In True Grit, Bridges made a very convincing drunk, jibber-jabbering, smart ass renegade marshall. While I mean that, I am also starting to find it difficult to separate some of his characters from him. Yes Yes, we all think that he is most like "The Dude", but if Crazy Heart were a couple of decades earlier, Bad Blake would have been Rooster's kin, no?
Matt Damon is suppose to be a Texas ranger on the hunt for the same man as Rooster. Damon is obviously not a Texan, and the man(who is a great actor) was not rugged enough for this role! Bridges, yes. Brolin, yes. Damon......a better Jason Bourne.
Most impressive however was Hailey Steinfeld and her undying need for avenging her father's murder. Wow. This young teenager had some very difficult dialogue and rough situations to act through, and totally nailed it. Actually, the more I think about it I am surprised that she wasn't nominated for a lead acting globe. Not that she would have beaten Portman, but she deserved the exposure. She presented on the Golden Globes last night alongside Justin Bieber and I didn't even realize it was her.
Rooster's rhetoric was a lot of fun, especially since I was in a matinee with an older crowd who LOVED every punchline. I am not saying that this beats the charisma that is John Wayne, but it's worth the watch. What kind of movie watcher would I be if I missed a Coen Brothers' film anyway? Especially with parts filmed in Austin.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Valentine's Day
I should get out my opinions on this before my wine wears off and I don't want to admit I even watched it! So if you saw He's Just Not That Into You , this movie is basically the same story set on the Valentine's Day backdrop. They even share Bradley Cooper, but he is less of an asshole in this one.
I can't hate on Jennifer Garner since her charm has just recently won me over, but other than that... HOW did this movie corral so many actors?!?! I just have to think that it was a lot of fun, and not a lot of work.
The thing is, I am a terribly sappy movie watcher; the sad parts, the romantic parts, anything to push on the senses gets me teared up. I just watched a 2 hour movie about love and not even misty. Not a welled up eye or an out loud "awwwwwww", and this is a movie about love!?
Apparently splashing together a multitude of cliches equals a romantic film. Surface movie fans it's all yours.
I can't hate on Jennifer Garner since her charm has just recently won me over, but other than that... HOW did this movie corral so many actors?!?! I just have to think that it was a lot of fun, and not a lot of work.
The thing is, I am a terribly sappy movie watcher; the sad parts, the romantic parts, anything to push on the senses gets me teared up. I just watched a 2 hour movie about love and not even misty. Not a welled up eye or an out loud "awwwwwww", and this is a movie about love!?
Apparently splashing together a multitude of cliches equals a romantic film. Surface movie fans it's all yours.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The Invention of Lying
The Invention of Lying is just what is sounds like, everyone tells the truth therefore everyone believes everything they hear. Not being able tell a lie means that people will say anything and everything that pops into their head, and apparently rudeness is also something that hasn't been invented yet in the setting of this movie.
Ricky Gervais is the man in the story that discovers lying when he swindles the bank into giving him too much money. He then starts experimenting with telling things that aren't and discovers that he can help people. As his mother is dying he describes a type of heaven that she will find herself in so that she isn't as afraid of death. After his mother, the nurses, and the doctor hear this, Gervais becomes the man everyone in the world looks to learn about the afterlife.
Through this story he is falling in love with Jennifer Garner, and while she also loves him, she will not consider him since they are not good genetic matches. Which is what we are all thinking about when we meet a potential suitor right?? I don't think so and they made her sound like a robot. She realizes that her feelings are more complex than just making attractive children, and that being happy means more than she had ever known.
Gervais ends up being Moses on the mountain telling the world how to make it to the happy place after death. The man in the sky uses him as his channel, and everyone will get mansions in the sky when they pass on. He becomes a rich and famous screenwriter, and NO ONE ever figures out that he is just making things up.
I ended up thinking that this movie was very sweet, and I enjoyed Gervais and Garner in their roles. Although The Invention of Lying is a comedy, I was impressed with Gervais's ability when doing the emotional scenes. There may be more to that guy than I have given him credit for.....??
No award winner, but I am not demanding that 2 hours of my life back either.
Ricky Gervais is the man in the story that discovers lying when he swindles the bank into giving him too much money. He then starts experimenting with telling things that aren't and discovers that he can help people. As his mother is dying he describes a type of heaven that she will find herself in so that she isn't as afraid of death. After his mother, the nurses, and the doctor hear this, Gervais becomes the man everyone in the world looks to learn about the afterlife.
Through this story he is falling in love with Jennifer Garner, and while she also loves him, she will not consider him since they are not good genetic matches. Which is what we are all thinking about when we meet a potential suitor right?? I don't think so and they made her sound like a robot. She realizes that her feelings are more complex than just making attractive children, and that being happy means more than she had ever known.
Gervais ends up being Moses on the mountain telling the world how to make it to the happy place after death. The man in the sky uses him as his channel, and everyone will get mansions in the sky when they pass on. He becomes a rich and famous screenwriter, and NO ONE ever figures out that he is just making things up.
I ended up thinking that this movie was very sweet, and I enjoyed Gervais and Garner in their roles. Although The Invention of Lying is a comedy, I was impressed with Gervais's ability when doing the emotional scenes. There may be more to that guy than I have given him credit for.....??
No award winner, but I am not demanding that 2 hours of my life back either.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
TRON: Legacy
I saw TRON: Legacy 3D in IMAX. I am thinking movies shouldn't be considered 3D if they have less than say, 50% shot that way. I mean it's pretty silly to wear those glasses for only a handful of scenes to pop out at you. I'm just not on the 3D bandwagon yet anyways, regular D suits me just fine.
Now Daft Punk doing the entire soundtrack and making a cameo in the film, is something I can get into! The beats in combination of the wild neon, black-lightish colors felt like a dance party.
Was the story a little on the weak side?....sure. Did I have a blast watching it nonetheless?.....Hell yes I did.
I did go into this film understanding that it was about a man who built an alternate reality based on a video game, and then came to be trapped in that reality by his creations. Admittedly I never saw the original movie,but I was familiar with actual video game and the concept. Watching the neon trails on the track during the challenge between the TRON cars was awesome. There were a few other moments too when I wish that I could have rewound and watched the scene again! (Bridges in the black cape once he enters the city)
Thirteen was a good fit for Quorra, Bridges also played a good Kevin and Clu. I guess Micheal Sheen played his Zuse character correctly but he really got on my nerves. After seeing his acting skill as David Frost I now expect a little more out of him
I have said it a thousand times to the haters: It's an action movie based on a guy being trapped in a video game world, accept that as the story and go have some fun. (Don't forget to download the soundtrack, it makes me bobble head.)
Now Daft Punk doing the entire soundtrack and making a cameo in the film, is something I can get into! The beats in combination of the wild neon, black-lightish colors felt like a dance party.
Was the story a little on the weak side?....sure. Did I have a blast watching it nonetheless?.....Hell yes I did.
I did go into this film understanding that it was about a man who built an alternate reality based on a video game, and then came to be trapped in that reality by his creations. Admittedly I never saw the original movie,but I was familiar with actual video game and the concept. Watching the neon trails on the track during the challenge between the TRON cars was awesome. There were a few other moments too when I wish that I could have rewound and watched the scene again! (Bridges in the black cape once he enters the city)
Thirteen was a good fit for Quorra, Bridges also played a good Kevin and Clu. I guess Micheal Sheen played his Zuse character correctly but he really got on my nerves. After seeing his acting skill as David Frost I now expect a little more out of him
I have said it a thousand times to the haters: It's an action movie based on a guy being trapped in a video game world, accept that as the story and go have some fun. (Don't forget to download the soundtrack, it makes me bobble head.)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The Pillars of the Earth
The Pillars of the Earth is an eight part mini series set in 12th century England. From the start of the first episode you follow Tom the builder (aka Tom Builder) and his family trying to find a means to live through his architecture. Along his path to find a town in need of a master builder(that also had money), his baby is taken after he leaves it for dead, his wife dies, and he falls in love with a witch woman and merges their 2 families together. I mean hey, it's only 8 episodes to cover 20 years, no time to waste right?? Ultimately he lands his feet in Kingsbridge, and is commissioned to build a brand new church after the old dilapidated one burns to the ground.
The man pulling the strings is a priest (Waleran) who will stop at nothing until to get the title of Arch Bishop. The issue of separating church and state are obviously not something that has been brought up in the 1100s, therefore the church IS the state. Waleran (Ian McShane) is trying to protect a secret surrounding the burning of a ship that killed the king's son, ultimately putting the king's nephew on the throne and outcasting the princess. One thing that you know from the start, Waleran is pure evil. Fortunately the Bishop doesn't need to have any moral stability, or a conscience.
The love story is between Jack, a sculptor, and a noble girl (Aliena) who loses her title after her father is framed a traitor. They court for years and as Jack decides to become a monk, Aliena marries his step brother (while pregnant with Jack's child) so that she will have money to continue her brother, Richard's warrior path.
I have to say that some of the shooting style was poorly chosen, with some blame on editing. The Pillars of the Earth had a lot of potential With that amount of deceit, incestuousness, and foul play. It just could have been better. Some of the comments are cheesy and totally set up for that Horatio Caine moment.
On the flip side, watching a church being built that was the first of it's kind, and seeing the characters embark on a 10+ year project and never losing dedication really kept my interest. The Kingsbridge church was really it's own character that could make or break a person, and successfully did both.
Glad that I watched the series, but also glad that it was easy (and free).
The man pulling the strings is a priest (Waleran) who will stop at nothing until to get the title of Arch Bishop. The issue of separating church and state are obviously not something that has been brought up in the 1100s, therefore the church IS the state. Waleran (Ian McShane) is trying to protect a secret surrounding the burning of a ship that killed the king's son, ultimately putting the king's nephew on the throne and outcasting the princess. One thing that you know from the start, Waleran is pure evil. Fortunately the Bishop doesn't need to have any moral stability, or a conscience.
The love story is between Jack, a sculptor, and a noble girl (Aliena) who loses her title after her father is framed a traitor. They court for years and as Jack decides to become a monk, Aliena marries his step brother (while pregnant with Jack's child) so that she will have money to continue her brother, Richard's warrior path.
I have to say that some of the shooting style was poorly chosen, with some blame on editing. The Pillars of the Earth had a lot of potential With that amount of deceit, incestuousness, and foul play. It just could have been better. Some of the comments are cheesy and totally set up for that Horatio Caine moment.
On the flip side, watching a church being built that was the first of it's kind, and seeing the characters embark on a 10+ year project and never losing dedication really kept my interest. The Kingsbridge church was really it's own character that could make or break a person, and successfully did both.
Glad that I watched the series, but also glad that it was easy (and free).
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The King's Speech
The moment you forget about the actors and only care about the characters is when the movie has won you. This same moment is why I love movies in return. The King's Speech definitely had this, I even found myself mouthing words to help Firth in his struggles. This movie will be a familiar in the awards ceremonies around the corner.
It is no secret that I am a Geoffrey Rush fan, and I don't want to say that Rush alone made the film but...well...eh....not sure I would have felt the same way without him. Don't get me wrong Firth did his part. The stammer couldn't have been easy and I can't imagine how many hours of training he had to put in to un-training his speech. Bonham-Carter also fit the bill, but oddly, I find myself wondering why her accent did not sound as natural as I would have expected? Perhaps next time we hear Johnny D speaking in his natural dialect, we may also be confused??
Story is about King George VI (Firth), who had a speech impediment from childhood and therfore lacked the voice expected of a sovereign. He was not the rightful heir to the throne but after his father's death and his brother's lack of noble responsibility, he found himself in coronation and then facing war with Germany.
Through the story we watch Rush, a common man, coach the king in regaining his speech and his confidence, to become the king that the people needed in such a dire time. It's a great story, and I am going to continue to revel in it until I read the non-fiction, and realize all of the romantic parts are untrue.
Until then...Rush for Actor in a LEADING role.
It is no secret that I am a Geoffrey Rush fan, and I don't want to say that Rush alone made the film but...well...eh....not sure I would have felt the same way without him. Don't get me wrong Firth did his part. The stammer couldn't have been easy and I can't imagine how many hours of training he had to put in to un-training his speech. Bonham-Carter also fit the bill, but oddly, I find myself wondering why her accent did not sound as natural as I would have expected? Perhaps next time we hear Johnny D speaking in his natural dialect, we may also be confused??
Story is about King George VI (Firth), who had a speech impediment from childhood and therfore lacked the voice expected of a sovereign. He was not the rightful heir to the throne but after his father's death and his brother's lack of noble responsibility, he found himself in coronation and then facing war with Germany.
Through the story we watch Rush, a common man, coach the king in regaining his speech and his confidence, to become the king that the people needed in such a dire time. It's a great story, and I am going to continue to revel in it until I read the non-fiction, and realize all of the romantic parts are untrue.
Until then...Rush for Actor in a LEADING role.
Despicable Me
Ever since I realized that we would not be going back to having cartoon movies, I have had a bit of a personal boycott against the animated ones. I did NOT see Finding Nemo, I know I know. I hear Toy Story 3 is amazing, but seeing as how I never got around to 2, I am already playing catch up.
A friend talked me into seeing this movie when it was in theatre and I walked in a hard skeptic, ready to hate, but .....I loved it! I now own it and turn it on frequently for background while doing other things around the house. I just can't get enough of those dang minions! I even have a little minion puzzle solving app for the ipad. Oh and don't forget to watch the minion shorts on the disc; Ba-na-na!(Watch it). I do not advise downloading the Best Buy movie app though. There is an option to play the disc so the app can hear it and translate the minions' gibber into English. This means there will be extra tones throughout the movie to communicate with the app, and it's just not as fun. The minion speech is part of their charm; not knowing exactly what they are saying is what makes them so hilarious!
Gru (Steve Carell) is our Despicable Me main character and his goal is to be the world's number one super villain, but poor Gru is struggling to stay in the game. The bank no longer wants to fund his ventures, and a younger, fresher villain aka Vector is quickly gaining the top title. Ain't that sounding a lot like real life.
Gru devises a plan to steal the moon, but the only way that he can do this is with the help of 3 little orphan girls that he adopts. At this point I don't really have to say another thing for you to know exactly what happens, but look forward to a sad turn of events, followed by a loving and triumphant ending. :)
Not to mention that the one and only Julie Andrews is the voice of Gru's evil mother!I cannot say that Despicable Me has changed my mind about the new wave animated movies, but this one and Wall-E aren't hurting the chances.
The Killer Inside Me
Unfortunatley, excellent trailers do not mean excellent movies. I always feel particularly betrayed by this since producing trailers might just be the best job in the universe.
So I wanted to like The Killer Inside Me from the basis that Casey Affleck's character was a small town Texas sheriff, who also had the thirst for blood. I expected to see a dark film where I followed this upstanding citizen through his public life and then continued on into the depths of his true self.
Casey Affleck is the stronger actor of the Affleck clan, but I wouldn't give him the master of accents title. Not very convincing as a Texan, and not sure if he could capture any southern state's intonation. Affleck goes to evacuate the town whore (Alba) and in the process they find they are the yin to the other's yang. Affleck gets off on beating and Alba gets off on taking one. Affleck's friend is in love with the whore and the friend's powerful father pays Affleck to run her out of town for good. Affleck decides that the best way out of the predicament is to make love to Alba, then beat her to death with his bare hands. She continues to say she loves him as her face breaks open from his fist. He then kills the friend and tries to make it look like a murder/murder.
Throughout the movie the detective (Baker) is on to him, which is not hard to believe with Affleck being sketchy and unstable the entire time. Another reason to not sing the movie's praises. The killer character is not that interesting, plain and simple. He is a young, handsome lawman, in country ass west Texas. His mother definitely skewed the way he thought one was suppose to care about a person due to her violent and incestuous needs. But once he starts killing he is just reckless, and doesn't even really try to cover himself other than killing more people. Not a planner this man.
Shock value was way up on this film, along with violence. Not sure who to talk to about the story, though I would expect it was lost in translation from writer to screen writer to director. The potential was there, and I bet the original format proves it. On the bright side, it has totally gone under the radar so a remake in the next 5-10 shouldn't be too difficult to conquer.
Ben keep directing, Casey keep acting; you guys are great team and then you only have the other to blame.
So I wanted to like The Killer Inside Me from the basis that Casey Affleck's character was a small town Texas sheriff, who also had the thirst for blood. I expected to see a dark film where I followed this upstanding citizen through his public life and then continued on into the depths of his true self.
Casey Affleck is the stronger actor of the Affleck clan, but I wouldn't give him the master of accents title. Not very convincing as a Texan, and not sure if he could capture any southern state's intonation. Affleck goes to evacuate the town whore (Alba) and in the process they find they are the yin to the other's yang. Affleck gets off on beating and Alba gets off on taking one. Affleck's friend is in love with the whore and the friend's powerful father pays Affleck to run her out of town for good. Affleck decides that the best way out of the predicament is to make love to Alba, then beat her to death with his bare hands. She continues to say she loves him as her face breaks open from his fist. He then kills the friend and tries to make it look like a murder/murder.
Throughout the movie the detective (Baker) is on to him, which is not hard to believe with Affleck being sketchy and unstable the entire time. Another reason to not sing the movie's praises. The killer character is not that interesting, plain and simple. He is a young, handsome lawman, in country ass west Texas. His mother definitely skewed the way he thought one was suppose to care about a person due to her violent and incestuous needs. But once he starts killing he is just reckless, and doesn't even really try to cover himself other than killing more people. Not a planner this man.
Shock value was way up on this film, along with violence. Not sure who to talk to about the story, though I would expect it was lost in translation from writer to screen writer to director. The potential was there, and I bet the original format proves it. On the bright side, it has totally gone under the radar so a remake in the next 5-10 shouldn't be too difficult to conquer.
Ben keep directing, Casey keep acting; you guys are great team and then you only have the other to blame.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Black Swan
I think psycho-sexual thriller is the perfect way to describe this film. Emphasis on sexual, just fyi for those going to see this with their parents. Aronofsky is always good for a mind f*^# , and if you don't understand then rent Requiem For a Dream. If I ever feel that my psyche is in a strong enough place to re-watch that movie then maybe I'll write about it, but that's an IF.
Ok, Black Swan.....This is about a very innocent and sheltered ballerina who is cast as the swan queen in Swan Lake, and her struggle with finding the dark side of herself to become the black swan.
Let's talk Natalie Portman. I am already a fan, but I want to see her nominated for another Academy Award and win it. (I am not a fan of Closer, but that's a whole nother tangent.) She is PHENOMENAL in this movie. Portman, an already a petite girl, lost nearly 20 pounds while going through ballet training for this roll, and came out totally convincing. Not to mention she now has a fiancee and wil' bun in the oven with one of the ballet choreographers. :) Nice.
Mila Kunis also should not be reduced down to her That 70's Show role, she has some real acting power behind her, and I don't mean Macaulay Culkin. (They broke up anyways.)
What her exact role is in this movie is up to us, was she another ballerina, or a figment of Portman's imagination? I think she was real, and I think upon my re-watch of the DVD I will still feel the same way. Meaning, while it's branded a psycho-sexual thriller, Portman's character suffered enough psychosis without needing to create an imaginary frenemy.
What really did peak my interest in this film was how accurately it portrayed the ballet community.From all that I have heard and read, from cast members and ballerinas alike, it was for the most part a spot on portrayal. As a writer if I had learned about the brashness of the ballet companies, then I too would have realized that groundwork had already been laid for a thriller. Not to mention Swan Lake is the most well known ballet and love story that will wear the tests of time. Brilliant.
Oscar nom worthy film, yes. One of my favs of the year, no.
Ok, Black Swan.....This is about a very innocent and sheltered ballerina who is cast as the swan queen in Swan Lake, and her struggle with finding the dark side of herself to become the black swan.
Let's talk Natalie Portman. I am already a fan, but I want to see her nominated for another Academy Award and win it. (I am not a fan of Closer, but that's a whole nother tangent.) She is PHENOMENAL in this movie. Portman, an already a petite girl, lost nearly 20 pounds while going through ballet training for this roll, and came out totally convincing. Not to mention she now has a fiancee and wil' bun in the oven with one of the ballet choreographers. :) Nice.
Mila Kunis also should not be reduced down to her That 70's Show role, she has some real acting power behind her, and I don't mean Macaulay Culkin. (They broke up anyways.)
What her exact role is in this movie is up to us, was she another ballerina, or a figment of Portman's imagination? I think she was real, and I think upon my re-watch of the DVD I will still feel the same way. Meaning, while it's branded a psycho-sexual thriller, Portman's character suffered enough psychosis without needing to create an imaginary frenemy.
What really did peak my interest in this film was how accurately it portrayed the ballet community.From all that I have heard and read, from cast members and ballerinas alike, it was for the most part a spot on portrayal. As a writer if I had learned about the brashness of the ballet companies, then I too would have realized that groundwork had already been laid for a thriller. Not to mention Swan Lake is the most well known ballet and love story that will wear the tests of time. Brilliant.
Oscar nom worthy film, yes. One of my favs of the year, no.
Friday, January 7, 2011
rip! A remix manifesto by Brett Gaylor
This documentary is all about copyrights and how they are affecting our remix culture (I just sampled their description). Contrary to popular belief Glee is most def not the creator of mash ups. Gaylor uses Greg Gillis, aka Girl Talk (who is also NOT the creator of mash ups), as the thread to tie all of his points together, and Girl Talk rocks my socks off.
Girl Talk is dance music for the A.D.D. generation, and it's free. What's not to love? The Ramones intertwined with Missy Elliot, Beastie Boys with Iggie Pop, Ludacris with Phoenix. Damn right All Day is blaring in my headphones while I type. On to the next stop money in my pocket.....
Let's not detract from the major point at hand here. There are a handful of giant corporations that own and operate all of America's media. Yep, allllll the movies and music. Instant access to music and movies is available, IF YOU DO IT WITHIN THE RULES. Should artists like Girl Talk be able to take hundreds of samples, mash them together, and make his own album and style while not having to answer to any of the original artists??
Rip makes the point that all of our ideas are born from something else that we have seen or experienced. The present builds on the pillars of the past, and if an artist takes something and changes it into a totally different style then it becomes theirs. Gaylor even encourages you take his film and mash it up yourself, after all, it may land him in the clink or as a hobo on the streets of Montreal.
This is only a tiny a slice of what all this doc brings, and since it is available for free on Open Source Cinema (not copyrighted), give it a watch.
I liked the style of it, and the way it was organized. This guy really did his homework and put his heart and soul in voicing his opinion. While I think ultimately I am in agreement with his basic opinions, I can't say it's complete agreement. Do I like that 2 major corporations are in control of our media, hell no. I think a lot of things will come on a case to case basis. I like the idea of sharing, but the idea of "gives an inch, takes a mile" comes to mind when you open anything up to entire society. There will always be those people that would rather steal and exploit than enjoy and appreciate.
I guess there is really only one question to answer: Pirate/Not a Pirate? To that I say,"Arghhhhhhhh."
Girl Talk is dance music for the A.D.D. generation, and it's free. What's not to love? The Ramones intertwined with Missy Elliot, Beastie Boys with Iggie Pop, Ludacris with Phoenix. Damn right All Day is blaring in my headphones while I type. On to the next stop money in my pocket.....
Let's not detract from the major point at hand here. There are a handful of giant corporations that own and operate all of America's media. Yep, allllll the movies and music. Instant access to music and movies is available, IF YOU DO IT WITHIN THE RULES. Should artists like Girl Talk be able to take hundreds of samples, mash them together, and make his own album and style while not having to answer to any of the original artists??
Rip makes the point that all of our ideas are born from something else that we have seen or experienced. The present builds on the pillars of the past, and if an artist takes something and changes it into a totally different style then it becomes theirs. Gaylor even encourages you take his film and mash it up yourself, after all, it may land him in the clink or as a hobo on the streets of Montreal.
This is only a tiny a slice of what all this doc brings, and since it is available for free on Open Source Cinema (not copyrighted), give it a watch.
I liked the style of it, and the way it was organized. This guy really did his homework and put his heart and soul in voicing his opinion. While I think ultimately I am in agreement with his basic opinions, I can't say it's complete agreement. Do I like that 2 major corporations are in control of our media, hell no. I think a lot of things will come on a case to case basis. I like the idea of sharing, but the idea of "gives an inch, takes a mile" comes to mind when you open anything up to entire society. There will always be those people that would rather steal and exploit than enjoy and appreciate.
I guess there is really only one question to answer: Pirate/Not a Pirate? To that I say,"Arghhhhhhhh."
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Inception
A recent all star film seems like a good springboard....
Chris Nolan your directing skills have yet again stunned the masses. I appreciate your ability to combine innovative film making with blockbuster intensity. Equal parts writing to directing. I think he's on to something....
OK, this movie does have a pretty hefty story, and is not for the easily distracteed spectator. Dicaprio and Gordon-Levitt(who is growing on me)show us the ways around our subconcious through dream sharing. Stealing ideas is their expertise (extracting), while implanting ones is their challenge (inception). The movie takes us into unstructured dream space that lies within a dream, within a dream, within a dream. The deeper into the dreams, the deeper into the subconscious, which of course means the thicker the plot gets and the quieter the theatre.
Ken Wantanabe (the big wig), needs Cillian Murphy to break up his father's(Pete Postlethwaite, RIP) company from becoming the next energy superpower. The idea is to put the idea into Murphy's head so that he feels it is his own. Dicaprio accepts the challenge to have his name cleared with the US government and through the process puts some other personal issues to rest surrounding thie death of his wife Marion Cotillard.
Only qualm is that the process of obtaining Ellen Page's character is a little too flat. She is a talented college student that immediately jumps into constructing dreams after JUST hearing that the job is illegal? And we just accept that?!? Young unknown girl, most complex challenge ever created, lives at stake......and we stamp her our dream architect with no background check??
Ok, ok so obviously see it, but since it's out of most theatres now, find a big screen and some people that can focus. Appreciate the way Nolan has illustrated such complex concepts, and ask him if cliffhangers with no follow up films are going to be his signature.
Chris Nolan your directing skills have yet again stunned the masses. I appreciate your ability to combine innovative film making with blockbuster intensity. Equal parts writing to directing. I think he's on to something....
OK, this movie does have a pretty hefty story, and is not for the easily distracteed spectator. Dicaprio and Gordon-Levitt(who is growing on me)show us the ways around our subconcious through dream sharing. Stealing ideas is their expertise (extracting), while implanting ones is their challenge (inception). The movie takes us into unstructured dream space that lies within a dream, within a dream, within a dream. The deeper into the dreams, the deeper into the subconscious, which of course means the thicker the plot gets and the quieter the theatre.
Ken Wantanabe (the big wig), needs Cillian Murphy to break up his father's(Pete Postlethwaite, RIP) company from becoming the next energy superpower. The idea is to put the idea into Murphy's head so that he feels it is his own. Dicaprio accepts the challenge to have his name cleared with the US government and through the process puts some other personal issues to rest surrounding thie death of his wife Marion Cotillard.
Only qualm is that the process of obtaining Ellen Page's character is a little too flat. She is a talented college student that immediately jumps into constructing dreams after JUST hearing that the job is illegal? And we just accept that?!? Young unknown girl, most complex challenge ever created, lives at stake......and we stamp her our dream architect with no background check??
Ok, ok so obviously see it, but since it's out of most theatres now, find a big screen and some people that can focus. Appreciate the way Nolan has illustrated such complex concepts, and ask him if cliffhangers with no follow up films are going to be his signature.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
This Narcissism Is Overdue
I do not consider myself a pedestrian critic; more of a cinematic explorer. My movie commentary is my only real talent and I have decided to push it into the social stream.
As I would love to share all of my opinions and experiences thus far, I am afraid that reality suggests we start one by one, with the next thing I see. I decided to use this avenue since the well known movie sites are open to the entire viewing public, and therefore at their mercy. Let's just say that Rotten Tomatoes's reviewers gave Paranormal Activity an 84%, and from that moment on I decided that solo sharing with the thin air was a better use of my time.
If you agree with that rating, or are a stickler for grammar perhaps this is your exit. xoxo.
As I would love to share all of my opinions and experiences thus far, I am afraid that reality suggests we start one by one, with the next thing I see. I decided to use this avenue since the well known movie sites are open to the entire viewing public, and therefore at their mercy. Let's just say that Rotten Tomatoes's reviewers gave Paranormal Activity an 84%, and from that moment on I decided that solo sharing with the thin air was a better use of my time.
If you agree with that rating, or are a stickler for grammar perhaps this is your exit. xoxo.
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