My Top Five Films of the Year: I know, I know, but please keep reading (part 2).

You already have seen them (or you haven't), and you probably don't care why I think they are my top five for the year (nor should you.) Thus, in the interest of being in the fringe, I am going to attempt an explanation as to how this movie is speaking to us about the current political and social landscape, as all good movies should (except super stylish genre flicks, those are timeless.)

Do I think these films were intentionally made to be elaborate extended metaphors? Unlikely, though who knows. Either way, every artist projects more than they intend.

Number 4: Tropic Thunder

Tropic Thunder is a satire of the upper echelon of Hollywood. Thanks to a near century of films about the upper echelons of Hollywood, we know it is a broader metaphor for the upper echelons of society.

This is furthered by the plot's premise of a film production about a war becomes a war. The Hollywood leading men becomes a war hero and leader of men into the shit. The Hollywood producer becomes Russel Crowe from "Body of Lies." The film's director gets blown up by his own brilliance.

Tom Cruise's Hollywood producer turned NSA head is the center of the film. His skill is only done in by his apathy for others. You can only imagine the world in which his ilk, the Dick Cheney clones, were building bridges, developing communication technologies or growing healthy cheap food.

Nick Nolte playing a false idol speaks to the absurdity of patriotic myth. There are always new heroes among us who can choose their own righteous path. Yet, how many try to live up to false ancestors? It does no one any good to study and emulate the life of someone when it is worse than fictional, it is intentionally deceptive. History is written by the winners, but that doesn't mean they tell us how they won.

Then there is Robert Downey's genius take on race. Again the idea that what you see and hear is contrived. Movies, much like croney journalism, present public figures in untrue light. Is Barak Obama really black? Is Bill Richardson really hispanic? Is Hillary Clinton really a woman? Is Dick Cheney really robot Satan? Is John McCain really a rich, old white guy? Yes, unfortunately. It is important to note than in happyland, the characters cannot save themselves until they become who they "really" are. However, Robert Downey's false face was so harmless, and somewhat helpful. He was maybe more a hero because of it. Is it really so bad to be someone else, so long as you act morally? Can you really lie about your current identity? It seems as if you are just misleading them about your past and present identities.

The film is constantly extending the themes of fiction and truth around sharp jokes about Americans being at war oversea, western views of foreign terrorism, Hollywood journalism, and the celebrity myth. It was a great sandwich; fresh, dense, layered and delicious.

Oh, and I forgot to put above ***SPOILER ALERT***