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You're reading a really old version of matt-thornton's website. For example, if you're looking at the movie reviews... you'll notice that none of them are of recent films. Indeed, I leave them here for posterity's sake, but I doubt very much that they'll get updated anytime soon. So have a giggle.
You might, if you're lucky, find something recent from Matt at his blog matt's debates. Kernow bys vyken.
Ocean's Eleven
the one line review:
Smooth, sophisticated comedy thriller
the overview
A modern remake of an otherwise unknown. Can't compare it to the first because I haven't seen it, but if it's anything like this... I'm gonna!
People who know me too well know that I have something of a "thing" for Brad Pitt. I know that sounds outrageously dodgy (and before you ask, contrary to popular opinion I am NOT gay) but I think he has really done for himself in terms of acting roles in the last 3 or 4 years. I mean, you have classics like Fight Club or Snatch which really put him up there amongst the big shots. Had it been me, I wouldn't have been quite so worried about being a bigshot if *I* was nobbing Jennifer Aniston... but it ain't me, so I'll just get on with the review.
the plot:
So what's the plot? Well, George Clooney has just got out of prison. He and old pal Bradley have a plan to rob three Las Vegas casino's. Cue "let's build a decent crew together" a la Gone In 60 Seconds and do some characterisation while we're at it. OK, so they build their crew, full of your atypical contrasts, from the two stupid morons, to the old timer who's been there and stolen the t-shirt, to the quirky electronics whizzkid and finally to the young gun new guy who happens to be a genius (Matt Damon) at his trade.
Right, that was easy enough. So their plan is to rob $160m from these casinos which just conveniently happen to be owned by the "evil bastard bad guy who everyone has a vendetta against but don't do anything to annoy him cos he'll have you decapitated and then felched" (Andy Garcia). And the importance of that? Well, he just so happens to now be shaggin George's ex-wife (Julia Roberts). And we all know why she's ex, don't we... it's not because she stopped loving him, but, put it this way, she was a tad miffed when she found out that George was a thief and a liar. Ho-hum.
Righty-ho, so they go through the usual stages of planning, mucking about, lots of problems and so on and so on, until the night comes when they go to rob the place. Will it all work out OK?
(What do you think?).
the verdict:
I know that must make it sound really quite dull, but I have to tell you it is far from that. It is wonderfully filmed, the cast is 100% all star with some other really familiar up and coming faces. It is smooth and slick and keeps you entertained. It's a great film that doesn't take itself too seriously, which is exactly the slant it needed. When I saw it at the cinema, I was critical of it by saying that it was trying to be too clever, but having watched it again on DVD I take that back. I think they have the balance just right and it really does make for an all round enjoyable evenings entertainment.
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