Rating: 
Summary: Ring-a-ding-ding, baby!
Review: After directing gritty movies like "Traffic", "Erin Brockovich" and "Out of Sight", Steven Soderbergh decided to take it easy and create a movie whose sole purpose was to entertain. He's done exactly that with "Ocean's 11", an entertaining piece of fluff that mostly delivers.George Clooney leads an all-star cast in this remake of the 1960 Rat Pack caper picture. Thief and ex-con Danny Ocean (Clooney) has recently been released from prison and is already planning his magnum opus: the theft of $150 million from a Las Vegas casino owned by Terry Benedict (a glowering Andy Garcia). But Danny can't pull it off alone, so he recruits his friend Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt) and a motley group of shady characters, including Cockney demolitions expert "Basher" Tarr (Don Cheadle), con man Saul Bloom (a scene-stealing Carl Reiner) and light-fingered pickpocket Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon). The larcenous crew is rounded out by card sharp Frank Catton (Bernie Mac), money man Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould), Chinese acrobat Yen (Shaobo Qin), and bickering drivers Turk Malloy and Virgil Malloy (the frequently hilarious Scott Caan and Casey Affleck). Complicating things (and fueling Danny's quest) is the fact that Benedict is involved with Danny's ex-wife Tess (Julia Roberts). "Ocean's 11" unfolds smoothly through the standard caper-movie set pieces: the setup, the heist and the getaway. There's lots of snappy patter, played very nicely by the talented cast, and fantastic music--I'd like to see Soderbergh's record collection. Clooney exudes movie-star charm and hipster cool in the role Sinatra originated as ringleader Ocean; it contrasts well with the smoldering Garcia. Cheadle is a hoot, if vastly under-used, but that's the problem with ensemble movies. Brad Pitt, in a standout role, manages to act rather than just coast on his good looks. Ocean and Ryan are a natural fit, like Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock. I'd like to see their characters in another picture. The only real stumbling block in my mind is the romantic triangle involving Danny, Tess and Terry. Roberts and Clooney just don't click. There simply are no sparks between them, as there were between, say, Clooney and Jennifer Lopez in the crackerjack "Out of Sight". This made it difficult for me to care about their fractured relationship, and whether or not they would ever make up. In fact, it was pretty much the only sour note in the movie, but it was a big one; it just felt tacked on (pretty much like Frank Sinatra's and Angie Dickinson's relationship in the original). And so, to sum up this too-long review: "Ocean's 11" is not a classic like "The Sting", but it's pretty good nonetheless. My grade: B+.
Rating: 
Summary: Stylish and smart
Review: Ocean's Eleven is one of the best movies I've seen all year. It's funny without trying to be, it's slick without being greasy, and it's so classic yet sexy that you feel cool just watching it. The acting is stellar, and the script keeps the movie going while making the few quasi-unbelievable moments seem perfectly realistic. It came out two days ago, and I've already seen it twice. I'd say this is a perfect date movie - action for the gentlemen and romance/ a lack of gore for the ladies. Go see it today: it's so much fun you'll wish you'd seen it yesterday too.
Rating:
Summary: The Rat Pack Would Approve
Review: Are you looking for a film loaded with social meaning, pathos, deep human emotions, joy and tears? This isn't it. However, if you just want a great adventure story, credible acting, lots of suspense, a seamless plot and a storyline that never drags, this one's for you. Throw in the glamor and glitter of Las Vegas's dazzling skyline by night and you have a visual feast as well, a banquet for the senses. Danny Ocean (George Clooney) is a slick con artist, just out of prison, who goes to Las Vegas to assemble a team of specialists to rob the vault of the Bellagio Casino. The team includes Rob Reiner, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and others, including a circus acrobat whose gymnastic skills will be needed to penetrate the vault. The Casino has more security than Fort Knox, including locked doors with entry codes that change nightly, video cameras, a system of lasers to detect movement, armed guards and walls of steel. The plan includes both science and subterfuge, to overcome both the physical and the human barriers that stand between "Ocean's Eleven" and the money. The timing and skill to make all these elements work is reminiscent of "Mission Impossible," but in this film, is actually believable. With Danny Ocean, the job is personal as well as business: the Bellagio's owner, a slimey guy named Harry Benedict (Andy Garcia) has stolen Ocean's wife Tess (Julia Roberts). Ocean wants her back, along with the 163 million bucks in Harry's vault. Can a bunch of slick and with-it guys overcome the obstacles, recover the girl and make off with the loot? Well, you'll have to see the film for yourself, but suffice it to say...the late stars of the original, the famous "Rat Pack," would have approved.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST MOVIE EVER
Review: Go see it now, it was great and a lot of fun.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome, hip, exciting movie....
Review: I have to admit I was skeptical of Ocean's Eleven and all its hype, and I'm not the biggest George Clooney fan, but I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I wasn't a huge fan of Traffic, but I did enjoy Soderbergh's cinematic style, and he does it again with Ocean's Eleven. After a few minutes into the film, you're already rooting for the bad guys. The movie has a solid cast, with George Clooney and Brad Pitt as the two main characters. They're both charismatic and the rest of the crew are great complements. Matt Damon and Julia Roberts both do really well in their roles. I enjoyed seeing the level of detail and planning put into the heist. The special effects and how they manage to circumvent the myriad of security measures in place were an interesting dimension to the movie. Bottom line, this is a really fun movie to go out and get engrossed in. It may not be entirely plausible or full of emotion, but it is fast-paced, exciting, suspenseful, and just generally a nice movie to watch - the stars are all excellent and Soderbergh does a great job directing. There's also plenty of comedic moments. I loved it and want to go see it again to catch all the little things I missed the first time around.
Rating:
Summary: OCEAN'S 11 is a perfect 10!
Review: Even though I am wary of Hollywood fare I went to this with a feeling of trust becasue as many know George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh really put their heart into this movie as well as the rest of the cast who took a big paycut from their regular paychecks. Actors should do this more often for the sake of a good movie. Their main goal was to provided first class entertainment that people should normally expect from Hollywood but don't always get and they succedeed brillaintly. This movie is one heck of a good time! Even if you have seen this plot before it doesn't matter, this movie is a fun ride. It makes me nostalgic seeing them in all their Hollywood glory just like in the good old days, especially Clooney who almost steals the show though Brad Pitt almost does the same as well and since Julia Roberts only shows up now and then the audience relishes her every appearance. The rest of the cast also does a great job as well. All the guys are so diverse that it's interesting and funny seeing all their different personalities and how they interact. This is probably the best thing about this movie aside from the direction. The direction is of course stylish. There's lots of great shots of the sights of Las Vegas and the movie keeps up at a very brisk pace though the direction never borders on turning into a music video from MTV. The suspense comes not from whether they will end up with the money but how they will pull it off and Soderbergh showcases a lot of new technology to make the heist very exciting and he makes it look like it's easy to rob a vegas casino even though it isn't but I believe this was intentional. Some of these guys barely break a sweat! Throughout the whole thing Clooney and Pitt more or less keep the kind of cool,nonchanlant attitude we would not expect from people in real life but hey, it's the movies! This movie is first class entertainment which almost anybody can enjoy. So while watching this let the little gray cells take a vacation and have fun!
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful film! Best I've seen in a long time!
Review: Today I went to see this movie in my wonderful lil' ol' home town of Las Vegas. Usually, I don't like movies set in Las Vegas, because I look at them and think "No, that place doesn't really look like that" or "That person could not have ridden his bike from there to there." Not this movie. Everything was so realistic, like it really is, and it was done so well. The cast is superb. I'm not normally a fan of Clooney or Pitt, but they both shine in this movie. Julia Roberts, of course, shines in *every* movie. This movie was excellent. A wonderful feel to it; very "Mission: Impossible-esque." I loved it, and am hoping to go back again tomorrow. When it comes out, I will be purchasing it. It's is by far the best movie that's come out of Hollywood in a LONG time. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Soderbergh Strikes Again.
Review: Steven Soderbergh is on a roll. Last year he awed the movie industry with his double-whammy of ERIN BROCKOVICH and TRAFFIC, becoming one of only a slight few directors to ever be nominated Best Director for two different films in the same year. Now, Soderbergh strikes again with OCEAN'S ELEVEN.OCEAN'S ELEVEN is a classic heist movie, but updated with a post-modern sensibility. The story is simple, Danny Ocean (George Clooney) is released from jail and immediately sets into motion a plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos. He meets up with an old pal and confidante (Brad Pitt) and the two form an ensemble team to pull off the heist. Ocean has personal reasons for this particular job, mainly to get his ex-wife (Julia Roberts) back from the malicious casino owner (Andy Garcia) who stole her.Clooney and Pitt have the bulk of the dialogue, but the ensemble cast also includes such stalwarts as Matt Damon, Elliot Gould, Carl Reiner, and Don Cheadle. Each performer brings just the right nuances to their roles, and though most of these actors are stars by their own right, none break the unity of the ensemble cast and steal the show.OCEAN'S ELEVEN is engaging (I only looked at my watch once) and seems to be a better movie than the Rat Pack version from which it originated. In fact, the film seems more like THE STING or THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR than the original OCEAN'S ELEVEN.Though the plot is perdictable; you know almost from the start that Ocean is going to succeed in his scam; knowing that doesn't really take anything away from the movie. However, the suspense leading up to the heist could have been built up a little more. Also, there were a few elements that could have added to the actual suspense of the heist itself (the grease man gets his hand smashed in a door-that could have been used a little more e.g.).Overall OCEAN'S ELEVEN is an entertaining movie that is sure to bring Soderbergh and Clooney (one of the film's producers) more kudos and perhaps bring about more movies with all-star casts that don't cost much to make (the film was made for a relatively low $30 million). It's a nice piece of stimulating movie mind candy.
Rating:
Summary: Explosives and Hunks
Review: I just saw "Ocean's Eleven" last night and even today am anxious to see it again. There are no words to explain how brillant and great this film was. The all-star cast carried the film so well. I have to admit, it was quite hard paying attention to the plot when Brad Pitt, George Clooney, and Matt Damon are on the same screen but I managed. I would say this movie combined the action of "Mission Impossible" and comedy of "Bandits". Every line was hilarious and allowed the script to escape from the "action movie" serious mood. Julia Roberts portrayed her character wonderfully and was a perfect match for George. I was a bit confused at the end but still loved every minute. Wonderful, action-packed surprises mixed with romance!!
Rating:
Summary: Much better than the original!
Review: Finally someone in Hollywood has realized that re-making a great movie never works; try updating a dud instead. And Ocean's Eleven was a dud....self-indulgent and lifeless, it seemed to exist just so the Rat-Pack could get paid to hang out together. So here comes the remake. I have to admit that I wasn't interested in seeing it, but the good reviews made me take a chance. And I loved it! Steven Soderbergh's film just zips along, and is fun the whole way through. I had a smile on my face from beginning to end. Daniel Ocean (George Clooney) has just been released from prison, and is barely out the door before he's getting a crew together and plotting an audacious heist that, if successful, could net his 11-man team a cool $160 Million. The team is comprised of, among others, Matt Damon, Elliott Gould, Carl Reiner, Scott Caan, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, and Brad Pitt. (Pitt is especially good as Clooney's unflappable sidekick; I thought he stole the film away from Clooney.) Andy Garcia is the cold-as-ice Casino owner; he makes a great villain. It's funny how the movie gets us to root FOR the bad guys (the theives), and boo the person who, in any other situation, would have our sympathy. Very well done, indeed. If I loved the movie that much, why only 4 stars? 2 words: JULIA ROBERTS. I don't like her. The movie grinds to a halt whenever she's onscreen. I found her character to be a pointless distraction, and she serves no point in the film, other than as Marquee value. And her mouth is HUGE!!!! Her lips look like two raw clams are stuck to her mouth.......(Sorry, but I just don't like her....) Aside from Julia, Ocean's Eleven is a great way to pass a few hours.
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