Inception

I still think this going to be "Look this is really clever'n'smart" movie.

Jul 6 - 02:18 AM

Sean Pak

Is there anything bad about looking clever and smart, as long as it is those things? Better than looking dumb and being noisy.

Jul 6 - 02:58 AM

I don't need a film to tell me it's smart or not. It shows the people are trying too hard. That's why Blade Runner fell apart too.

Jul 6 - 08:02 AM

Wow, Blade Runner "fell apart," eh? Prepare for the backlash, my friend...

Jul 6 - 08:29 AM

Mark Marquis

Doc, you just keep making statements I can't possibly agree with... Keep thinking I will find some common ground with you but...

Oh well, glad I don't share your vision of modern cinema.

Jul 6 - 02:02 PM

Link O'Fett

Blade Runner fell apart? Hmm, I wasn't aware of that. Mind pointing out where?

Jul 8 - 01:07 AM

Lateralus Grates

What a dumbass.

Jul 8 - 02:08 PM

Link O'Fett

What that insult pointed at me or Doc?

Jul 8 - 10:46 PM

@ Doctor...

I'm sorry, let me pull that pedestal out from under you.....

Why is it, because a film has a high-brow concept that it means they are "Trying to hard?"

That's just ridiculous to say. If the plot details are worked out properly and the movie is thoroughly engaging, then I suspect they tried just enough.

Besides, I'd rather someone try to hard, than not try at all.

It's been a long time since we've had an semi-original thought-provoking concept for a film (especially in this dreadful year of films) so I will take this movie over any others any-day.

Now, a proper example of your "look at how clever'n'smart we are" notion would be the Matrix Sequels. They obviously tried too hard in those.

Jul 6 - 11:09 AM

Haven't watched Matrix sequels Can't comment on them. First movie was ridiculous, but it had a lot of fun.

"High-brow concept" - whut? This isn't the first time dreams are explored, nor is this the most experimental movie ever. The movie seems to insists its smart, with all the dark posters and everybody's serious as hell. The impressions this movie sends me is that this Transformers/2012 with a plot (C'mon, look at the special effects). It doesn't look terrible, but I can't get very excited either. Based on the trailer, I'll give it 2.5.

Also, there are plenty of good movies out there. The sad fact is they're not getting wide released. "Enter the Void" sounds great.

Jul 6 - 12:52 PM

"Based on the trailer, I'll give it 2.5."

Kudos for at least admitting what nobody wants to ever admit: we make snap-judgments on movies from trailers. That said, admitting it makes you look very stupid. Never trust a trailer.

Jul 6 - 01:24 PM

@ That's what I think I'll give it. If I already judged it, I would've rated it. We all have first impressions. No point in hiding them.

Jul 6 - 01:48 PM

I don't think you understand what the phrase, "High-Brow concept" is....
or even what a "High Concept" means.

First off, it doesn't always nor even half-the time mean "Original story." What it means is a movie where the STORY is the star. In this film, that's clearly the case. It's clearly story heavy. Secondly, High Brow means of high intelligence. This is also clearly the case.

This isn't a "2012" (like you mentioned.) where all you do is blow stuff up, and you got a movie. This movie deals with a trained group of people who can enter someone's mind via a dream-state and steal their ideas/ or plant one to make it come off as being "organically" generated. It's pretty intriguing stuff and requires thought and discussion.

No one's sitting around saying no movie has tampered with dream states before. It's just this particular movie deals with it in an intriguing way.

Lastly, the "All the dark posters/people serious as hell" comment is just ridiculous. It's called setting a "tone" in the film. With the subject matter at hand, it seems "dark" and "brooding" would be a fitting tone. The reason the worlds and landscapes are big is because it's set in the realm of your mind in dreamstates, and we all know that your imaginations are ENDLESS and VAST in your dreams. If this film had a light or "A-Team" type tone to it, I wouldn't be nearly as interested in it. It'd just come off as hokey.

This movie is nothing like Transformers (based off toys) or 2012.

Jul 6 - 02:58 PM

Lastly,

The trailer to this film was one of the most intriguing trailers of 2010. It was one of very few that had a mystery to it, and suspense.

I'd give the trailer an 9/10.

Jul 6 - 02:59 PM

The reply button's dead or something, nevermind.

I agree the story is the star. It uses similar special effects to Transformers and 2012 (including the whole epic feel), only it gives it an actual plot to rely on. In fact, I won't be surprised if the story comes out well.

I didn't explain myself regarding the darkness. The darkness seems to strip the film of any away I could relate to it. I find it hard to explain. All the darkness feels too bland, not exactly a unique "take" on darkness.

To put it simply: I've never been more indifferent to a movie than to this movie.

Jul 6 - 03:02 PM

Rob Cox

I have to agree with DoctorXeno as to this being a 'high-brow' concept. It's really, really not. Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to "Inception" but not because I think it's based on a groundbreaking or original concept; it's not. To this point, though, Chris Nolan has been brilliant with every film he's done and there's no reason to think "Inception" will be any different. Good writing, directing, storytelling, editing and acting will win the day every time regardless if the concept is groundbreaking or no. Great storytellers can turn a retread concept into great cinema; Chris Nolan certainly qualifies--at least in my mind--as a great storyteller; one of the finest of this generation, if truth be told.

Jul 6 - 06:04 PM

josh Heflin

nolan hasn't delivered anything near a 2.5 yet dont see why he would start now with a clever story, seemingly awesome action, a cool look at a cool concept, and a ton of great actors. this will be a super epic win. a hit for the fences- but explode a light(cooler than a regular home run) instead.

Jul 7 - 02:33 AM

Biscuit J

What I don't understand is how everyone acts like they have seen this movie. We are rating trailers now? Seriously? Much like District 9, this trailer gives very little story away so people will most likely love or hate the trailer. The trailer itself is confusing. Comparing this film to 2012 and Transformers is arguably the worst comparison I have ever heard of. The only similarity is a big budget and thats it. Nolan, unlike most directors, tries to use less FX than most and it makes a huge difference in his movies. Hey, lets have no ambition when we make movies because we would be trying to tell the viewer we are smart. I have this crazy idea, why don't we watch the movie before we argue about how original the movie is.

Jul 7 - 11:05 AM

keven pumarejo

haha your talking about michael bay huh?

Jul 6 - 04:38 AM

Jim Hawkins

Nolan is the best director hands down of the last decade.

Jul 6 - 09:55 AM

Link O'Fett

If this movie is as good as I think it's going to be, then someone would seriously have to be an idiot to disagree with that statement. Nolan is practically saving Hollywood.

Jul 8 - 01:09 AM

Sam Plimpton

Anyone ever seen "Dark City"? Think there's any inspiration there?

Jul 6 - 10:17 AM

Maybe for the imagery, but certainly not for the plot.

Jul 6 - 12:27 PM

Well I never said the film was entirely original, but I think it'd be stupid to say it's not a High-concept film. This isn't exactly Garfield or Transformers.

Sure Dreamscapes and even The Matrix has dealt with this kind of stuff before, but it's RARE for any film to truly be original these days. Hell, even The Matrix, which everyone seems to claim is original, ripped ideas off of Dark City.

Eh, whatever. My point is that this film doesn't need to "Look smart'n'clever" like DoctorXeno says, because it IS smart and clever. (As Christopher Nolan stuff usually is.) There will no doubt be lots of layers to the characters/story and it'll require multiple viewings.

Jul 7 - 09:47 AM

Bruce Wayne

I should really watch this 'Dark City'

Jul 7 - 09:48 AM

Again, I prefer films not to tell me they're good but to -be- good. Regarding to Matrix, yeah it's not one of the most original movies ever, but neither is Terminator 2 and I consider it a masterpiece.

Either way, I expect Inception to have a great plot. It's a strong concept, that's true. I have to admit that I'm not sure about character development in this movie. I should stop talking about self-impressions though.

I second: I also need to see Dark City. I dunno what's it about but I need to see it.

Jul 7 - 10:44 AM

If what you're responding to is the almost insane hype for this - the whole, OMG THIS IS AWESOME!!!! even among people who haven't seen it - well then, yes, that's been crazy. Then again, given Christopher Nolan's track record, it's not surprising. I didn't see the trailer as "telling" you it would be good; it was very much a play-it-close-to-the-vest one. Whether or not it will "be" good? Way too early to tell. Early indications are good, but they're early indications. This is going to have a hundred reviews for it before it's done, we can't extrapolate off of 9 or 10. I'm crossing my fingers that it will be great, but I'm also prepared to be let down. It's how I go into all movies.

Jul 7 - 01:44 PM

Agreed. We all need to shut up until we see the movie. The hype can be a true killer.

Jul 7 - 11:44 PM