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Paulo-31
Reviews
Be Cool (2005)
A sequel's sequel worth seeing
All things being equal, "Be Cool" is your typical sequel. Rarely, if ever, is a sequel as good as the original. However, in "Be Cool" we are treated to some good performances by actors who are otherwise known from different roles they have developed and clearly patented. "Be Cool" is more a parody than its predecessor, "Get Shorty." Indeed, I found the film far more entertaining when I looked at the disparity between the two films. Therefore, the film should be viewed as a parody rather than a comedy.
Although the film is funny, at times it moves rather slowly. Where else can one see Dwayne Douglas Johnson, "The Rock", (Scorpion King, Walking Tall) as a gay aspiring actor that will do anything to get casted? The Rock shows some earnest as a country cowboy singer, Samoan Slap dancer cum limousine driver, and bodyguard. Put one in the winner's column for The Rock. He pulls it off nicely. I didn't even know it was him! In addition, Vince Vaughn (Wedding Crashers, Old School, The Break-Up) is marvelous as a white wannabe black man. We see these performances in the teen film genre, albeit, the dialog from Vaughn is believable. This is not a typical role for Vaughn, yet it shows his depth as an actor. If his performance was done from behind a curtain one would be hard pressed to sort out his gansta-be-rapper wannabe.
The film has it's funny points, even if they are expected. Moreover, "Be Cool" also has some make you jump-in- your seats scenes as well. I enjoyed Cedric the Entertainer's (Barber Shop, Big Mama's House) role which I found really helped the film's movement. Yet the mentoring Cedric does with Andre Benjamin's (Hollywood Homicide) well developed "Dabu" is worth seeing alone.
Uma Thurman (Pulp Fiction, Johnny Be Good, Kill Bill) is as good as alwaysbetter still with the Aerosmith tattoo on her backside and a certain something special she brings to every film she's ina different character. Men (and women) will not be disappointed. Seth Green (Can't Hardly Wait, Without a Paddle) is wonderful in his cameo as music video producer. Notwithstanding John Travolta, Harvey Keitel, and the load of other celebs who parade through to make short or cameo appearances, this film belongs to the Christina Milian fans the world over.
Ms. Milian shines in her role as "Linda Moon" as if she didn't know there was a camera on her. She blushes, winks, and smiles with such ease; furthermore, she shows skills of an actress well beyond her experience. She is simply stunning and does not let one down.
All together, "Be Cool" is a sequel's sequel. Plot, storyline, twists and turns, are all predictable, yet, they're pulled off and still get a laugh. I credit the actors with their raw skills; I couldn't see any real directing at all. As for me, "Be Cool" is a C effort, or on a 1-10 scale, maybe a 6. I'd wait for either movie channel or DVD.
Mirror Mirror 2: Raven Dance (1994)
Brilliant camera work and cinematography
Most films are only as good as the screenplay or adaptation from where they originate. Although the cast of this film is experienced, with most receiving an award of some kind in their careers, one would never know that from the performances of this lot! There is one exception however, young Ms. Tracy Wells does indeed show that she has developed beyond the childhood actress she was at one time.
Moreover, Tracy is able to really show off her skills in some rather compromising scenes. She is wonderful in a seduction scene where, while being possessed, she is able to (convincingly) go through a sequence of erotic dreams. And again, and even more prominent, she is able to showcase her dancing talent, relentlessly, that earned her high praises as well as the Pepsi gig with Michael "Jacko" Jackson. In fact, the high point of this film is the breathtaking camera work that moves with Tracy from one side of the room to the other. The dance sequence alone rushed this critic enough to sit through an otherwise butt-numbing movie.