Larry Daley (Stiller) must escape apparently. Azaria plays Egyptian pharaoh named Kah Mun Rah and Amy Adams is rumored to play Amelia Earhart. Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Robin Williams, and Dick Van Dyke are expected to return for the sequel as well.

The centerpiece of the film will be bringing to life the Smithsonian Institution, which houses the world's largest museum complex with more than 136 million items in its collections, ranging from the plane Amelia Earhart flew on her nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic and Al Capone's rap sheet and mug shot to Dorothy's ruby red slippers and Archie Bunker's lounge chair.

Opens May 22, 2009.