Change Your Image
randyandy40
Reviews
Ocean's Eleven (2001)
Soderbergh at his most relaxed
Don't go into this movie or rent it when it comes out on video expecting to see Soderbergh displaying his signature style, you're not going to get anything like The Limey or Traffic with this one, what you will get is pure entertainment, a lively, generous cast and lots of cool flash.
Suspend your hopes though, if you're a Julia Roberts or Elliott Gould or Bernie Mac fan, of seeing any of these folks for very long, their roles are frustratingly small, notably Elliott Gould's, whose formidable presence is still undeniable so he stands out with ease and you have to be doing something right when you can outshine even Clooney, Pitt, et al. My only complaint was we couldn't see more of him!
Speaking of other greats, Carl Reiner is someone to see in this movie as well, he had me rooting for him from the very beginning. I was impressed with Brad Pitt who grows as an actor with each role he undertakes, granted, he GETS the best roles but at least he does it up right each time.
Enjoy it for what it's worth.
Spy Game (2001)
A Surreal Pairing
It's strange seeing these two actors together, one gets the feeling that in Redford you see an old Brad Pitt and in Pitt you see a young Redford, which is exactly what the producers want us to observe, but if neither of them were the great actors they are, we wouldn't care less. You must suspend your belief for a time when they're together in Vietnam, because practically 18 years on, both of them look exactly the same. Other than that, it's always good to see the good guy make fools of the rotten evil-doers, in this case the CIA, but if for nothing else, just see it for Redford who is without a doubt, one of the greatest actors of his generation, a master of subtlety and Pitt matches his every frame of the way. In this film, as in Ocean's Eleven, Brad Pitt is so natural and so unaffected, he makes you wonder what he couldn't do before the camera.
As for the story, it's exciting, standard spy story fare, satisfying for sure and Tony Scott's got the goods as far as directing goes. A little too close for comfort to Enemy of The State, but if that's what you like, why not?
The Silent Partner (1978)
One of the Best Thrillers of the 70s
This is where everything that makes good suspense comes together, a well-paced story, authentic characters, a clever hero, terrific direction, just the right atmosphere and fine writing.
The actors make it all the more outstanding, Elliott Gould, who has phenomenal range spanning from dry comedy to innocence to riveting dramatics and angst-driven neuroses, delivers here one of his best.
Susannah York lights up the screen with her sparkle and talent.
All the others are equally effective, plus we have the added bonus of the great John Candy.
If you get a chance to see it, go for it!!