OCEAN’S TWELVE (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Stars ìììì

Ocean’s Twelve—sassy, smart, and fun—uses an all-star cast to tell its story. It follows the Ocean’s series format and doesn’t fail to deliver its usual action-packed formula.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) demands the return of the $150,000,000 stolen from him. Ocean’s gang travels to Europe to steal a Faberge Egg for payback. But this story does not follow a predictably straight path as doublecross follows doublecross between professional thieves and liars.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Steven Soderbergh for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman, Susan Ekins, and John Hardy for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Frank Catton (Bernie Mac), Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt), Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon), Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould), Virgil Malloy (Casey Affleck), Turk Malloy (Scott Caan), Livingston Dell (Eddie Jemison), Basher Tarr (Don Cheadle), and Tess Ocean (Julia Roberts).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The film is a great continuation story to Ocean’s Eleven.

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Ben Meyers

OCEAN’S THIRTEEN (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Ocean’s Thirteen serves up another classic Ocean’s movie with no decrease in entertainment value. The film requires closer attention to plotline as this movie’s series of cons increase in their complication from previous Ocean films. The great all-star cast continue to deliver unbeatable, on-the-spot professionalism in every scene and dialogue line. Unfortunately, this appears to be the last Ocean’s movie after the passing of Bernie Mac, but there appears to be an upcoming 2018 all-girl spinoff—Ocean’s Eight—starring Sandra Bullock.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Casino owner Willy Bank (Al Pacino) cons his partner, Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould), out of his part of the casino ownership. Danny Ocean (George Clooney) sets out to right the wrong with a complicated series of events meant to bankrupt Willy Bank’s reputation and casino.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Steven Soderbergh for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman, Frederic W. Brost, and Susan Ekins for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt), Linus Caldwell/Lenny Pepperidge (Matt Damon), Dr. Stan (Michael Mantell), Reuben’s Butler (Ray Xifo), Bank’s Junior Executive (Adam Lazarre-White), Livingston Dell (Eddie Jemison), Basher Tarr (Don Cheadle), Yen (Shaobo Qin), Virgil Malloy (Casey Affleck), and Turk Malloy (Scott Caan).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie serves as good brain exercise while delivering the usual excellence expected from the Ocean’s series.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE INFORMANT! (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

The Informant!—a well-directed, true story liberally sprinkles itself  with twists and turns—increases respect for Director Steven Soderbergh’s (Ocean’s 11, Ocean’s 12, Ocean’s 13) skills and takes actor Matt Damon to the top of his game. A well-chosen supporting cast throws the audience into a nonstop, suspenseful tale about whistle blowers, their companies, and the United States government.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Marc Whitacre (Matt Damon) tells government officials that his company engages in price fixing for the product lysine. He becomes part of an insider investigation.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Steven Soderbergh for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers George Clooney, Michael London, and Jeff Skoll for making the film possible. Cast include: Lucas McHugh Carroll, Eddie Jemison, Rusty Schwimmer, Craig Ricci Shaynak, Tom Papa, Rick Overton, Melanie Lynskey, and Thomas F. Wilson.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The conclusion completely surprises.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers