FAVORITES of 2011

Here's the last 2 of my favorite reviews of 2011:

OCEAN'S ELEVEN, 2001 (original post: May 23, 2011)

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Stars: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Julia Roberts, and MANY more

I love heists! Watching one just makes me want to steal something! This could spark a whole marathon of films.... and a life of crime.

I especially love the style of the film, and the cinematography (I think that's what I mean). Not only is the content entertaining and the characters funny and memorable, it is also a beautiful movie.

Danny Ocean (Clooney) and Rusty Ryan (Pitt) assemble an all-star, eleven-man crew to knock over 3 casinos in Las Vegas. It is a remake of the 1960 Ocean's Eleven. And it's better.

What I love: 1) Pitt and Clooney. They're amazing together. Their dialogue -wow! 2) Before working on the heist, Rusty's job is teaching movie stars how to play poker! There is a brilliant multi-cameo scene with Topher Grace, Barry Watson, Joshua Jackson, and others. 3) Matt Damon! Mr. Action Hero/Jason Bourne/all around Tough Guy plays the new thief; the pick-pocket who wants a chance to be a part of something big. He's very gullible and very lovable, and not at all Jason Bourne, which just shows how great an actor Matt Damon is.

NOTE: The commentaries are very fun! Sometimes I absolutely love watching/listening to the commentaries, and these ones I really loved! I highly recommend them.

Bottom line: You'll love it.

THE CASTLE, 1997 (original post: July 1, 2011)

Director: Rob Stitch

Stars: Michael Caton, Stephen Curry, Anthony Simcoe, Eric Bana, Charles "Bud" Tingwell

An Australian comedy about a family being forced to leave their home because the airport (next door) wants to acquire their land to expand the airport and runways. It's the story of how Darryl Kerrigan (Caton) fights to keep his "castle".

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!

"You won't stop laughing!" --totally true.

Ocean's Eleven, 1960

Director: Lewis Milestone

Stars: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis Jr, and many others!

Sorry, Frank. I liked George's version better.

I watched the original (this one) after I had already seen the remake (2001). I don't know how you could like this one better, to be honest. For the first 45 minutes, this one was truly lame. Nothing was happening. But when the guys finally got together to hear about Ocean's plan (literally about 45 minutes in- I am not exaggerating), things picked up and it got good! But I almost quit watching it in the beginning. Get through those lame 45 minutes, and it's totally fine.

Call me crazy, but I loved the ending. I would have loved it better if there was something the audience didn't know, like where the money really was-- but I did love it anyway.

I also adored Peter Lawford! Man, just his voice makes me feel weak in the knees! If he winked at me, I don't know what I'd do.

Note: Check out the sign behind Sammy at the very end. Cute.

Ocean's Eleven, 2001

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Stars: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Julia Roberts, and MANY more

I love heists! Watching one just makes me want to steal something! This could spark a whole marathon of films.... and a life of crime.

I especially love the style of the film, and the cinematography. Not only is the content entertaining and the characters funny and memorable, it is also a beautiful movie.

Danny Ocean (Clooney) and Rusty Ryan (Pitt) assemble an all-star, eleven-man crew to knock over 3 casinos in Las Vegas. It is a remake of the 1960 Ocean's Eleven. And it's better.

What I love: 1) Pitt and Clooney. They're amazing together. Their dialogue -wow! 2) Before working on the heist, Rusty's job is teaching movie stars how to play poker! There is a brilliant multi-cameo scene with Topher Grace, Barry Watson, Joshua Jackson, and others. 3) Matt Damon! Mr. Action Hero/Jason Bourne/all around Tough Guy plays the new thief; the pick-pocket who wants a chance to be a part of something big. He's very gullible and very lovable, and not at all Jason Bourne, which just shows how great an actor Matt Damon is.

NOTE: The commentaries are very fun! Sometimes I absolutely love watching/listening to the commentaries, and these ones I really loved! I highly recommend them.

Bottom line: You'll love it.