Get Shorty [Blu-ray]

Entertaining comedy, good acting good and good music

Get Shorty was based off of an Elmore Leonard book of the same name and director Barry Sonnenfeld did a fine job with that source material.The film is a satire of Hollywood and the gangster genre. John Travolta plays loan shark Chili Palmer from Miami who goes to Los Angeles to collect a debt and then smooth talks his way into the movie business with director Harry Zimm played by Gene Hackman, actress Karen Flores played by Rene Russo, and movie star Martin Weir played by Danny Devito. Deloy Lindo as Bo Catlett is a small time gangster that Zimm owes money too that wants in on the film industry as well. Finally, Dennis Farina is Ray Bones Barboni a Miami gangster that Chili nominally works for.This is a great ensemble cast that does a great job playing off each other. Barboni for instance, steals a leather coat that Chili is very fond of. He gets it back by breaking Barboni’s nose. Barboni then tries to get revenge, but Chili grazes a bullet off his head. Barboni ends up with bandages all over his face and looks like a buffoon. Barboni always plays the tough guy, but does it over the top that you almost laugh at him.There are also plenty of moments making fun of Hollywood. Chili and Weir for instance talk about method acting on how to play a loan shark. Weir talks about all the background work he does to get into a character, but when he’s faced with Chili who is the real thing he’s at a loss. At the same time it still maintains the allure of the city. Chili for instance absolutely loves the movies. He goes to see Touch of Evil and knows Marlene Dietrich’s lines by heart. Another time he beats up an enforcer and then asks him what movies he worked in as a stunt man because he wants to hear about the business so much.Get Shorty is a lot of fun. I loved it when it first came out in the theaters and it still holds up to this day.C

All time favorite!

Maybe a little better. It's not my favorite Elmore Leonard book. I mean this movie is solid. It has Gene Hackman; how can you do worse?I just talked about John Wick a couple of times. This is what that outfit looks like when it works. John Wick makes it work for him; That's another thing entirely. The outfit was made for Chili Palmer. This movie has style.This, to me, is a better Travolta resurgence than Pulp Fiction was.

Elmore Leonard's novel Get Shorty was a hit, as was its movie adaptation. I say this as an Italian-American from New York who's lived in Miami - aka Brooklyn with palm trees -- so I get where it comes from. I'm just glad that this comedic gem finally got the two-disc treatment. It gets better with each viewing. The extras are fun and interesting, if a bit lightweight.It's enough to say that the intricate plot is classic Elmore Leonard, and that the script has retained much of his pithy dialogue. I'd rather focus on the quirky characters and their players because it is they who make this film snap, crackle and pop.IMO Get Shorty would have gotten little attention without John Travolta's stellar performance. From his razor-cut helmet hair to his expertly wielded cigarette to his swaggering walk, Travolta IS Chili Palmer, a Miami-based loan shark with orca-like charm who thinks quickly, speaks directly and acts decisively. He's also a film buff who decides to get into the movie business because it's a lot like organized crime, but with more legit money. Travolta doesn't play Chili; he inhabits the character, which is high praise.The same is true of Travolta's co-stars. The excellent Gene Hackman is perfect as dim-witted Harry Zimm, a horror film producer whose gambling habit and big mouth land him in serious doodoo. Danny DeVito captures the egocentricity of "shorty" Norman Weir, the talented actor turned Movie Stah that Harry wants for his one-shot prestige film. Rene Russo competes with these big-name actors for our attention and wins. Her MILF looks and sardonically rendered lines turn jaded actress Karen Flores into a real prize. No wonder all these guys want her.Every part is well cast. Dennis Farina never misses; here he plays beat-up Miami mob boss Ray "Bones" Barboni with comic malevolence. He's after dry-cleaner Leo Devoe (a milquetoast-y David Paymer), a "dead" airline crash victim that Chili finds living large on the insurance money that he owes to Bones. Delroy Lindo has a pivotal role as LA limo king and coke dealer Bo Catlett, one of Harry's investors and a deadly dude if he or his carpeting get messed with. James Gandolfini hints at his future Sopranos success as Bear, a pony-tailed movie stunt man who moonlights as Bo's bodyguard. Miguel Sandoval is Mr. Escobar, a Colombian drug lord who arrives in L.A. to lean on Bo about his coke payment and overdue nephew.The many uncredited cameos sprinkled throughout Get Shorty give it added insider hipness. Examples: Bette Midler appears more than once as Doris Saphron, the zaftig widow of Zimm's former script writer who sees the producer as her new meal ticket. I'm surprised no one has mentioned spotting Alex Rocco reprising his mobster-on-the-massage-table scene from GF1, or Barry Sonnenfeld, the film's director, playing a hotel doorman getting tipped by Leo in LV. There are other very recognizable faces, but why should I spoil your fun?A last thought: I'm puzzled as to why so few people have commented on Get Shorty's great music. It's a sassy mix of original music by John Lurie, jazz standards and R&B classics played by Booker T and the MGs. Seriously, these tracks are cool enough to air condition your house in August.So look at me, Harry. Look at me. Just watch, listen and be cool. You got that?

I enjoyed it, funny and an A list cast. I will watch it again

A clever plot, well acted and delightfully entertaining movie. Much better than the sequel series.

One of John Travolta‘s best films. Dark humor, great lines and cast with a slight nod to Quentin Tarantino. Clever film and a must see.

Get Shorty is a very fun movie. Travolta and all the other characters make it special. The story is great and very well done. I wont spoil it for anyone that has not seen it yet but all I can say just get it as its a laugh and you will enjoy it. Now the quality on blu ray is good. The quality of facial features and other things is more than decent. Compared to dvd its way better.its not one of the greatest looking but 3.5/5 in my opinion.The sound on blu ray is really good too.For the price you cant go wrong. Just get it. Fast Delivery. Great seller. A happy customer here. Thank You

This film has a lot going for it. It is based on a book by Elmore Leonard who in my opinion is the best contemporary thriller writer. The leading part is played excellently by John Travolta who is well backed by Danny de Vito, Gene Hackman and Dennis Farina. Typically humour is at the centre of the plot although this is about gangsters! Chilly Palmer (Travolta) a gangster whose ambition is to write for the movies, so moves frm Florida to Hollywood to achieve this but things do not go smoothly as his past catches up with him. A splendid movie.

pretty good attempt at producing the film of a book. Cast is great and pretty funny.

This movie is a film adaptation of an Elmore Leonard story. Travolta is really good as a "nice guy" gangster with Hollywood aspirations. The other members of the cast all deliver excellent performances-well worth watching

Get Shorty is one of the funniest comedies ever,everyone involved is on top form and John Travolta especially as Chilli Palmer,the follow up Be Cool was a big letdown,in my opinion this is one of the all time top 10 funny films.