Film: Inception

GENRE: Drama/Sci-Fi/Thriller

RATING: PG-13 for violence

RUNTIME: 2 hour and 28 minutes

STARRING: Leonardo DiCaprio (The Departed)

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500 Days of Summer)

DIRECTOR: Christopher Nolan (Dark Knight, Insomnia)

WRITER: Christopher Nolan (Memento, The Prestige)

PLOT: Extractors are hired to not only steal ideas while people are dreaming but also planting ideas in their minds.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 I think the word brilliant sums up the film nicely. It’s complex and makes you think. There is no way you can leave the theatre and not talk about what you just saw. It’s that engaging. Brilliant.

2 While DiCaprio plays his brooding, tortured character wonderfully, for me it’s Joseph Gordon-Levitt who steals the show. The impeccably dressed actor is so fun to watch as he works to fulfill his missions. Also Tom Hardy as Eames gets some very fun lines.

3 The scenes that take place in the hotel were so cool. They were Matrix-y but didn’t beat you over the head with their coolness. I’d go a third time just to see those scenes.

4 Seeing as there are dreams within dreams, following the plot would be difficult if it wasn’t so beautifully edited. Hats off to Lee Smith (Truman Show, Dark Knight) who expertly weaves all the scenes together. Fantastic editing.

5 Its two and half hours, but it sure won’t feel like it. The plot moves quickly, the music is intense, and the ending will have you frustrated and cheering at the same time.

RECOMMENDATION: See it now! See it twice!

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Salt (maybe)

Film: Despicable Me

GENRE: Animated

RATING: G

RUNTIME: 1 hour and 35 minutes

STARRING: Steve Carell (Horton Hears a Who)

Jason Segel (Forgettting Sarah Marshall)

DIRECTORS: Pierre Coffin (newcomer)

Chris Renaud (No Time for Nuts - from Ice Age )

WRITER: Ken Daurio (Horton Hears a Who)

PLOT: The dastardly villain, Gru tries to steal the moon but he needs a trio of orphan girls to help him out.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 The story is okay, it’s not as well crafted as a Pixar film but it sure beats Dreamwork dreck like Shrek. It’s fun and entertaining. One critic said it best by saying this film is a mix of Pixar and Looney Tunes. How true.

2 It took a little bit of time to start enjoying the accent Steve Carell gives Gru. It didn’t seem like the voice matched the body type. Maybe that’s just me though.

3 Agnes, the youngest of the orphan girls is soooo cute. She reminds me of Boo from Monsters Inc. I loved every word that came out of her mouth. “It’s so FLUFFY”

4 The minions are fun, silly and cute. I love that they speak gibberish. Why Gru has hired these creatures to be his minions is beyond me but they are sure fun to watch. They remind me of the doozers from Fraggle Rock but much more animated. Kids will love these guys.

5 During the end credits the minions try to extend themselves into the audience. Now, this looks like it could work in 3D. Stupid eyes.

RECOMMENDATION: Very fun in the theatre.

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Inception