Cool News
Massawyrm and Banned In Boston take in OCEAN'S 11!!!
Harry here with that cankerhoer Massawyrm with his views on OCEAN'S ELEVEN. Hopefully I'll be able to see this, this week before Butt Numb A Thon on Saturday, but that's all dependent on my car surviving surgury at the local Automobile HMO. Damn no-national health care program, fucking government's just laying by while my car shivers and dies... Say a prayer for my car will ya? Meanwhile, here's a guy that isn't entirely convinced that Soderbergh is a great filmmaker... ahem... right, read on...
Hola all. Everyone's favorite Chain-smoking, Dr. Pepper swilling, indie schilling hipster here just having returned from this season's ultra cool dose of swank- Oceans 11. Now, before I begin talking about just how much I loved this film let me lay a few things down. Unlike many of the other contributors here at AICN I am not in love with Soderbergh. I have never disliked any of his films, but at the same time only a few of them stuck out as truly great pieces of cinema in my mind. But I feel, as I always have, that he is a gifted director and that every single film of his is worth a look. I guess if I were to boil down what it is that keeps Soderbergh from being in my personal pantheon of genius directors it would have to be his signature experimental shooting style. You know, those sequences he has in almost all his movies that just seem to come out of left field or that harkens back to another era of filmmaking. Sometimes these sequences just scream of sheer brilliance and sometimes they strike me as overly gimmicky and turn me off to the scene. But all in all, I like his work; I'm just not one who normally sings his praises.
However, that being said, Soderbergh has turned in one hell of a rollicking romp of a heist film; an ensemble delight that breathes cool with every exhalation of its perfect cast. Yes, I said perfect cast. Even Casey Affleck turns in a highly amusing performance in the role he was born to play: someone's little brother. There just isn't a weak link in this cast whatsoever. Everyone pulls their own weight gloriously. And unlike many ensemble films, this film is completely missing any and all grandstanding. No one over acts or is over emphasized. Each actor is given just the right amount of time and space without you constantly thinking "Wow...that's Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Matt Damon all in the same shot." You watch it, you see it, you buy it.
There are a few cast members of note, however, who really stand out in the crowd. Don Cheadle is amazing as always, this time in a character that seems as out there as Brad Pitt's Pikey Boxer from Snatch. He's a British demolitions expert and is funny virtually every moment he's on the screen. Likewise the aforementioned Casey Affleck and Scott Caan turn in hilarious performances as a pair of hick brothers serving as the Steve Zahn driver without a clue role. Think Dumb and Dumber if they had only gone far enough to make it funny and not ridiculous. And then there's Andy Garcia who seems so comfortable in the role of the heavy its a wonder he's always hired to play the nice guy in most of his films. When he's on the screen he is pure controlled menace. A real threat without being a cartoon.
But the real star of this film is the writing. This film is just clever at every turn, with perfect comedic flair and wry timing that keep you laughing from start to finish. Top that off with one of those "I woulda never thought of that" con sequences that never fails to deliver on the twists and you have for one enjoyable film.
While this film is a fun romp, it is not perfect. Some detractors have already noted it's lack of character development (it has virtually zero development and fails to even fully introduce us to some of the characters) and there are a few of those aforementioned Soderbergh experimental shots that will leave some viewers scratching their heads as to why they were shot that way. But at its base, this film never seems to intend to aspire to be more than a fun heist movie and both of these issues are easily cast aside as the mood of the movie takes you along for a ride. The only issue that bothered me is that while it seems like a film that should wrap itself up nice and neat at the end, it instead leaves you hanging a bit. Not a whole lot, but enough that some people are gonna walk out frustrated asking "But what the hell happens?!?" Me, I shrugged it off. The rest of the resolution was fine enough for me. I had my fun and dealt with it. But it is there and it will bug people.
But the long and the short of it is that its a good solid film. If you dug Soderbergh's "Out of Sight", odds are you're gonna dig Oceans 11 as well.
Until Next time friends, smoke 'em if ya got 'em...I know I will.
E-mail Me and Snail Mail me vials of pure nicotine juice, I love injecting them into my head!
From Austin to Boston, where we have Banned in Boston with his views from his side of the calamity cubes...
Long time fan of the site. I know you've already had a couple of Ocean's Eleven reviews, but I just came from an advanced screening of it and I'd figure I'd put in my two cents worth as I drink from my new Strider the Ranger goblet I got from B.K. today. I saw it at the General Cinema Fenway in the shadows of historic Fenway Park. Ended up getting a spot right across the street from the theatre. Not an easy task, finding a parking space in Boston.
Let me start off by saying that I haven't seen the original, so it's totally new to me. As I'm sure we all know by now, it stars George Clooney as Danny Ocean, as recent parolee who heads out to Vegas to rob not one, not two, but three banks. To help, he enlists some help, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Carl Reiner and Casey Affleck to name a few. The first part of movie introduces all of the characters and where they come from. Each scene isn't too long, because hey, they have quite of few people to introduce. The Casey Affleck/Scott Caan set up is probably the best one with a rather funny drag racing scene involving two trucks, one slightly larger than the other. Once everybody gets to Vegas, the movie moves into the planning phase, then obviously, the heist itself.
Impressions. I thought this was an interesting choice for a follow-up for Steven Soderbergh after Traffic and Erin Brockovich. The direction and camera work are in the tone of a Soderbergh, but it doesn't leave you with a sense of importance as his other works have, not that there is anything wrong with that. The acting is good all around, especially Carl Reiner, and it makes it an above average caper film, but its one of those films that doesn't last very long after its over. However, it is enjoyable as you go along for the ride and the length is just right(a tad under 2 hours). If you're looking for some light fare, this is the movie to see.
I also managed to get a copy of the soundtrack and there was a nice dedication to the victims of the World Trade Center in it.
See you at the movies,
Banned in Boston
-
+ Expand All
-
i don't care if sodenburg got a lot of pretty stars in this one. but one look of ALI tells me that film will kick it's *ss. & LOTR will also kick OCEAN'S *ss too! even julia roberts can't stop that.
-
...when I first heard of this film on your site, you were practically creaming your jeans over the character desciptions. I know you got very excited about the Don Cheadle character blowing up things, etc. I had no intention of seeing this film, but after FINALLY seeing "The Limey" recently, I'm there baby! Now I have to find a venue where they serve a decent martini...
-
Why couldn't Soderbergh use a British actor for this role. Adrian Lester would've been great for this, whatever happened to him? I mean, Don Cheadle is OK, but he's no Eddie Griffin.
Look at Harry Potter and Lord Of The Rings, and see that British actors are struggling, senator, to get decent roles in big budget films. It's a damn shame. -
I know I am... guess peple would just line up to see a movie if you dangle a few popular brand names in front of them. It's not about marketing a movie anymore- now it's about marketing it's stars.......Argh! I sound way too negative, aren't I? Sorry if I'm offending anyone.
-
Rollicking Romp?!?!? Welcome to the Arizona Sun Tribune world of journalism! (J/K BTW) Kids, who cares if FOTR or anything else will kill it. It's George Cloony as a criminal-type character, and since George+Baddy+Cool=Great Fooking Movie, I'm gonna see it.
-
....you Ocean's 11 schilling, indie shunning, Dr. Pepper saying so-and-so....
George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia and Don Cheadle are communists and Steven Soderbergh is a commu-fascist jihadi-nazi.
You want indie? Review one of these movies made by real indie filmmakers, shot on black and white DV, one minute long cuz they can't afford more than 2 minute tapes and the first and last thirty seconds are burned-in erase-proof advertisements for more 2 minute B/W DV tapes. -
What the F? Where do you get off reviewing films and putting yourself on a pedestal when you have no practical understanding of Hollywood film?
That's like reviewing Tombstone without ever having seen a John Ford or John Sturges picture. You SUCK!
That said, I still don't understand why they felt compelled to call it Ocean's 11 when the only apparent similiarities are a Vegan Heist and a guy named Danny Ocean. Will somebody explain that to me? -
Are we really going to each cling to ONE movie that has to "kick all the others asses" this holiday season? Does LOTR HAVE to destroy Ali? Does The Royal Tennenbaums HAVE to destroy LOTR? Does Ocean's 11 HAVE to destroy Vanilla Sky? Does Harry Potter HAVE to destroy everything else? A lot of these movies look amazing. Can't they all be good and successful? Yes, they can. The idea that Ocean's 11 will somehow be "beaten" by LOTR and Ali is ridiculous anyway, since it's opening two weeks before either of those movies. Personally I'm planning a whole bunch of excursions to the theater this holiday season. I want all these films to rock too, but not at each other's expense. I'm just going to enjoy the sudden burst of quality we're getting.
-
Would that be one where they steal vegans or one where no animal byproducts were employed in the act of liberating the valueables? Not usually one to jump on typos, but that was a 'good' typo one with comedic potential [squandered]. But the statement back there about 'now they're markenting stars'. I think that's really nothing new. And that has as much to do with why they cast so many big names. Its hearkening back to the glory days when the stars were all that mattered.
-
Last time I checked, a movie could not, technically, kick anothers ass anyway. it's not a boxing match, you jerkholes.
There are going to be many, many great movies out this month! aren't we lucky? I plan on seeing LOTR, Vanilla Sky, Ocean's 11, The Majestic, Ali, and more, and not only that, I plan on enjoying myself at EVERY SINGLE ONE. I think most of you guys would have fun too, if you would just lighten up. Now go get laid or something. -
You wouldn't believe it, just the other day I was at the movies and they were carrying in a Harry Potter reel and an Oceans 11 reel and the Harry potter reel grew a foot and the Oceans 11 reel grew an ass and the Harry Potter reel kicked the Oceans 11 reel's ass. Oh, and for the record- Tumbling Tower, you make me sick. Yeah, you're right, movies can only be good if money isn't spent on them. Idiot. If seeing a Hollywood movie makes me a commu-fascist (word?) then i'm only dressing in red from now on. And on one final note- reviewing a movie without seein the original, even if, as you stated, it's nothing like the original, is like reviewing Harry Potter without reading the boo..... oh, snap.... Hey guys, apparently reviewing a movie puts yourself on a pedestal..... SO NEVER HAVE AN OPINION! EVER!!! You morons make me sick. I'm done. Love, Peace, and Chicken Grease, SadPanda
-
The only problem I see so far that i'll have with this movie is that Julia Roberts is in it. They could have gotten an actual cool,fineass, smooth operatin' actress, but no. They had to go get that homecoming queen and throw her into the mix doing the same tired "I-aint-takin-no-lip" supposed attitude that somehow got her an Oscar. Why not Anjelina Jolie or Jennifer Lopez again or what about Uma Thurman? She needs work, or Michele Pfeiffer or Jenna Elfman(where did she go?)or goddamn anyone but her tired ass. Clooney will once again prove he is this generations Cary Grant. Brad Pitt will do whatever it is he does that makes him cool. Don Cheadle, well shit he's Don Cheadle. I would have liked to see Matt Damon and Ben Affleck play the inept driver types, but whatever. Andy Garcia as a gangster type? It's to easy for this movie to be cool with all the badasses they've jammed in here. I love ensemble movies. Oh yeah and who gives a damn about some made-up rivalry between movies? LOTR will rock the house more than sufficiently and i'm sure Ali will be super. But Ocean's 11 will be something neither of those will be, cool.
-
Oceans will be shown via digital projection it multiple theaters. Does anyone know where I can find out which ones?????????????
-
First off, I loved Ocean's 11. Nothing beats a great heist picture, and it was a fun, cool ride. Second (and slightly off-topic), I saw Adrian Lester this spring starring as Hamlet at Chicago's Shakespeare Rep theater. Simply an amazing performance and an incredible actor. He would've been good in this film too, but I have a thing for Don Cheadle. Anyway, just thought I'd give you a little update on where the man is, RockRidge!
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 419 total posts 209 posts
- WTF HOLLYWOOD: SOLARBABIES -- 131 total posts 129 posts
- Herc’s Seen Tonight’s Return Of THE WALKING DEAD!! Discuss Also DOWNTON ABBEY, FEAR FACTOR, PAN AM, ONCE, SIMPSONS, DYNAMITE, LUCK, SHAMELESS, BAIT CAR, THE GRAMMYS And More!! Sunday Is Sweeps Day 11!! -- 123 total posts 122 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 124 total posts 58 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 191 total posts 47 posts
- Avid Comic Reader Hercules Does Battle With Tedium During Kevin Smith’s COMIC BOOK MEN! -- 43 total posts 43 posts
- If the Behind the Scenes Pics of the Day drops her pen, pick it up, but don’t look at her legs or else it will be on your record. -- 60 total posts 42 posts
- I am The Behind the Scenes Pics of the Day! No, I’m the Behind the Scenes Pic of the Day! -- 27 total posts 27 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 506 total posts 26 posts
- HANNA's Saoirse Ronan to boss around seven little people -- 77 total posts 24 posts