I've been dying to see this, but won't get the chance this weekend. I'm looking foward to seeing reviews from those of you who get to see it. Vaughn and The Rock look fun in the trailers.
I was really pumped to see this movie too but the reviews that are coming in have been terrible. Too bad. I'll probably still see it anyway. http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&id=1808600382&cf=critic&intl=us
dammit. I hate to hear that. Maybe it's just coming out too close to the the Oscars last week and people are expecting too much?
My buddy went to the premiere here a week or so ago and he said it was worth it. Allegedly the Rock is great.
I'm hoping to go tonight. It's a shame about the reviews, but I expect to laugh. Then again, I felt the same way about Analyze That and that was the first time I'd ever fallen asleep during a movie.
This is one of those movies that seems destined for the critics to hate it, but audiences love it. My best friend saw it in L.A. two weeks ago and said it was hysterical. A must see, especially for Vince Vaughn fans. Screw the critics.
I'm a huge Elmore Leonard fan, loved the book and the movie adaptation of "Get Shorty," but I'm nervous about this one. We won't be going until the gf finishes reading the book, so I can wait to see the reviews stream in.
I can't wait to see it. I watched the Comedy Central REEL show on it. And then watched the trailors online. I will most likely see it this weekend. I am off to Houston tomorow to visit the nearest WAMU, so I can wire some money.
Surprisingly in a movie with a bunch of A-list actors, the only thing the critics seem to enjoy about the movie is The Rock. Apparently he steals the show.
If you really wanna drool at Uma go to uselessjunkdotcom and do a search for her topless beach photos.
I'm in the minority--- I liked it. Here's my review (and link) RATING: 3 Stars Starring: John Travolta, Vince Vaughn, Andre 3000, Christina Milian, Harvey Keitel, Danny DeVito, Uma Thurman, Cedric the Entertainer, Robert Pastorelli, Steven Tyler, The Rock. Written by Peter Steinfeld. Directed by F. Gary Gray. Rated PG-13 for violence, sensuality, and language including sexual references. “Be Cool” is only half as cool as it wants to be, but that’s still cool enough to make for some slick, breezy escapist fun. In this sequel to “Get Shorty,” based on the novel by Elmore Leonard, the sun is always shining, the hero packs a joke for every punch, and only the bad guys sweat. There are worse places to live. John Travolta returns as Chili Palmer, the former loan shark who jostled his way into the movie business. Chili’s bored of the movies. Driving along Sunset Blvd, he sees a billboard for one of his sequels, “Get Lost.” He tells his buddy (James Woods, just a bit player in a glittery ensemble cast) that he hates sequels, that they always suck. The joke’s a bit obvious, and it’s one of the few missteps—too much self-referential humor. During this meta-conversation about sequels, Chili’s friend, who’s in the music business and wants to make a movie about his life, gets killed in a sudden drive-by. The violence is couched in humor, as the hit-man holds on to his toupee while firing shots at Woods. In the cheeky world of Elmore Leonard, even the assassinations are ironic. The murder has two consequences. First and most importantly, it totals Chili’s car, forcing him to drive a wimpy-looking Honda Insight, which he refers to as the “Cadillac of Hybrids.” Second, it’s the catalyst for him to leave the movie business and switch to music. When he’s charmed by the next-big-thing, aspiring singer Linda Moon (Christina Milian), his decision is complete. Chili’s not the only one who wants to work with Linda Moon. She’s imprisoned in a five-year contract by her producer (Harvey Keitel) manager (Vince Vaughan), and manager’s bodyguard (The Rock). The Rock is lovable as a gay, in-touch-with-his-feelings bodyguard, who really wants to sing and dance and be an actor. As an audition for Chili, he performs a monologue from “Bring it On.” (Funnier still is that his “monologue” uses two different characters). It’s the best role of his career, and kudos for playing against type. Undaunted by these music gangsters, Chili enlists the help of his murdered friend’s ex-wife, Edie Athens (Uma Thurman), also a music producer. Edie’s business is in shambles and she owes money to the musicians/gang WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction), who are played by delightfully over-the-top Andre 3000 and Cedric the Entertainer. The conflict takes too long to develop, but eventually Chili’s power play with Linda Moon—and his wisecracking—irritates every player involved, and soon they’re all out for his head. He’s threatened, double-crossed, strong-armed, and blackmailed; only his wits (and “Be Cool’s” weakness for coincidences) can save him. Travolta is clearly having fun again. He gives the most self-assured performance in a decade, since “Get Shorty,” in fact. Wearing a slimming black suit and a trim haircut, it’s the best he’s looked since the early 90’s. He must have won some Celebrity Extreme Makeover. His cool confidence anchors the film; his patented command to his antagonists, “look at me,” applies just as well to the audience. Even when others would look silly, Chili has real charisma. For instance, when Danny Devito laughs at his slow hybrid car, he replies, “If you’re an important person, people will wait.” But the real stars are Vince Vaughn and The Rock. Vaughn, after sleepwalking through “Dodgeball” and paying his cable bill with “Anchorman,” gobbles up the role of a wannabe pimp. His dialogue is a hellish mix of 50 cent, Vanilla Ice, “Sanford and Son,” and Vaughn himself. “I feel you, baby, I feel you! I smell you, dog!” He thumps his chest and struts around in red velvet, slapping high fives and saying, “Twinkle, twinkle, baby!” Yet for every burst of hilarity—like when The Rock sings a cowboy song in a woman’s voice—several jokes will miss the mark. Steve Tyler (just one of many celebrity cameos) says cheekily, “I’m not one of those musicians who would just appear in a movie!” Thud. And it drags. There are many, many characters, as somehow director Gary Gray has to squeeze in his 45 celebrities. (Kobe Bryant even makes an appearance at a Lakers game, as does Anna Nicole Smith). Too many subplots. Vaughn’s wannabe pimp gets entangled with another hit man, stealing momentum from the main story. It’s refreshing, though, to get a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, a movie that makes no promise besides harmless entertainment.
