Ocean's Thirteen: Analog Heroes In A Digital World

BuzzSugar — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:59:21 -0700

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

Ocean's Thirteen begins with Rusty hearing the news that Reuben has had a heart attack and is in critical condition after being screwed by Bank. After visiting the unresponsive Reuben, Rusty and Danny begin scheming their revenge. Willy Bank’s hotel/casino, The Bank, is the new crown jewel in his empire of casinos. He and the built-like-a-brick-house Abigail Sponder (Ellen Barkin) run a tight ship and aim to make, well, bank on opening night.

What Bank and Abigail don’t know is that Ocean’s crew is going to treat The Bank like a fun house. In order to bankroll this over-the-top revenge job, they are helped by the unlikeliest of protagonists: Their once arch-enemy Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia). As long as they steal Bank’s diamonds, Terry claims, he’ll pay for everything. So, using their collective wiles, they rig, bribe and digitally maneuver their ways into ruining The Bank's opening night. And how will they get into the insanely impregnable vault where the diamonds are held? Old fashioned seduction: Send in “Lenny Pepperidge” (Matt Damon, with a ridiculous fake nose) to seduce Abigail with some special love potion he puts on his neck.

"There’s a code among people who have shaken Sinatra’s hand," Reuben says in disbelief to Bank when he’s getting screwed. As charming as that “old fashioned” code of loyalty is, part of it seems to include the notion that “broads” are just trouble. As a result, with the exception of Abigail, who is called a "cougar," humiliated and ultimately dispensed with, Ocean’s Thirteen is largely a world without women. In spite of this and the lag in the middle, Ocean’s Thirteen is loads of fun.

Movie Night: Don Cheadle-A-Thon

BuzzSugar — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 16:58:32 -0700

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

Ocean's Eleven
This remake of the 1960 film starring Frank Sinatra proves that not all remakes are terrible. In many ways, it's more thrilling to see a casino heist set in the present day when security measures are so much tighter. Slick ex-con Danny Ocean puts together a team of experts to help him swindle three top casinos out of $150 million. If successful, the participants will split the bounty. Cheadle is the saucy British munitions specialist played with such hard commitment you start to wonder if you're supposed to be laughing at him, which only makes it more hilarious.

Crash
There were some conflicting opinions about whether or not Crash should have won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2006, but I was one of the movie's supporters. Taking place in Los Angeles, the film follows several vastly different people, ultimately examining how connected we all are but how issues such as racism continue to drive us apart - particularly in a post-9/11 society. Don Cheadle plays police detective Graham, whose weariness will squeeze your heart until it pops.