Enjoy this Monday with Mildred and A 241 Review!

Ocean’s Eight

Review by Mildred

For the second time in a row, I went to the theater in the middle of a massive rainstorm.  Fortunately, this time I didn’t spend hours soaked to the skin while watching a fun heist film starring some of the best actresses today, and a lot of really big name cameos.

Having learned their lesson from the marketing debacle that became the fanboy embarrassment of the women’s Ghostbusters reboot, the makers of Ocean’s Eight sent out the actresses to charm the world and create a little buzz.  I don’t know if this will generate sales, and I watched with very few people, but I’m going to keep my fingers crossed that the film does well enough to create other opportunities for more women’s movies. They are obviously different than the standard men’s movies we’ve been accustomed to the last hundred and twenty years, and I want to see more.

I suspect a lot of people will rank on Ocean’s Eight because it’s not a line for line remake of Ocean’s 11. They should just go watch that one again. Of course there are similarities like a huge heist and large number of specialized thieves. Even better, there are some strong differences. The key lies in a line delivered by Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) who says there will be no men on the crew because men get noticed and women don’t. The men were brash, technological and forced people to do what they wanted through various subterfuges. The women in this movie are somewhat technological but more methodical and organic in their approach and delivery, more anticipation than manipulation.

Also unlike the men’s film, we get a much longer buildup of the team. More foreplay if you will. Relationships between the women took more of the stage than the actual theft itself, which is unusual in a heist movie and delicious to watch.  One of the relationships is the mysterious, subtexty one between Debbie Ocean and her partner Lou (Cate Blanchett), the most glamorous butch I’ve ever seen. If you’re used to looking for that kind of thing, which I am, then that was delicious as well. The makers of Ocean’s Eight set out to make a women’s movie and they delivered. They also made a good heist film, and that makes me just as happy.

One thing I’m concerned about is the trailer, which promises a laugh riot. It is funny, but not a knee slapper. I was also bothered by any lack of real suspense for the thieves. This crew was a little too good. The pacing was somewhat slow for a caper, which normally zings along. It didn’t meander, but it definitely didn’t zing.

This is another drop of water falling on the stone, wearing away the sharp edges of established genre rules and I think giving us better choices. All of the actresses are a load of fun to watch, there are some nice twists at the end, and you will laugh a few times. I recommend seeing Ocean’s Eight if you liked Ocean’s 11 or the heist of the week TV show Leverage, especially if you’re looking for something a little different and fresh in a well used genre.

Mildred’s FAVORITE Ocean’s 8 related video: Sarah Paulson And Cate Blanchett Talk About ‘Ocean’s 8’ And Make Hoda Lose It | TODAY. (And yes admit it, good friends get silly like this all the time!! – CFR)

OCEAN’S 8 – Official 1st Trailer

Ocean’s Eight

Review by CFR

OVERALL: YES! I laughed out loud many times and so did my hubby. What a seamless beautiful movie.

POINTS: All of it. Seriously people, this movie was seamless. It flowed perfectly. The costumes, lighting, sets, make-up all were gorgeous. The humor never stopped (sorry Mildred but I did think it was a funny movie) and the heist – perfect. So good. Just like the other Ocean’s movies, it had delightful and surprising twists. Also hats off to all actresses and actors. Everyone did a great job.

PITFALLS: Can’t think of any.

FEMALE CHARACTER(S): Obviously. I mean just go to the Cast list and you will see amazing talent and lots of talented actresses. I salute them all. WELL DONE! Now do it again. Sequel please. Now yes the movie focused mostly on Debbie Ocean aka Sandra Bullock and her partner Lou aka Cate Blanchett. To salute them, I have a picture of them posted below. It sums up their relationship quite well.

CULTURAL PITFALL(S): None. If anything this movie made a point about women not being seen, which is why our heroines could get away with a lot. Fascinating.

HIGH POINT(S):

1.) Conversations sounded like me and my good friends.

2.) Acting. OMG it was flawless.

3.) Bubbles. (Trust me, you’ll understand once you’ve seen it.)

BECHDEL TEST (Website): 3 of 3. Big yes. 🙂

RACIAL BECHDEL TEST (Website): 3 of 3. Huzzah! 🙂

IMDB: Ocean’s 8 (2018)

OFFICIAL MOVIE WEBSITE:  Ocean’s 8

DVD/BLU-RAY WORTHY: YES!! I will also see it in the theater again!

LION PAW PRINTS:  3.5 of 5. Oh so good!

OCEAN’S 8 Official Trailer # 2 (NEW 2018) Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathaway Comedy Movie HD