With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Movie Preview Thursday: Ocean's 13, Surf's Up, Hostel: Part II...+ More
After a week without a sequel, we're back at it with the lovable scoundrels of "Ocean's 13". Sure, watching the same group of guys we've seen plunder Vegas and steal a Faberge egg plan another elaborate heist is rehashing already trodden ground, but I'll be damned if it isn't a good time. Add to that a torture-porn and another insufferable CG toon about penguins and we're in for an interesting weekend.
Ocean's 13 - After a slightly disappointing "Ocean's 12", Clooney is back as the rakish Danny Ocean with his rag-tag band of thieves. Per usual, Clooney is flanked by rapscallions Brad Pitt and Matt Damon (sporting a prosthetic nose in the previews) in another attempt to turn the tables on the house in Vegas. This time it looks like they'll be getting help from Andy Garcia, their mark from the first film. Thankfully, Julia Roberts and Catherine Zeta-Jones will be sitting this one out. In their place, a Mrs. Robinson-esque Ellen Barkin (set to win this year's "Isn't-she-super-hot-for-her-age" award. Time's up, Helen Mirren).
Steven Soderbergh once again takes the reins. I always appreciate the way he takes risks with his films, but lets hope he sticks to the script on this one and produces something more in the vein of "Out of Sight" and less like "The Good German".
Sponsored message
Hostel: Part II - Say what you want about Eli Roth's directing (Cabin Fever, Hostel), but the man is the best at what he does (sickening gore). Yeah, its over the top violence and sure, it's basically torture-porn, but he's good at it. No director can make you squirm in your seat with such regularity. He's back with part 2 in his "Hostel" series about Americans getting butchered over-seas. This time a trio of females discover the darker side of Eastern Europe. Before you go, understand that this is a hard R and not for the weak-of-stomach.
The rest of tomorrow's movies after the jump...
La Môme - Foreign language biopic about the life of French singer Edith Piaf. It covers the bases of the "musician biopic film" touching on her drinking/drug problem, the loss of the love of her life (Marcel Cerdan) and her relatively early death.
Surf's Up - Remember the days when animated films were hand drawn and featured a wide-range of humans, animals and inanimate (no pun intended) objects. No more, now they have to involve an ogre or a penguin to get green lit. Following in the tap-dancing footsteps of "Happy Feet", "Surf's Up" centers on Penguins doing something you wouldn't expect...surfing! Apparently, penguins founded the sport and hold an annual competition that we're lucky enough to see through the eyes of a "documentary crew". And since its been more than a month since "Disturbia" and we're still a whole three-and-a-half weeks away from "Transformers", Shia Lebouf is due to headline something (this time, as an up-and-coming surfing penguin named, I kid you not, Cody Maverick).
You're Gonna Miss Me - Documentary about the "13th Floor Elevators", the band that founded the term psychedelic rock back int he 60's. The movie documents their rise and fall (apparently drugs were involved in both, surprise).
At LAist, we focus on what matters to our community: clear, fair, and transparent reporting that helps you make decisions with confidence and keeps powerful institutions accountable.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
