“Ocean’s Thirteen” Review

It’s a heist movie. It has Brad Pitt in it. And it also stars George Clooney, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac and other heavy weights like Al Pacino; and Oprah! And even my mom has watched Ocean’s eleven and twelve. So, Ocean’s thirteen was eagerly anticipated – and the slick promos definitely attracted attention. But there is no Julia Roberts, no Catherine Zeta Jones and no pizzazz. Half the movie and all my popcorn was consumed before I figured out who the twelfth and thirteenth guys are. No, I am not telling you.

I definitely enjoyed the movie, but on the whole, it was all pretty difficult to swallow. I don’t even think the actors were acting; it was more like they were coasting. And they knew something we don’t because it looked like they were having fun, and we were on the ride but not in on the joke.

For the story: One of the original eleven, Reuben (Elliott Gould) is robbed by Bank (Al Pacino) who is opening a new Casino called The Bank in Las Vegas. The others launch a revenge operation to bankrupt The Bank, damage it’s reviews and make some money while they’re at it. Half way through they run out of funds to pull off this operation, due to heavy investments like an earthquake creator (sigh, I am not kidding) and they approach someone- go on, make a guess – for more funding. Towards the end, they succeed and the movie shows the maturing of the character Linus (charmingly played by Matt Damon, who really is one of my favourite actors). George Clooney and Brad Pitt are still the leaders of the pack.

I liked the design of the Bank building, the slick technology of the movie, and it’s pace. I liked the actors. I loved the part where Danny Ocean (George Clooney) is as lost with the high-tech stuff as we are and sort of pretends to understand, but Brad Pitt sees through it and explains to him. Hey, if Clooney had trouble with it, I am only human J

I enjoyed the movie enough to want another instalment – I’d love to see an Ocean’s 14 – but minus the earthquake machine type unbelievable stuff, please. And bring Julia Roberts back!

Coastal Andhra

I am vacationing in Coastal Andhra right now and yesterday I discovered the simple pleasures that nature can give to us. We were sight-seeing, and got caught by a surprise monsoon shower. I just stopped on a bridge and looked down on the river Godavari – rain splattering on to the river, creating ripples in the current, while the river itself danced its way under the bridge, and trees swaying on the banks. The strength of nature, so tightly leashed, was amazing. Just a little stronger wind, or a harder rain, or a more full Godavari, and there would be a flood. But right now, everything was so pleasant. I saw two men on a tiny boat, covering their heads with tarpaulin, rowing their way to the shore, and when I realized I was drenched, I was actually surprised, because the rain was so warm I had not even felt it pouring over me.

I am thankful for having had this simple pleasure. I felt, a little fancifully, as if the heavens had opened up and given me a gift, one that can only form a part of my memories.

People don’t really think about Coastal Andhra as a vacation spot, and definitely Andhra tourism has done nothing to promote it, but it is really worthwhile to spend a few days here admiring the hundreds of tributaries of Godavari, the magnificent architecture of the temples, and the emerald green paddy fields. Until I came here I did not even realise that the colour green could have so many shades! Or that ripples could be created by raindrops in a current so rapid that the water positively foams.