Josh Holloway - Josh in Stay Cool #3: "It's a lot of crazy fun."

**Hawthorn** · 04-27-2009, 08:43 AM

"Stay Cool" is a story about a successful author (Henry) who is forced to confront an unrequited high school crush (Scarlet), when he returns home to deliver a commencement address to graduating seniors.

Josh plays Wino, one of Henry's high school best friends.

The producers are Mark and Michael Polish (Prohibition Pictures).
The filming started on July 14, 2008, in Santa Clarita (California) and ended the following August.

"Stay Cool" premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 23, 2009.

Cast
Josh Holloway ... Wino
Mark Polish ... Henry McCarthy
Winona Ryder ... Scarlet Smith
Hilary Duff ... Shasta O'Neil
Sean Astin ... Big Girl
Chevy Chase ... Principal Marshall
Jon Cryer ... Javier
Josh Sussman ... RHS Journalist
Catherine Black ... Raven Goth
Jenn Shagrin ... RHS Journalist
David Shackelford ... John John
Emily Happe ... WR TV Host

News
Stay Cool on IMDb (last update: July 15)
06/01/08 - Casting Males and Females for 'Stay Cool'
Prohibition Pictures official website
07/01/08 - The Hollywood Reporter - Josh Holloway stays "Cool"
07/02/08 - Empire - Josh Holloway Stays Cool For Stay Cool
Film Production Chart @ Variety.com (shooting: 07/23-08/27)
07/27/08 - The New York Time - Twin Hopes: Satisfying Movie, Low Cost
08/02/08 - Cinematography.com: Filming reports by David Mullen(+ pics)
08/04/08 - TV Guide scan by SockeRocke
08/06/08- dlisted: Would You Hit It? + pics (warning: explicit language in the article)
08/06/08 - E!Online: Josh Holloway Gets Some Tail
08/06/08 - Pink Is The New Blog: Josh Holloway Tries Out A Pony Tail
10/09/08 - iW OCTOBER PRODUCTION REPORT
02/10/09 - Sample tracks of the movie score on Kubilay Uner's website
02/11/09 - Josh talks about Stay Cool in Lost magazine
03/10/09 - "Stay Cool" to premiere at Tribeca Film Festival on April 23
04/10/09: Short clip of Sean Astin as Big Girl
04/23/09: Q&A session after the premiere
04/24/09 - Q&A: Stay Cool by Kristin McCracken
04/27/09 - According to DemonMeister on IMDb the movie will have a theatrical release

Reviews
Crystal | Stephanie | DVD Talk | No Wrench
Eye For Film | La Bibliofille

Photos
- 08/03/08 - Set photos from PurePeople.com & dontmiss people

18 HQ pics @ Lost-Media.com

08/06/08 - Just Jared: Josh Holloway Is A Ponytail Pimp

08/06/08 - Purepeople.com: Hilary Duff, Winona Ryder et Josh Holloway, trio de choc a L.A. (+ 2 from Hello magazine)

08/06/08 - SocialiteLife: Josh Holloway Sporting Michelle Tarner From "Full House" Do

08/06/08: 19 more photos from Pacific Coast News

Onlocationnews.com Gallery (tagged pics)

08/07/08: Lost-Media.com: 12 new HQ set photos

08/07/08: 70+ photos by Honey-Girl

**Hawthorn** · 04-27-2009, 08:45 AM

08/12/08 - Purepeople.com: Josh Holloway... change de voiture! (7 pics)
08/12/08 - Just Jared: Josh Holloway Has a Cool Ponytail (7 pics)

34 set pics (taken on August 11) by Honey-Girl

09/08/08 - Los Angeles Times set visit

10/02/2008 - approachinglost.com:
Josh Holloway in ‘Stay Cool’

Movie Stills

credit: IMDb; offcamera.com.pl; Christie Wittenborn

*

Previous Threads
#1: Ready for some comedy? [spoilers]
#2: "Wino loves his wine, all women and probably his herbage."

misteriosa · 04-27-2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawthorn (View Post)

But this person worries about the lack of a website? We didn't even get a poster and a trailer.

If they ever decide to make a website for this movie, they could just steal all the stuff you collected in the first two posts. Thanks for that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crystaline (View Post)

Well, Misty, it was kinda like that. Henry finally got his chance with Scarlett, but rather than running away from her problems like she initially opted to do, she decided to stick 'em out and do something about it. And he helped her to realize that. And while he was a bit disappointed, I think he felt like he could finally put that chapter of his past to rest. She's no longer an unanswered question. If and when Scarlett gets her life together, I guess she can always find him in NY. They didn't part on bad terms or anything.

That sounds good.

**Hawthorn** · 04-27-2009, 10:08 AM

I was tempted to send an e-mail to the address published on the Prohibition Pictures website and ask them about a trailer or about the future of the movie in general. But considering the last post there is dated June 2008, I guess it would be useless - *if* replying to mails coming from random visitors was ever an option.

misteriosa · 04-27-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawthorn (View Post)

I was tempted to send an e-mail to the address published on the Prohibition Pictures website and ask them about a trailer or about the future of the movie in general. But considering the last post there is dated June 2008, I guess it would be useless - *if* replying to mails coming from random visitors was ever an option.

You could do that. If they got themselves a distributor for the movie, then maybe they will finally have some info to share.

**Hawthorn** · 04-27-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misteriosa (View Post)

You could do that. If they got themselves a distributor for the movie, then maybe they will finally have some info to share.

You're right, I have nothing to lose in trying.
Don't know exactly what to ask though, I sent an email to the company producing Whisper like, two years ago, but I don't remember how I worded my message, lol.

rcerione · 04-27-2009, 12:02 PM

ROSELI

misteriosa · 04-27-2009, 03:36 PM

Thanks Roseli.

I still like everything about the look except for the ponytail.

From EW's report about the TFF - Tribeca 2009: Larry David, blaxploitation, and an 'Y Tu Mama Tambien' reunion | PopWatch Blog | EW.com

Quote:

ADAM: I haven't made it to as many screenings as you have, but I did catch the world premiere of Stay Cool, the new back-to-high-school movie from the Polish brothers (The Astronaut Farmer). Mark Polish was the lead, but the supporting cast -- Sean Astin and Josh Holloway as goofy buds, Hilary Duff as a teen queen -- definitely stole the show. And best of all was Winona Ryder, who skipped the premiere but was still the movie's MVP for bringing loads of charisma to her role as a high-school dream girl who's all grown up. And speaking of premieres, I'm off to see the debut of the Matthew Broderick drama Wonderful World. I'll let you know how it goes!

**Crystaline** · 04-27-2009, 05:50 PM

Thanks for the new thread!

I forgot to mention this, but the title of the movie is said at the end by Scarlett as Henry is leaving. She tells him to "stay cool."

**Hawthorn** · 04-27-2009, 06:08 PM

Pretty art, Roseli!

Quote:

Originally Posted by misteriosa (View Post)

From EW's report about the TFF - Tribeca 2009: Larry David, blaxploitation, and an 'Y Tu Mama Tambien' reunion | PopWatch Blog | EW.com

Thank you! That must be the nicer mention I've read around so far about the scenes involving Wino in the movie.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crystaline (View Post)

I forgot to mention this, but the title of the movie is said at the end by Scarlett as Henry is leaving. She tells him to "stay cool."

That's actually nice, thanks for sharing!

I'm a spoiler whore for anything Josh related, even outside Lost.

**Crystaline** · 04-27-2009, 06:17 PM

Nice review from EW! That one is especially awesome.

misteriosa · 04-28-2009, 03:14 AM

Even some IMDb posters like the movie

- IMDb :: Boards :: Stay Cool (2009) :: No need to stay away

Quote:

There is no need to stay away from this movie. I saw it on Saturday, April 25, 2009.

I have not seen info on the demographics. After seeing the movie, it is more for people in their late 30's to early 40's. ie. You went to High School in the 1980's. Current teenagers and twenty-somethings should get its meaning, but it's a long shot for them to know the difference in how we have all changed in the past 20 years, compared to when we were teenagers. They will understand the high school mess message, but the "grown up" stuff will just go over their heads. They know everything...remember.

The plot is relaxing, soothing and gets you into the story little by little until you are encompassed into it's every ritual. The music is played sporadically, with just a touch to remember the name of the song and/or artist. It is a wonderful playlist. Gets you in the mood to back when we were teenagers, no worries, ruled the world, knew everything, yet were afraid to get close to a girl or boy to ask them out or get to know them better.

The film colors are truly amazing. Hues of every known color are tantalizingly moody, yet superb in their vibrancy.

It is shot in an old school (no pun intended) kind of way, made me remember some of the 60's letterbox cowboy and classic movies. The movie is not in a letterbox format, but it has that look and feel. Think of "Ben-Hur" or "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." If this movie was just rated on its format and vibrant, color depiction...it would be a shoe-in for the Oscars.

The acting:
Mark Polish is outstanding and really makes you believe you're in his shoes through out the movie. If you're a guy, you understand his hurt and feel warm inside everytime Scarlet gives him a kiss.

Winona Ryder is the superb 80's sweetheart that you grew up with. She still titilates your heart in her role as Scarlet. If you didn't fall in love with her characters in the 80's, you will now.

Josh Holloway had a small role but spins your head and you end up wishing that his character had had more lines.

Marc Blucas is the legendary a**hole in high school and still one when he grows up; and you get to hate this jerk in the movie. What more do you want. He ate his role inside-out!

Chevy Chase is his usual comic self. 'Nough said!

Michael Gross the dad from "Family Ties" is outstanding as Mr. McCarthy. Gives you chills.

Dee Wallace is the iconic mother every one wishes they had had when growing up. I still love you Mom. But Dee does a wonderful job as Mrs. McCarthy.

Hillary Duff does a good job as a high school senior. This is one budding actress which will do better and better as her experience comes along.

Sean Astin, I love this actor. Keeps to himself, is a good role model, never gets in trouble and has a loving family. Now back to the movie... Sean is not a believable gay in this movie. How did it get past the Polish brothers? I don't know. Maybe gays in Santa Clarita are different than most gays anywhere else in the world. P.S. Hollywood is just a skip and a hop away.
I did like the sing-along at the IHOP, though.

All in all, this is a wonderful story. Compelling, takes you in, you wish for it to continue. Even at about 1 hour and 45 minutes it does not feel long.
I only wish that the ending would have had a different portrayal, more in concert with the 80's movies "The Breakfast Club," "Sixteen Candles," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," and "Fast Times at Ridgemont High."
Or, maybe, the Polish brothers will have a different ending when it comes out nationwide! Just hoping...

**Hawthorn** · 04-28-2009, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misteriosa (View Post)

Even some IMDb posters like the movie - IMDb :: Boards :: Stay Cool (2009) :: No need to stay away

I think the most negative review of the movie came from IMDb, and now we got the most positive one from the same place.

This person really liked it, all of it.

Some things are weird to read: one reviewer said it almost felt like there is not enough transition between the scenes and the whole things feels choppy and unable to engage your emotions, this one instead says the movie sucks you in and makes you get adjusted to the plot slowly and feel for the characters a lot.

At least everyone agrees on how pretty the photography is.

misteriosa · 04-28-2009, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawthorn (View Post)

Some things are weird to read: one reviewer said it almost felt like there is not enough transition between the scenes and the whole things feels choppy and unable to engage your emotions, this one instead says the movie sucks you in and makes you get adjusted to the plot slowly and feel for the characters a lot.

I know, it's weird. Opinions about the characters and acting are also almost polarizing.

Quote:

At least everyone agrees on how pretty the photography is.

The colours looked great from the first screencaptures we got.

**Hawthorn** · 04-28-2009, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misteriosa (View Post)

Opinions about the characters and acting are also almost polarizing.

True.

It may be one of those films you either love or hate, nothing in between. If you feel the idea behind the story is stupid, it may reflects on how you see an actor's portrayal of that idea, and the writing for the character. It looks like some think this is a great homage to the 80s, others think it's just an underwhelming attempt to recycle old movies' elements and clichés.

Quote:

The colours looked great from the first screencaptures we got.

Yes, all the stills we've seen so far look stunning.

I still have to send my e-mail to PP. Gotta word it a little better than "Release the trailer, damnit!".