farris-4 Reviews

Be Cool (2005)

Great Entertainment for Hipsters

[8/10 · 22 October 2007]

This Danny DeVito produced film is a high quality spoof of L.A.'s fast track entertainment industry. The popular and recognizable star-studded cast make the show shine--isn't that what talent is all about? Travolta is the lead as an ex-loan shark turned entertainment industry manager. There is a strong plot, plenty of humor, and plot twists that are blended in such a way as to make the almost 2 hour movie interesting from start to finish. There are black gangstas (led by Cedric) that play their stereotyped images without flaw but with great humor, a white music-industry groupie (Vince Vaughn) who talks like an inner city pimp as he travels around with his black bodyguard who is gay, Russian mafia who are the ongoing strong-arm threat in the movie, and an inept hit man who is surly and incompetent.

It sounds like an odd mix, but the characters have worked every "bit" in the movie to perfection, bringing out every laugh as well it should be. I have seen movies that would aspire to this greatness, but who had fewer funny pieces, much worse acting, and disjointed plots. If you have any real-world awareness of the music or entertainment industry, this movie is a must see since it roasts stereotypes while maintaining the viewers interest in the plot and characters.

Accolades to the whole crew!

Possums (1998)

Great Family fun for people who still think anything is possible

[8/10 · 13 May 2007]

If you love football and small town people, you will love the temporary insanity of the Nowata, Oklahoma people who don't let reality dictate. They are not insane really, just hopelessly hopeful. There are some great unpredictable story lines that underly the plot, and it is perfect family entertainment. The only weakness in the plot was that the movie didn't go far enough into the aftermath of their football season...the film left us wanting to see more and know more about what happened next. Still, even knowing that, I would still want to see the movie because it is ideal family entertainment.

As soon as we finished the movie, I went online to find out if the movie was based upon a real story...I had hoped so, and I would have then gladly visited Nowata, OK to find out more, but alas, the movie was not billed as being a take off on reality, but more of a fantastical take-off from reality.

I will still remember Nowata, northeast of Tulsa, because of the film, and the filming used lots of people from that general vicinity, so it is easy to believe the events in this film COULD have happened. Our 13 and 9 year old boys loved the movie and we let them stay up late on a school night to let them watch it. (That is rare for us to do). We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. The world needs a lot more entertainment that holds the interest of all age groups. It was the first football movie I have seen my wife enjoy, because it is less about football than it is about people of hope.

One Night with the King (2006)

Historical Fiction with Dramatic Flair

[5/10 · 25 February 2007]

While a fair piece of drama, this film is not a historically accurate portrayal of what is written in the Bible, and is almost entirely conjecture. If you are looking for historical accuracy, the story of Esther from the Veggie Tales videos for children has more.

The Star of David (aka Mogen David) has a prominent placement in the plot as a mystical symbol, but the Star was not in use during that time period (circa 500 BC). Also, in the film, Esther prays to "Father" meaning God, whereas Jesus was the first to pray to the "Father" and identify the "Father." The Jews looked to Abraham, their ancestor, as "father" of their people.

This film is a highly embellished, dramatic portrayal of a small but important story from the Bible. It was entertaining and the scenery was exciting, and that is why it scored well with me.

I was hoping for something that might have reflected better research and less dramatic flair. All in all, if Biblical fiction interests you, you will enjoy this film.