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sean-grieve1
Reviews
Be Cool (2005)
A film for thought
Be Cool shows Mr. Travolta as a man of thought as much as a man of action. While for many juvenile viewers this movie may hold little interest, those who have cultivated an interest in philosophy and the arts will find it interesting and refreshing.
Mr. Travolta is seen deep in thought and almost removed from his surroundings. The man who is with him, jabbering on about becoming involved in the movie industry, is an excellent representation of many 'Fans' who understand little of the realities of movies.
When this man is shot Mr. Travolta treats it as another one of 'those things' that happen in life, and once again when he is presented with a ludicrously small car he accepts it courteously rather than being inflamed at his dignity being diminished in some way.
He travels thru the film converting people and situations with the minimum amount of fuss or force. He wears one black suit throughout, while he never actually preaches, his message is clear for those who see it- like the poster in Nicks office for the 'Mute Preachers'.
This preaching is also used in Mr. Travolta's film Swordfish. Anyone who studies the scene where Mr. Travolta take the call from the senator will see the wheatgrass on the table, the books for his mind and the art on the walls. The scene is set in his immaculate bedroom.
I don't want to digress from Be Cool but I am making the connection between the need for an attention to detail and an interest in more than the obvious to understand Mr. Travolta's films and their underlying messages. Take for instance the whole moral of Grease.
Mr. Travolta sits on the stand in Grease waiting to join the dance contest he gives us a clue about his future films. He says to Sandy 'Be Cool'! They then join the dance. Of course the dance Mr. Travolta is always referring to is in fact the dance of life.
In 'Be Cool' Mr. Travolta makes a stand against Nick, a symbol of the devil, who is supposed to control the music industry- it used to be claimed that you had to sell your soul to the devil to make it in the music business. Mr. Travolta advocates true talent having the opportunity to prosper as opposed to sex appeal selling.
It is interesting that in 'Be Cool' Mr. Travolta is set up as a type of 'messiah'. Now, be cool, I am not for any second imp lying that Mr. Travolta has any form of deity! He refers to Nick as 'Bro', he is also able to speak with him at home and discuss the forthcoming change.
The devil is of course one of those who turns up in the assembly of the sons of God in the book of Job and so it is quite within context to refer to him as 'Bro'. Now we should instantly see the relationship of contracts, sin and etc used throughout the film.
Swordfish is full of Biblical content but we will not go into that here other than the nice scene where Mr. Travolta is waiting on Stan coming out of the club and has an Edening conversation with Marco- 'Mark o' the beast'- get it? Marco's fate is sealed in Biblical style when he falls from a flying bus and bursts into flames.
Now, be cool- I'm not getting off track. In 'Be Cool' Mr. Travolta and Nick have a conversation about how 'these things work in cycles'. Almost like the influence of planets- or would that be stars? Planets and stars stay right on track don't they? Or they end up a real mess, on drink and drugs, sorry collision courses with other influences.
I won't go into the theory of quarks which is a great way to study this point made by Mr. Travolta and Nick, but even on a base level let's look at the influence of the stars like Mr. Travolta and Stevie from Aerosmith. They influence millions of people who have not yet developed their own 'system'- by giving their thoughts rails to run on.
Mr. Travolta makes an excellent point to Stevie about how the birth of his daughter opened doors in his mind that would allow him to see things differently- Like drugs do, change our perception- The important thing is how we react to what we perceive- like a movie!
Be Cool can only be described as an excellent film, considering the budget. Finally, it was excellent to see Mr. Travolta creating an environment where true talent could prosper- but please remember- he's only a man- he can't actually give you talent- or make you see it.
Maybe Nickolas Cage was telling the truth in National Treasure when he said, 'it was never about the money'? (All that treasure under an empty church). Maybe Tom Hanks knew something in The Polar Express when he said, 'it's a new idea the Boss has'? Like Mr. Travolta says in Swordfish, 'Just a thought'. (What is a grungy wannabe film maker?)
Now be cool, the point of all that apparently irrelevant reverent information is to suggest that anyone who didn't get 'Be Cool' the first time round should buy the DVD and watch it again a few times. But then they may need to reed something first. Be Cool- what a film!
I got so carried away with enthusiasmos that I almost forgot that speech made in Nicks office by the guy in charge of the Humvee brigade. He makes a fantastic point by expressing the value of the contribution made to our way of life by the people Martin Luther saw set free. (By the Way, I Am not a fan, I'm only a Dance student- like Bluce Ree)
Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976)
Won Ton Ton, the dog that saves Hollywood? Yes, I think so.
I give this movie a 10. Because even though I can't seem to remember one scene in it, it touched my heart and I remember that dog to this day. Touching hearts, thats what movies should be about, so 10 out of 10.
Hearts are much more important than minds after all. I mean look at me, I've forgotten the film- but I still feel something nice when I remember the name. How many movies, or people, can you say that about today?
I think I saw the movie, like a dream, in black and white. However, like a dream, those old black and white movies could pull you in so you imagined the colour. Imagination, that is important in movies too- for both sides of the looking glass.
You know, I never would have considered myself a movie fan until I watched Swordfish and saw right through it. However, I have met a lot of nice people and seen a lot more while trying to find others that saw through it.
And so, while Swordfish is an outstanding film for the mind- perhaps Mr. Travolta was wrong, perhaps Hollywood didn't always make...