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Friday, February 27, 2009

Film 10 / 40 / 70

Posted by Paul Constant on Fri, Feb 27, 2009 at 3:50 PM

e456/1235766992-oceans_twelve_2004_1.gif Stephen Elliott at The Rumpus points to Digital Poetics' new film-reviewing experiment: 10 / 40 / 70. They freeze-frame the film ten minutes, forty minutes, and seventy minutes in and review the film based on those frames. It's an interesting little constraint-based reviewing system.

Unfortunately, the first film is Ocean's Twelve, which I recall as a messy, arrogant piece of shit that was gorgeously and inventively shot. The 10 / 40 / 70 method seems to point in other directions:

Generally considered the weakest in the trilogy (Entertainment Weekly ranked it as one of the 25 worst sequels of all time) it is in fact one of Steven Soderbergh's strongest films, apart from The Limey (1999), which is his best. Julia Roberts playing Julia Roberts, and all the complications that ensue, hearken back to the Jerry Lewis / Dean Martin movies.

This reviewing technique is an interesting idea, and it's already achieved the unthinkable by making me want to watch Ocean's Twelve again.

Comments (11) RSS

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I doubt it would do much for musical numbers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5TiTmeJP…

Posted by Jim Demetre on February 27, 2009 at 4:08 PM

I'll go to this when they screen a decent film.

"A messy, arrogant piece of shit" is far too kind.

Posted by anonymous on February 27, 2009 at 4:12 PM

The scene in the bar where Matt Damon recites "Stairway to Heaven" in an attempt to fit into the "coded messages" between the hoods.

What was that ?!

Posted by I Didn't Get It ! on February 27, 2009 at 5:39 PM

Don't do it, man! I'd rather tweeze out all my ass hair than watch that movie again.

Posted by bearseatbeats on February 27, 2009 at 5:58 PM

The second one was inventive, funny and indeed well-shot. The THIRD was a TURD and Pacino's worst.

Posted by Dan on February 27, 2009 at 6:15 PM

I liked Ocean's Twelve. It is actually better with a second viewing, when you don't have to devote any brain space to understanding the plot and can actually enjoy watching rich gorgeous people having a good time.

Posted by actual size on February 27, 2009 at 6:24 PM

I agree with the last two. It wasn't bad and definitely better than the third.

Posted by Renton Mike on February 27, 2009 at 7:07 PM

Yes! "The Limey" is one of the best ever - as well as Soderberg's best.

Posted by elbowspeak on February 27, 2009 at 7:50 PM

"Solaris." Seriously.

Posted by Big Sven on February 27, 2009 at 10:32 PM

Paul Constant trashing Ocean's Twelve.... Way to go man... Thanks for injecting your opinion where clearly unneeded, again. As always.
I am so sick of the Paul Constant show....
Does he ever stopp offering his opinion?
Is his life one giant op-ed?

Posted by constantly annoying on February 28, 2009 at 1:33 AM

Oceans Twelve is a great little caper flick once you see it a second time. It takes the 60's format and conventions seriously and threw a lot of people off expecting a conventional sequel. I thought 13 was just ok and lony because of the great 70s style camera work. I would love to see a 14 using 80s conventions with all that implies. Something of a Michael Mann vibe crossed with comedy.

Posted by Josh on March 2, 2009 at 7:14 AM