Sunday July 25th, 2010
The Walk Of Fame celebrated its 50th Anniversary today and each historic site along the walk held a specicial event to commemorate the day. I started the day at Ecclesia Church which holds its services in the historic Pacific Theater. After the service, the theater was opened up to free tours and a slide show of the theater in the 50's and 60's when it was known as the Warners Theater. Interested onlookers could also join church members for a showing of To Kill A Mocking Bird at 2:10 pm. The movie, from the book of the same name, stars Gregory Peck and won Academy Awards. It has been one of my favorite movies since childhood and it is shown as part of the church's Cineklin series.
Other events were held at the Egyptian Theater.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Mad Men 4th Season Premiere in Hollywood
Tues Jul 20th:
The eagerly awaited 4th season of AMC's original TV series,Mad Men premieres on July 25th so they are having a red carpet sneak preview of the first episode at 6:00 pm today at Graumann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood. The event was originally to be held at the Harmony Gold Theater on Sunset Blvd. but was moved to Mann's to accommodate the large request for tickets to the event. I'm trying to see if I can wrangle a ticket inside but my chances look slim. I may swing by the red carpet event though, to see if I see any of the cast and any interesting fan reactions. They are having a season 4 preview screening in New York on Sunday also and attendees are known to come in costumes. People in L.A. all seem to be in costumes anyhow so it might be interesting.
I confess that I haven't watched much Mad Men episodes and what I did see I didn't enjoy. There's too much macho sexist attitudes by the men and the women's roles are so wimpy or subservient that it's hard to believe this show is written by mostly women. Worst, there is endless depiction of cigarette smoking. I know the show is set in the 60's before the impact of the Surgeon General's warning about the dangers of smoking but many other shows written for that era did not depict smoking like Mad Men does. Thankfully, the cast smokes herbal cigarettes during the show's taping but still.
When I do watch it's purely so I can see the 60's fashion that January Jones and the rest of the female cast might be wearing or to sneak a peak at Jon Hamm's strong, manly chin and his physique in a suit and tie(lol).
Maybe that's my real problem with Mad Men; it seems more style over substance. Most people who watch it say that the show is so "cool","sexy" or "hip" then they mention the cool, sexy, hip actors who star in it and their clothes and their attitudes and the wonderful 1960's set pieces (I heard the same things about Sex And The City and Gossip Girls, by the way). Even though this show garners Emmy noms, I've never heard any fans mention the dialog or the quality of the writing for this show. Also, the writers need to be responsible for the dangerous and unhealthy habits they pro-mote 'cause, let's we forget, coughing up a lung is not hip, sexy or cool.
The eagerly awaited 4th season of AMC's original TV series,Mad Men premieres on July 25th so they are having a red carpet sneak preview of the first episode at 6:00 pm today at Graumann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood. The event was originally to be held at the Harmony Gold Theater on Sunset Blvd. but was moved to Mann's to accommodate the large request for tickets to the event. I'm trying to see if I can wrangle a ticket inside but my chances look slim. I may swing by the red carpet event though, to see if I see any of the cast and any interesting fan reactions. They are having a season 4 preview screening in New York on Sunday also and attendees are known to come in costumes. People in L.A. all seem to be in costumes anyhow so it might be interesting.
I confess that I haven't watched much Mad Men episodes and what I did see I didn't enjoy. There's too much macho sexist attitudes by the men and the women's roles are so wimpy or subservient that it's hard to believe this show is written by mostly women. Worst, there is endless depiction of cigarette smoking. I know the show is set in the 60's before the impact of the Surgeon General's warning about the dangers of smoking but many other shows written for that era did not depict smoking like Mad Men does. Thankfully, the cast smokes herbal cigarettes during the show's taping but still.
When I do watch it's purely so I can see the 60's fashion that January Jones and the rest of the female cast might be wearing or to sneak a peak at Jon Hamm's strong, manly chin and his physique in a suit and tie(lol).
Maybe that's my real problem with Mad Men; it seems more style over substance. Most people who watch it say that the show is so "cool","sexy" or "hip" then they mention the cool, sexy, hip actors who star in it and their clothes and their attitudes and the wonderful 1960's set pieces (I heard the same things about Sex And The City and Gossip Girls, by the way). Even though this show garners Emmy noms, I've never heard any fans mention the dialog or the quality of the writing for this show. Also, the writers need to be responsible for the dangerous and unhealthy habits they pro-mote 'cause, let's we forget, coughing up a lung is not hip, sexy or cool.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Salt Movie Premiere: Life Imitates Art
The Hollywood movie premiere of Salt is today at The Graumann's Chinese Theater. The movie stars Angelina Jolie as a spy accused of being a double agent. This movie has created major buzz among fanboys at different movie sites online. Salt's trailers show a lot of action and fight scenes but they are only so-so for me as I think that the premise has been done to death. It seems a bit like LaFemme Nikita or Alias-esque or maybe Bourne Identity in drag (as the title role was initially written for a guy)(lol).
However, since the whole Russian spy ring broke, it seems like a case of "life imitating art". Now I hear that Jolie wants to meet Anna Chapman when she's in Russian for the movie's premiere there. As you recall, Chapman is the alias of the pretty young Russian spy who posed as a real estate agent and wanna be society gal in New York. FBI nabbed her and 10 others in a crack down on Russian intelligence agents who were "illegals" or sleeper agents (deep undercover without diplomatic papers) in cities like New York and Washington, DC and even in suburbia.
The spies hoped to gather info on which way the Obama white house was leaning in its relationship with Russia. I'm no relationship expert but I can tell you that spying never helps any relationship plus it's all so "cold war era" anyhow(lol). There was an upside though. The U.S. got to exchange the 11 Russians for 4 imprisoned Russian intelligence officers accused of illegal contact with or covert activities for the West. The CIA negotiated the swap, which was easy since the Russians were caught literally "red-handed". I hope this all means that the U.S. and Russia can smile and play nice for a while like well behaved children.
Wait, if Jolie meets Chapman who may have stolen important American secrets, would that be like treason or something? It doesn't matter because I plan on skipping the Salt premiere anyway and I am skipping the movie altogether. I feel the spy thing has been long over and I don't especially like Jolie's movies. I couldn't understand the hype around Tomb Raiders and the movie was absolute torture for me. Plus, she may drag along Brad Pitt with her and I have not been able to stomach him since his negative comments about God. If Salt is bad then with any luck it won't stay around too long but if it's a hit and boosts this summer movie season then that would be good all around.
I was over Salt's concept but its title did remind me of how often the Bible mentions salt, which is about 30 times. From Leviticus, Job, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Psalm 133, 2 Chronicles and the 4 Gospels in the New Testamentit's salt, salt salt(look it up it's interesting). Salt or what is most commonly called table salt is known by it's chemical name, sodium chloride (NaCl), and it is a necessary nutrient in our diets to keep our fluid balance right. In biblical times, salt was used to preserve, season and purify foods and at one point it was so important it was used as currency. All the scriptures that mention salt are profound like "salt of the earth" and "salt covenant" and are still used as idioms 'til today. In the Bible, salt is used mostly in a good connotation to mean flavor, wisdom, wages, peace and friendship.
While thinking of the whole Salt-Russian spy thing, I felt an urge to play the song "I Hope The Russian's Love Their Children, Too" by Sting and maybe watch From Russia With Love. They are both my favorite songs/videos and movies plus they are a beautiful homage to the by-gone cold war era, with its secrets of hidden missile sites and spies in trench coats exchanging brief cases and martinis shaken not stirred ala James Bond. Wait a minute(looks around)... it's 2010 right? Yeah, yeah... just checking.
However, since the whole Russian spy ring broke, it seems like a case of "life imitating art". Now I hear that Jolie wants to meet Anna Chapman when she's in Russian for the movie's premiere there. As you recall, Chapman is the alias of the pretty young Russian spy who posed as a real estate agent and wanna be society gal in New York. FBI nabbed her and 10 others in a crack down on Russian intelligence agents who were "illegals" or sleeper agents (deep undercover without diplomatic papers) in cities like New York and Washington, DC and even in suburbia.
The spies hoped to gather info on which way the Obama white house was leaning in its relationship with Russia. I'm no relationship expert but I can tell you that spying never helps any relationship plus it's all so "cold war era" anyhow(lol). There was an upside though. The U.S. got to exchange the 11 Russians for 4 imprisoned Russian intelligence officers accused of illegal contact with or covert activities for the West. The CIA negotiated the swap, which was easy since the Russians were caught literally "red-handed". I hope this all means that the U.S. and Russia can smile and play nice for a while like well behaved children.
Wait, if Jolie meets Chapman who may have stolen important American secrets, would that be like treason or something? It doesn't matter because I plan on skipping the Salt premiere anyway and I am skipping the movie altogether. I feel the spy thing has been long over and I don't especially like Jolie's movies. I couldn't understand the hype around Tomb Raiders and the movie was absolute torture for me. Plus, she may drag along Brad Pitt with her and I have not been able to stomach him since his negative comments about God. If Salt is bad then with any luck it won't stay around too long but if it's a hit and boosts this summer movie season then that would be good all around.
I was over Salt's concept but its title did remind me of how often the Bible mentions salt, which is about 30 times. From Leviticus, Job, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Psalm 133, 2 Chronicles and the 4 Gospels in the New Testamentit's salt, salt salt(look it up it's interesting). Salt or what is most commonly called table salt is known by it's chemical name, sodium chloride (NaCl), and it is a necessary nutrient in our diets to keep our fluid balance right. In biblical times, salt was used to preserve, season and purify foods and at one point it was so important it was used as currency. All the scriptures that mention salt are profound like "salt of the earth" and "salt covenant" and are still used as idioms 'til today. In the Bible, salt is used mostly in a good connotation to mean flavor, wisdom, wages, peace and friendship.
While thinking of the whole Salt-Russian spy thing, I felt an urge to play the song "I Hope The Russian's Love Their Children, Too" by Sting and maybe watch From Russia With Love. They are both my favorite songs/videos and movies plus they are a beautiful homage to the by-gone cold war era, with its secrets of hidden missile sites and spies in trench coats exchanging brief cases and martinis shaken not stirred ala James Bond. Wait a minute(looks around)... it's 2010 right? Yeah, yeah... just checking.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
INCEPTION: Movie Review
Inception Movie Review:
This movie has been tracking well and receiving summer blockbuster reviews from critics and fan boys alike. The film is due in theaters Fri 7/16 but I was lucky to get a ticket to an advance screening on Wed 7/14. I was among the last to get a seat as the theater was packed with rabid male 20-somethings waiting for their summer action "fix". I was eager but cautious too. This movie was hyped as James Bond meets the Matrix which, if done well, would blow my mind.
Sadly, I have heard those claims before and have been disappointed(does Aeon Flux and Wanted ring a bell?). Still, I was open to the possibilities especially after the movie trailers with the gravity-less fighting scenes, out-of-this-world set pieces and dream-wake mind-job sci-fi scenarios. In fact, if anyone could equal or even top the Matrix, Chris Nolan was in a short pile of people who just might be able to do it (along with Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg and M. Knight Shamayla at his Sixth Sense prime). Ten years is a long time to wait for a post-Matrix hit so I snuggled down in my seat and waited with baited breath. The screen burst to life and the movie started with an orchestral music at a crescendo...
Spoiler Alert!!!Spoiler Alert!!!Spoiler Alert!!!Spoiler Alert!!!
Big spoilers so don't read any further unless you're brave--
The Review:
I wanted to like this movie and the visuals were stunning but I didn't enjoy it because it was a blatant rip off of The Matrix almost scene for scenes and near similar dialog. I've seen the Matrix over 40 times and I know a Matrix rip-off when I see it. Yeah, the set pieces are innovative and the CGI is top notch sure enough but it's still a poorly executed Matrix, with a little Mission Impossible and James Bond thrown in for effect. I really expected better from Chris Nolan considering his other films.
SHAMELESS MATRIX RIP-OFFS IN INCEPTION:
#1) In one of the early scenes, Leo's character says "dreams/ideas are contagious like viruses" well in the Matrix Agent Smith says practically the same "virus" thing to Morpheus when they are torturing him near the end.
2) Leo's character takes Ellen Page's character on her first shared dreaming experience unbeknown to her and she says "so I'm dreaming?" while in the Matrix Mor- pheus takes Neo into the Matrix training program for the first time unbeknown to him and Neo says "so, this is the Matrix?"
Later in that same scene, Leo walks with Ellen through a crowd explaining the dream as a 'training session". People bump and jostle them along the way and Ellen is alarmed. Ditto in the same scene from the Matrix before they see the Lady in Red. Ellen/Neo asks "so this isn't real?" Leo/Morpheus both answers "What is real?"
3)Leo says "dreams are creative ideas of the mind or projections" v.s. Morpheus' "the Matrix is a construct of your subconscious... a projection of yourself". Later Leo says it again when they deep sleep with Cilian Murphy's character.
4) If I die in deep dreaming/if I die in the Matrix, will I die in real life? Leo/Morpheus answers "your mind makes it real."
5) Leo to Ellen "we need an architect" and in Matrix Reloaded we learn that the Matrix was built by The Architect.
6) Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Arthur takes Ellen through a repeated shared dream training program like Tank did with Neo when he learned Kung Fu in the Matrix. At one time Ellen may have even mouthed the word "whoa"(lol).
7) Mal tells Leo "no it's more real in the dream... your kids are there... come back with me" v.s. Cipher tells Trinity "the Matrix is more real than here(Zion)... they're putting me back in the Matrix"
8) The "dream machines" even looked similar to the EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse) machines used to disarm the squid-like sentinel machines in the Matrix.
9) Instead of agents, an armed security force from Cilian Murphy's militarized subconscious shoot at Leo and his crew in the deep dream. Most of the gun play is done on street or freeways like in Reloaded.
10) Leo's character runs through a crowed open air market then through an alley, ducking and weaving while the "agents" shoot at him just like Neo did near the end
of the Matrix.
11) Tom Hardy's Eames character's tongue in cheek "impersonation" of a sexy blond female in a white form-fitting 50's style dress was funny but it was just a version
of the Lady in Red, that the character Mouse had designed, who existed only in the Matrix training program.
12) In Inception, an elevator is rigged to explode with explosives and the resulting explosion sets up the films resolution as in the Matrix.
Other Things I Hated About Inception:
THEY MADE ME DO MATH!!!
1 hour in real life = 3 months in deep dreaming (cough "the Matrix").
5 hours = 10 years
10 hours = 50 years
WTC! What conversion factor are they using and why didn't some one tell me there was going to be a test!?
Plot and Character Development:
The science behind dreams is a fascinating field and the thought of manipulating some one's dream is exciting but this movie was flat and unimaginative in that department. Inception did not explore or exploit any of the existing dream science. It seems that we all dream almost every time we sleep but we often don't recall them. I know babies dream big time and even pets have dreams. We mostly dream in color and I in particular dream in Technicolor, HD and surround sound(lol). The movie didn't deal with the science of dream recall at all either and they did not even mention REM stage sleep, lucid dreaming or how drugs can stop REM stage and dreaming.
What was worst about the movie is that there was no emotional attachment to most of the character. Leo's character didn't work for me as I felt he was shifty to begin with and I never invested in his character. I didn't really care if he got back to his kids or not, in fact, I couldn't even remember Leo's character's name after the movie was over. I put this blame firmly at the feet of Chis Nolan, as both writer and director. He spent too much time having Leo do exposition and explaining the dream process instead of creating relationships and conflict. The only source of conflict for Leo (after Ken Watanabe became an ally) was Marion Cotillard's who played his crazy wife, Mal, who as her name suggest seemed very "bad" for the kids to be around anyway, so again, no connection.
Also, what was so sucky about their real life that lead them to want to stay in the dream one? Is dreaming like a drug or are hey addicted to the drugs that get you to dream deep? If we had a clue maybe we would have cared about the characters and the movie may have worked.
And Nolan under-developed and under-utilized Michael Caine and Ellen Page. Caine already showed that he can handle futuristic concepts with his performance in Children of Men so Nolan should have ran with it. How Leo and Caine knew so much about dreaming and why the interest was never explained. The same for Ellen's character. Ellen looks like a 17 year old girl. Why didn't they use a theory that a younger female's brain, though smaller than a males, had more nerve tracts so they would be more creative and prone to better dreaming but more sensitive to it's negative effects overall. This would explain how quickly Ellen mastered shared dreaming. It would also explain why Mal's dreaming went wrong as she aged in deep dream and why Leo couldn't control his own dreaming as well and it would double his guilt/conflict over performing "inception" on Mal.
And don't get me started on the misuse of Ken Watanabe who was the most believable of all the characters in the first Act then fades/dies near the end of Act 2. Nolan should have used a plot device to keep the relationship/conflict between Leo and Ken
brewing and therefore, make their meeting at the end of the movie more dramatic.
Inception's Bright Spots:
The only bright spots were Joseph Gordon-Levitt who plays, Arthur, Leo's slim three-piece suit wearing "by the book" dream technician and Tom Hardy, who plays the beefy prankster Eames, Arthur's polar opposite. Gordon-Levitts serious face and all business attitude unfolded to reveal a much more sensitive character especially in his interaction with Ellen. All their scenes resonated well and were totally believable. Plus, Gordon-Levitt's zero-gravity fight scenes were the action highlight of the movie for me and I wished that that was more of what the movie was about.
Tom Hardy was great as comic relief and he got 2 of the movie's 3 big gut laughs from me and the theater's audience at the showing. I thought the action was really going to start when Eames pulled out a rocket launcher and told Arthur, "don't be afraid to dream bigger, darling" but, alas, it still didn't pick up.
The movie was paced well but I was so non-invested that I felt bored and sleepy a few times. I also thought the guy behind me was sleeping too as I heard snoring but it was coming from the film itself(lol). Oh, did I mention that they made me do math?
My Take:
This movie is so bad that Nolan may have written it in his sleep(I couldn't resist-lol). The cold ending was a complete cop out! Leaving the ending open to the imagi-nation or interpretation of the viewer used to be considered deep and cerebral decades ago but now it just means that (like in Lost and the Sopranos) that they couldn't think of a better ending or that they are just lazy. Plus, isn't this just the Michael Jackson story with Cotillard as Michael and Leo and the Muslim guy as Dr. Conrad Murray and where inception and deep dreaming is actually the drug propofol? And the children he/she leaves behind are just that, left behind.
There was big applause when the movie ended and all the fanboys were gushing about it but all I could think was "epic fail". I discussed it a bit with a few of them before realizing that they were all big Nolan/Dark Knight fans and would applaud even if Nolan took a crap in their hand. Plus, Inception was to be the hope to save this summer's movie going experience so I can understand their reluctance to part with reality. None of them understood the movie but some suggested that I watch the movie again to get the "deeper meaning" as like they were all planning to do.
Then they all gave me that look that I loathe. The one that says "you're just not smart enough to get it". The nerve of these Nolan fanboys! I shouldn't have to bring my Asimov and Philip K. Dick collection, my 3 advance science degrees or my cherished VHS copy of Blade Runner as proof of my deep love and understanding of all things sci-fi. I left them alone after that. But guys, if you were fool enough to see this movie the first time like I was, I warn you:
DO NOT GO BACK AND SEE THIS MOVIE AGAIN LOOKING FOR A DEEPER MEANING OR ANSWERS THAT ELUDED YOU ON FIRST VIEWING!
You did not miss anything because there was nothing there.
The movie is a great visual escape but the the substance is not there.
Your money will be better spent elsewhere (especially in this economy).
Inception is a "no go". "There is no spoon".
Score: D or 5/10
To Nolan: Nice try but next time, "don't be afraid to dream bigger, darling".
This movie has been tracking well and receiving summer blockbuster reviews from critics and fan boys alike. The film is due in theaters Fri 7/16 but I was lucky to get a ticket to an advance screening on Wed 7/14. I was among the last to get a seat as the theater was packed with rabid male 20-somethings waiting for their summer action "fix". I was eager but cautious too. This movie was hyped as James Bond meets the Matrix which, if done well, would blow my mind.
Sadly, I have heard those claims before and have been disappointed(does Aeon Flux and Wanted ring a bell?). Still, I was open to the possibilities especially after the movie trailers with the gravity-less fighting scenes, out-of-this-world set pieces and dream-wake mind-job sci-fi scenarios. In fact, if anyone could equal or even top the Matrix, Chris Nolan was in a short pile of people who just might be able to do it (along with Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg and M. Knight Shamayla at his Sixth Sense prime). Ten years is a long time to wait for a post-Matrix hit so I snuggled down in my seat and waited with baited breath. The screen burst to life and the movie started with an orchestral music at a crescendo...
Spoiler Alert!!!Spoiler Alert!!!Spoiler Alert!!!Spoiler Alert!!!
Big spoilers so don't read any further unless you're brave--
The Review:
I wanted to like this movie and the visuals were stunning but I didn't enjoy it because it was a blatant rip off of The Matrix almost scene for scenes and near similar dialog. I've seen the Matrix over 40 times and I know a Matrix rip-off when I see it. Yeah, the set pieces are innovative and the CGI is top notch sure enough but it's still a poorly executed Matrix, with a little Mission Impossible and James Bond thrown in for effect. I really expected better from Chris Nolan considering his other films.
SHAMELESS MATRIX RIP-OFFS IN INCEPTION:
#1) In one of the early scenes, Leo's character says "dreams/ideas are contagious like viruses" well in the Matrix Agent Smith says practically the same "virus" thing to Morpheus when they are torturing him near the end.
2) Leo's character takes Ellen Page's character on her first shared dreaming experience unbeknown to her and she says "so I'm dreaming?" while in the Matrix Mor- pheus takes Neo into the Matrix training program for the first time unbeknown to him and Neo says "so, this is the Matrix?"
Later in that same scene, Leo walks with Ellen through a crowd explaining the dream as a 'training session". People bump and jostle them along the way and Ellen is alarmed. Ditto in the same scene from the Matrix before they see the Lady in Red. Ellen/Neo asks "so this isn't real?" Leo/Morpheus both answers "What is real?"
3)Leo says "dreams are creative ideas of the mind or projections" v.s. Morpheus' "the Matrix is a construct of your subconscious... a projection of yourself". Later Leo says it again when they deep sleep with Cilian Murphy's character.
4) If I die in deep dreaming/if I die in the Matrix, will I die in real life? Leo/Morpheus answers "your mind makes it real."
5) Leo to Ellen "we need an architect" and in Matrix Reloaded we learn that the Matrix was built by The Architect.
6) Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Arthur takes Ellen through a repeated shared dream training program like Tank did with Neo when he learned Kung Fu in the Matrix. At one time Ellen may have even mouthed the word "whoa"(lol).
7) Mal tells Leo "no it's more real in the dream... your kids are there... come back with me" v.s. Cipher tells Trinity "the Matrix is more real than here(Zion)... they're putting me back in the Matrix"
8) The "dream machines" even looked similar to the EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse) machines used to disarm the squid-like sentinel machines in the Matrix.
9) Instead of agents, an armed security force from Cilian Murphy's militarized subconscious shoot at Leo and his crew in the deep dream. Most of the gun play is done on street or freeways like in Reloaded.
10) Leo's character runs through a crowed open air market then through an alley, ducking and weaving while the "agents" shoot at him just like Neo did near the end
of the Matrix.
11) Tom Hardy's Eames character's tongue in cheek "impersonation" of a sexy blond female in a white form-fitting 50's style dress was funny but it was just a version
of the Lady in Red, that the character Mouse had designed, who existed only in the Matrix training program.
12) In Inception, an elevator is rigged to explode with explosives and the resulting explosion sets up the films resolution as in the Matrix.
Other Things I Hated About Inception:
THEY MADE ME DO MATH!!!
1 hour in real life = 3 months in deep dreaming (cough "the Matrix").
5 hours = 10 years
10 hours = 50 years
WTC! What conversion factor are they using and why didn't some one tell me there was going to be a test!?
Plot and Character Development:
The science behind dreams is a fascinating field and the thought of manipulating some one's dream is exciting but this movie was flat and unimaginative in that department. Inception did not explore or exploit any of the existing dream science. It seems that we all dream almost every time we sleep but we often don't recall them. I know babies dream big time and even pets have dreams. We mostly dream in color and I in particular dream in Technicolor, HD and surround sound(lol). The movie didn't deal with the science of dream recall at all either and they did not even mention REM stage sleep, lucid dreaming or how drugs can stop REM stage and dreaming.
What was worst about the movie is that there was no emotional attachment to most of the character. Leo's character didn't work for me as I felt he was shifty to begin with and I never invested in his character. I didn't really care if he got back to his kids or not, in fact, I couldn't even remember Leo's character's name after the movie was over. I put this blame firmly at the feet of Chis Nolan, as both writer and director. He spent too much time having Leo do exposition and explaining the dream process instead of creating relationships and conflict. The only source of conflict for Leo (after Ken Watanabe became an ally) was Marion Cotillard's who played his crazy wife, Mal, who as her name suggest seemed very "bad" for the kids to be around anyway, so again, no connection.
Also, what was so sucky about their real life that lead them to want to stay in the dream one? Is dreaming like a drug or are hey addicted to the drugs that get you to dream deep? If we had a clue maybe we would have cared about the characters and the movie may have worked.
And Nolan under-developed and under-utilized Michael Caine and Ellen Page. Caine already showed that he can handle futuristic concepts with his performance in Children of Men so Nolan should have ran with it. How Leo and Caine knew so much about dreaming and why the interest was never explained. The same for Ellen's character. Ellen looks like a 17 year old girl. Why didn't they use a theory that a younger female's brain, though smaller than a males, had more nerve tracts so they would be more creative and prone to better dreaming but more sensitive to it's negative effects overall. This would explain how quickly Ellen mastered shared dreaming. It would also explain why Mal's dreaming went wrong as she aged in deep dream and why Leo couldn't control his own dreaming as well and it would double his guilt/conflict over performing "inception" on Mal.
And don't get me started on the misuse of Ken Watanabe who was the most believable of all the characters in the first Act then fades/dies near the end of Act 2. Nolan should have used a plot device to keep the relationship/conflict between Leo and Ken
brewing and therefore, make their meeting at the end of the movie more dramatic.
Inception's Bright Spots:
The only bright spots were Joseph Gordon-Levitt who plays, Arthur, Leo's slim three-piece suit wearing "by the book" dream technician and Tom Hardy, who plays the beefy prankster Eames, Arthur's polar opposite. Gordon-Levitts serious face and all business attitude unfolded to reveal a much more sensitive character especially in his interaction with Ellen. All their scenes resonated well and were totally believable. Plus, Gordon-Levitt's zero-gravity fight scenes were the action highlight of the movie for me and I wished that that was more of what the movie was about.
Tom Hardy was great as comic relief and he got 2 of the movie's 3 big gut laughs from me and the theater's audience at the showing. I thought the action was really going to start when Eames pulled out a rocket launcher and told Arthur, "don't be afraid to dream bigger, darling" but, alas, it still didn't pick up.
The movie was paced well but I was so non-invested that I felt bored and sleepy a few times. I also thought the guy behind me was sleeping too as I heard snoring but it was coming from the film itself(lol). Oh, did I mention that they made me do math?
My Take:
This movie is so bad that Nolan may have written it in his sleep(I couldn't resist-lol). The cold ending was a complete cop out! Leaving the ending open to the imagi-nation or interpretation of the viewer used to be considered deep and cerebral decades ago but now it just means that (like in Lost and the Sopranos) that they couldn't think of a better ending or that they are just lazy. Plus, isn't this just the Michael Jackson story with Cotillard as Michael and Leo and the Muslim guy as Dr. Conrad Murray and where inception and deep dreaming is actually the drug propofol? And the children he/she leaves behind are just that, left behind.
There was big applause when the movie ended and all the fanboys were gushing about it but all I could think was "epic fail". I discussed it a bit with a few of them before realizing that they were all big Nolan/Dark Knight fans and would applaud even if Nolan took a crap in their hand. Plus, Inception was to be the hope to save this summer's movie going experience so I can understand their reluctance to part with reality. None of them understood the movie but some suggested that I watch the movie again to get the "deeper meaning" as like they were all planning to do.
Then they all gave me that look that I loathe. The one that says "you're just not smart enough to get it". The nerve of these Nolan fanboys! I shouldn't have to bring my Asimov and Philip K. Dick collection, my 3 advance science degrees or my cherished VHS copy of Blade Runner as proof of my deep love and understanding of all things sci-fi. I left them alone after that. But guys, if you were fool enough to see this movie the first time like I was, I warn you:
DO NOT GO BACK AND SEE THIS MOVIE AGAIN LOOKING FOR A DEEPER MEANING OR ANSWERS THAT ELUDED YOU ON FIRST VIEWING!
You did not miss anything because there was nothing there.
The movie is a great visual escape but the the substance is not there.
Your money will be better spent elsewhere (especially in this economy).
Inception is a "no go". "There is no spoon".
Score: D or 5/10
To Nolan: Nice try but next time, "don't be afraid to dream bigger, darling".
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Ray Harryhausen Double Feature and Exhibit At The Academy
I loved Ray Harryhausen and the Seventh Voyage of Sinbad as a kid cause it's a film that showed the endless possibilities of depicting creatures in live action films (through stop-gap animation) way before Rick Baker and Star Wars and way, way before the current CGI and digital effects.
Seems the film inspired Peter Jackson as well. Jackson just released an amateur remake he did of the film when he was 15 during a tribute to Harryhausen at the BAFTA. The film clip Jackson showed was beyond funny but I gave it an A for effort! Stop-gap animation might even be making a come back as we saw with the Fantastic Mr. Fox last year. Maybe Jackson might try his hand at rekindling that 7th Voyage/Sinbad remake project that fell through a few years back (this only after he does the Hobbit films, of course).
For those in LA, the Academy is showing the Seventh Voyage of Sinbad along with 20,000 Miles To Earth as part of a Ray Harryhausen double feature this Fri 7/16 at the Sam Goldwyn Building. An exhibition of Harryhausen's work will also be on display at the museum before the show and the exhibition runs through 8/22. Come watch the work of this great pioneer and watch Cyclops chow down!
www.oscars.org/events-exhibitions/events/2010/harryhausen.html
Seems the film inspired Peter Jackson as well. Jackson just released an amateur remake he did of the film when he was 15 during a tribute to Harryhausen at the BAFTA. The film clip Jackson showed was beyond funny but I gave it an A for effort! Stop-gap animation might even be making a come back as we saw with the Fantastic Mr. Fox last year. Maybe Jackson might try his hand at rekindling that 7th Voyage/Sinbad remake project that fell through a few years back (this only after he does the Hobbit films, of course).
For those in LA, the Academy is showing the Seventh Voyage of Sinbad along with 20,000 Miles To Earth as part of a Ray Harryhausen double feature this Fri 7/16 at the Sam Goldwyn Building. An exhibition of Harryhausen's work will also be on display at the museum before the show and the exhibition runs through 8/22. Come watch the work of this great pioneer and watch Cyclops chow down!
www.oscars.org/events-exhibitions/events/2010/harryhausen.html
INCEPTION: Movie Premiere
I was with the fans outside the L.A. movie premiere and red carpet for the movie Inception on Tues 7/13. Inception is the new and highly anticipated film from Dark Knight's Chris Nolan. I missed the arrival of most of the main stars and but I spoke with those who saw the stars arriving and here's the run-down:
Leonardo DiCaprio crossed the street and spent a lot of time greeting the fans along the barricades and signing autographs and he was "real cool".
Chris Nolan ,Dark Knight's famed director) was a fan favorite and he arrived to lots of cheers.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt(the cute kid from 3rd Rock From The Sun and 500 Days of Summer)practically snuck by and not many people recognized him.
Ellen Page was "cute as a button" and a nerd-boy's dream and many guys couldn't stop gushing about her.
Marion Cotilliard seemed nice enough but didn't seem to spark too much lasting interest from the fans and unfortunately Michael Caine was a no show.
After all the stars were in theater, they let us get close to the red carpet and viewing area and I hung out there with the fans and a few remaining photogs. It actually wasn't a red carpet but a black carpet with the word "INCEPTION" in big red block letters and there were large wall-like posters from the movie along the walk area.
The After-party:They erected 3-4 massive white tens in the parking area behind El Capitan just by the Hollywood High School. The tents were air-conditioned (a blessing in 94 degree heat) and very high end and the main tent had glass along the entrance as you walked in and I think I spied potted plants as the decor. They had a long corridor made of metal pipes and lined with black fabric and a similarly draped black platform that was like a small maze that led from the back of the El Capitan Theater directly to the main tent in the parking lot.
Warner Brothers spent a lot for this intricate set up and they had one tent just for the caterers alone. The porta-johns were also high end and nearly twice the size of the ones I usually see and they were in a nice taupe color as apposed to the common light blue variety we use. I counted over 30 security staff and they were doing a good job of patrolling the entrances and perimeter, keeping the uninvited out. That is, except at the low fence near the high school where someone could have easily crawled over and entered if so inclined.
I heard they had a strict dress code for fans who wrangled tickets to the premiere and I was outside with a guy who said they didn't let him in because of it. I never have to worry about that as I always carry a sequenced tank, sparkly, stroppy, kitten-heeled sandals and matching accessories in my handbag whenever I attend premieres, just in case I score a ticket. I am beyond resourceful(lol)!
Alas, no ticket this time so I watched everything through the fence especially the caterers in the food prep tent, which looked like hard work but fun at the same time. The food could have been a little more imaginative though as I saw the routine stuff (roast beef, salad greens, crustinis etc.). Maybe a creative food design that mirrors the theme of the movie or a set piece... like a big water fall of beverages into a punch bowl and buildings made from cake that crumble and collapse as you slice it.
I ease-dropped on the wait-staff conversations for a bit as this is usually a good source of insider tid-bits. Unfortunately, none of it was industry stuff so I moved on to see if any of the stars would arrive early to the main tent. I observed for a bit more then I got bored and moved on.
Toy Story 3/Disney Fun Rides Carnival:As I was leaving, I strolled by the Disney/Toy Story 3 carnival on the Hollywood High's field next door. It was closed for the day but it's opened daily until 7:00 to anyone who buys a ticket to see Toy Story at The El Capitan. It looked like fun so I think I'll "borrow" a kid and join the fun on the rides next weekend(lol).
Leonardo DiCaprio crossed the street and spent a lot of time greeting the fans along the barricades and signing autographs and he was "real cool".
Chris Nolan ,Dark Knight's famed director) was a fan favorite and he arrived to lots of cheers.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt(the cute kid from 3rd Rock From The Sun and 500 Days of Summer)practically snuck by and not many people recognized him.
Ellen Page was "cute as a button" and a nerd-boy's dream and many guys couldn't stop gushing about her.
Marion Cotilliard seemed nice enough but didn't seem to spark too much lasting interest from the fans and unfortunately Michael Caine was a no show.
After all the stars were in theater, they let us get close to the red carpet and viewing area and I hung out there with the fans and a few remaining photogs. It actually wasn't a red carpet but a black carpet with the word "INCEPTION" in big red block letters and there were large wall-like posters from the movie along the walk area.
The After-party:They erected 3-4 massive white tens in the parking area behind El Capitan just by the Hollywood High School. The tents were air-conditioned (a blessing in 94 degree heat) and very high end and the main tent had glass along the entrance as you walked in and I think I spied potted plants as the decor. They had a long corridor made of metal pipes and lined with black fabric and a similarly draped black platform that was like a small maze that led from the back of the El Capitan Theater directly to the main tent in the parking lot.
Warner Brothers spent a lot for this intricate set up and they had one tent just for the caterers alone. The porta-johns were also high end and nearly twice the size of the ones I usually see and they were in a nice taupe color as apposed to the common light blue variety we use. I counted over 30 security staff and they were doing a good job of patrolling the entrances and perimeter, keeping the uninvited out. That is, except at the low fence near the high school where someone could have easily crawled over and entered if so inclined.
I heard they had a strict dress code for fans who wrangled tickets to the premiere and I was outside with a guy who said they didn't let him in because of it. I never have to worry about that as I always carry a sequenced tank, sparkly, stroppy, kitten-heeled sandals and matching accessories in my handbag whenever I attend premieres, just in case I score a ticket. I am beyond resourceful(lol)!
Alas, no ticket this time so I watched everything through the fence especially the caterers in the food prep tent, which looked like hard work but fun at the same time. The food could have been a little more imaginative though as I saw the routine stuff (roast beef, salad greens, crustinis etc.). Maybe a creative food design that mirrors the theme of the movie or a set piece... like a big water fall of beverages into a punch bowl and buildings made from cake that crumble and collapse as you slice it.
I ease-dropped on the wait-staff conversations for a bit as this is usually a good source of insider tid-bits. Unfortunately, none of it was industry stuff so I moved on to see if any of the stars would arrive early to the main tent. I observed for a bit more then I got bored and moved on.
Toy Story 3/Disney Fun Rides Carnival:As I was leaving, I strolled by the Disney/Toy Story 3 carnival on the Hollywood High's field next door. It was closed for the day but it's opened daily until 7:00 to anyone who buys a ticket to see Toy Story at The El Capitan. It looked like fun so I think I'll "borrow" a kid and join the fun on the rides next weekend(lol).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
%5B1%5D.JPG)
