It's-A-Heist: Oceans 13

Ok, I was on vacation last week. I contemplated taking my DVD player along but opted to just to enjoy the stay. Back to it and finishing off the Oceans flicks.

Oceans 13

How long have I owned it: Like I said in the 12 post, I believe I bought these while I was in Graduate school (around 2008 or 2009)

What memories/emotions does it elicit: I remember going to see this one in the movie theater with one of my friends who was also a big fan of the series. I remember being nervous because 12 was iffy but glad to have those fears squelched. I enjoyed it IMMENSELY. It was a definite throw back to the format of "11" that I had come to love.

Lights, Camera, Action: Like I said before, I have just come home from vacation and family gatherings over the last week and am eager to get back to my project. Especially since this is only my 10th film and I started this a month ago. :) Got a loooong way to go to finish.

After Thoughts: OK, so my memory served me well. This movie returns to the "stick to the man" format of "11" centering on the crew seeking to avenge one of its own -- against a guy who shook Sinatra's hand and should know better. There is a twist in the format as you get caught up with the team midway as they trying to figure out how to modernize their tactics. I love this as it has been 6 years since the first movie and it shows the creators have a sense of humor about how "old school" the crews' tactics were in the first film. But of course, these fellas are pros and know how to make it work (Tim Gun would be proud -- I think). Knowing the ending helps you pick out twists the plot that first viewing you miss. This film continues the witty banter that keeps me smiling. I especially long the relationship woes discussed by Danny & Rusty and the brotherly "love" between Virgil & Turk -- hey, I am a marriage and family therapist after all. Plus, we all know "the nose plays." Love that this one ends very similarly to the first with the crew enjoying their victory together. This movie just makes me smile... and want to take a trip to Vegas. :)

Verdict: Keeper

**TGMGT Seven Degrees: Same cast as Oceans 11 & 12.**

It's-a-Heist: Oceans 12

Oceans 12

How long have I owned it: A while (I think I got 12 and 13 at the same time) probably got it during Grad school

Memories/emotions it elicits: I don't remember the first time I watched this but I remember being disappointed and concerned about future Oceans movies. I still love the characters and will probably have more comments after watching it again.

Lights, Camera, Action: I have plans to finish the Oceans flicks this weekend (possibly tonight, Friday) as I watched the first one the beginning of the week and in the mood for thinky-fun movies.

After thoughts: I think want makes this sequel NOT work is that it has flow issues. It seems disconnected from the essence of the first movie and there are a lot of plot twists with the multiple jobs and competition with the Night Fox. Also, visually this movie it dark, like literally lots of scenes in dimly lit rooms that don't really make sense to me. Ok, so the reasons I still enjoy this movie include continued wittiness of the dialog, the funny scene with Matsui's "lost in translation," and of course the "looky-loo with a bundle of joy."

Verdict: Keeper

**TGMGT Seven degrees: Yeah, pretty much repeat cast from Oceans 11.

It's-a-Heist: Oceans 11

A heist is a robbery from an institution such as a bank or a museum, or any robbery in which there is a large haul of loot.

Oceans 11

How long have I owned it: Long time, no idea. Post undergrad

Memories/emotions it elicits: I so enjoy this movie -- in college when I would watch I would tell my friends it made me want to go knock off a convenience store (cause a casino was waaay out of my league). This is one of those movies you can (and should) watch more than once... and I've even watched it once with the commentary on featuring Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Andy Garcia -- hilarious! Oh and this movie is the reason I love Claire de Lune not the books/movies about sparkly vampires.

Lights, Camera, Action: I had this movie pulled to watch over the weekend but never got to it. (I watched Monday afternoon and just got to finishing this post.)

After thoughts: This movie is so great. I love so many things about it especially the amazing emseble cast -- do enjoy those, especailly with so many good-looking I mean excellent-acting fellas. There are so many subtle nuiances and wit in this movie that make it so fantastic. There are so many things I love about this movie that it is hard to put down without going on and on (probably why it's taken me all week to finish this post). The scene at the end of the movie by the water fountain is probably one of my favorites of all time featuring Claire de Lune (as I mentioned before).

Verdict: Keeper

**TGMGT Seven Degrees: Carl Reiner is father to Rob Reiner who directed When Harry Met Sally.