Skip to main content

New Release Birb: Ocean's 8

Ocean's 8
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, and Anne Hathaway
Co-Written and Directed by Gary Ross
US Release Date: June 8th, 2018
My First Viewing: June 7th, 2018

 Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett lead an ensemble cast in Gary Ross' Ocean's 8, which is the first in the franchise since 2007's Ocean's Thirteen. 

 Bullock plays Debbie Ocean, the sister of George Clooney's Danny Ocean who we learn in the first five minutes of the movie has passed away. Debbie (much like Danny in Ocean's 11) has spent the last five year's in jail and is out on parole. Blanchett plays Lou, Debbie's former partner in crime. As soon as Debbie gets out, she has a plan to make pull off a heist to steal a Cartier diamond necklace from actress Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway) while she attends the Met Gala. 

 This is an okay film that would have been better without the Ocean's name tagged to it. You could have made a fun, female-led heist film without having to resort to having to hinge your box office bets on already existing IP. Going in expecting it to be just like the previous Ocean's movies, you end up missing a lot of the humor and sleekness that came with Steven Soderbergh's versions. Elliott Gould and Shaobo Qin make gratuitous cameos to remind us that this is, in fact, an Ocean's movie, which could have been erased from the film and no one would be the wiser. Call it, and Debbie, by any other name, and you could have had more freedom to make this a lot more interesting.  

 That being said, I did enjoy the film as a whole, with the chemistry of the ensemble making this a moderately enjoyable ride. Helena Bonham-Carter as the quirky fashion designer Rose Wiel, Rihanna as hacker Nine-Ball, and Sarah Paulson as the straight-laced Tammy are the standout performances to watch for. 

 Ocean's 8 is rated PG-13 for language, drug use, and suggestive content. What were your thoughts on the film? Follow me on facebook and instagram and let me know what you think. 
-birb 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

New Release Birb- A Fantastic Woman

A Fantastic Woman (Una Mujer Fantástica) Starring: Daniela Vega and Francisco Reyes Directed By Sebastián Lelio US Release Date: November 17, 2017 My First Viewing: March 2, 2018 A nominee for Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards, A Fantastic Woman stars Daniela Vega as Marina, a woman who is dealing with grief and the prejudice of those around her life after the death of her older partner.  This is a beautiful movie that is carried by Vega. She makes this movie so profoundly powerful that you feel with her through her journey, even if this is not something a lot of people can directly relate to. Marina has a difficult enough time in her life dealing with the death of her partner Orlando (Francisco Reyes), but with this being a relationship with a much older man and a trans woman, there are added layers. Between the police, doctors, and Orlando's family, Marina has a lot to deal with, but she is strong and isn't afraid to fight for what she believes ...
Post a Comment
Read more

New Release Birb: I, Tonya

I, Tonya Starring: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, and Allison Janney Directed By: Craig Gillespie US Release Date: December 8th, 2017 My First Viewing: September 16th, 2017 Image Credit: Movieposters.com Underneath the surface of the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan story lies the movie I, Tonya. Harding, played by McKenna Grace (child) and Margot Robbie (age 15 and older), is one of many unreliable narrators in this saga of wanting to be perfect at something because that is all you know, and it is a release from her everyday life.  Shown in a pseudo-documentary interview style, we see the story of Harding, the abuse she had to deal with, whether it be more mental from her mother (Allison Janney), which turned into psychical once she began dating, and marrying, Jeff Gillooly (Sebastian Stan). All three can not be trusted as to whether or not their side of the story is the truth, which makes this film all the more compelling. Even though you think you know how Harding's story...
Post a Comment
Read more

Best Picture Birb- Darkest Hour

Darkest Hour Starring: Gary Oldman, Lily James, and Kristin Scott Thomas Directed By Joe Wright US Release Date: November 22nd, 2017 Most Recent Viewing: March 3rd, 2018 Image Credit: movieposter.com Nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Actor (Gary Oldman) and Best Picture, Joe Wright's Darkest Hour follows the days after Winston Churchill became Prime Minister amidst the pressure of Hitler's advance France and Great Britain during World War II. This is a good movie that is elevated to a great one on the back of Oldman's performance of Churchill. He is unrecognizable in the role, which takes talent. When actors play historical figures, it appears as the actor playing the figure. That is not the case here. From the first time you see him on screen, you see Churchill, not Oldman.  The cinematography, score, and costume design also add to the appeal of the film. Joe Wright has a knack for long shots and interesting camera work, and you feel a real ten...
Post a Comment
Read more