Rating: 
Summary: What is that song???
Review: I loved the movie.... but I was wondering if anyone knows the name of the song that is playing in the bar in the beginning when Brad Pitt is teaching those people how to play poker? Please help!!! Thanks!!
Rating: 
Summary: Despite a nonstop parade of stars, it's no fun.
Review: One has to wonder why Hollywood hasn't realized that throwing an all-star cast, a glossy appearance, and/or an edgy approach at a script isn't the answer to a successful film. Steven Soderbergh, who gave us the winning "Erin Brockovich" and the hard-hitting "Traffic," delivers his usual trademarks in "Ocean's 11," a remake of the original Rat Pack classic that fails to engage the audience in any sort of intensity or comic relief as it meanders through a borish plot, banal, worn-out dialogue, and stylish setpieces. The film opens as Daniel Ocean (George Clooney), convicted of confidence scams and fraud, is being released on parole from prison. He heads to Las Vegas, where he has a score to settle with Harry Benedict (Andy Garcia), the wealthy owner of three luxurious casinos that are among the city's richest establishments. Assembling a group of men to carry out a plan that involves knocking over all three casinos in one night, Ocean begins to exact his revenge on Benedict, whose latest girlfriend just happens to be Ocean's ex-wife, Tess (Julia Roberts). The members of Ocean's group each possess a quality or a knowledge of a powerpoint vital to their success in pulling off the heist. There's Roscoe (Don Cheadle), an expert in explosives; Linus (Matt Damon), who impresses Ocean with his suave ability to lift goods without breaking his stride; Dusty (Brad Pitt), Ocean's partner in formulating and planning, and various others including a bartender to scope the casino and a Chinese gymnast who can easily move around a mock safe without activating alarms. The movie is never short on star power, to be certain. The presence of such fine actors like Clooney, Pitt, and the delightful Roberts, not to mention Damon, might have been enough to carry the movie if not for its sole focus on these cast members and its ignorance of the supporting cast. Cheadle is wasted in a throw-away role that barely reveals any of his talent, while Elliot Gould, Bernie Mac, and Carl Reiner are hardly present throughout the script. The film reminds me of two movies released earlier this year, "America's Sweethearts" and "Bandits," both of which showcased superb cast members, yet proved to be little more than star vehicles. Here, we have not three, not four, but an overload of well-known actors and actresses, some of whom come and go in the blink of an eye. As much as I love most of the talent that has come out to play in Soderbergh's backyard, I have to ask: what else is there to enjoy? Not much outside of the A-list cast, one of Soderbergh's usual devices, along with his visionary sense of style. Seeing this film reminded me of his ability to cast a certain sheen over his individual films, most notably "Traffic," with its distinct use of color to evoke atmosphere and emotion. Here, he employs smooth movement, lots of bright colors, and a hip soundtrack that recalls those of past caper movies with sheer whimsy. All of this would be better were it backed by an interesting plot. The story is one of the year's great disappointments, ranking with such blockbuster letdowns as "Hannibal" and "Pearl Harbor," which looked promising but delivered little excitement. "Ocean's 11" contains no energy underneath its glossy cast; there is almost no suspense to the heist sequence, nor is there any interesting premise to set it up. We already know the mastermind and his cohorts; we've been made aware of their plans and tactics; every obstacle is easily overcome... it follows a routine that buries any and all surprises beneath a barrage of predictability. The critics have already expressed adoration and admiration for "Ocean's 11," though I have to wonder what it is about the film they're enjoying so immensely. For me, Soderbergh throws so much style and so little substance our way that there is little to do except point out actors and try to remember what movies (most likely better ones) they've played in before. His failure to engage us with a likeable premise is surprising, given his past successes; could this once unconventional director possibly be succumbing to the stereotypes and cliches of Hollywood? Let us hope not.
Rating: 
Summary: Ocean's Eleven
Review: I don't know how much they paid this incredible collection of talented actors, but they all must have REALLY needed the money. This was a HUGE waste of good talent. Clooney almost pulls it off, but mostly because of his natural screen charm and good looks. Unless you are a dyed-in-the-wool Clooney, fan, forget it. Worth renting later only if there's a great special bargain price!
Rating:
Summary: Unimaginative
Review: There is nothing new or exciting about this movie. You know the premise already. You wait an hour and a half (it felt much longer to me), then what you expect to happen happens. Maybe a slightly interesting twist, but nothing spectacular. There is no reason to see this in the theatres or to rent it when it comes out. Completely forgettable.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Stuff
Review: As with any remake, even if the original wasn't that good to begin with, people will constantly compare the new to the old. In the case of "Ocean's 11", it'll probably be worse. But have no fear, because even though Frank, Dean and Angie were terrific in the original, George, Brad, and Julia are excellent in the updated version. Director Steve Soderburgh knew what this movie was about, and thankfully, he never strayed. It was about a heist, plain and simple. Clooney's title character Danny Ocean brings the whole thing together, constructing a plot to rob three Las Vegas casinos of over $150 million in cash. To do this, he seeks out buddy Pitt and nine other guys who all need to work together to pull this thing off. And that's the movie. The heist is the focus of the movie, although we should be aware that this is Ocean's job, hence "Ocean's 11". It's HIS game. And when thinking about that, the movie is satisfying. Soderburgh shows the heist in all its complex details, and of course, we find ourselves rooting for the criminals instead of the victim, the menacing Andy Garcia, who plays his part to perfection. Supporting cast members are also excellent, including Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac (underused, however), Scott Caan, Casey Affleck, Carl Reiner, and a terrific Elliott Gould. Danny's love for his ex-wife (Roberts' Tess, who is now dating the casino owner, Garcia's Benedict) is brought to the forefront of the picture, but Soderburgh handles it perfectly, not creating a sappy love story but rather a crime caper effectively pulled off by some of Hollywood's latest heavyweights.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic Remake To Make You Feel Young Again
Review: Many of you are my age. Therefore, many of you grew up with the
original "Oceans 11" flick. Back then, the film starred Frank Sinatra
(as Danny Ocean), Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford, Angie
Dickinson, Cesar Romero, Richard Conte, Joey Bishop and a cameo role
by...yes...Red Skelton. If you want to see your teenage son (and his
girlfriend), give you that neck-twist look like a dog listening to music
for the first time, tell them about Frankie, Dino and Sammy and they'll
look at you like you're a Senior Citizen. Guess what? We are! The face lift (no pun intended) of "Oceans 11" is well done. The
casting is superb. George Clooney is the new Frankie (Danny Ocean), and
Julia Roberts is the former Angie Dickinson. Support that with Brad
Pitt, Andy Garcia (excellent performance), Corey Affleck, Matt Damon,
Elliott Gould (hairy chest and all)...you've got a winner. But the real
hidden gem is a performance by Carl Reiner. I won't tell you more. I was thoroughly entertained and reminisced of the days when the legends
in the first flick were alive and on top of the movie and music charts.
That was, believe or not, a movie released FORTY ONE YEARS AGO!!! I was
11 years old. But don't feel old...go see the new version and regain
your youth. It's a five-spot worth spending! PAUL
Rating:
Summary: The Best Around!
Review: This was an awesome movie, great cast and good plot. Nothing boring or too mundane. Nothing, nothing lacking in this complex film. It was serious, yet funny. All those people complaning don't know anything.
Rating:
Summary: Well rounded but still lacking.
Review: I will admit that I have not seen the original version of this movie, though I wish I have. This movie in general was very glitzy and inspirational. Starts off with George Clooney getting out jail and reconnecting with old acquaintances for the biggest heist ever planned. His scheme is elaborate, a little too much so. His plan is easy to follow, that wasn't the problem, it was too absurd. The thought that someone could construct a plan so precise as this is nearly impossible. That was my only real quarrel with this movie, his outrageous plan. Other than that, it was very action packed and humorous, with depictions of Brad Pitt eating whenever in view. The movie hides a little from you until the end, but I think this was necessary to build up the finale. You can imagine the ending of this movie pretty easily, it was predictable but enjoyable. Bottom line: enjoyable and lighthearted but a little too predictable and unrealistic.
Rating:
Summary: Completely, utterly disappointing!
Review: I am shocked that anyone would take the assembled talent in this film and force them to act out such a worthless script. George Clooney mails in another "look at how cool am I" performance while the rest of the gangsters are as wooden as toy soldiers. And why is Julia Roberts even in this film? Andy Garcia is OK as the one dimensional villan and the technical aspects of the heist are intricate but so much more could have been done with this film. I am no film critic, but even I was wondering what was motivating these characters and there was zero chemistry. I would give it zero stars if I could, save your money and wait for a slow night to even rent it.
Rating:
Summary: This is not a Rat Pack redux....
Review: I had higher hopes for Ocean's 11, considering the cast list and the director, Steven Soderbergh. This wasn't the worst movie I've seen this year, but it's close. On the good side, the cast is likeable, especially Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Don Cheadle. The action is quick and there's an interesting storyline. However, the implausibility of pulling off this $160 Million Dollar Heist is too great. Things fall together too neatly in the last 20 minutes, and the ending is just too tidily wrapped up. Maybe this should be shelved under romantic comedy/action heist as in that disastrous Burt Reynolds/Catherine Deneuve actioner from some 20 years ago, the title of which I cannot and don't care to remember. The Rat Pack would be reaching for another martini and a cigarette right about now! You won't find any of the Vegas swagger and glamour left over from the original. The director took it all out in this "updated" version. Too bad they couldn't recapture even a fraction of it to give the film a sense of fun.
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