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 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.

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

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

CONTAGION (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Contagion—disorganized—relies on the usual formatting style of this movie's genre. The 1995 film, Outbreak  is a better story than this one. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline A United States business woman gets sick after a trip to Hong Kong. Her sickness becomes a pandemic in the United States and medical personnel need to solve it.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Steven Soderbergh for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher, and Gregory Jacobs for making the film possible. Cast includes Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Bryan Cranston, Jennifer Ehle, and Sanaa Lathan.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? . Yes. This is a good watch overall and has a believable portrayal; however, the 1995 movie Outbreak comes from the same genre and has higher entertainment value than this film. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ERIN BROCKOVICH (Theatrical Release USA 2000)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

Erin Brockovich—inspiring movie—easily turns itself into a classic film watch. Julia Roberts makes, what could have easily been a boring watch, into an over-the-top entertainment piece and, without making it a message movie, makes several points easily received. WOW! The movie is so incredibly easy to watch. It flows.  The supporting cast, Albert Finney and Aaron Eckhart, frame Julia Roberts so well. This film is a blockbuster. Fabulous storytelling, great acting, and unexpectedly good story make this a treat for movie fans. Great work for all involved. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A woman with a high school diploma, a huge heart to help others, and a desire to work long hours makes a life for herself and others. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Steven Soderbergh for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, and Stacey Sher for making the film possible. Casting includes: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney,Aaron Eckhart, Marg Helgenberger, Tracey Walter, and Peter Coyote. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. this is a wonderful film and is a keeper for the home video library. Great work for all involved. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers