Inception

Wife and I just got back from the matinee.

For the TL:DR crowd, here's my two word review: Holy crap.

For the rest, I'll keep it mostly brief by saying that while we both loved it, it also frustrated me a bit. No because of anything having to do with the movie on the screen, per se, but more because of its very existence.

See, there's this little psychological game our brains play with us called the Dunning-Kruger effect. Basically, it's a little defense mechanism that trick us into believing that we're smarter than we actually are because we limit our comparison sample space to too small of a sample. Anyone who remembers their first trip to the Solo Nationals is well familiar.

See, I tend to fancy myself a pretty witty, creative guy, able to turn a phrase or spin a yarn that can keep people mildly amused for a reasonable amount of time. But I sit in a theater for two and a half hours and watch something like this, and I know that if I live to be 3000 years old and spend the rest of my days working at it, I will never be smart or creative enough to be able to produce anything remotely this good. It's humbling, really.

Yes, the movie has a few flaws, and even some narrative gaps, but I'm still in awe of the sheer brain power that Christopher Nolan must possess to create a narrative like this. And when you look back at his filmography you realize that with maybe the single exception of "The Prestige" (which was still pretty darn good) every one of his movies has been a game-changer or a bar-raiser in some way.

So, yeah, two thumbs up from the Pasterjak clan. Thanks for making me feel inadequate, Mr. Nolan.

jg

I bet he couldn't put get a readable magazine to the printer on time to save his life. I wouldn't sweat it too much. Interesting article though.

I have been on the fence with this one, I think the adult residents of 121 Kid Rock Place will look for a sitter for next weekend.

One of the cool things about this one as well is it'll play just as well (maybe even better) at home—even if you don't have a megazoot home theater setup. Yes, there are some cool special effects and set pieces, but they're largely immaterial to the story. At its core, this is a heist flick, or a con movie. It's a crime thriller that just happens to be set on several overlapping levels of consciousness.

jg

On my list to watch. I personally think the Chris Nolan is a phenomenal director. Memento blew me away, that movie will forever be #1 on my list. I rewatch that atleast once a year. Hated the Batman movie franchise until Nolan took over, he made Batman into an angry, vulnerable individual.

I thought it was very good. My two complaints are that I can't understand what Ken Watanabe says unless he's speaking in a LOUD AND CLEAR VOICE (which is virtually never) and that the SOUND VOLUME WAS TOO FRICKIN' HIGH. Maybe it was a mixing problem.

As far as I'm concerned it wasn't the same mass-produced piece of crap from the studios and they get big points for producing something different. It's worth seeing just on that basis alone.

Inception is to me one of the most clever movies to come out in awhile. At first I thought it was really simple, but as things got deeper and deeper I just remember going, "Wow, what the hell is going on right now?" but in an awesome way.

One of the worst things about going to movies on a regular basis is seeing the same trailer over and over. I've seen the Inception one so often it feels like it should be out on DVD by now. I'll watch it next week, unless I chase down an opening for a third job.

I said much the same thing when I saw Memento for the first time. I am simply not creative enough to put myself into the shoes of a person suffering from short term memory loss

Platinum90 wrote: I said much the same thing when I saw Memento for the first time. I am simply not creative enough to put myself into the shoes of a person suffering from short term memory loss

TROOF!! Watch it on DVD and watch the scenes in reverse order it will blow your mind!

And the epic storyline of Inception really is beyond description. Im pretty sure my head exploded when I tried to grasp the way this film made 8 degrees of bat-sh!t whackjob absurdity seem remarkably plausible. l Also I didnt know how long it was going to be. When we got out of the theater, and I looked at my watch - i was stunned. I was thoroughly entertained throughout a nearly 3 hour film. I havent been that "youll pay for the entire seat, but YOULL ONLY NEED THE EEEEDGE!!!!!"; since ...well I cant even remember when. probably on my short list of top 10 faves...srsly

So, say someone could really care less about any and all batman movies and really thought Memento was a nice idea, but would've been better as a short film....I found it boring and hard to stay awake through - although I only watched it once. Should I stay away from this movie? I won't go see it in the theaters (I normally go to maybe one movie a year - this won't be it) , but might watch it on DVD eventually.

The trailer seems so ridiculous that I don't think I've ever really watched it. I know Leonardo is in it and he can either go into or control other people's dreams to steal their cheeseburgers and drink their milkshakes. I guess I'll put it on my netflix list.

I think anyone can be this creative if they create the space to explore their own mind and pt up the discipline to rigorously pursue the direction of their intention. Most of us succumb to the pressures of the mundane and the short term and settle for quick fixes just to get over. I like the theme of the movie, how creation is many times a collaborative event with each having their own motives for participating. I liken that to what we each experience if we take enough time to think it out. I can see where inception is worked in the general populous regularly.

TJ wrote: So, say someone could really care less about any and all batman movies and really thought Memento was a nice idea, but would've been better as a short film....I found it boring and hard to stay awake through - although I only watched it once. Should I stay away from this movie? I won't go see it in the theaters (I normally go to maybe one movie a year - this won't be it) , but might watch it on DVD eventually. The trailer seems so ridiculous that I don't think I've ever really watched it. I know Leonardo is in it and he can either go into or control other people's dreams to steal their cheeseburgers and drink their milkshakes. I guess I'll put it on my netflix list.

Memento is #1 on my all-time list, but I can see why some would find it boring. Most of the movies I like, other people find boring. Ironically, I find action movies boring. It sounds like this movie has some action, and plot, but the sci-fi label makes me nervous. I've been to the theater twice in the last 25 years, so I guess I'll wait for DVD.

zomby woof wrote: It sounds like this movie has some action, and plot, but the sci-fi label makes me nervous. I've been to the theater twice in the last 25 years, so I guess I'll wait for DVD.

I think this one would be worth breaking your streak - DVD would be good if you have a OMFGHUGE home theater sound system - theres points int he story where the bass generated by the 1.21 jiggowatt theater sound system really do a great job off heightening the movie experience. The action sequences really only play up the way the story has bent reality on its ear - so I wouldnt really say its an action flick, or Sci Fi...its more an attempt to make you rethink what youve taken for granted in terms of your perception of the way you think.

Some movies are definitely wait for DVD material - this isnt one of em

I think with memento I had high expectations going into it which almost always means I will be disappointed. Clever idea, but for whatever reason once the novelty of the movie being backwards was past the rest for me was just waiting for the end. I guess I was not captivated by the characters or the story. Don't know. Maybe I'll watch it again someday and I might appreciate it more.

Just saw Inception last night. I don't know if I loved it, but it's a masterful work of filmmaking.

If nolan has found a way to make dick craprio tolerable for more than 4 seconds, he's not only my new favorite director, he's my berkeleying hero.

TJ wrote: I think with memento I had high expectations going into it which almost always means I will be disappointed. Clever idea, but for whatever reason once the novelty of the movie being backwards was past the rest for me was just waiting for the end. I guess I was not captivated by the characters or the story. Don't know. Maybe I'll watch it again someday and I might appreciate it more.

If Memento was just a backwards movie then you may have missed the point. Facts and memories, facts are the ground truth but memories change. But, what if your fact is based on a flawed memory. There is a line in the movie that goes:

"I'm not a killer. I'm just someone who wanted to make things right. Can't I just let myself forget what you've told me? Can't I just let myself forget what you've made me do. You think I just want another puzzle to solve? Another John G. to look for? You're John G. So you can be my John G... Will I lie to myself to be happy? In your case Teddy... yes I will. "

Sometimes the truth (fact) hurts, and if you know you will never remember it you contort it to suit your current predicament.

It was a pretty damn depressing movie when you analyze each character.

poopshovel wrote: If nolan has found a way to make dick craprio tolerable for more than 4 seconds, he's not only my new favorite director, he's my berkeleying hero.

I have a problem with Decaprio. Most of it probably stemming from the fact that he is infinitely more attractive than I. Regardless, it's a grudge. What makes it worse is the realization that he's actually pretty damn good at what he does. He's gotten to the point (like Denzel or Robert Duvall) that if he's in it, I know it's probably going to be a good movie.

I used to hate DiCaprio. But in recent years, i've had to come to terms with the fact that he actually IS a great actor, and i just have to get over the whole "Titanic Syndrome."

In reply to autoxrs:

Maybe I got the point after all. You say it's a damn depressing movie, I say I didn't really like it. Sounds like we are not too far off.

I will agree that whatever 'magic' there is in that movie I didn't 'get it', That doesn't mean it's not there, it's ok for some to not like it and some to love it - it wouldn't be art otherwise.

93celicaGT2 wrote: I used to hate DiCaprio. But in recent years, i've had to come to terms with the fact that he actually IS a great actor, and i just have to get over the whole "Titanic Syndrome."

Yeah he's not a bad actor, he just has a black mark on his record for playing a butch lesbian in Titanic.

I'll have to see Inception.

TJ wrote: The trailer seems so ridiculous that I don't think I've ever really watched it. I know Leonardo is in it and he can either go into or control other people's dreams to steal their cheeseburgers and drink their milkshakes. I guess I'll put it on my netflix list.

What's funny to me is that the trailer and ALL OF THE ADVERTISING has made me reall question whether or not it would be a good movie. Normally, they overhype bad movies- and I read overhype in a big way on this one.

Especially since they keep showing the same scenes over, and over (and over and over) again. Which usually screams- "this is the best of it, better come in with low hopes for the rest".

Or the "like the Matrix but...." part. I hate it when they do movie comparisons like that- if it can't stand on it's own, and they need to convince me based on other movies- it also tends to let me down.

Basically, all the advertising, promotion, and quoted reviews has kept me away. Interesting.

I'll keep it in mind, though.

alfadriver wrote: Basically, all the advertising, promotion, and quoted reviews has kept me away. Interesting. I'll keep it in mind, though.

ok, well allow me to take it back. Without referencing any other movie, Inception is awesome because its so crazy and vice versa - the oddness of the scenarios in the film is heightened by the almost nonchalant way the story makes the craziness seem everyday - and then you accept that and go on viewing this great movie with a kind of tilted perspective that you almost immediately accept as ordinary - you begin thinking about everything you see in a new way and you dont even care that its happened. It feels natural - its the premise of the films story, and it happens to the viewer - you want immersive, this delivers it. Thats what made me love the film - it made me change my entire reference without question and made me happy to do it. Ask some politician to change my mind and most likely I will punch him in the throat, but a good movie can do it without making me bat an eye.

This is one of those good ones, and it did it well...

So seeing it in IMAX would be akin to rebirthing?