Movie Review: Ocean's 11

Story: If you are looking for a film that is easy on the eye and certainly not a brain teaser, this film is for you. It is a piece of fluff ... but very good looking fluff (and I was in a fluffy mood). A loose remake of the now, un-watchable, dated original with the Rat Pack led by Frank Sinatra this one has a similar theme but much more pizzazz. Danny Ocean plots a three casino heist and gathers his cronies (11 of them) to pull off the heist/caper of the century. There is nothing special about the film. But it is a Steven Soderbergh (see Rental category below) version and so we get much more than the usual hi-tech caper. He tends to shoot his own movies and knows his actors well. They shine through his lens. Yes, there are plot holes (or should I say chasms) but I just didn't care. I like to watch George Clooney and Brad Pitt. If you want to have 115 minutes of fun, give yourself a holiday treat and see this film. Or you can wait, and it will be on cable in about six months. It also is interesting to note that Hollywood thinks it is okay to rob a big bad casino and has no trouble with its moral compass on the breaking of the 'thou shalt not steal' Commandment.

Acting: There are lots of characters in the film but only a few are given any development. As mentioned, I like George Clooney, so am biased. I think Brad Pitt is getting much better as he ages. Andy Garcia was a perfect casino villain. Don Cheadle is always good. Carl Reiner was great. Matt Damon held his own, etc., etc. Julia Roberts looked thin and tired.

Critters: None ... although I did see a Seigfried (or was it Roy) cameo (sans tigers).

Food: Brad Pitt noshes his way through the film.

Visual Art: Julia Roberts plays the art curator at the Hotel Bellagio. So there was a fake Vuillard and Braque.

Blatant Product Placement: Other than the blatant ad for Las Vegas, nothing.

Soundtrack: I don't remember anything except one Elvis tune.

Opening Titles: I think they were all at the end.

Theater Audience: A smattering of people. All of the younger folk sat directly in the center of a very wide theater. All of the rest of us sat on the aisle seats.

Sappy Factor: 3

Predictability Level: Over the top.

Oscar Worthy: No.

Nit Picking: There was some art talk at the dinner table between Clooney and Roberts. There was a mispronunciation of Manet and an error in fact about Vermeer.

Big Screen or Rental: Have a great Soderbergh weekend and rent his Traffic, The Limey, Out of Sight, Erin Brockovich..

Length: 115 minutes.

LOBO HOWLS: 5