Dreams, Gravity Defying Stunts, and an Oscar-Worthy Triumph

Inception

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy

Rated: PG-13

2 hrs. 28 mins.

Cobb (DiCaprio) is an expert thief in the realm of dream extraction. Saito, who Cobb believed was merely one of his marks, actually uses the extraction as a guise to audition a new team to perform a difficult and near impossible mission. When the new team is gathered, they must perform an inception by planting an idea into the mind of a target, in this case Robert Fischer (Cillian Murphy). Once this last job is performed, Cobb may finally be able to return to the US and to his family.

The plot is a familiar one. A man must perform one last job that will eventually allow him to return to his family. However, Inception's story is much more complex than that simple plot bit, turning a cliche plot into something classified as never-before-seen. The idea of being able to manipulate and exist within dreams and the subconscious is mind-blowing. Add to that thrilling action and suspense and you have an Oscar-worthy film.

The effects and cinematography are stunning. The best scene, which makes you question, "How in the world did they do that?" occurs in a hotel within the dreamspace of Robert Fischer. Arthur (Gordon-Levitt) battles a man in during a moment in which gravity within the dream has disappeared. The halls flip and turn as Arthur flies around mid-air.

It will be a shock if Inception is not nominated for a slew of Academy Awards next year.

Trailer: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

This week the trailer for the extremely highly-anticipated final two Harry Potter films was released.

Synopsis:

As Lord Voldemort's power grows stronger, especially with his control over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the world is in its most perilous position yet. Harry, Ron and Hermione intend to finish what Dumbledore started and destroy Voldemort's horcruxes, items each containing a bit of his soul, in order to finally take down the Dark Lord.

In Theaters:

Part 1 - November 19, 2010

Part 2 - July 15, 2011

To tell the truth, the trailer gives me chills, especially having been a Harry Potter fan since I was a kid. It's going to be a tough wait between the two films but in the end will be worth it. The sad part will be leaving the theater after Part 2 has ended.

What do you think? Are you looking forward to seeing it?

In Theaters: June 30 - July 2

A couple of movies hit theaters a little earlier than Friday, so this week's In Theaters is a bit early as well. Let's take a look at what is being released.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30

Opening in wide release:

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Director: David Slade

Stars: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner

Rated: PG-13

Watch the Trailer

The third of four installments, and touted as the biggest movie of the summer in all the TV spots, Eclipse has Bella (Kristen Stewart) stuck choosing between sparkly-vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and Six-Pack-Ab shapeshifter/werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). Plus, foe Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard, who replaces Rachelle Lefevre in the role) has built an army of "newborn" vampires with the intent of destroying Bella and the Cullens in response to Edward and his family destroying her own mate, James. Now comes the part where there is an epic battle with lots of CG wolves and high-flying super-vamp effects.

Opening in limited release:

Love Ranch

Director: Taylor Hackford

Stars: Helen Mirren, Joe Pesci, Bai Ling, Taryn Manning

Not Rated

Watch the Trailer

THURSDAY, JULY 1

The Last Airbender

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Stars: Noah Ringer, Dev Patel, Nicola Peltz, Jackson Rathbone

Rated: PG

Watch the Trailer

Based on the popular Nickelodeon cartoon, the Fire Nation wages war the Air, Water, and Earth nations. This continues until Aang (Noah Ringer) discovers he is the last person with the ability to manipulate all of the elements. Now, with the help of a Waterbender and her brother (Nicola Peltz and Jackson Rathbone) he will try to stop the Fire Nation and restore peace among the four nations once again.

FRIDAY, JULY 2

Great Directors

Director: Angela Ismailos

Stars: Bernardo Bertolucci, David Lynch, Stephen Frears, Agnes Varda

Not Rated - Limited release

Watch the Trailer

Pretty much everyone and especially everyone's mother has heard about the release of Eclipse, unless maybe you are a 65-year-old male or live in a cave somewhere with no internet or cable. I'm looking forward to seeing The Last Airbender, actually, despite never once having seen the cartoon. The trailer pulled me in.

What are you looking forward to seeing this weekend?

A Daring Escape, Mr. Pricklepants, and A Blast of Nostalgia

Toy Story 3

Directed By: Lee Unkrich

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty

Rated: G

1 hr. 43 min.

In the third installment of Toy Story, the toys, including Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen), are mistakenly sent to the Sunnyside Day Care during the bustle of Andy packing for college. But when the toys try to bust out of Sunnyside and return to Andy, they find that other toys are determined not to let them leave. Now they must embark on a big escape to make it to Andy before he leaves home.

The opening scene pulls the audience in to the imagination of Andy as a child to a new degree that we did not get in the first two installments. It takes you back to the wild stories you created in your imaginations when you played with your own toys as a child.

The plot is simple, the toys have to get back to Andy before he leaves for college on Friday, but other elements make it more than just a time-sensitive mission. The toddlers who play with the toys aren't playing with them calmly, Sunnyside's resident toys refuse to let them leave, and Woody becomes separated and ends up in a little girl's home with her other toys, including a stuffed theatrical porcupine named Mr. Pricklepants.

Toy Story 3 is one of those animated movies that is appropriate and enjoyable for children and adults alike. Every adult will be able to recall their own childhoods or that time when he or she finally went off to college, but those who were children when the original Toy Story debuted will get an extra shot of nostalgia, and will surely be emotional by the end.

Grade: A+

In Theaters: June 25

Here are some of what hits theaters this weekend.

Opening in wide release:

Grown Ups

Director: Dennis Dugan

Stars: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider

Rated: PG-13

In this comedy, five school friends reunite after the passing of their high school basketball coach. They decide to bring their families all together for a Fourth of July holiday.

Knight and Day

Director: James Mangold

Stars: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard

Rated: PG-13

A woman (Cameron Diaz) gets pulled into the world of a secret agent (Tom Cruise) after a fateful meeting on a flight.

Opening in limited release:

Restrepo

Director: Sebastian Junger

Not Rated

Wild Grass

Director: Alain Resnais

Stars: Andre Dussollier, Sabine Azema

Rated: PG

Dogtooth

Director: Giorgos Lanthimos

Stars: Christos Stergioglou, Michele Valley

Not Rated

I'll probably end up seeing Grown Ups at some point, but Knight and Day just looks dumb. Tom Cruise or no Tom Cruise, the trailer doesn't exactly pull me in. Not to mention I'm no Cameron Diaz fan. I saw an episode of The Ultimate Trailer Show on HDNet which highlighted Restrepo, and it definitely looks interesting.

There are some releases coming up on Wednesday, including one movie I'm sure most of you will loathe. More info will be posted next week.

What are you looking forward to seeing?

On on Blu-Ray and DVD Today (June 22, 2010)

Take a look at some of what is out on Blu-Ray and DVD today:

Remember Me

Rated: PG-13, 1 hr. 53 min.

Official Site

My Review of the Film

She's Out of My League

Rated: R, 1 hr. 44 min.

Official Site

The Last Station

Rated: R, 1 hr. 52 min.

Official Site

Green Zone

Rated: R, 1 hr. 55 min.

Official Site

A Star is Born: Blu-Ray

Rated: PG, 2 hrs. 56 min.

TiMER

Rated: R, 1 hr. 39 min.

Official Site

My Review of the Film

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightening Thief

Rated: PG, 1 hr. 48 min.

Official Site

Entourage: The Complete 6th Season

Rated: TV-MA

Official Site

I'm considering getting a copy of Remember Me, because, despite it starring Robert Pattinson, I actually liked it. The Last Station is an Oscar-nominee, so I'd like to see that.

What are planning on buying or seeing?

In Theaters: June 18th

Take a look at some of what hits theaters this weekend.

Opening in wide release:

Toy Story 3

Director: Lee Unkrich

Stars: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack

Rated: G

The long-awaited and highly-anticipated third installment of Toy Story finally arrives. Woody, Buzz, and the rest of our favorite toys get dumped off at a day care center as all-grown-up Andy packs for college. Now the toys must escape from the sticky fingers of the toddlers at the day care and find their way back to Andy.

Jonah Hex

Director: Jimmy Hayward

Stars: Josh Brolin, John Malkovich, Megan Fox

Rated: PG-13

In this film based on a comic book, the U.S. Military gives bounty hunter Jonah Hex (Josh Brolin) a bargain: in exchange for freedom from warrants against him, he must find a terrorist (John Malkovich) who plans to unleash Hell on earth (like any good evil nemesis).

Opening in limited release:

I Am Love

Director: Luca Guadagnino

Stars: Tilda Swinton, Flavio Parenti

Rated: R

Cyrus

Director: Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass

Stars: John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill, Marisa Tomei

Rated: R

Let It Rain

Director: Agnes Jaoui

Stars: Jean-Pierre Bacri, Jamel Debbouze, Agnes Jaoui

Not Rated

Of course, having actually been a child when the first Toy Story came out, I'm probably more excited to see Toy Story 3 than most children today. I'll be skipping Jonah Hex, though. Megan Fox's horrible accent seems grating, and her acting seems flat. Not to mention the plot itself doesn't much appeal to me.

What are you looking forward to seeing?

MTV Movie Awards Winners

Here is the complete winner's list for tonight's MTV Movie Awards.

BEST MOVIE

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE

Kristen Stewart, The Twilight Saga: New Moon

BEST MALE PERFORMANCE

Robert Pattinson, The Twilight Saga: New Moon

BEST BREAKOUT STAR

Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air

BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE

Zach Galifianakis, The Hangover

BEST VILLIAN

Tom Felton, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

BEST FIGHT

Beyonce Knowles vs. Ali Larter, Obsessed

BEST KISS

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, The Twilight Saga: New Moon

BEST WTF MOMENT

Ken Jeong, The Hangover - Naked Trunk Surprise

GLOBAL SUPERSTAR

Robert Pattinson

BEST SCARED-AS-SH**T-PERFORMANCE

Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer's Body

BIGGEST BADASS STAR

Rain

MTV GENERATION AWARD

Sandra Bullock

Unsurprisingly, Twilight Saga: New Moon swept the night, winning in every category it was nominated. As much as I love the Harry Potter series, I was disappointed that Tom Felton won over Christoph Waltz. Tom Felton (AKA Draco Malfoy) would have been my second choice from these nominations. I would have preferred Emma Watson over Kristen Stewart for Best Female Performance, since Kristen doesn't really perform all that well. The "Best Fight" award was not broadcast, and inexplicably Beyonce vs. Ali Larter won (people actually saw Obsessed?). Tonight's broadcast had some funny moments (host Aziz Ansari did a fairly decent job), but it also had many moments that had me scratching my head (Russell Brand and Jonah Hill fighting over Team Jacob or Team Edward). I was more excited about the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows preview than I was about most of the awards, really, but the preview was short and left me wanting more. Then again, that's what it's meant to do. My favorite part of the night was Sandra Bullock accepting her Generation Award, because she continued being her fun, lively, amazing self.

What are your thoughts on tonights awards show and the winners?

In Theaters: May 27, 2010

Take a look at what is opening this weekend.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Director: Mike Newell

Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley

Rated: PG-13

Based on the video game, the titular prince Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal) joins up with Tamina (Gemma Arterton) to safeguard a dagger holding the Sands of Time in an effort to keep it from an evil ruler who plans to use the Sands of Time to destroy the world.

Opening in Wide Release:

Sex and the City 2

Director: Michael Patrick King

Stars: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall

Rated: R

The sequel to the first Sex and the City, as well as to the television show, follows the lives of Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha. This time the film follows them from New York all the way to Abu Dhabi.

Trailer:

Opening in Limited Release:

George A. Romero's Survival of the Dead

Director: George A. Romero

Stars: Alan Van Sprang, Kenneth Walsh, Richard Fitzpatrick

Rated: R

See my review of this film here.

Micmacs

Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Stars: Dany Boon, Andre Dussollier, Nicolas Marie, Jean-Pierre Marielle, Yolande Moreau

Rated: R

Obviously I enjoyed Survival of the Dead, so I suggest that if it is playing in your city, go see it. I hope to see Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. As far as Sex and the City 2 goes, well, I'll probably be skipping that one.

What are you looking forward to seeing?

Trailer: Inception

Here is the new trailer for Inception.

Synopsis:

Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is an expert at extracting secrets from a person's subconscious during the dream state. This gift lands him in the position of international fugitive. He is offered one last job that could bring him home, but it's his biggest job yet.

In Theaters:

July 16, 2010

In Theaters: April 30, 2010

Here's a look at what is opening this weekend.

Opening in Wide Release:

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Director: Samuel Bayer

Stars: Jackie Earle Haley, Rooney Mara, Katie Cassidy

Rated: R

In this reboot of the original A Nightmare on Elm Street (Directed by Wes Craven, 1984), the infamous serial killer wielding the gloves with blades who kills you in your dreams, stalks a group of teenagers who reside on Elm Street.

Trailer:

Furry Vengeance

Director: Roger Kumble

Stars: Brendan Fraser, Brooke Shields

Rated: PG

A real estate developer faces a protest from the local woodland creatures as he tries to carry out his plans for a new subdivision that would wipe out their homes.

Trailer:

Opening in Limited Release

The Good Heart

Director: Dagur Kari

Stars: Brian Cox, Paul Dano

Rated: R

Harry Brown

Director: Daniel Barber

Stars: Michael Cain, Emily Mortimer

Rated: R

The Human Centipede

Director: Tom Six

Stars: Dieter Laser, Ashley C. Williams

Rated: Not Rated

Mercy

Director: Patrick Hoelck

Stars: Whitney Able, Bre Blair, James Caan

Rated: Not Rated

Please Give

Director: Nicole Holofcener

Stars: Rebecca Hall, Catherine Keener, Elizabeth Keener

Rated: R

Overall, I want to see A Nightmare on Elm Street to see how it stacks up against the original. Seeing as the original is so classic, I'm fairly sure the remake is not going to cut it. Also, Furry Vengeance looks like more of a nightmare than A Nightmare on Elm Street, in the sense that it looks absolutely ridiculous. I know it's a family movie, but it almost looks like only the children will enjoy that one. We'll see. As far as those limited release films, The Human Centipede looks absolutely ridiculous as well.

What do you all want to see?

Trailer: George A. Romero's Survival of the Dead

I saw the trailer for George A. Romero's Survival of the Dead for the first time today.

Synopsis:

A group of National Guardsmen travel to a remote island, hoping that it is the last safe, zombie-free place on Earth. What they find, instead, are two feuding families. What's the feud? They're fighting over what to do about the zombies: kill them or try to tame and save them.

In Theaters:

May 28, 2010

Personally, I think the film looks rather lack-luster. The story doesn't really grab me. Diary of the Dead was a disappointment, so I'm hoping this film redeems the "Dead" series for me.

What do you all think?