The Twists And Turns Of "Criminal Activities"

Criminal Activities (2015)

Unrated

Starring Michael Pitt, Dan Stevens, Christopher Abbott, Rob Brown, Jackie Earle Haley, John Travolta

Directed by Jackie Earle Haley

The Story:

Four men come together to remember one of their classmates who passed away recently. As they talk, a sure-fire get rich quick scheme is uncovered. However, when it falls through, it turns out that a chunk of that money is owed to the mob, and now Eddie (Travolta) is coming to collect. Unless they are willing to do a job for him, in which case he will completely forgive their debt.

Let the games begin.

This is a bit of a roller-coaster movie.

To explain the plot much further than what I did would spoil much of the film as it falls within the heist or mob family of films.

It's got its ups and downs, but overall, when it's all said and done, you're glad you went on the ride.

Just know that when Travolta and Jackie Earle Haley are on the screen, things usually pick up tremendously.

Which gives you the ups, and the downs happen when the rest of the cast takes center stage, because they just don't quite have the presence or sense of character that the other two veteran actors bring to the screen.

But for a B-movie with a lot of young, relatively unknown talent, it's not too bad at all.

So, no rush to move this to the top of your queue, but one that if you get around to seeing it, you'll probably be glad you did.

Final Grade:  C+

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!

Mikey Is Now 25. Feel Old Yet? "Look Who's Talking"

Look Who's Talking (1989)
Rated PG-13 for language

Starring  John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, George Segal, Olympia Dukakis and Bruce Willis

Directed and Written by Amy Heckerling

The Story:

Mollie (Alley) is an accountant whose biggest client (Segal) is having an affair with her.  And then along comes unplanned baby, Mikey (Willis).  When Mollie goes into labor, she takes a cab driven by James (Travolta) to the hospital.  You can guess how this romantic comedy unfolds at this point, no?

Another Heckerling masterpiece.

Funny dialogue, great characters and wonderful music that helps tell the story is one of Heckerlings many attributes.

This film gets overlooked between Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Clueless, but deserves to be mentioned with those cinema gems as well.

While everyone claims that Travolta enjoyed a career comeback in 1994 with Pulp Fiction, this was only 5 years earlier, so it's not like he had completely dropped off the map.  Alley was enjoying her tenure on Cheers and Bruce Willis was finishing up his Moonlighting stint and about to be Mr. Movie Star.

Lightning in a bottle that wasn't quite as successful with the subsequent sequels, but is still charmingly fun(ny) 25 years later.

Final Grade: B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Yes to both, I'd forgotten how much fun this movie really was.