Ocean's Dozen't

I'm a big fan of Ocean's Eleven, and really any movie like it--smooth characters, stylish clothes, sexy cons--the kind of movie that's so cool it makes you feel cool for liking it. Yes, I realize how pathetic that sounds, but I own my lameness. So naturally I was as stoked about Ocean's Twelve as the rest of the pathetic movie-obsessed public. I saw it in the theater and had a great time. I wasn't really sure I caught everything, but I considered it that much cooler for having out-smarted me. I was surprised to read several negative opinions by reviewers who had loved the first one. They said it felt phoned-in, lazy, less like a movie and more like a bunch of movie stars romping around Europe acting cool and expecting regular Americans to be enthralled by nothing more than their transcontinental coolness. I can understand that point of view, and I partially agree with it, but none of that diminished my enjoyment of the movie. In fact, it was that very quality of breezy nonchalance that I was looking for. That's a big part of why I go to the movies and why I love that kind of movie. I am thoroughly taken in by George Clooney and Brad Pitt exchanging witty repartee in designer suits on the deck of an Italian villa. As I say, I can understand why jaded movie critics would be inclined to roll their eyes and say "get over yourselves," but the average movie-goer gets vicarious enjoyment watching movie stars do what only they can do, even if we know it's not real. Lisa Schwartzbaum of Entertainment Weekly said it felt like the real fun was had behind the scenes; this just made me more stoked for the DVD release.
Then I rented the DVD... not a single special feature. no behind the scenes making-of doc, no interviews with cast and crew, no featurettes on costume, set design, cinematography. zilch. unless you count the theatrical trailer, which is really just proof that Ms. Schwartzbaum was right. apparently the filmmakers did think movie fans would be more than satisfied watching beautiful faces in beautiful locales, and not care enough to wonder where the plot twists came from, or even if they make sense logically and fit together chronologically. On that last point I'm still not sure after two viewings.
But I will figure it out, because of course I bought it anyway. I haven't opened it yet, so maybe the copies for purchase are loaded with special features, but I work for Blockbuster and I've never heard of that, so I doubt it. Come to think of it, the only other big-budget movie I know of with no special features on the DVD is The Terminal, which was also released for sale as a super-deluxe edition that you had to shell out $30 for if you wanted to see how the film was made. And now that I mention it, The Terminal was another sub-standard movie that seemed like it would have been more interesting behind the camera than it was in front. Maybe this is a new tactic for smart directors and actors who know that their latest work is fluff: load the fun stuff onto a special edition and charge an extra $10 for "backstage access". Now I feel even more had.
But this basically sums up my unhealthy love affair with movies. I know I'm being taken advantage of, but I just keep coming back for more. The allure of that glamorous lifestyle is a powerful force, even when the movie isn't as glitzy as Ocean's Twelve. just the thought of getting paid millions to play dress-up, essentially, is enough to make me reach for the already-thin wallet so that I can own a piece of that experience, on a shiny new disc in a glossy package. My wife wonders why I insist on buying movies that I'll likely never watch. that's a big part of it. of course there are other reasons that I love movies and spend my Blockbuster money on them, but that's another blog for another time. Right now I have to go set up my third viewing, because why the heck did they need that whole lookeeloo scheme with Julia Roberts?!?