Inception (this is a spoiler, people)

So, you've seen Inception, right? If not, stop reading immediately.

I have to say, this is the coolest movie I've seen in years. And we watch a LOT of movies. I have high expectations for films these days. I think it's because I'm getting grouchy in my old age about spending valuable hours watching shit movies. Predictability (i.e. Avatar) is NOT cool - however, the effects made up for it. I don't like plot lines that are lacking in substance (i.e. Legion) or movies that literally make me fall asleep (i.e. Men Who Stare at Goats).  But Inception... WOW. Like, seriously. You must use your brain while watching this movie. The girl next to me in the theater said "I don't get it" dozens of times, so I'm sure she hated this movie. You have to be a least a tad smart.

OK, so, you've seen it... what do you think happens to the totem at the end? Does it keep spinning? Or does it fall over?

Here's what I think: it keeps spinning. First of all, the movie doesn't tell us how long he's been away from his kids... but we can assume it's been a while, right? Why aren't they any older? And would they really be out playing just like they were in his dreams? And, would they really be home alone?

Also, we don't actually see Cobb get out of limbo, and he doesn't make it out of the van in the second level. Juno (er um... Ariadne) tells Arthur that "he'll be alright" when they all make it out and he doesn't. I think she knows that A) Cobb drown (died) in the van and is stuck in limbo with Saito or B) If he somehow does make it out, Saito has been stuck there long enough that his mind is gone and he will never be able to make the call to get Cobb home. So, Ariadne knows the only way Cobb will be happy is to live in his dream... and she resolves to leave him there, hence "he'll be alright."

Cobb then creates the last scene of the movie in his limbo... and becomes the architect of his own world again.

What do YOU think? Tell me. (please)

Movie Reviews

I adored this book by Audrey Niffenegger. It's one of those reads that I just didn't want to end and when it did, I missed the characters. It's obvious, though, especially after watching the movie, that the story is about the characters much more than the plot. It's just not possible to develop these lovely and complex characters in a 2-hour movie like they deserve to be. Although the time-travel thing is interesting, the movie brings to the forefront that the plot is a bit lacking. If you're interested in this love story, I would highly recommend the book... the movie... eh. The Score: **

I LOVE me some Sci-Fi. Call me a dork, it's OK. I even took a Sci-Fi film class in college, and I have to say it was one of my favorites. I got to write a paper on The Terminator movies, for gosh sakes!

Surrogates had the potential to be really cool... and it almost got there. While chasing the bad guy, Bruce Willis' character realizes the downfall of humanity though vanity and greed - living their lives attached to their more attractive surrogates and moving through the world with just the right amount of anonymity and without the burden of consequence. I think this flick could have used a bit more development of Brucey's character, but overall, I enjoyed it. The Score: ***1/2

I also love me some Apocalypse movies with a bit of religion thrown in. The Book of Eli did not disappoint. 30 years after a nuclear war, Denzel Washington's character is on a mission to protect one thing... The Book. This film also explores humanity, but in the opposite way than Surrogates. Instead of answering the question: What happens when we can have/do whatever we want?, The Book of Eli explores the question: What happens we there's nothing left - when we are in survival mode? It's interesting what becomes valuable in a world where everything we know no longer exists. Good stuff... and a great twist at the end. Oh, and Denzel kicks some serious ass. The Score: ****1/2
On a side note: I hope The Making Of... is on the DVD. I caught it on HBO, and it proves Denzel is even more of a badass than I thought!

 

Alright, so don't yell at me, but I don't watch The Office. I know, I know, I'm missing out. However, I think Ricky Gervais is freaking hilarious! I love British humor, especially when you can understand what they're saying (sometimes a problem on the BBC). What would happen if you were the only person in the world who could lie... and everyone believed you? I can think of a few things I'd do - but this movie hilariously and satirically pushes that idea to the limit. Funny, cute, thought provoking. The Score: ****

 

When Paul grabbed this movie at BlockBuster, I thought... space, future, creepy... awesome. Just recently (I'd say in the last 4 years) I have started to really like twisted horror movies. I'm pretty sure this started with Saw - the original.  Anyway, so I was thinking Pandorum would be sort-of Mission to Mars-esque plus horror... but turns out it was more like Alien(s)... but not as good. It was indeed creepy, and definitely had a solid plot (pretty good twist at the end too), but I felt the middle of the movie dragged on a bit, making me want more of an epic conclusion. And it definitely could have been scarier. Overall, OK. The Score: ***