Oceans 11

viewed July 18, 2000 on VHS   Full Details

I got a hold of this 1960s Rat Pack flick in anticipation of the remake that is in the works with George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg (already their third film together in two years). This film, which was supposed to lay out the Rat Pack code in entertaining terms, is a huge disappointment.  The scenes play painfully out like self-conscious home movies with the actors drawing out the dialogue, deliberately trying to project an image of tough-talking, ultra-hip Vegas cats putting together one big score.  There is really nothing to recommend other than for the sake of studying how Frank Sinatra tried to redefine himself once again, this time as a smooth-talking, woman bashing Rat as the definition of lounge culture cool.  Doesn't come off right with me.

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