O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?: Has a certain amount of charm and humor, but the story rambles without  direction in this tale of escaped convicts during the Depression.  Not the best by the Coen Brothers, but has some nice performances, especially by George Clooney as a cheerful rogue.  And the toe-tapping old country music is a pleasant surprise. movie seen 4/11/01  
RECOMMEND: Sweet and Lowdown is an affectionate Depression era tale of the second best guitar player in the world and his many failings.  Sean Penn gives another amazing performances as the lovable amoral doofus, whose genius comes through his fingers as he plays the guitar.  A surprising movie from Woody Allen. 
Ocean's Eleven: Is an attempt to remake the fun, 60's "cool" heist movie.  Unfortunately though this one has all the bells and whistles with a great director, large important cast, great sets and effects, but it just fizzles out like a Coke that's been sitting in the sun for hours.  I finally decided that the problem was that there was no tension in the story telling; the whole heist goes just too smoothly and I felt none of the pins and needle thrills that you need to make a really fun ride.  But, it's not horrible, just not as good as it could have been (it's not a good sign when I am checking my watch in the theater half way through to see how much longer the movie will be).  movie seen 12/7/01   
RECOMMEND: The Original Ocean's Eleven is a little curio movie that was more of an excuse for the Rat Pack to get together in Vegas for fun and games, then to make a great movie.  But, despite that, it has remained an enjoyable little treat and I  found an underlining touch of pathos in some of the characters and love the twist ending.  Sorry, George, you got the looks, but Frank has the cool!
Ocean's Thirteen: Is a new tale of revenge set in Vegas, but the plot is so unbelievable and hard to follow that it is sometimes frustrating.  However, the chemistry of the team is fun to watch with the addition of scene stealing Pacino and there are some very amusing sub-plots, particularly at a plant in Mexico.  So I found it still entertaining; in fact several people clapped at the end of the movie.  So, Soderbergh and guys, you are forgiven for Ocean's Twelve.  Now go forth and do more original movies - don't wear out the magic.  seen 6/8/07

Some other movies with similar storylines:
The Sting (1944); Inside Man (2006)
Ocean's Twelve: Is a new tale of revenge set in Vegas, but the plot is so unbelievable and hard to follow that it is sometimes frustrating.  However, the chemistry of the team is fun to watch with the addition of scene stealing Pacino and there are some very amusing sub-plots, particularly at a plant in Mexico.  I found it still entertaining and in fact several people clapped at the end of the movie.  So, Soderbergh and guys, you are forgiven for Ocean's Twelve.  Now go forth and do more original movies - don't wear out the magic.    movie seen 12/13/04 
RECOMMEND: Rififi is the original caper film noire movie about a jewelry heist that goes tragically wrong, that has many much imitated scenes.  It was done on a small budget, but with a tight script and filming, it has become a classic.  If you can get past the sub-titles, a high recommend.
One Hour Photo: Robin Williams has given another amazing, mesmerizing performance as a creepy guy who works at a photo developing counter.  He becomes obsessed with a family through the photos he develops for them, to the point of going over the deep end.  I don't want to give too much away, but expect to see his name in the Oscar nominations this year for this role.  Scary, scary film when you think how much information about our lives we give to strangers with our photos.  movie seen 9/14/02   
RECOMMEND: Taxi Driver is the classic 70's film of obsession (so classic that it lead to the shooting of Reagan).   Robert De Niro becomes Travis Brickle who falls for the lovely Cybill Shepherd character and who befriends the prostitute played by a young Jodie Foster.  His "Are You Talking to Me?" scene is now part of our culture.  One of Martin Scorsese's best and Bernard Herrmann's last soundtrack.  (And the stalking character portends the problem many celebrities have experienced in the last 20 years, sadly to the point of death.  )
ONE TRUE THING:   Renee Zellweger portrays a daughter who comes to re-evaluate her own life and values when she reluctantly returns home to nurse her dying mother played by Merle Streep. Expect to see both this ladies nominated for Oscars for their strong performances. Renee has especially come into her own after the promise she showed in "Jerry McGuire" - her face expresses the story without a word being said. Merle gives strength and dignity to what at first seems like a cartoon wife. The script is well written and for the well-worn path of mother-daughter relationships, this travels some fresh paths. Strong recommend - bring your hankies.
RECOMMEND:  There are many to pick from, but Joan Crawford's MILDRED PIERCE has always been a favorite. Joan's Oscar winner shows her as a divorced mother who pulls herself up by her own labor into wealth, then begins to lose it all to a devious daughter. It's great soap opera.
The Other Boleyn Girl: Unfortunately one of the great historical stories of passion and perhaps love, becomes a bit of a limp noodle in this movie, due to the miscasting of Eric Bana as King Henry VIII, as he lacks the fire to play the role.   I also thought that Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson should have traded places as Ann and Mary Boleyn.  I couldn't quite buy Natalie as the devious seductress.  Despite my disappointments in the casting, the story is eternally interesting, so I did enjoy that part of the movie: the conniving for prestige in the royal court and the willingness to use their family members to achieve that goal.  So, not great, but is O.K.  Recommend better versions of the story: "A Man for All Seasons" (1964) or "Anne of a Thousand Days" (1969)  Seen 2/29/08
THE OTHERS: Has all the elements of a good spooky story - a dark mysterious house, people who act in strange ways, and things that go bump on the night, but...  It is slow and unfortunately the thrills and chills are few and far between and the payoff ending has long been telegraphed.  The story takes place in an eerie old house in 1945 with new servants coming to the house of a young mother and her two children, who cannot be exposed to daylight.  Nicole Kidman does a nice job as the strange mother along with fine support by Fionnula Flanagan, as one of the servants.  Noble attempt, but not as successful as it could be.  movie seen 8/25/01 
RECOMMEND: The Innocents is an excellent version of Henry James "The Turn of the Screw".  Deborah Kerr plays a governess who may or may not being specters.  It has many of the elements of "The Others", but this film works and has become a classic of the genre.
OUT OF SIGHT: George Clooney has finally grown into his reputation with this movie. He plays a sexy, smart, bad guy, who even has a small sense of decency. The story revolves around his relationship with a tough federal marshall played by Jennifer Lopez. The movie has the same loop-de-loop story telling that made PULP FICTION so famous. But, this story is more low key, though has amusing characters in it, like GET SHORTY did. Be on the look out for several well-known actors in cameos throughout the movie. (And Detroiters will recognize many sights in the second half of the movie, which was taken from an Elmore Leonard novel.)
RECOMMEND: See Cary Grant in MR. LUCKY play a sexy, smart, bad guy who has a sense of decency. Of course it takes a society gal and World War II to "cure" him, but it is a performance I have come to appreciate more as I get older. I do believe that Mr. Grant was often overlooked as a real actor since he did so many comedies.
THE OUT-OF-TOWNERS:  Another lukewarm remake.  Goldie Hawn shows a lot of charm and John Cleese has the best lines and scenes, but they cannot save the rambling, unbelievable plot twists.  (How many people can walk away from destroying a fish market with only a $2200 bill for damage to a car?) There were some chuckles, but not enough to recommend.  movie seen 4/2/99    
RECOMMEND: The original filming of The Out of Towners has become a bit of a cult film.  Sandy Dennis plays the wife with a sweet resilience and her "Oh, George" cry and "weak ankles" complaint are classics.  Jack Lemmon's angry defiance of their travails is both annoying and funny.  This version certainly rings truer than the remake and still works after 30 years.
Over the Hedge: Is a cute story of a rascally raccoon, who gets in trouble with a bear, so he takes up with a band of critters waking up from their winter hibernation to find that suburbia has surrounded them.  There is a nice blend of jokes for kids and adults and it had me chuckling through most of it.  It doesn't have the emotional level of "Little Nemo", but is worth seeing for a bit of family entertainment.  seen 5/25/06
RECOMMEND: Once Upon a time is a charming Cary Grant fable about a washed up musical producer who discovers a young boy who has dancing caterpillar.  It is funny with wry and touching humor and a moral at the end about what's really important.