Multitalented Ben Stiller wrote, directed and stars in "Zoolander, " a good natured spoof of the male modeling industry.

Derek Zoolander’s career is just about over only he doesn’t know it. When the up and coming model Hansel is announced as the new Male Model of the Year, Derek makes an idiot out of himself by striding to the podium to accept the award. A syndicate fronted by mysterious designer, Mugatu (Will Ferrell) , thinks Zoolander is just stupid enough to be brainwashed to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia who wants to pass child labor laws that would drive the cost of manufacturing up and cut into their profits. It doesn’t take long for "Zoolander" to take on spy thrillers, action heroes, American foreign policy, human rights, New Age psychology, and every maudlin self absorbed confessional Prime Time TV show to ever hit the airwaves. "Zoolander" is composed of a series of set pieces that could easily have played out on Saturday Night Live. The vignettes are strung together by a developing love story with reporter (Christine Taylor) that never gets in the way of the fun and the shenanigans of Katinka (Milla Jovovich) who will do anything in her power to lure Derek to his doom. For good measure, Stiller throws in a staple of Hollywood lore, the background story about a lead’s humble origins. Jon Voight plays Derek’s macho coal mining father who disowns his son and then is only too happy to welcome him back to the fold when he becomes a hero. Meanwhile Ben’s Stiller’s real life father Jerry plays Derek’s crass manager, Maury Ballstein. "Zoolander" doesn’t always hit the mark, but when it does it’s a bulls eye. A one on one competition with Derek and Hansel strutting their stuff for their peers is hilarious and a take off on the opening ape scene from "2001: Space Odyssey" is inspired. Hansel’s visually assisted anecdotes about the development of his spiritual nature and his oneness with the universe is a hoot, but the male bonding scene that brings Derek and Hansel together to save the world is both funny and moving - a hard combination to beat.

Copyright 2001

"Reality Bites" (1994) - Stiller made his directing debut and played it straight as the other man in this serio-comedy with Wynona Ryder as a young woman who can’t decide between Ben and her super cool on-again, off-again boyfriend, Ethan Hawke, who won’t let go. Also with Janeane Garofalo, Steve Zahn and Stiller’s mother, Anne Meara.

"Permanent Midnight" (1998) - Stiller is a standout as real life TV writer Jerry Stahl in this cautionary tale about fame and drug addiction. Based on Stahl’s autobiography.

Owen Wilson has played some oddball characters in the last few years in films like "Shanghai Noon" with Jackie Chan and "Anaconda" with Jennifer Lopez, but he made his entry into the big leagues with a small film called "Bottle Rocket"

"Bottle Rocket" (1996) - Owen co-starred with his brother Luke and co-wrote with friend, director Wes Anderson on this offbeat tale about two best friends who can’t do anything right. They go on a crime spree carrying out their deeds like two kids playing cops’n robbers. Their naivete is exploited by con man, James Caan with understated comic effect.

"Rushmore" (1998) - Owen co-wrote this comic masterpiece with director Wes Anderson about a highs school misfit (Jason Schwartzman) whose vivid imagination and crush on a teacher put him in conflict with the school system and successful businessman, Bill Murray.