MetaChat - Inception is a really, really good movie, don't miss it.

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18 July 2010

Inception is a really, really good movie, don't miss it. →[More:]

Especially if you planned to skip it because it's a big summer blockbuster action film, has an A-list Hollywood leading man, or just seems like a CGI porn-fest.

Even if you're not that big on sci-fi or action flicks in general, do yourself a favour and see this one in cinema. It's one of the best, most thought-provoking psychological thrillers I've ever seen. And I don't even *like* Leonardo DiCaprio.

This movie does amazing scenes, weaves together a lot of complex metaphor and psychological themes and a complicated plot with a specifically twisted set of "logical" rules, in such a way that none of it ever seems jarring, just... very dreamlike. You're truly left questioning what is real, and what is all in the mind. It also does an amazingly deft job of successfully navigating the difficult psychological landscapes which surround themes like love, death, grief, guilt, and forgiveness.

I was particularly impressed by Ellen Page's character. She takes on a tremendously cerebral role in this movie, without the usual Hollywood cliches.

post by: lonefrontranger at: 14:26 | 19 comments

I saw it last night. I had high expectations, and frankly I was disappointed. It was visually very interesting, but I think the plot was somewhat confusing and could have been explained better. But maybe I'm just dumb.

posted by amro 18 July | 15:11

I watched his 1998 movie Following on demand last night.

posted by Obscure Reference 18 July | 15:25

This seems like a love/hate movie; if my twitter feed is any indication, people are really split on it. That said, it sounds like something I'd like and I'll probably go see it.

posted by desjardins 18 July | 15:46

I didn't love it or hate it. I'm glad I saw it, I just expected better.

posted by amro 18 July | 15:54

Saw it, firmly in the Love It camp!

posted by TheophileEscargot 18 July | 16:14

I can't wait to see it, might even make "date night" out of it. Seems like one of those films one should see in a proper theatre (and not on my wee computer screen).

posted by dabitch 18 July | 17:55

I just came from The Kids Are All Right. Soooo good. I love a movie that assumes the viewer is smart enough to live without exposition.

posted by serazin 18 July | 19:27

serazin: As a future single mother by choice via sperm donor (not actually pregnant yet, but if all goes well, soon), I CAN'T WAIT to see that movie. It's not near here yet.

posted by amro 18 July | 20:19

It is sooooo good amro. I hate when reviewers make such a big deal about a gay movie having "universal themes" but it really impressed me with how well it captured these specific relationships in ways that are reminiscent of all relationships.

The way the kids responded to the donor did feel very authentic too.

posted by serazin 18 July | 21:15

Since The Kids Are All Right is a gay-themed movie, it's only showing at one theater here in Houston. Which happens to be the most uncomfortable movie theater for tall people ever conceived. I sat through Brokeback Mountain folded up like an accordion. Never again. I'm gonna have to wait for the DVD :-(

SPOILERS FOR INCEPTION

Inception was awesome, but I've spent far too much time bean-plating it with real life friends to start typing in depth about it :-) Basically I'm leaning toward the idea that nothing in the movie was "real" ... that we start already inside the rabbit hole and just move up and down, but never really enter or exit it.

posted by WolfDaddy 18 July | 21:38

I just saw Nicolas Winding Refn's film Valhalla Rising (violent, possibly NSFW). If you like Refn's work you will love it. If you don't know Rafn's work maybe not. A review here.

posted by arse_hat 18 July | 21:51

Since The Kids Are All Right is a gay-themed movie, it's only showing at one theater here in Houston.

I don't know why it's not showing around here - I live in one of the most liberal parts of the country and there are two art houses nearby. One of them had a standee for it in the lobby a while back, so I can only assume that it's coming there eventually.

posted by amro 18 July | 22:17

ooooh, amro, all fingers crossed for you - how exiting! Good luck! :)

posted by dabitch 19 July | 05:00

Kids isn't playing around here either but that's the sort of movie that I'd wait to see on video anyway. Dramas aren't much different on TV than in the theater but a movie like Inception is one that would lose a lot on a small screen.

posted by octothorpe 19 July | 07:30

REALLY liked Inception.

posted by Specklet 19 July | 07:52

I saw it last night having never heard of it until I saw this post yesterday, and enjoyed it despite not being much for movies generally and hating the fact that the theater insists on everything being tympanum-destroyingly loud at all times and not even offering gratis laundry service to take the ear blood out of my shirt afterwards. Anyway. Salon has a rather thorough write-up, if you've already seen it and want a guide to combing back through it.

posted by Wolfdog 19 July | 08:33

I'm going to have to see this again and since I know the plot, I'll be able to just watch the gorgeous visuals. Nolan's movies have such a great shiny look that I love, whatever you thought about Dark Knight, it was a great looking movie.

posted by octothorpe 19 July | 09:26

Wolfdog: Thanks for that Salon link! The mister and I both thoroughly enjoyed reading that, and plan to discuss it over a bottle of wine tonight ;)

posted by lonefrontranger 19 July | 16:55

It was a great looking movie. I saw it tonight. My husband and I both liked it a lot. I'm looking forward to reading the Salon link.

posted by LoriFLA 19 July | 20:31

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