Get Shorty

Rating:
Summary: This is one of the best movies ever!
Review: This movie is smart and hilarious. John Travolta is perfect in his role as Chili Palmer and the rest of the characters could not have been portrayed any better.

Rating:
Summary: The Long And The Short Of It
Review: Get Shorty is yet another example of a film that, while I'm not really a big fan of its star--in this case John Travolta, it is still hard to resist. Adapted from Elmore Leonard's 1990 novel (never read it) of the same name, the film is pretty funny and gives viewers a peek at how tinstletown works its mojo.

Chili Palmer (Travolta), a Miami loan shark who's been sent to L.A. to collect on a bad debt from trash movie producer Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman), the maker of the stunning flops "Grotesque" and "Slime People." But this is Harry's lucky day, because Chili is also a film buff, and when he's done talking tough he starts pitching Harry a script idea. Soon, Chili is smoothly launched into the life of a producer: romancing B-movie scream queen, Karen Flores (Rene Russo) schmoozing superstars like Martin Weir (Danny DeVito), getting reservations in the hottest restaurants in town. However, Chili's not the only mobster wanting to turn producer. A thug named Bo Catlett (Delroy Lindo), another of Harry's lenders, also wants a piece of the action. Add in a group of angry drug smugglers and it's double and even triple-crosses all around.

Get Shorty works for several reasons. Not the least of which is Scott Frank's script, as it crosses the line of life imitating art--and vice versa--many times, including uising the real Ernest "Chili" Palmer (on whom the main character is based) playing a Mafia henchman and is filled with many other memorable moments. As a director, Barry Sonnenfeld's films vary in quality, (as the awful Big Trouble from 2002 demonstrated) here, he hits a perfect stride. Surrounded by talent like Hackman, Russo, DeVito, and Dennis Farina as Ray "bones" Barboni brings Travolta up a notch as well.

Timed to coincide with the theatrical release of the sequel, Be Cool, the 2 disc special edition boasts some worthwhile bonus material. The audio commentary by Sonnenfeld is effective at getting you from points A to Z and worth a listen, especially if you like the film. The three making of featurettes would have worked better as one whole--rather than split up. Working better is the Bravo channel's Page To Screen special--giving you a sense of how Frank adapted the book and Sonnenfeld's take on it. Of course there's the obligatory sneak peek at Be Cool-The reason the special edition even exists. A few outtakes that are actually funny, a Get Shorty party reel, photo gallery, and the original theatrical and sequel trailer top off the set.

Get Shorty is an entertaining romp. A wild look at the celebrity life in Hollywood, featuring numerous cameos of stars playing themselves as Travolta hams it up in good way


Rating:
Summary: Witty, funny movie gets the "special" treatment
Review: It takes a loan shark leading the way to make Hollywood honest. "Get Shorty" returns in a new 2 disc "Collector's Edition" DVD just in time for the sequel "Too Cool" which will be premiering in theaters in March. Translating Elmore Leonard's novels to the screen can be a tricky business luckily both screenwriter Scott Frank and director Barry Sonnenfeld are both up to the task with an inventive dark comedic film. Chili Palmer (John Travolta) heads west to collect a debt from down-and-out B-movie producer Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman). When Harry can't pay, Chili opts to help him make a movie about, well, Chili Palmer. The catch is that Chili and Harry need a star to make their movie viable. Chili quickly finds that the film business shares a lot in common with the world of organized crime. Chili romances B-Movie queen Karen Flores (Rene Russo) an ex- of Harry's and persuades film star Martin Weir (Danny DeVito) to star in the film but not before running into a Cadillac of very funny mishaps along the way. Featuring a great performances from Dennis Farina as the clueless Ray `Bones' Barboni, Travolta, Hackman, Russo, DeVito and a pre-Sopranos James Gandolfini, "Get Shorty" positively sparkles with wit and energy.

Sporting a new high definition transfer "Get Shorty" looks simply marvelous. With a sharp looking transfer showing a minimum of digital artifacts and no analog flaws, "Get Shorty" deserves the deluxe treatment. The image has amazing depth and an image sharper than Chili's aim. The colors practically leap out from the screen brighter than Harry Zimm's blindingly white teeth from the moment the pink and blue titles pop up on the screen until the moment we hear "cut" at the end. With blacks richer and darker than Chili's stolen coat, MGM has done a superb job of translating this modern classic to DVD. The crystal clear sound comes across with more presence than B-Movie queen Karen Flores' screams.

Extras are exceptionally good in this "Special Edition". It's like having seconds of a terrific desert; while no one really needs it, it's great to have just the same. We get a number of notable extras as part of this rich meal. The second disc has three featurettes on different aspects of the film, the deleted "Graveyard Scene", outtakes, the "Get Shorty" party reel, a documentary from Bravo Channel on the making of the movie and a sneak peak at "Be Cool". "Get Shorty: Look at Me" opens the book on how Elmore Leonard came up with the plot for "Get Shorty" and developed the idea. DeVito, Travolta, Hackman, Russo, Sonnenfeld and other key cast and crew participate in this featurette on the production of the film. Full of clips from the movie to illustrate the points made throughout the featurette, it's a great summation of the greatness of this film. It's a 30 minute love fest reminding fans why they love this movie so much. The 20 minute "Get Shorty: Wise Guys and Dolls" focuses on the fun, complex characters of the movie. "The Graveyard Scene" featurette allows Sonnenfeld to comment on the single deleted scene of the movie included the hilarious, well, graveyard scene. Featuring a funny cameo with Ben Stiller, Sonnenfeld clearly regretted cutting the scene but Sonnenfeld couldn't find a place for sequence where it fit. The behind-the-scenes stuff and interviews last longer than the actual scene itself. "Going Again" features footage from outtakes and a discussion from Sonnenfeld about the technique of using long takes, pulling out the best bits and putting it together to make magic. The sneak peak for "Be Cool" promises that the sequel to "Get Shorty" promises to be as funny as the first film. Set in the music business, it may not be more than a promo piece for the film but it gives viewers enough of a taste to rope `em in.

Bravo's "Page to Screen" documentary featuring Peter Gallagher features plenty of interviews with critics, other writers and focuses as much on how Elmore Leonard comes up with the material in his books, writes them and, once again, takes us behind-the-scenes of the production of the movie. The real treat is hearing from the real Chili Palmer discussing the "reel" Chili Palmer and Leonard's character. The "Party Reel" mainly consists of bits and piece of cut footage and behind-the-scenes stuff nothing earth shattering or all that funny. In addition to the "Get Shorty" theatrical trailer and we get two promos one for "Fargo" and one for "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly". My only complaint is the MGM "promo" opener that they put on ALL of their DVDs. It's annoying and, unfortunately, there's no way to pass it by. It's a pretty minor issue but the fact that it's on all of their DVDs makes it a real pain.

A dry, witty commentary by Barry Sonnenfeld highlights this disc. The only drawback is the lack of participation of Travolta, Hackman, Russo and DeVito. I realize they have busy schedules but it would have been a real highlight and perfect addition to this DVD.

A hip, funny comedy that continues to deliver in spades, "Get Shorty" looks terrific, sounds great and has some terrific special features. This is an example of a re-release that's worth upgrading. Definitely worth owing on DVD and purchasing a second time if you love the movie. This IS the version to own.




Rating:
Summary: One of the best of John Travolta's films!
Review: After winning one or more Oscars for his role in 1994's PULP FICTION,John Travolta's film career was refilled with "high Travoltage". Following PF,Travolta relentlessly made at least one film year after year. This film was his first post-PF one. ADDAMS FAMILY director Barry Sonnenfeld had a great cast in this film which includes Gene Hackman,Danny DeVito,Rene Russo and Dennis Farina. In one scene,Ernest "Chili" Palmer(Travolta) returns some stolen money to an airport where it was stored. The money was stolen by Leo DeVoe(David Paymer) and was added to his casino winnings($10,000). Chili borrows the money Leo won and promised him he'd later repay it. In one of the first scenes,Ray Barboni(Farina) enters a restaurant where Chili is dining. Ray tells his buddies with him,"It's Chili outside and it's Chili inside. It's a regular f---ing Chilifest!". Hackman is Harry Zimm,a film producer for his own company,Zimm Productions. In another scene,Harry tells Ray on the phone,"Harry Zimm tells you the way it is!". Russo is Karen Flores,an actress. Chili befriends Karen in the film. DeVito is Martin "Shorty" Weir,also an actor. Chili was looking for Martin so Martin could appear in one of Harry's future films. Also in the phone conversation between Harry and Ray,Harry tells Ray,"You've never been out of f---ing Miami,dips--t!" after Ray tells Harry that Ray never heard of Harry Zimm(Ray didn't know at the time he was actually talking to Harry). Ray was sitting on the toilet when Harry phoned! Also in the film is Delroy Lindo,whose character is a hitman who assassinates a young Hispanic man named Yayo(Jacob Vargas). Yayo was about to repay money to his uncle Escobar(Miguel Sandoval). Ray leaves Miami for Los Angeles to meet Harry. Harry,napping at his desk,asked who was knocking on his door. "The dips--t who's never been out of Miami!",Ray tells Harry. Harry suggests to Ray he partake in joint ownership of one of Harry's future films,investing some money in it(what Chili owes Ray). Ray was looking for Chili and Leo. Leo died in a plane crash while returning to Miami from Las Vegas. Ray beats up Harry so badly that Harry ends up in a hospital bed. Other memorable scenes include Ray being shot in the nose by Chili. Also physically abusive Ray punches Leo's widow in the face. Paymer had a short role in one of Travolta's earlier films,1985's PERFECT. Hackman won an Oscar for 1971's THE FRENCH CONNECTION. Russo's other films include MR. DESTINY,TIN CUP,OUTBREAK,LETHAL WEAPON 3 and 4 and SHOWTIME. Farina's other films include MIDNIGHT RUN,ANOTHER STAKEOUT,STEALING HARVARD,SNATCH,STRIKING DISTANCE and THAT OLD FEELING. DeVito's other films include THROW MOMMA FROM THE TRAIN,TWINS,JUNIOR,RENAISSANCE MAN and THE WAR OF THE ROSES. After this film,Travolta starred in WHITE MAN'S BURDEN,BROKEN ARROW,ISN'T SHE LOVELY,FACE OFF,A CIVIL ACTION,PRIMARY COLORS,THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER,SWORDFISH,WINNING NUMBERS,PHENOMENON and MICHAEL. Great film!

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite movies
Review: This is one of the few movies I own that I can watch again and again. It is definitely one of my all-time favorites.
Get Shorty is smart and funny. A load of great actors and great acting, full of smart humor and a great story. Definitely for a more mature audience and not for people that think such titles as Final Destination are worthy of an Oscar ...

Rating:
Summary: One of the coolest movies EVER!
Review: Quentin Tarantino noted that the movie John Travolta did after "Pulp Fiction" was probably more important than "Pulp Fiction" with respect to his comeback in movies. This movie solidified John's popularity with his core audience. The movie is smart, irreverent, funny, satirical and just plain cool. If you watch it, note how the soundtrack is used to compliment the scenes. The score is almost like another actor in each scene. It is brought, forcefully, to the forefront of the scenes to provide color and depth. This rarely works in movies but it is done with considerable skill in "Get Shorty". Another "over the top" application is the product placement of the "Cadillac of Mini-Vans". They made no excuses and wrote the mini-van right into the script.
This is a very well made movie. The actors are wonderful, the homage paid to prior films of it's ilk are subtle, yet, crafted skillfully, and the cinematography and music perfectly compliment the film flow and style.
Okay, it's pretty clear I really like this movie. Nice thing about movies, there are many different movies of all types to satisfy our different tastes. If you like smart, dark comedies then I think you'll love this one. Enjoy!