(film review) - Inception

This is a film you may need to see twice, but if you generally understand the concept, then you'll pay attention through the whole film and still ask yourself the inevitable question at the end.

That question is, "so, was it real or was it a dream?"

A lot of people have their pwn interpretation of the film and some would say that it was real and wasn't a dream. Some people would say it was a dream. Me on the other hand, I'm just going to remain quiet until I can see it again.

This film is nothing from short, nothing from linear, nothing from simple and nothing from half-arsed! When I say Christopher Nolan makes a film, what I mean by that is, from screen direction to music, everything just seems epic.

Just to give you an idea of the film. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) designed a machine that enables himself and his partner Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), to perform corporate espionage by entering the subconscious minds of their targets, using two-level "dream within a dream" strategies to "extract" valuable information. As "extractors" they carry a "totem" which has a special and personalized behaviour which is only known to the owner. This object is used to determine if they are within another person's dream.

The problem is, you may not know if your are in a dream or not. Behaviour patterns change within people or the "reality so, if you feel you are in a dream, you'd take out your totem and use it to determine reality. Dom wants to extract information from Cillian Murphy but needs a new Architect because an architect with personal issues will never be able to get the tasks done. This problem arises after Dom teaches a young gifted and smart architect how to think outside the box and manipulate their dreams but then realise that a certain woman keeps appearing in every inception. This is Dom's Angry wife. So as well as Dom trying to fight his own personal demon's and reach his main goal, he has to uncover the truth and also gain his goal the best way he can without too much trouble. Obviously, there is much more complications that arise when you are in someone's dream who realises they are dreaming. Moreover, when you are not in control of the dream and other people are.

This is a definate MUST WATCH! Even buy it on video if you have too.

(film review) - Shutter Island.

I don't even know where to start with this as now that I have seen it and I'm trying to get my head around it. I'm still baffled and/orconfused on certain elements of the film. One thing I got to say first is, Ben Kingsley and Leonardo DiCaprio; Great performances. Anyway, here goes nothing.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays a U.S. Marshal Edward "Teddy" Daniels who takes on an assignment with his new partner, Chuck Aule, Mark Ruffio to look for a multiple murderess Rachel Solando on Shutter Island, the home of Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane. Rachel Solando is presumed missing as she has escaped her cell and apparently the desolate barren island, despite having been kept in a locked cell under lock and key and constant supervision. As Edward and chuck try to look for clues and retrieve information which may uncover her whereabouts, Ed discovers that not only is he experiencing migraines and having bad dreams that surround the death of his wife, the hospital staff seem unwilling to co-operate or co-operate to an extent but not enough to actually help. Furious and angry, Ed tries to leave with chuck because he feels that he is getting nowhere fast, but ends up being caught in a storm which leaves them stranded on the island until it passes.

Making sure that although he is on the island, not at his own will, he then tries to give it a second try and attempts to uncover the mysteries of the disappearance, his hallucinations, the involvement of certain governing officials and question the trust of his newly appointed partner.

As things aren't making any sense, the story unravels questioning loyalty, trust and secrets. Why was Ed sent to that mental institute? Why did they pair him up with an unknown partner? Why doesn't any of the wardens or higher ranking staff seem to not help him in his findings, especially as they requested help!? With all of that, Ed tries to also figure out why he seems to keep having hallucinations and migraines and what are the twisted secrets that include experimentations on patients?

This film is beautifully crafted. I mean, how do you speak and take advice from someone who is mentally unstable? You'll find your watching intently trying to unravel the mystery and questioning all the characters with what is real and what isn't.
To say this isn't a film with a twist would be silly. It seems that Leonardo DiCaprio likes films with a twist to them.

I can't really say much more about this film but you must watch it. A most definite watch. Out Now.

(Vintage Film Reviews) - The Departed

This film stars 6 big actors from past to present. We have (1)Leonardo DiCaprio as Billy Costigan, who has most definitely left his whipped attitude from Titanic to the exact opposite.

We also have a (2) Matt Damon as Colin Sullivan who plays a streets smart, straight 'A' student who has graduated from the Cadet Police Academy.
Once graduated from the Cadets, Colin went to join the police force among many other Cadets, however, things aren't what they seem to be. Billy also goes to join the police force, but for what reason, as he was kicked out of the Cadets?

With such a clean history Colin, the straight 'A' student, joins the force as well as Billy. However, Billy has a turbulent and troublesome history so to think he wants to serve and protect is somewhat a joke! Nevertheless he is hired and then "fired" from the police force to then serve time in prison.

The villain is (3) Jack Nicholson as Frank Costello, who is the Irish Mafia Mob head honcho.



Can you imagine a ruthless Irish Mafia Mob boss who runs the city with an iron grip?
Can you imagine this happening over a long period of time and the police trying to bringing the mob down but no avail?
Can you imagine moles working in both units till things start to become apparent, that each unit has an enemy in it?
Which mole will discover the other mole first?
Which mole will have to Depart?



This is where everything gets tricky.

A mole is working for the police, but the police also have a mole in their Special Investigations Unit led by (4) Alec Baldwin as Ellerby, who is watching Costello's every move. This means, Costello is watching those who are watching him. Ellerby's boss is (5)Martin Sheen as Captain Queenan, who has contact with Costello's henchmen.

With both moles working deep undercover, both moles start to feel the pressure of living a double identity. As one climbs up the ladder in the Police force, the other starts to struggle with his job and how he hasn't had much help, so both moles jobs and lives are at risk.

Things get slightly more interesting and intriguing when Colin starts to date this psychiatrist then she moves in with him, but then when Colin is torn between work, loyalty and his girlfriend, Billy then comes into the picture and starts to see said psychiatrist for counselling.



It is a film of cat and mouse, Loyalty, Power, Decisions & Deception. The film has more twists than a telephone cord and some elements to the film make you think, "so, hold on a Minute!?!". I felt the story did drag a little in the middle to justify the longevity of the "Get Costello" project, but it is well written, smart and edgy and will definitely keep you entertained throughout, especially, the final scenes.

All starring actors which also includes a very very very aggy (6)Mark Walburg as Dignam, Queenan right hand man with a permanent chip on his shoulder, play their parts very well.

29th November 2006 12:14am