OCEAN’S ELEVEN (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Ocean’s Eleven is a little slow getting started, but doesn’t flag after that. George Clooney and cast pull this story off magnificently. This movie is a remake of the 1960s Ocean’s Eleven with more flash and dash. There is no lack in quality, dialogue, timing, action, or scripting. Every piece of the film works for entertainment.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Danny Ocean (George Clooney) develops a plan to rob The Bellagio, The Mirage, and the MGM Grand casinos all at the same time.

Additional Thanks

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

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s worth your time and your dollar.

Video Critique Available Here:

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

GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK. (Theatrical Release USA 2005)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì 

Good Night, and Good Luck.—the unusual and unique format for telling this story, works fabulously. David Strathairn perfectly shows the audience the character of Edward R. Murrow and what he wanted.  Look for Robert Downey Jr., Patricia Clarkson, Frank Langella, Jeff Daniels, and George Clooney as supporting cast. The movie can be easily missed because of its unassuming poster and lack of advertising, but know it is a WOW! watch because of subject matter and the way it concludes. A small criticism is that the same jazz singer is accessed repeatedly through the film. It would have been welcome to have a variety of singers for the background music. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A movie about newscaster Edward R. Murrow. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director George Clooney for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Grant Heslove for making the film possible. Cast includes: David Strathairn, Patricia Clarkson, George Clooney, Jeff Daniels, Robert Downey Jr., Frank Langella, Ray Wise, and Tate Donovan. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is wonderful if only for the format used in telling the story. WOW! What a concept and presentation! The movie earns its watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BATMAN & ROBIN (Theatrical Release USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Batman & Robin—one of the best in the Batman movie remake series—adds George Clooney to the stable of actors who interpret the Batman/Bruce Wayne character. Clooney renders the Bruce Wayne half of Batman with a sophistication and solidness that differs entirely from Val Kilmer's more youthful, brash and rash vision of Bruce Wayne in his Batman Forever film. While the movie fails in the scenes detailing petty arguments between Batman and Robin over Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman) as they are in transit to fight the evil Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger), the evil laughs of Arnold Schwarzenegger spill ‘chill’ more than all the evil laughs of Two Face and the Riddler combined in previous versions of Batman. The acting? More realistic than previous Batman movies. The script has more strength than the previous three Batman films combined. While Batman and Robin ‘suiting up’ for action works on the comically lame side, Uma Thurman, considering her scripted dialogue, plays an interesting Poison Ivy.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Batman (George Clooney) and Robin (Chris O’Donnell) fight the evil Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger) with some interesting interaction with Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman).

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Joel Schumacher for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Benjamin Melniker and Michael E. Uslan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Dr. Victor Fries (Arnold Schwarzenegger), Bruce Wayne (George Clooney), Dick Grayson (Chris O’Donnell), Dr. Pamela Isley (Uma Thurman), Batgirl/Barbara Wilson (Alicia Silverstone), Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Gough), Commissioner James Gordon (Pat Hingle), Dr. Jason Woodrue (John Glover), Julie Madison (Elle Macpherson), Ms. B. Haven (Vivica A. Fox), and Nora Fries (Vendela Kirsebom Thomessen).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The provocative casting mix of Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Clooney, Chris O’Donnell, and Uma Thurman creates a worthy watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers