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A Whole Heapin' Serving Of Steven Soderbergh's OCEAN'S ELEVEN Reviews!!!
SPOILER ALERT !!
Hey folks, Harry here with a ton of reviews of some independent low budget Hungarian flick from eastern China called OCEAN'S ELEVEN... Directed by that E.T. guy, Steven Soderbergh! That guy is simply the best! According to Moriarty's drunken ramblings tonight, this time he directs that Julia Roberts dame even better this time than he did in his classic HOOK!!! And that's just great. The reviews really make this out to be super duper fantastic... And Soderbergh needs it, especially after that pathetic year in 2000. Whew... I guess it really is hard to make movies... Well, I can't wait to see this one for me own self. This first short review has the most spoilers in it, so skip down if you don't want to know...
Just got back from the screening in Pasadena and the film is just brilliant.
Great acting, great script, the crowd was very into it.
Soderbergh was in the back signing autographs for people, and the film
obviously tested very well. The only problem is the seemingly tacked on
ending that brings us 3-6 months after the heist and Clooney getting
arrested. These 3 minutes only serve to give the audience what they want - a
shot of Clooney and Julia kissing, but the point is made already in the
previous scene when he is hauled off.
It feels tacked on, and doesn't belong with the rest of the very
sophisticated film. The movie brings back that OUT OF SIGHT fun, style, and
wittiness and combines it with Soderbergh's adept control of story that came
through in TRAFFIC.
He is an incredible director and he's got one of the better films of the year
set for release. The print had temp track (David Holmes sndtrk from OUT OF
SIGHT) and partial credits (the best being "AND INTRODUCING JULIA ROBERTS AS
TESS".) That was a nice touch.
That's all from here,
Pike Bishop And now here's Sabrina... now I don't know how much faith to put into her review... She claims to love Moriarty, which shows a noted lack of taste!
Hey, Sr. Moriarty: You know I love you, and I thought you might like to hear about my impressions of "Ocean's Eleven," which I saw tonight at a screening at Pasadena's UA Marketplace. Have you seen it? If you have, you know that it is a triumph of style over substance, but in this instance, style definitely has the edge. Who needs any damn substance, anyway?
My sister, who accompanied me along with a friend from Paris, dubbed the film "Babe-i-licious," and she's right -- it was a feast of male pulchritude. For me, however, it was proof positive that for all this stuff about him being his generation's Clark Gable, and for all his chemistry with whoever leading lady trips across his scenes (and that chemistry totally emanates from him and engulfs them), George Clooney does his best work with other male actors.
Witness his terrific, terrific scenes in this film with Brad Pitt. Each scene between them was two alpha males adroitly trying to one-up each other, mostly to hilarious effect, but there was also an underlying sweetness and affection there. And just how cool is Brad Pitt now? I don't know; hooking up with Aniston has done something for him yowsa.
Now, everyone knows that this is an update of the Rat Pack movie of the '60's, yadda, yadda despite some gaping plot holes and "magic wand" plot points that really don't matter in the long run, it's a hell of an entertaining film, propelled largely by star power, great acting and very canny and amusing set pieces. The only thing that scares me about this bid for commercial success is that it might impel Soderbergh to change the somewhat "feel-bad" ending, which is great and totally in keeping with the spirit of the original film's end.
One carp: unfortunately, much like her recent turn with John Cusack in "America's Sweethearts," I kept thinking that Roberts and Clooney would be great together in a film where they actually had a real relationship. As it stands, Roberts just stands around looking glamorous, glowering at Clooney and smiling tentatively at Andy Garcia. She's pretty much wasted in this film, serving only as Ocean's raison d'etre and ultimate prize (although I suppose that's what Angie Dickinson was in the the original, too). I hope they do another film together where they actually can act AND interact.
Still, there are many jewels here: a hilarious mock-fight between Matt Damon and Bernie Mac (actually, at first I thought Damon was pretty much wasted too, but he gets better as the film progresses); the wonderful performances of old pros Elliot Gould and Carl Reiner; Andy Garcia elevating tightly-wound menace to new levels (although I would have loooved to have seen Bruce Willis in this role, squaring off opposite Clooney), and as I said, practically anything involving Clooney and Pitt, and Pitt all by himself.
If this film isn't an even bigger success that "Erin Brockovich," I'll be so disappointed in the country at large. As it is, "Ocean's Eleven" proves even more that Soderbergh just rocks.
Sabrina
P.S. We couldn't stay for the Q&A, but we accosted Soderbergh at the back of the theatre. He looked like he had a headache, and also as if he wanted to be anywhere but there. Making movies must be such hard work. Tsk. And now for the beautiful Evelyn Mulwrey, who has the good taste to not be in love with an evil genius..
Tonight there was a test screening of Ocean's 11 in Pasadena. I hadn't
planned on writing in, but I couldn't resist inserting my two cents.
I thought the film was fantastic - and surprisingly finished considering the
four months that will lapse before it's release. The film has an
overwhelming feeling of cool that I haven't seen in movies of late. The film
and its characters don't try to be cool, they just are. They dress well,
speak cleverly and get the job done with a breeziness that makes you feel
that these characters exist in this world and really dress, act and talk this
way.
As everyone and their dog knows that film stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt,
Andy Garcia, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Carl Reiner, Scott Caan, Casey Affleck
and Julia Roberts. There are also a slew of cameos and smaller parts. This
is wall to wall movie star eye candy.
The film is called Ocean's 11 - but it could be called Brad Pitt's party
because he just dominates the movie. If you thought he was cool in Fight
Club - just wait. I really admire a big movie star like George Clooney who's
willing to let other actors take center stage - it shows a real love for the
quality of the film and not his own ego.
Other stand out performances are Scott Caan and Casey Affleck as the two
mormon brothers and Carl Reiner as the old guy they get out of retirement for
the job.
In fact everyone in the film is really great which makes the fact that Julia
Roberts is a bit miscast stand out. She does her best and delivers her lines
well, but she doesn't quite seem to fit in right with the high class, high
maintainance gal she's supposed to be playing.
But really, this is only a minor complaint (along with the shameful underuse
of Don Cheadle and Matt Damon). I really loved the fact that the film isn't
filled with arbitrary back story and subplots. The film and filmmakers
operate much like the heist and the characters themselves, they don't
bullshit, they're professional and everything that happens is necessary to
the story. Lest you think that the film is boring, I guarantee you it is
quite funny, clever, surprising, entertaining and all those other silly
superlatives they quote from critics.
I wish I had more interesting things to say about the film but really I
thought it was pretty perfect. Soderbergh will have his biggest hit yet and
everyone will get richer on this one.
Evelyn Mulwrey And now here's Baba
Hey Harry
I have been a long time fan of the sight but have never had any reason to
write in until tonight. I was able to catch an early screening of Steven
Soderbourgh's Ovean 11 tonight in Pasadena and it was FANTASTIC! One of the
best movies I've seen this year and while it wont win any oscars, it is very
inteligent and entertaining.
I usallly get these free screening to movies like Tomcats that suck big time,
but Soderbourgh has made a real good popcorn movie that is extremely well
written and very well acted. After a summer of terrible movies, this gives
me great hope for some quality movies coming out at the end of the year.
All of the actors in the movie are terrific and the editing is great. Story
moves along very fast and looks great. The crowd I was with seemed to
really enjoy it and gave it a great applause at the end. Looks like it will
be a great hit.
Take care
Baba
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It sounds great.
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I expect nothing less.
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In a year chalked full of piss poor "blockbusters" and huge disappointments, I have a near endless amount of anticipation for this film. Sodderbergh directing one of the best casts ever assembled for one film? Christ, it's like being wrapped in a big blanket of happy! I just don't want to hear any whiny ass monkey pumping bitch boys complaining about minute plot details or how one character or another was "wasted." None of it. I want NOTHING detracting me from my looking forward to this film. And if any of you try, I'll come to your house and shank you up good like I was back in the County Lockup. Now excuse me, I've got some hoes to put under pimp arrest for reckless eyeballin'.
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I will be one of the first Mofo's in line. I loved Don Cheadle in Out Of Sight, and his powerful deliverance in Traffic was brilliant. Umm, I am not sure why I mention Cheadle, actually I am not sure of anything anymore. Hey, anyone like Charlie Sheen in Platoon? Or Harrison Ford in Apocolypse Now!? You know, just being an off topic talkbacker... Ciao.
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Don Cheadle is in this film, woooohoooooo!
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With Soderbergh's recent films, people are starting to know the name and expect a good film. That plus the all star cast and the heist plot will bring in a buttload of money. The reason films have tanked this year is because they sucked. Good films like Memento wouldn't have made money any year. If anything, once a good film comes out, people will spread the word and go in droves. I am not saying this will make Star Wars money but it will make between $125,000,000 and $200,000,000 easy and it will open at number 1 too. I'll bet you a dollar.
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surely this is a miscarriage of justice, sure i dig clooney and pitt as much as the next heterosexual male but these guys are two of the best actors around, and especially Mr C, when is he gonna get the kudos he deserves???? huh? when i ask you!!!
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Am I alone in thinking that Traffic was a major let down, full of unsympathetic characters given lack lustre direction?
The DEA Agents were the only people who I gave a damn about, and I spent the majority of the film too irritated that I was wasting my time on such a mediocre piece of trash to even be bored.
Sure, it had a nice morale, a good central message, a bleak tone with just a hint of positivity at the very end, but it just wasn't a good film.
Ocean's 11 sounds good - but then again everybody said Traffic was good too, so colour me wary.
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Didn't you call Matt Drudge an a--hole for not giving a spoiler warning? Sheesh. [Fellow TBackers, as I write this, there is NO warning, but realize that Harry may have added one by the time you read this.]
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About Traffic, I'm not sure if he was trying to make you feel sympathy for ALL the characters, just appreciate how the drugs trade affects people from all walks of life, and how it forces them to act in ways they wouldn't normally. Like the kids leaving their 'friend' alone the hospital, or Catherine Zeta-Jones attempting to have the witness, and innocent FBI, murdered.
Ocean looks good, just hope it doesn't come across as a star vehicle. -
Steven Soderberg needs a hit after AMISTAD and A.I.
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Where's Bill? I've heard no mention of him in any of the reviews.. Is he in it?
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This could very well bring back the old all-star cast if Oceans 11 is a blockbuster...too bad Johnny Depp isn't in it...now that would be cool...he could have played the bad guy part instead of Garcia...Imagine Clooney, Pitt facing off against Depp...damn 4 months
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Harry...put it in all CAPS the next time you put down vital information like that. I (like most people) skip your sometimes self-congratulatory messages at the top of the page, but I skimmed it, and I had seen the words SPOILERS written somewhere their, I would have not bothered. And especially putting them on the FIRST MESSAGE? C'mon man! Think!
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...gives away the ending as well as the very end scene in the review? And apart from telling that the movie was good, the only thing the review did was give away the ending. Harry, you shouldn't even have published that review. I didn't see the spoiler warning before I read it.
That said, I can't wait for the movie (even thoygh that thanks to Pike I now know the ending!grrrr) -
I suppose it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure that Clooney and Julia ride off into the sunset, but a brief spoiler warning would have been appreciated.
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IT'S A REMAKE!!!!!
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And the Award for Redundancy Award (I think Dave Barry came up with that) goes to Harry Knowles for the sentence: "According to Moriarty's drunken ramblings tonight, *this time he directs that Julia Roberts dame even better this time* than he did in his classic HOOK!!!"__________________________________signed Dirk Niblick of the Math Brigade
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What a sexist bastard you are! I'm a female and I loved Unbreakable and hated Bounce. I guess I didn't realize it was your penis that made you recognize a good film, I thought it was your brain and your taste. Granted, most women do prefer romantic storylines, but I know plenty of men who do as well.
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Sounds like a super cool movie -- must have a terrific script, but i have no idea who wrote it from all this coverage. Scott Frank, wasn't it? I'll give the man his due, but must Soderbergh get ALL the credit? If the script sucked, all his style wouldn't matter.
screenwriter Duke Ray out. -
very retarted and probably very stupid.
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I felt that Traffic was quite the letdown. After what all I'd heard about the no-holds-barred, blistering insight of this incredibly intricate portrait of both sides of the drug world, I was quite dissapointed. What dissapointed me especially was the fact that after hearing so much about how morally "gray" the film was, it turned out to be nothing like that. I mean, it was so obvious who was "good" and "bad" in that movie. It was too bent on portraying the drug world to have ANY compelling characters, and ALL of the characters and situations were STEREOTYPES! Let's count, shall we?
1)The Conservative Judge who attempts to take a hardline anti-drug stance, while at home, he-GASP!-drinks Scotch to "take the edge off" MEIN GOTT! WHAT A HYPOCRITE! IT'S SO IRONIC! Oh, and his daughter is a-
2)Rich White Girl who goes out and gets drunk and/or high whenever she feels like it and then, when she's found out she--
3)Has sex with a big black drug dealer for drugs! Que terrible! A WHITE woman having sex with a BLACK MAN! What has this country come to! God that wasn't quite racist with a capital R, but the implications of the scene(especially the fact that the drug dealer was more beast than man, not a Character at all, like say Big Tim in Requiem for A Dream)were disturbing.
Then there's the
4)Drug connection who gets pinched and has to become a witness for the Government's Big Case against the drug lord, while he's being protected by--
5)The Two Cop Buddies who wisecrack while--
6)Sitting in a van watching a suspected criminal. Pardon me, but I don't think that watching guys watching guys in a house who may or may not be drug dealers is particularly insightful. If I wanted to see that I'd just watch a Lethal Weapon movie or something.
CHRIST! SODERBERGH IS SO OVERRATED!
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Am I the only person in the world who's seen 'Traffik', the superb British miniseries that was watered down and truncated and glossed over into an overblown and stunningly naive Hollywood blockbuster that makes Oliver Stone look like an insightful creative thinker? Am I the only person who's seen 'A Civil Action', which was sooooo much better than 'Erin Brokovich'? Am I the only person who thought that 'The Limey' was over long even at 80 minutes? I can not figure out what all the fucking fuss about this guy is.
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What particularly annoyed me with Traffic was the overuse of colour filters, especially the yellow colour filter for the Mexico scenes, which I suppose was meant to show how bright and sunny everything is in Mexico, but, with most of the other colour removed from these scenes with a computer, had an effect rather like watching a black-and-white film through a glass of urine.____________________________Steve Brandon
Kiyone_Mabi@galaxypolice.com -
This screening was the most demeaning and f*cked up thing I had to deal with this month. I was acosted by one of those people handing out invites to this thing, and I dutifully RSVPd--hey, Soderbergh's my favorite director. I gave my age/ethnicity to the woman I RSVPd with. I was told to come an hour early. I got my girlfriend involved. I rearranged all my work for the week so that I could leave early and go to this thing (I had to drive for 2 hours from Marina del Rey in rush hour traffic). I showed up at the appointed time, majorly PSYCHED to go to this thing. The naive little boy in me kept teasing me with the possibility of Soderbergh being in the screening, but then I'd tell him that directors don't usually go to these things, which are set up by the companies that do trailers and such. I stood in line (heat wave) an hour early and had the forms filled out and ready to go. Then, after 30 mins, they started asking everyone their ages and starting turning down anyone who was older than 20 (which was a good chunk of the audience). They gave me a lame free ticket (with the attitude that they were doing me a favor--"free movie!!") for whatever else was showing at the theater that night. That's it; no explanation. No apology. Nothing. I showed up to this thing in good faith. I *RSVPd* which implies that if I show up they've saved me a seat. I realize Soderbergh isn't responsible for this, but this has soured the whole thing for me. If they overbooked, they must have done so on purpose (after all, we RSVPd). If they were going for demographics and they had enough seats, it makes no sense to exclude some from the pool. They could always sort comments by ethnicity/age later since that info was on the forms. It's like they just wanted to exclude some people from the screening and not hear their comments. Total bullsh*t. I was even going to take the non-disclosure agreement seriously, too. I wish there was some better place I could rant about this, but because this isn't a matter of *rights* but more of good manners and acting in good faith, I'm basically impotent in what I can do. Apparently I was played for a total schmuck. Remember that this sort of thing can happen to you if you agree to one of these things.
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Frantoll needs to stop bitching. Are you actually implying that you should sue somebody because you didn't get into a free screening? Oh my god! Your rights have been violated. That sucks that you missed it. They obviously overbooked. Big deal. You should have gotten there earlier, you still got free tickets. Get over it, god.
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