Ocean's Eleven

At the beginning of Ocean’s Thirteen, security systems expert Roman Nagel (Eddie Izzard) consults Danny (George Clooney) and Rusty (Brad Pitt) on how best to infiltrate the ultra high-tech security system at The Bank, a luxury hotel/casino set to open on the Vegas strip. As Roman tries to explain the system in tech-speak, it’s clear Danny and Rusty are out of their element. “I like you two,” says Roman. “You’ve got style, brio. But you’re analog people in a digital world.”

No matter how high-tech the revenge shenanigans get in Ocean’s Thirteen, it is precisely this “analog” quality — the old-school loyalty, humor, and charm — that keep us rooting for these thieves and cons. Fast-paced and fantastically convoluted, Ocean’s Thirteen (like its two predecessors) is almost all exposition. The journey to the sweet moment of revenge against wicked casino kingpin Willy Bank (Al Pacino), in other words, is the bulk of the film. Their revenge may be high-tech, but their values are old-fashioned. Like Ocean’s 11, in which Danny’s motivation is as much about getting his wife Tess back from Bellagio owner Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) as it is about robbing Terry’s casino, Ocean’s Thirteen is about men who want to save their stricken friend Reuben, no matter what the cost. Although there's a bit of a lag in the middle, and an unfortunate sexist misuse of Ellen Barkin as Bank's right-hand woman, the fact that they have a fantastic time doing it makes it a joyride for us viewers as well, so read more

Reign Over Me opens tomorrow starring one of my all-time favorite actors: Don Cheadle. In honor of his newest release, I'm making the theme of this week's Movie Night "movies I like that star Don Cheadle." This is not a comprehensive list of Cheadle accomplishments — please also see Boogie Nights and Traffic — just some of my personal favorites. So watch these movies and go see Reign Over Me this weekend. The Cheadle is worth it.

Hotel Rwanda
I had trouble motivating myself to watch this movie, just because I knew it was going to be so bleak, but I'm so glad I did. Nominated for 3 Academy Awards in 2004, Hotel Rwanda explores the Tutsi-Hutu conflict through the story of one man who decides to house hundreds of refugees in his hotel. Though physically Cheadle looks pretty much like he usually does, the actor nearly disappears into the role with earnestness and grace. Plus, like so many well-made historical dramas, the movie will make you feel smarter for having seen it.

For more great Cheadle cinema, read more