You know how there are films that just absolutely blows your mind and makes you wonder "where on earth did they come up with this idea from"? Inception is one of those. I went to see it today with Winnie and it is no doubt one of the most intriguing movies I have ever seen. I do not think my brain has had to work this hard to understand a film for a long time!
Its inspiration cannot be any simpler: dreams, the projection of the subconscious. Except it takes the concept sooooooo much further. Based on the assumption that technologies have been developed to allow entry to other people's dreams to manipulate the events that happen in the dreams, the movie tells the story of Cobb (DiCaprio) and his team who invade other people's minds and steal top secret ideas. Except this time, the job offer was not an "extraction". It was an "inception"; they were to plant an idea in the target's subconscious.
This amazing storyline is delivered by an exceptional cast. DiCaprio is amazing, as usual. He is so convincing and just has the ability to draw you in deeper. Marion Cortillard is flawless in her delivery and is one of my favourite actresses. And I'm surprised by the performance of Joseph Gorden-Livett and Ellen Page. He is so different from he was in 500 Days of Summer!
The music is beautifully written. The photography is beautiful. The setting of the movie goes from a beautiful beach and the New York city to a snowy mountain. Besides its emphasis on the emotional journey of Cobb, it is also action-packed, which actually reminds me of the Matrix. The plot is so intense I think I forgot to breathe at a few occasions.
All in all Inception is such an original, intelligent and well-delivered movie. There was not one moment when I did not enjoy it. Despite of the complexity of the plot, it does not contradict itself in any way that I can think of. It challenges your mind and makes you want to watch it again just so you can fully appreciate the experience.
Not a movie to be missed!
Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
Monday, August 2, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Iron Man 2
Today was one of those days that started off with a huge panic and finished with a good ending. Just before I left the house for work, I could not find my keys. I took everything out of my bag, looked at it inside out, went through the several piles of clothes in the bedroom, looked under the cushions of the sofa in the living room, searched all the pockets of my jackets, my pants, went through all the drawers and my keys were nowhere to be seen. Less than 9 minutes before my train I had to leave home without my keys and on the train ride I said my prayer to St Anthony and asked him to help me find them. And when I arrived home at night and tipped everything out of my bag, my keys just dropped out of nowhere and appeared right in front of me. How can it be that they have been in my bag for the whole time and I could not find them all day I really can't explain. But once again St Anthony saved my day and, being such a careless person, I am so glad he is the patron saint of lost items.
Upon the invitation of Winnie we went to see the film Iron Man 2 today. Thinking that it was a "boy movie" I have not seen the first one and I did not expect to enjoy this one either. My lack of expectation may have contributed to this but I actually liked this film quite a lot. No I have never read the original comic so I cannot compare. And yes it is still a boy movie. The car racing, the explosions and the robots fighting each other are probably a bit of a overkill. And it really is not necessary that we see Scarlett Johansson change clothes or that she always wears something either tight or low-cut or both. Plus the ending seems a bit abrupt and illogical. But the script is full of witty dialogues and the cast is fantastic. Robert Downey is terrific as Tony Stark/Iron Man. He is arrogant, self-centred and narcissistic but absolutely charming. There is great chemistry between him and Gwyneth Paltrow, who by the way looks amazing in whatever she wears. Scarlett Johansson on the other hand does not have a huge role apart from a few matrix-style actions and sexy-looking outfits. Overall i find the film funny, quick-paced and really entertaining.
Upon the invitation of Winnie we went to see the film Iron Man 2 today. Thinking that it was a "boy movie" I have not seen the first one and I did not expect to enjoy this one either. My lack of expectation may have contributed to this but I actually liked this film quite a lot. No I have never read the original comic so I cannot compare. And yes it is still a boy movie. The car racing, the explosions and the robots fighting each other are probably a bit of a overkill. And it really is not necessary that we see Scarlett Johansson change clothes or that she always wears something either tight or low-cut or both. Plus the ending seems a bit abrupt and illogical. But the script is full of witty dialogues and the cast is fantastic. Robert Downey is terrific as Tony Stark/Iron Man. He is arrogant, self-centred and narcissistic but absolutely charming. There is great chemistry between him and Gwyneth Paltrow, who by the way looks amazing in whatever she wears. Scarlett Johansson on the other hand does not have a huge role apart from a few matrix-style actions and sexy-looking outfits. Overall i find the film funny, quick-paced and really entertaining.
And I LOVE LOVE LOVE Paltrow's outfits in the film!!!!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Brothers
"No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends" John 15:13
To a certain extent human beings are born to be selfish, I think. It's a natural instinct to protect yourself in order to survive. If there's a situation that puts you in danger, you avoid it. It's self-preservation. But human beings are not JUST animals. We don't just act on instinct, we also act on emotions, we act on knowledge. We don't just think about ourselves when we make decisions. We also think about the impact on other people.
But what about choosing between living or dying? What about killing someone to save yourself when the alternative is to save someone's life by dying? Jesus makes the decision to die for all of us to give us a new life. But what about the rest of us who are not prepared for this loving and heroic act?
In Brothers, Sam, a US Marine who has been captured, has to choose between killing his friend to live and getting killed himself. He is a soldier at war. He needs to survive. He has a family that needs him. So he chooses to live. Not that it is in any way an easy decision. It is his friend. He is someone's father, someone's husband, someone's son. His life, too, is a gift from God. And none of us has the right to take that away from anybody, no matter for what reason. It is against his passionate nature. But the chances are that both of them would get killed if Sam chose not to kill his friend. It is cruel but it is also the reality (well, the reality in a fictional film). So he takes the selfish alternative to live. And for the rest of his life he has to live with the consequence. He gets to live because he has taken someone's life. He struggles to connect with people again. He has lost a sense of who he is. He thinks himself undeserving.
It's unbearable to think what we would do if we were him. Death itself is not scary. It's how you die and more importantly how it affects people who love you that is. We don't just want to protect ourselves, but also our loved ones from the grief and getting hurt. Sam is prepared to die once being captured but he loves his wife enough to kill his friend. I don't think I have what it takes to take someone's life like that. But at the same time the alternative seems equally cruel.
I wonder how many people in the world are truly capable of sacrificing their lives for someone else. Very, very few I am guessing. But the rest of us can probably start with something smaller. Be generous with what you have. Be kind to other people. Give without expecting any rewards. Put other people's needs before yours. And one day when we have to choose between living and dying, maybe we'll make the right decision.
And if you are wondering whether the film is good or not, the answer is ABSOLUTELY. The acting is terrific, especially by Toby Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal. The kid who plays Isabelle (Sam's daughter) is amazing. The film is emotional, powerful and touching. It is a good story, that has left me a few messages to think about.
To a certain extent human beings are born to be selfish, I think. It's a natural instinct to protect yourself in order to survive. If there's a situation that puts you in danger, you avoid it. It's self-preservation. But human beings are not JUST animals. We don't just act on instinct, we also act on emotions, we act on knowledge. We don't just think about ourselves when we make decisions. We also think about the impact on other people.
But what about choosing between living or dying? What about killing someone to save yourself when the alternative is to save someone's life by dying? Jesus makes the decision to die for all of us to give us a new life. But what about the rest of us who are not prepared for this loving and heroic act?
In Brothers, Sam, a US Marine who has been captured, has to choose between killing his friend to live and getting killed himself. He is a soldier at war. He needs to survive. He has a family that needs him. So he chooses to live. Not that it is in any way an easy decision. It is his friend. He is someone's father, someone's husband, someone's son. His life, too, is a gift from God. And none of us has the right to take that away from anybody, no matter for what reason. It is against his passionate nature. But the chances are that both of them would get killed if Sam chose not to kill his friend. It is cruel but it is also the reality (well, the reality in a fictional film). So he takes the selfish alternative to live. And for the rest of his life he has to live with the consequence. He gets to live because he has taken someone's life. He struggles to connect with people again. He has lost a sense of who he is. He thinks himself undeserving.
It's unbearable to think what we would do if we were him. Death itself is not scary. It's how you die and more importantly how it affects people who love you that is. We don't just want to protect ourselves, but also our loved ones from the grief and getting hurt. Sam is prepared to die once being captured but he loves his wife enough to kill his friend. I don't think I have what it takes to take someone's life like that. But at the same time the alternative seems equally cruel.
I wonder how many people in the world are truly capable of sacrificing their lives for someone else. Very, very few I am guessing. But the rest of us can probably start with something smaller. Be generous with what you have. Be kind to other people. Give without expecting any rewards. Put other people's needs before yours. And one day when we have to choose between living and dying, maybe we'll make the right decision.
And if you are wondering whether the film is good or not, the answer is ABSOLUTELY. The acting is terrific, especially by Toby Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal. The kid who plays Isabelle (Sam's daughter) is amazing. The film is emotional, powerful and touching. It is a good story, that has left me a few messages to think about.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Be Italian
Thank God it is the weekend. It came just in time before I went out of breath after such a long week. And what would a weekend be without a delicious slice of chocolate cake?
It was such a simple recipe I managed to whip up the cake within an hour. Icing was recommended but, as lazy as I am, I skipped it and served the cake by itself. The recipe did not call for any chocolate and used only cocoa powder for the chocolate flavour, which makes it lighter than your ordinary chocolate mud cake. Good for anyone who isn't after a rich and heavy dessert but still want a treat. Also perfect as my afternoon tea tomorrow~!
At 2:50 we went to see NINE. I love movies based on musicals 'coz they are so full of music (duh!), full of life and full of entertainment. There are costumes, music, singing, dancing, make up, building one musical spectacles after another, bring you into the crazy and chaotic world of Guido Cortini.
Despite my expectations from watching its trailer, it seems to fall short of being another Chicago. Every cast member is fantastic but the film does not do them justice, esp some of the female characters. With the exception of Marion Cortillard and Penélope Cruz, who have the opposing roles of the wife and the mistress. Penélope is the sexy and seductive mistress blinded by love. Marion is the wife who struggles between staying and leaving her husband. She is so likeable on screen you just can't help but feel for her. And she has this captivating charm that seems to be unique to French women. So effortlessly chic. So classy and elegant in everything shes does.
(And I love her make up - flawless complexion, a flick in the eyeliner and matte lips!)
And then there is Fergie, who is soooo amazing in her musical number. As a professional singer, she really stood out with her musical performance. Love her voice, love her dancing, love her energy, love the tambourine. She sounds so good I want to be Italian!!! (However I did get a little chill when Judi Dench and Sophia Loren sing...)
Even though it's not a great film, it's still a good one. You would enjoy the great choreography, the music, the costumes and the old Italian set and their charming Italian accent (except from Nicole Kidman's, which ruined it a bit....) Still worth the visit to the cinema.
It was such a simple recipe I managed to whip up the cake within an hour. Icing was recommended but, as lazy as I am, I skipped it and served the cake by itself. The recipe did not call for any chocolate and used only cocoa powder for the chocolate flavour, which makes it lighter than your ordinary chocolate mud cake. Good for anyone who isn't after a rich and heavy dessert but still want a treat. Also perfect as my afternoon tea tomorrow~!
At 2:50 we went to see NINE. I love movies based on musicals 'coz they are so full of music (duh!), full of life and full of entertainment. There are costumes, music, singing, dancing, make up, building one musical spectacles after another, bring you into the crazy and chaotic world of Guido Cortini.
Despite my expectations from watching its trailer, it seems to fall short of being another Chicago. Every cast member is fantastic but the film does not do them justice, esp some of the female characters. With the exception of Marion Cortillard and Penélope Cruz, who have the opposing roles of the wife and the mistress. Penélope is the sexy and seductive mistress blinded by love. Marion is the wife who struggles between staying and leaving her husband. She is so likeable on screen you just can't help but feel for her. And she has this captivating charm that seems to be unique to French women. So effortlessly chic. So classy and elegant in everything shes does.
(And I love her make up - flawless complexion, a flick in the eyeliner and matte lips!)
And then there is Fergie, who is soooo amazing in her musical number. As a professional singer, she really stood out with her musical performance. Love her voice, love her dancing, love her energy, love the tambourine. She sounds so good I want to be Italian!!! (However I did get a little chill when Judi Dench and Sophia Loren sing...)
Even though it's not a great film, it's still a good one. You would enjoy the great choreography, the music, the costumes and the old Italian set and their charming Italian accent (except from Nicole Kidman's, which ruined it a bit....) Still worth the visit to the cinema.
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