It's Chilly Outside...It's Chili Inside..."Get Shorty"

Get Shorty (1995)

Rated R

Starring John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, Danny DeVito, Dennis Farina, Delroy Lindo, James Gandolfini

Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld

The Story:

Chili Palmer (Travolta) may work for the mob, but his heart is for the movies. When he winds up in Hollywood looking for Harry Zimm (Hackman) who has welched on a debt, he begins to dabble in Hollywood movie production. However, local mobster Bo (Lindo) and Miami's own Ray Barboni (Farina) close in on Chili and Zimm, things are about to get a little crazy!

Happy 20th Anniversary to Get Shorty!

Based on the Elmore Leonard story, this is a perfect all-star cast that brings out life behind the camera, and life within the mob all in one comedic caper.

While I knew and enjoyed the work of just about everyone in this cast, for me, it made stars of Lindo and Gandolfini.

Unfamiliar with their work up to that point, they both turned in great performances and, especially in the case of Lindo, I have looked forward to seeing him in just about anything ever since.

Highly recommended if you've never seen it, or if it's been nearly 20 years since your last viewing.

Currently streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: A

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I love it. I own it. It gets watched roughly every year or two. It holds up very well every time!

"The Firm" Encourages You To Ignore This Movie

The Firm (1993)

Rated R

Starring Tom Cruise, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Gene Hackman, Hal Holbrook, Wilford Brimley, Ed Harris,

Directed by Sydney Pollack

The Story:

Mitch McDeere (Cruise) is a hotshot law school graduate who has his pick of law firms.  When a small firm in Memphis comes calling, they make him an offer that he literally can't refuse. As Mitch gets deeper and deeper into the law firm, he discovers some secrets that put his life in jeopardy. Mitch enters a desperate gambit to break free of their clutches and avoid going to prison himself.

I forgot how much I really enjoy this film.

Probably my favorite John Grisham adaptation, Cruise is at the top of his game as the smartest lawyer in school who moves on to be a great lawyer in his own right.

Littered with an all-star cast, every player in the film adds their own layer of intrigue to the film.

The intrigue and paranoia ratchet up a notch as each minute passes.

The movie is long, nearly 2 1/2 hours, but it never feels like it.

Ready for a great legal thriller, look no further.

It still holds up really well for being over 20 years old.


Available to stream on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: A-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I already own it, but it had been over a decade since I last watched it. Still holds up.

The First Time Eastwood Tackled a President and an Empty Chair..."Absolute Power"

Absolute power corrupts absolutely...

The Story:

Luther Whitney (Clint Eastwood, a master thief who is allegedly retired, breaks into a multi-billionaire's home to rob his vault.  His quest for cash is interrupted by a nocturnal visit from the President of the United States (Gene Hackman) and the billionaire's wife. Their drunken affair turns deadly, and Luther witnesses her murder at the hands of the Secret Service (Scott Glenn, Dennis Haysbert).  He escapes, and avoids the Secret Service for a time, while also keeping the police detectives (Ed Harris) at bay.  Luther is ready to leave the country, until the Secret Service start targeting his daughter (Laura Linney).  Now it's personal...

I really enjoyed this one, and hadn't seen it in ages.

Eastwood was crackling in 1997 (!!!!) as both writer and director.

The movie clips along at a great pace, never too slow...never too fast to keep you riveted to the action and wondering what will happen next.

Eastwood surrounded himself with great actors from top to bottom, and they are allowed to develop given their limited screen time in a movie that begs to be told from many different angles.

It all works out in the end as you realize there is really nothing that the White House couldn't cover up if it absolutely had to.

Final Grade: B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I haven't bought it yet, but it was a nice film to see again after 15 years or so.  Perhaps if I get the Eastwood collection someday?