Film Forum

Episode Recap

Episode 9

March 8, 2005

Films Reviewed: Robots and Be Cool

Commentary: Remembering Debra Hill and George Atkinson

Featurette: Behind the scenes of Be Cool

Regarding Robots:

Matt: Chris Wedge has returned after Ice Age with a tale of dreaming big and following your heart, even if it is mechanical.  And Chris Wedge remembers that it is the story and not how pretty your characters and landscapes look.  The story has heart and the voice cast (including Ewan McGregor, Halle Berry, Drew Carey, Mel Brooks and Robin Williams) have a lot of fun performing.  When your actors have fun, so will your audience.  Me included.  Three and a half stars.

Aron: Yes, the movie's heart is in the right place.  And the characters make sure we have a lot of fun watching it, too.  It's the perfect length for this medium.  My only quibble (and it's a really small one) is that the landscapes and backgrounds are too bright.  There was never any real contrast between a blue sky and anything else.  The sun always shined here.  But then again, that's my issue, not yours.  Go see this, take your children, and have a great time!  Three and a half stars.

Average Rating: ***1/2 (out of ****)

Regarding Be Cool:

Aron: John Travolta returns to his second most famous creation (shylock Chili Palmer from Elmore Leonard) of the 1990s and he doesn't miss a beat.  The movie's all star cast has a lot of fun trying to cut a record deal.  Not a whole lot in the brains department.  But you're going to be laughing so hard, it won't really matter.  Don't think too much about it, but have a great time.  Three and a half stars.

Matt: The all star cast (including Vince Vaughn, Cedric the Entertainer, Aerosmith, Uma Thurman, etc.) are all great.  But this movie belongs to The Rock as a bodyguard who's a little bit country and a little bit Barbara Streisand.  That is, the movie belongs to The Rock when John Travolta isn't on screen.  He fills Chili Palmer's shoes like they are his favorite.  I don't understand why our fellow colleagues weren't as thrilled with this one.  I had lots of fun.  Three and a half stars.

Average Rating: ***1/2 (out of ****)

Commentary: These past few days saw the passing of writer/producer Debra Hill (Halloween) and the father of the modern day video store, George Atkinson.  Aron and Matt took a few minutes to remember their careers. 

Featurette: Behind the scenes of Be Cool, starring John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Vince Vaughn, Cedric the Entertainer, Christina Milan, Aerosmith, The Rock and lots of other actors.