William H. Macy in "The Cooler"

Tonto Yoder · « **on:** 18 Jan 2005, 04:29 pm »

stayed up last night to watch "The Cooler" on HBO after Ebert-Roeper recommended it some time ago. Not a Top Ten movie, but very enjoyable with great performances by Macy as a jinxed loser and Alec Baldwin as an Old School casino operator. HBO replays it next week sometime if you have a chance to watch (or set your Tivo).

Ebert-Roeper review

Movie website

Mike Dzurko · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 Jan 2005, 04:45 pm »

I saw it sometime last year. My wife and I enjoyed it a lot. Macy did a great job. Who was the girl again?

jeffreybehr · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Jan 2005, 04:49 pm »

If by 'The girl' you mean Macy's sweetheart, she's Maria Bello, formerly a doctor on TV's 'E.R.'. She played Mel Gibson's sweetheart in 'Payback'.

'The Cooler' is indeed a fine pic.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Jan 2005, 04:51 pm »

Maria Bello---I don't remember seeing her in other movies, but I'd be glad to see more of her.

Mike Dzurko · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 Jan 2005, 05:06 pm »

Ah, Maria . . . yes I agree Tonto

byteme · « **Reply #5 on:** 18 Jan 2005, 05:27 pm »

Maria - giddyup!! Yum.

And Macy is one of my favorites - he always plays such offbeat yet memorable characters. Loved him in Boogie Nights - he was awesome in Fargo and The Cooler was classic him! Very good flick!

pjchappy · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Jan 2005, 12:59 am »

I definitely enjoyed it, too. . .

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Tyson · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Jan 2005, 01:15 am »

If you liked The Cooler, check out a flick called "Hard 8", it's Paul Thomas Anderson's first film and it covers a lot of the same ground, only better

Mike Dzurko · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Jan 2005, 01:26 am »

Quote from: Tyson

If you liked The Cooler, check out a flick called "Hard 8", it's Paul Thomas Anderson's first film and it covers a lot of the same ground, only better

Yes, but does it have Maria?

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 Jan 2005, 02:44 am »

Yes, Maria Bello is quite the morsel.

I've been anxious to see The Cooler, too, on the strength of the cast and the great reviews. I didn't realize it was out already.

jeffreybehr · « **Reply #10 on:** 19 Jan 2005, 02:50 am »

I'll second Tyson's recommendation of 'Hard Eight'. Paul Thomas Anderson, who played the attorney general in 'Air Force One', was simply wonderful. John C Reilly was also in H8; he just did a leading role in last year's 'Criminal', a good-but-not-great con caper that I enjoyed.

Mathew_M · « **Reply #11 on:** 19 Jan 2005, 03:14 am »

The Cooler is great. Very well acted film. Alec Baldwin is becoming one of my favorite "bad guy" actors.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Jan 2005, 12:39 am »

Quote from: jeffreybehr

If by 'The girl' you mean Macy's sweetheart, she's Maria Bello, formerly a doctor on TV's 'E.R.'. She played Mel Gibson's sweetheart in 'Payback'.

'The Cooler' is indeed a fine pic.

Maria Bello is in the new remake of "Assault on Precinct 13". I didn't recognize her as the doc in ER when I saw "The Cooler" but her longer hair in "Precinct 13" makes her look much more like that earlier role.