Inception

I recently caught myself reading my own reflections of some choice movies I posted about last year. I was delighted to rediscover the insight I’d had on them; so having seen a couple of good films lately, hopefully I’ll continue the trend.

As I posted almost twelve months ago, while I’ll try and keep this entry spoiler free it is definitely better to read it after you’ve seen the movie in question and formed your own view of the film.

In my review of the Soloist last year I commented that while I don’t mind a good thinking man’s film I usually prefer them to be interlaced with a couple of explosions and some exciting action sequences. Enter: Inception.

While I don’t consider myself a film geek, as I rarely know the director of a film when walking into the cinema. If I’m particularly inspired by an idea or enjoyable film I’ll often crave more of its back story. This is a pretty simple venture in today’s world with the internet and sites like IMDB and enthusiast podcasts etc. It turns out that Inception is directed by one of the more critically acclaimed talents in the industry today. Nick Nolan is rapidly becoming a household name, directing the two latest Batman movies as well as Memento to name a small sample of his back catalogue.

Upon reflection it becomes obvious that Inception is directed by a gifted film maker, some of the action scenes in the middle of the film are brilliantly original, no mean feat in cinematography these days. I also found the pacing to be extremely well staged with clever - tried and true - storytelling tricks injected to keep the audience as well informed of the story as required. I can’t say the story isn’t completely void of plot holes but sometimes I think these are purposefully positioned to let the audience interpret it themselves – much like a cryptic line in a the words to an emotional song.

I was also pretty offended by the ending of the film; I read it described as “a fifty/fifty bet each way by the director”. I tend to agree with this as some in the audience would have liked to be told the story ended one way, and the other potion of the audience would anticipate the other. The film simply refused to confirm either, creating its own social networking buzz among patrons that have viewed it.

I’ve formed my own opinion but still feel slightly robbed that it wasn’t expressed in full by the film itself. It’s the storyteller’s story to define the ending … not mine.

At the end of the day Inception is an easy movie to recommend to others, and I even look forward to my eventual re-unrevealing of its mysteries when I watch it anew …

Iron Man 2

I recently caught Iron Man 2 in the cinema, and it is worth disclosing that I'm a pretty big fan of the original. The original is actually one disc in my two movie blu-ray collection but I guess that is another post on to itself.

I should begin with the customary read at your own peril, as while I'll make efforts not to provide any spoilers these thoughts are best read once you've seen and formed your own opinions.

Strictly speaking Iron Man 2 doesn't bring anything new to the table, but then I don't really think there was anything missing from the first instalment. I've recently gotten in to the habit of completely inverting my eyes from any film promotion that I've already decided I'll go see. Once again this tactic served me well having not seen all the blowy-up-bits in the shorts. I recommend this tactic to anyone else who thinks modern day trailers are to revealing for their own good.

As far as special effects go they where ace, but then these days unless the director is after a cheesy half baked look they often are flawless. - well with the exception of this film. I also liked the way the storyline of the first was vaguely extended but different enough to provide both films with independent endings, I'm looking at you "Kill Bill: Vol 1" and "The Matrix Reloaded"

However the really innovative thing that Iron Man 2 contributes to is the 'comic book' like cross promotion that Marvel have been brewing for the last two years as we lead up to the visionary 'Avengers' movie. Together with the recent Hulk film along with Iron Man (1) and the scheduled next year releases of Thor and Captain America. The Avengers movie set to hit big screens in 2012 will include all the aforementioned super heros and one can only imagine a band of super villains to match.

It really isn't anything new for the comic book scene with super heros and villains often making cameos in each others source material. However it is great to see Marvel extend the idea to the big screen, which is arguably risker given the cost to illustrate a comic versus bank roll a hollywood blockbuster feature film.

If you haven't already seen Iron Man 2 I highly recommend it and make sure you stick around after the credits for the teaser scene and keep an eye out in movie for the Captain America reference ...

The Soloist

On my recent trip to Adelaide I was left with the better part of a full day to entertain myself, with limited resources I decided that a trip to the cinema was as good a solution to kill a couple of hours as any.

Besides bumping into Cale Hooker, Tayte Pears and Tom Bellchambers in the Cinema Foyer and yelling out encouragement for the then pending Footy final. I found myself in the next most interesting scheduled session. With little to pick from and having already seen District 9 and expecting to see some of the other candidates with my wife I settled on 'The Soloist'

The irony isn't lost on me that I found myself watching the Soloist alone. For the most part I've no issues with checking out a movie, event or even an interstate football final solo. There is a remarkable amount of freedom when you only has to consider their own whims and fancies and not require a general consensus before deciding on a course of action. Interestingly the movie did touch on some of these emotions which induced a little self reflection

Nevertheless I digress. The Soloist isn't my usual cinematic genre but given my selection criteria my expectations where non existent. Brilliant performances by Iron Man err … Robert Downey Jr and Jamie Foxx made this a very compelling Drama that did captivate me at times. The dramatic undertones and serious characters did feel like attempts at getting nominated for the upcoming cinematic award season. As professional actors its in their best interest to get critical acclaim so it's hard to really fault Downey Jr or Foxx for this.

While I did enjoy the movie you would typically need to be in the mood for the themes this picture exposes the viewer too. Personally I'm probably only open to this heavy a movie half the time unless they can disguise the intellectual context behind thrilling or action packed sequences.

The other true marvel of this film is how Downey Jr can look so good all the time even in a random arrangement of hats ...

District 9

I'm horribly late with my thoughts on District 9 but given I sight a decent smattering of films at the cinema I wanted to pen my thoughts on any flicks I deemed worthwhile.

I should begin with the customary read at your own peril as while I'll make efforts not to provide any spoilers these thoughts are best read once you've seen and formed your own opinions.

It is a rare film these days that manages to not only introduce new IP but also stays under the buzz radar yet seem genuinely well financed. District 9 seems to have all the production values, special effects and attention to detail you would expect in an over hyped summer blockbuster. Yet only receive a week or two of promotion in comparison to what seems like months of over-marketing the large films bombard us with.

I'd actually already made my mind up to see District 9 prior to seeing any direct promotion of the film. I'd heard about it due to its link with Peter Jackson and the now debunked Halo Movie. The story goes that Microsoft had began early production on the Halo movie and while Peter Jackson was producing, Neill Blomkamp was to direct. Due to lack of financing the Halo movie project was canned and Jackson and Blomkamp decided to pursue alternative projects and settled on producing and directing District 9. Interestingly enough Blomkamp had never made a full feature fill but District 9 was both based of his short film 'Alive in Joburg' and some of the assets and early work they'd both started on the Halo movie. So naturally given my enthusiasm for the Halo universe even this loose coupling had be interested.

I found it a marvellous immersive world that mirrored and maybe even openly exaggerated some real world multi cultural challenges. It takes the audience on a pendular journey of prejudice. However I think it would equally entertain a team of football players as it would a room of scholars. It is brilliantly paced and wonderfully acted and a must see for any science fiction action fan.

If you don't mind a little senseless violence it is an excellent thinking mans social commentary and while I won't rate it as this isn't a review I do highly recommend it …