Ensofter Overrated and overhyped

ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Francene Odetta It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Jack Bennett Danny Ocean calls on old buddies from his World War II unit to pull off a heist on five casinos in Las Vegas at the same time on New Year's Eve. As the crew attempt the perfect robbery, a series of events and the snooping of a former gangster threaten to thwart their carefully laid plan.It seems not everyone is even aware that the 2001 Ocean's 11 is a remake of a Rat Pack caper from before man lands on the moon. Indeed a line of dialogue really dates the film: when Danny Ocean (played by Frank Sinatra) is asked why no-one's done the heist before if it's so fool-proof, he responds with "Same reason nobody's gone to the moon yet - no equipment. But we're equipped." The suave dialogue between the huge cast pops with 1960s swing culture whether it's through a sassy one-liner, an obvious set-up leading to a rewarding pay-off, or a smarts-riddle back and forth between men in sharp suits and slicked hairstyles.Naturally for a film from this era, there are more than a couple of moments which should be taken with a hefty pinch of feminist salt. In one scene, two of the gang are receiving massages and it's heavily suggested the two women are open to the idea of impromptu prostitution. In another, Sinatra tempts his estranged wife to get back together with him by sliding his hotel room key down the front of her dress. Finally, Dean Martin distracts an incredibly drunk women from heist activities by making advances on her. So yeah, not exactly up to 2018 post-Weinstein standards.The plot lurches from one conversation to the next and never really feels like it's going anywhere until suddenly they're undercover in the casinos spraying doors with invisible glow in the dark paint and rigging fuse boxes in preparation for the big one. Before you realise it, the lights have gone out and they're stuffing bags with cash. The heist itself is over in a matter of moments and the rest of the film focuses on the gang's attempts to avoid suspicions of a retired gangster hired by the casino bosses to get their money back (played by Cesar Romero, the man who would go on to play the Joker in the Batman TV series). He unsurprisingly turns the screw on the gang by blackmailing them for half their loot in return for his silence.The 'shocking twist' ending you're promised on the back of the DVD case was so predictable that I even joked "what if this happens?" - little did I know that I'd unintentionally ruined the surprise. As good as this film is, the remake is superior; a better use of the cast, a better script and a better reveal all contribute to a more enjoyable cinematic experience. What you get here is a slice of classic cool (and it is cool) with some great moments but an unsatisfying ending.Best Quote: *picking up the hotel room phone* "Hello, this is a recording. You've dialled the right number - now hang up and don't do it again!"

Python Hyena Ocean's 11 (1960): Dir: Lewis Milestone / Cast: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, Angie Dickinson: Too many characters introduced too quickly that can likely cause confusion. Setup is inspiring and details a structure regarding eleven men planning and robbing five casinos on New Years Eve. The ending is priceless and director Lewis Milestone does a fine job at keeping viewers interested. However, the cast stumble about with little to do but follow a plan. Frank Sinatra plays Daniel Ocean who heads the scheme while screwing over any chance at true happiness. He is joined by Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and a whole slew of others who felt the need to get rich quick. Not one of these individuals come across as anything other than a famous person trying to make this overrated film more important than it is just by having their name stamped on it. It is a well crafted film in terms of production and direction, but too many characters leave for little development. There is a strong theme dealt with rather amusingly regarding how plans can easily go astray and not exactly turn out as hoped. That is perhaps why the ending is the best aspect of the film. That, and it allows viewers to exit this travesty. Production made out better than the role call of actors where it has become apparent that three is no longer a crowd, eleven is. Score: 6 / 10

classicsoncall The writing and the technical stuff make the 2001 do-over a better and flashier movie to watch, but you can't beat the original for the star quality - Sinatra, Dino, Sammy Jr., Lawford, Bishop, Angie - all the original Rat Packers in full glory. It's an OK movie, but even as a caper flick, the emphasis is more on the real-life camaraderie of the players than on the story itself. My summary line pretty much tells the story; all these guys were in a class by themselves at the top of the heap in Hollywood and the entertainment industry of the era.It was kind of interesting to catch the names of the headliners appearing at the five casinos targeted for the big heist in the story. None of them, except maybe for Danny Thomas and Red Skelton, were as big as the principals in the flick. And since I mention Skelton, his cameo was written very poorly I thought. He was made out to be a boorish dolt and a slug when his real persona was just the opposite. What a wasted moment.Now if you think about the story to any degree, a whole lot of things don't make much sense. How for example, did Dean Martin show up as a lounge act at one of the casinos? That was never explained unless I missed it. The back and forth intrusions by Richard Conte's character into secure areas to rig the wiring at the various showplaces relied on a lot of coincidental timing with his co-conspirators and nothing really ever interrupted his progress. Nothing ever goes that smooth. And then, as far as blowing the whole thing with the money in the coffin gimmick, since when does a coffin get cremated along with the body? If anything, that could have been written with Cesar Romero and the undertaker figuring things out and splitting the big pot between them.But in the end, how much of that really matters? This was the Rat Pack in full battle mode and they pulled it off without really pulling it off. They all had a good time, and probably even a better one off the set while trolling Las Vegas for real between filming. Sammy Davis Jr's. self-effacing comment probably said it best to sum up the feel-good camaraderie between himself and the rest of the Rat Packers - "I knew this color would come in handy some day."

zardoz-13 Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Peter Lawford play former World War II, 82nd Airborne Army paratrooper pals in Lewis Milestone's heist classic "Ocean's Eleven" who knock off the top five casinos in Sin City on New Year's Eve. This elegant, amoral, but indulgent robbery saga spends its first hour assembling the principals and doping out the plan much to the chagrin of criminal mastermind Spyros Acebos. Our heroes concoct an elaborate scheme to rob the Sands, the Riviera, the Sahara, the Desert Inn, and the Flamingo during an electrical blackout after a key transmission tower is blown-up out in the desert. Electronics wizard Richard Conte wires everything so our heroes have an easy go of taking millions. They rely on some pretty sophisticated gear in this early 1960s opus. For example, they mark everything with an infrared spray gun so they know precisely where to go during the blackout. In fact, when they wear special glasses, they can literally see the markings either around the doors or footsteps on the floor to guide them to their destination. Sadly, the Rat Pack never had a chance because Hollywood frowned on thieves enjoying their spoils. Our guys pull off the ultimate heist but they lose the loot in the last scene. Nelson Riddle's orchestral theme music is quite captivating. Red Skelton has an interesting cameo where he plays a player who cannot limit his gambling. George Raft plays one of the casino managers. Cesar Romero is splendid as a calculating character named Duke Santas hired by the casinos to ferret out the robbers. The characters are sketched with enough detail to make them interesting.