Comments on: The Essentials: The Films Of Steven Soderbergh

By: Clay Castille

Clay Castille — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:21:15 +0000

I for one think Ocean's 12 is underrated. I'm not calling it Top Tier Soderbergh, not at all, but within the context of the series, I'm happy to see the Playlist give it even this much love. Yes, the seams begin to show, but any phony feelings are purged by the magnetism of the cast. I remember reading interviews with Pitt and Damon during filming and it didn't sound pressured at all (for better and for worse). They spent a lot of time at Clooney's home on Lake Cuomo, boating, swimming, etc. Having a blast. The chemistry shows on screen and in my eyes makes it the most honest of the Ocean's films. It is the only one of the three that comes close to acknowledging what they are, a one big 2 hour long A-list wankfest. Forget 13 with its earthquake machine, a bizarrely bed-ridden Elliot Gould and Matt Damon's fake nose. 12 was the cast and Soderbergh at their loosest and wildest without descending into parody (and also saccharine nostalgia). A strange, kooky meta-movie in which our world's biggest movie stars weren't just paid to look like they're having a blast with each other, it's up on the screen, the heist is on all of us.

By: Richard313

Richard313 — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:21:15 +0000

It should also be said, Soderbergh provides some of best director commentaries ever on his films. Each one is a master class in filmmaking. Its a shame we did not get commentaries on Contagion or Mike.

By: Glass

Glass — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:21:15 +0000

Holyshit!! Awesome retrospective. That's a shitload of work, guys. Soderbergh will always be one of my favorite directors, and I'm really glad he's retiring, in a weird way. I'd rather he stop now instead of making the work of an obviously bored artist. So happy he's on twitter now, too.

By: rodie

rodie — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:21:15 +0000

Great summary of Soderbergh's career. I'll just add that anyone who hasn't seen Schizopolis, do so now. There's a great Criterion version. It's such a hilarious movie. Incredibly low budget, shot completely in Baton Rouge. If someone like Bill Murray had starred in the film, instead of Soderbergh himself, then it would be a cult classic today! To us Soderbergh fans, it still is. Thank you Playlist.

By: jp

jp — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:21:15 +0000

Still think Matt Damon's turn in The Informant is his finest and one of my favorite performances of recent memory.

By: Stephen B

Stephen B — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:21:15 +0000

Although no DoP is credited, Schizopolis was Soderbergh's first time serving as cinematographer.

The Underneath has a couple of great scenes, especially the sequence with the is-he-or-isn't-he? hit man in the hospital room. Also think Haywire is better than a C+, but everything else is pretty dead-on.

By: Damian

Damian — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:21:15 +0000

Ellen Barkin is in Ocean's Thirteen, not Burstyn…