*** Official OCEAN'S ELEVEN Discussion Thread (1 Viewer)

[Mark Bendiksen]

I just got back from this movie. (By the way, definitely put me in the "it's great" category. I thoroughly enjoyed the flick.) I noticed that it was filmed in 2.35:1 aspect ratio. However, it appeared pretty grainy to me. Did Soderbergh use Super35? (IMDB doesn't have the technical specs listed.)
Link Removed

 

[Robert Crawford]

I posted my review in the Official Review thread however, I just wanted to say I had a great time watching this movie. The plot leaves a great deal to be desired but the dialogue, acting, and direction more than made up for it. This film was not made to be taken seriously but instead it's a movie to just watch and enjoy the interplay between the actors. A little over the top acting but that's part of the charm of this movie.

Crawdaddy

 

[Edwin Pereyra]

The plot leaves a great deal to be desired

You got that right. Actually, I thought it was kind of ridiculous. Considering I was willing to overlook this major weakness, it still didn't work for me. I'm glad others are finding some other redeeming qualities about it.
~Edwin

 

[Matthew Chmiel]

Quote:

According to what Jason Whyte told me earlier today, Soderbergh did shoot the film in Super 35.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Actually, I thought it was kind of ridiculous.

Of course it was ridiculous which is one of the reasons why I liked it. The film gave me a shot of escapism without having to question certain plot lines on whether they were plausible at all. Sometimes, ridiculous can also be entertaining but that depends on the individual being entertain.
Crawdaddy

 

[Ryan Peter]

What did you guys find wrong with the plot? Do you guys dislike The Big Lebowski, Frequency, Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back, or tons of other Hollywood films for the same reasons?
Just wondering

 

[JohnS]

Well, let an expert come in and share his thoughts.
I work in a Las Vegas casino, and I can tell you that they wouldn't be getting away with half the things they did.
They also did extras casting(dealers) at my casino. I missed it by a day. I'm not bitter or anything towards the movie either
Still, overall, it was a fun movie. But NOT great.

 

[Ryan Peter]

JohnS was the security system they showed in the film at least somewhat accurate? I dunno, I guess I could suspend my disbelief for most of this movie and it wasn't any harder than most other movies. The film didn't take itself seriously so it was easy not to take the plot all that seriously. I didn't look for those holes in the plot.

 

[JohnS]

Well, let me elaborate on the minor security system.
First,
The thing with the ballons being hidden over the bubble security camera. Granted there was one security officer over there. But, in any major casino, there would have been atleast 2-3 security officers(i kid you not). PLUS!!
The ballons would have been taken done alot quicker AND by an officer.
Second,
When Berine Mac character was 'tapped' off the BJ game by Nevada Gaming Commision. He was soon 'shown the way to the front door', only to be back up in the hotel room.
If NGC takes you off a game, ESPECIALLY for being an X convict(or even if its something minor) they have security escort you out the front door. Sometimes, depending what the fraction of crime is by NGC, they will escort you off the game, security puts you in handcufs, and parades you around in front of the other dealer's tables, to show what can happen to you.
Plus there would also be security with NGC and Andy Garcia when they were talking with Benie Mac. There is ALWAYS security escort for any event like this.
and to answer another question. I'm a blackjack dealer

 

[Edwin Pereyra]

What did you guys find wrong with the plot?

After one knows how casinos and the Nevada Gaming Comission actually work, the plot does become ridiculous. Before this film can be crowned as a "great heist film" its basic premise has to work.

~Edwin

 

[Edwin Pereyra]

Now we are getting into that element of the film, which I excused even before stepping into the theater.
But John, you forgot the most important one of them all. Contrary to what George Clooney’s character said early on in the film and unless this just changed recently so someone please correct me on this by citing the exact Regulation 6 provision, the Nevada Gaming Commission does not require casinos to have cash in their vault equivalent to the amount of gaming chips in play throughout the entire casino.
Second, there is no central vault that links all three properties – the Bellagio, The Mirage and MGM-Grand. I don’t think I need to remind you of that.
Third, they made Andy Garcia’s character look like that he has mob connections. I wonder why he was cast in this role after appearing in The Godfather Part III. Hmmm,… But he better turn down that attitude of his unless he wants to find himself in Nevada’s “black book”.
Fourth, Brad Pitt’s character walking up and down the aisles of the Bellagio with a cell phone acting like he’s got the upper hand. (Please note that this scene is only to inject that cool factor into the film.) First of all, the Bellagio is not that big of a casino to not get noticed. In addition, why wasn’t he stopped or even checked at all knowing that a heist was in progress? That casino would have been shut down the second a robbery has been detected.
Fifth, if anyone thinks that in a casino a restricted area is covered by only one camera without any backup in case of a malfunction or tampering, then they are seriously mistaken.
I can probably cite a few more plot weaknesses but knowing what I was getting into, I did turn off my brain even before I set foot inside the theater and did not pay attention to all of the plot details. I know it wasn’t going to be critical in this film.

Sometimes, ridiculous can also be entertaining

Au contraire, I have enjoyed ridiculous films in the past. Maybe, that’s what my problem is with this film – it wasn’t ridiculous enough. It still tried so hard to be serious in certain parts. For me, the characters were not quirky or eccentric enough to be that ridiculous and enjoyable.
~Edwin

 

[Seth Paxton]

So I expect around John's house there are moments like this...
making a sandwich for everyone, runs out of bread, goes to get the next loaf out...
"Changing a loaf"
[wife]"Changing a loaf"
Then when John leaves the kitchen he claps his hands and turns them over before walking out.
As for the movie, I thought it was a SMART popcorn flick. The example of what we have been complaining about each time we see Mummy Returns, etc. Popcorn because it's got little depth and an implausable story. In that regard it's no different than many films we have complained about.
However, the visual direction is still well-crafted and suited to the story with style. Also the script DIALOG is crisply written and acted. And that is how it differs from the BAD popcorn films that have been getting a free pass from viewers with the "check your brains at the door" line.
It doesn't have to be believable for you to enjoy it with your brain still on.

 

[Edwin Pereyra]

By the way, just to set the record straight, Bellagio's fortunes are not in the form of cash stashed somewhere in its vault underneath the strip. It is in its very prestigious and well-known fine art gallery that is open to the public. George Clooney and company should have known this.
~Edwin

 

[Allen Hirsch]

Ah, but Clooney and company DID know this, Edwin. That would have been ANOTHER remake of The Thomas Crown Affair, if they'd gone after the art .
I liked this, as I have all Soderbergh films. The soundtrack reminded me alot of Out of Sight.
There were just enough smart plot twists they gave us AFTER it happened to keep it interesting, and the dialog never lagged or was anything but crisp. Yes, the basic plot premise may not have worked, if you know real Las Vegas security, but isn't that true of 99% of all films? Not a disqualifier for me, IF the rest (dialog, casting, pacing, etc.) works.
Best part of the story, IMO: Clooney gets the girl back, and the money, and the setup of Tess seeing Andy Garcia choosing the money over her was worthwhile revenge.

 

[David Ren]

I really enjoyed it. Soderbergh succeeded at what he wanted to make = a smart popcorn flick. A popcorn flick is all it is. No need to analyze it, folks. Every casino heist film would have many plot holes because casinos are IMPOSSIBLE to rob (correct me if I'm wrong)

David

 

[Robert Crawford]

Just a reminder to those that respond to Edwin's mediocre opinion of this film that for every 10 people who watch what they might considered to be a perfect film such as "Casablanca" or "Vertigo" there will always be one person that didn't care for it. Now I'm not saying this is a perfect film but it's a film that will have many supporters as well as detractors. "Ocean 11" will work for many but at the same time the film will miss it's mark for others. That's entertainment! I have stated over and over again on this board that it always amazes me how a film can work for many but not for minority of few. What's the cause of this?????? Maybe, just the different and individual makeup that distinguishes each of us from the rest of the human race. Who really knows, maybe a person that didn't like a film that many applauded had stale popcorn, was tired while viewing the film, in a bad mood or better yet was actually correct in his negative opinion of that film while the majority opinion were wrong.

 

[cafink]

So, how does it compare to the original?

 

[Seth Paxton]

Or maybe Edwin is loopy.

 

[Robert Crawford]

So, how does it compare to the original?

Carl,

Actually this film is almost an entirely different film than the original except about robbing the casinos and Danny Ocean being the main character. The original film's charm is all about the "Rat Pack". I grew up watching those guys in films and television. So I'm sure I am very forgiving for the original's shortcomings as a quality film but I still have fun watching the original as I will with this newest version of "Ocean's 11". Both films have a certain charm but the degree of charm for each is much different for me.

I'm starting to like Brad Pitt more and more! I really liked his performance in this film. Also, two of the last surviving cast members from the original were in this film for a brief shot during the boxing match. The shot captured Angie Dickinson and Henry Silva together.

Crawdaddy

 

[JohnS]

Seth,
you don't know how many times I 'clear my hands' when doing numerous things. You do it so much at work, it becomes habbit!.
For those of you who don't know, 'clearing my hands' means when it's break time for me, the person coming in to relieve me, I first have to 'clear my hands' to show the camera I'm not palming any chips, before I go on break.
You see a little action of this in the movie Vegas Vacation, when the character 'Wendy' gets tapped off by Wallace Shawn.
And further more, to add about the amount of cash in casinos. It's not mandatory for casinos to hold certain amounts of cash, but casinos do, do that.
Especially for holidays, and 'special events'