Inception

Director: Christopher Nolan
UK release: July 2010
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe, Cillian Murphy, Michael Caine

IMDB page



He said:

This is one of those films that when you leave the theatre you'll be debating with your cinema-going mates about their ideas of 'what really happened'. Helen and I both have interesting ideas on this film but as we are spoiler free we will leave that for another time!

The characters in Inception are very well developed though at times some are under used. I think Christopher Nolan has an incredible talent at telling a tightly woven story and, regardless of how much you must suspend your disbelief, he makes each and every world he creates a reality. As fantastic and outlandish as this film is - at no point did I think "...that would never happen."

If I had any complaints at all about this film it is the underdevelopment of Ellen Page's character; I felt she had a little too much insight for an undergraduate architecture student. In no way does it take away from the film but it is something that I found a tad odd.

This is really a definitive summer blockbuster (something that this otherwise lacklustre summer has had short supply of). Be warned this is a thinking film and if you miss the first 10 minutes the rest will be very hard to follow.

I really enjoyed this film and would recommend it to any fans of cinema. I give it {{{4.5 out of 5}}}

She said:

If this film doesn't win Best Picture at the 2011 Academy Awards I will be very much surprised. I was, in short, blown away by the technological scale and ambition of this film, let alone the philosophical implications of the narrative. I personally enjoy films that make you think, and that require the audience to contribute in some way (as James said, you will probably be debating the meanings behind this film for a long while after you leave the screen).

I think the casting for this film was spot on. Leonardo DiCaprio, I've felt, has always spent his time trying to get rid of the shadow of Titanic and remind people of his raw talent. His performance in Inception, along with his last film Shutter Island, has solidified his place in the 'psychological thriller hall of fame'.

The best thing about this film is the social commentary; it almost adds a new chapter to the Big Brother legacy that hangs over modern times. Indeed as James said Christopher Nolan (who also directed The Dark Knight and Memento) expertly makes the notion of entering another person's mind through a dreamworld actually seem believable.

Perhaps excluding people who can't follow complex plots, this film caters to pretty much everyone: it has crowd pleasing - read mind boggling - special effects, coupled with a intricately weaved narrative with back story and meaning. I give this film {{{5 out of 5}}}

They said:

This is a film that we highly recommend watching. As Helen's mother said: "Think of The Matrix.... but times ten". Keep an eye out for this during awards season. We give this film {{{9.5 out of 10}}}

QUESTION FOR THE COMMENTS: What is the most confusing film you've ever seen?

Whip It! (Directed by Drew Barrymore)

IMDB PAGE

Starring:
Ellen Page, Marcia Gay Harden, Kristen Wiig, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis, Jimmy Fallon, Alia Shawkat,Eve, Zoe Bell

She said:

This film was great fun; laugh out of loud funny, sexy, sassy and with a great soundtrack. Drew Barrymore (who, by the way, I LOVE) saw her directorial debut with this film and I have to say she did a wonderful job. The acting and pacing kept the balance of humour and sentiment really well. Her talent behind the camera is unsurprising though having been on film sets since she was a tiny 7 year old.

This is essentially a coming-of-age film. And I love those kind of films. They are not solely aimed at teens nor adults. I think some mums would enjoy this one and identify with a mother (played by the wonderful Marcia Gay Harden who is perfect for this 50s style housewife) who is finding it hard to let her daughter become an independent woman.

Although Ellen Page was the protagonist I did feel this was an ensemble film with the supporting characters all playing unique and individual roles. No one person stood out too much although I have to admit a soft spot for the best friend Pash. I found the friendship and the changes it undergoes both for the bad and good quite believable.

Overall I have to say - what a fantastic film! I came out of it wanting to don some skates, fishnets and hotpants and join the roller derby myself! I give it {{{4.5 out of 5}}}

He Said:

I really enjoyed this film. It has a solid story with an excellent pace. The soundtrack is perfect and even the subplots have a nice and even necessary feel. I never felt the side stories were diversions or fillers, as is common in so many films.

As Helen said this film marks the directorial debut of Drew Barrymore and I really think that she did a stellar job. Ellen Page has proven once more that she is more than just "that witty pregnant girl" as this film has heart and wit in spades. Juliet Lewis is in a rare small role and I think she is one of my favorite sub-characters.

The screenplay was written by Shauna Cross the author of the original novel who was an actual Roller derby athlete in Los Angeles (the films Hurl Scouts are based on her team Tough Cookies which had the same girl scout theme and team colors.) I think this fact alone is the reason that the film never seems to drift from reality into campy fantasy.

This is another American Film that is just now reaching the UK shores and if you are on the other side of the pond you can find this film at your local DVD retailer and rental stores, as well as on NETFLIX. I give this film {{{{4.5 out of 5}}}}

They said:
Drew Barrymore and Ellen Page make a great director/actress duo. We really enjoyed this film but what about you? Let us know! We give it [[[[9 out of 10]]]]