Hey folks, Harry here... Recently my standard end of the year questions have begun regarding the Holiday Film Season. Personally, I would love have seen OCEAN'S ELEVEN moved to the spring, coupled with a great VEGAS cross-promotion, heaven knows Vegas could use the push! However, OCEAN'S ELEVEN really seems to be being sold short quite a bit. Sure we see ads about, but damn... This has one of the best A-list casts in ages with the number one director working today! Yet the anticipation from folks.... well just take a look at the poll on the front page... ROYAL TENENBAUMS is beating it still. Now I adore Wes Anderson's last film, but this is Soderberg that we're talking about! Well, I have to admit that Anderson's win in the poll brings a smile to my face, but a look of stunned surprise as well!
Hey Harry,
Longtime reader/fan here with news of a press screening of "Ocean's 11" last night (11/27) in Westwood, CA. Most of the audience were young Hollywood tikes -- agent assts. and Warner Bros. low lifes. And, oh yeah, some press dudes, too.
The movie is slick yet still Soderbergy. Hand-held cameras, revelling in the details of a major Las Vegas heist with well-drawn characters played by well-heeled actor/stars. Everyone's having fun and it shows. Not in a Rat Pack "let's only do one take and then get a steak" way, but in a "let's have fun while we're on this set all day" way. Soderberg clearly held the reigns and allowed Clooney to come off as Big Daddy when the cameras rolled.
Much more concise than the kitschy original, the story's much the same -- just more high tech and better paced. There are some slow spots -- after the characters are introduced and before the heist begins. That section drags although it does set-up everything to come afterwards. The heist itself is fun galore and very well laid out.
Andy Garcia plays his part (casino owner Terry Benedict) with just the right ooze factor. Even though he's nominally the good guy (having his money stolen) we're all rooting for the "bad guys" who comprise Clooney, Pitt, Damon, Cheadle, Reiner, Casey Affleck, Sonny Corleone's boy Scott Caan, etc.
Overall, the proceedings are as light as a feather. Upon exiting the theater, the experience instantly begins to evaporate like a sweet dream. "What just happened? Oh, yeah -- nice dream but ultimately forgettable."
In other words, it's a nice escapist heist fantasy. Don't go looking for Steve McQueen coolness a la "The Great Escape".... but if you don't mind blowing your hard-earned cash for a little light fare, this isn't a bad way to spend a few slicks hours.
Keep up the great site, man. Until you the wind blows from my direction
again, I'll remain... C.K. Dexter Haven.
And here is a second look...
Hey Harry,
Me here with my fist e-mail to you. I was lucky enough to get invited to a media screening of Ocean's 11 last night in Westwood and I am desperate to share my feelings over this film which I felt was utterly fantastic. I will leave this brief and I won't include any spoilers as there are so many twists and turns throughout the movie that any mention of them will ruin it.
Well, where should I begin? This movie has everything that I am looking for and I know that I am not the only one that feels this way. For the guys there is Vegas, guns, gambling, Julia Roberts, explosions, high-tech stealing and mission impossible style break ins. For the girls there is Clooney, Pitt and a dozen other guys for them to look at.
The movie is funny, hilarious at points, exciting and never once did I want it to end, unlike a couple of the more recent movies which were a little too long. Ocean's 11 was perfect, except for the last five or six minutes which slightly killed it for me but I can get over that. Just killed the mood slightly. I can't say enough good things about this movie. The cast was perfect. The humor was right on. The set-pieces were fantastic. The score was great (I hardly even noticed it was there!). Dialog was witty and sharp throughout, and there were enough plot twists to keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. Clooney is at his suave, Out of Sight best, Pitt is well Pitt, Roberts looks great as always, Damon is great, Eliot Gould and Don Cheadle (doing a hilarious cockney accent attempt) steal every scene they are in, Andy Garcia is a slimy and cool as ever, and last but not least Affleck and his side kick are hilarious. Perfect casting and a great script to show them off plus Soderberg at the helm makes for a fantastic movie.
The whole idea of the movie is totally unbelievable but I didn't care and nor do I believe you are meant to. It is campy and cheesy at times just like the original. Do yourself a favor and go see it. Definitely one of the best films I have seen in a while.
P.s. sorry if I am rambling but I am at work and am trying to write this without getting caught. Go see it, you won't be disappointed.
