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Oceans 8

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      If you like the genre of greedy criminals being the "good-guys" then Oceans 8 will have some appeal for you. Nevertheless, wait to frivolously spend your 110 minutes of precious life and watch Oceans 8 on a couch in your family room. Skip the theater. Watching endless scenes of Sandra Bullock looking like one of the Witches of Eastwick deserves multiple breaks for snacking.
      Oceans 8 was a bit like putting together a jigsaw puzzle that doesn't have a picture. It would be complicated, time consuming, at times tediously boring, and when you done you're not left with anything pretty.
      The hook for this film was, of course, that this was a female replacement of the almost all male Oceans trilogy led by George Clooney and the 1960 original Oceans 11 starring Frank Sinatra. That has a certain sense about it given current social considerations. I would have much preferred, however, to have it be an all female original instead of trying to be a sequel with a twist.
      It is just another example of investment money preceding creative thinking.
      The all-star female cast was fun and talented, but even the clever characters got bogged down in the absurdly technical detail of the caper. I didn't find this Ocean remotely believable. Think of Sandra Bullock coming out of a 5 year stint in the Pen having figured out how to throw together an I-Phone 11. It's about as believable as that, and I am willing to stretch my imagination like it was hot mozzarella.
       Save your pennies. Sandra can wait for Netflix.


3 Stinks - 2 Winks

Comments

  1. Isn’t it fun to write a review for something you don’t like (unless it’s local community theater and then it’s tread politely)? Haven’t seen the film yet so can’t comment on your criticisms. I do have questions though - was this your wife’s movie choice and do the two of you share the same opinion about it? I ask because when my husband and I watch a genre I favor, he often comments “that could never happen” or “that is not logical.” Not only is that annoying, it begs the question of whether or not the script has a storyline that is absorbing. While questioning its components, he is loses track of its flavors and flow. Yes, I am well aware that a reviewer is supposed to maintain a critical perspective; however, considering the audience for which the film is intended is another important element. Sometimes suspending belief is the best way to experience art.

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    1. Since my daughter bought us each a Movie Pass (provoking my "reviews") I discriminate much less than I would otherwise. So seeing this with Jan (which I did) was more coincidence. I probably would have anyway. Your point is still well taken regarding some people getting derailed by questionable detail. That could apply to me, but I can think of movies I've seen and liked with plenty complexity that defies reality (just about every Tom Cruise movie for example). I am always seduced by a good story. It's possibly in the absence of that good story where the "components" become tedious. As you suggest, I review these films for fun and to have just another excuse to write. They're unashamedly subjective, so they might be saying as much about me as the film.

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