INCEPTION (12a)

 No doubt you've heard about the complexity of this film by now. It's such an original and compelling story that you have to be extremely alert to grasp the whole thing. That, coupled with a brilliant team of actors and crew, makes Inception the most thought provoking film since The Matrix. 






The Serious: 10/11
 As stated, Inception is original material, from the exquisite mind of Christopher Nolan. Anyone who has seen his Batman work knows that Nolan never goes for the obvious. He chooses to carve up ground in his own style and  daringly attempt the new. Inception it seems, continues this trend.
 Right from the word go, we are thrown into the elaborate world of Dom Cobb (Leonardo Dicaprio) and his team of extractors. After a sour job, Cobb is given a new, infinitely more dangerous task. To plant an idea in a subject's mind, an inception. I shall not go further into detail, because there is too much risk of spoiling the genius of the story for you. All that needs saying is that Inception puts a new edge on the the thriller stereotype, driven by something we haven't been given before, making it entirely intriguing and impossible to escape from.
 The acting in this film is a master class in how to thrill an audience; there is not a moment of doubt in the characters as the story sweeps them along. Special mentions go to Ellen Page and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, whose supporting roles are outstanding, with complete dependability and dedication, proving their talent as actors. The main role of Dom Cobb, is yet another feather in Dicaprio's astonishing cap. It seems almost impossible to find the actor in a bad film and Inception reaffirms his prowess as a master of the trade. Cobb's uniqueness as a character comes from his personal demons and troubles, which not only drive his own storyline, they have the potential to ruin everything thanks to the film's brilliant nature. It's an outstanding role from DiCaprio, which i personally think is worthy of a few awards.
 For the hyper-picky among you, you may argue that there is too much action, and that Inception has the potential to be cleverer than that. On a personal level i would disagree, but for that reason alone, a 10/11 has been anointed, and it's a very thin line to walk. For a thriller of immense intelligence and originality, this movie will be tough to beat. Pay attention to it, and Inception could easily be the most rewarding cinema experience this summer. Even when the credits role, you'll be left with endless questions and possibilities, the main of which will befuddle us forever.
  It's an immersive world of originality and possibility, that will never be truly replicated by the probable copycats of Hollywood. Do not miss Inception.


The Fun: 4/11
 For entertainment, Inception is excellent when viewed with an engaged mind. If it's crazy fun you're after, this probably isn't the right movie for you (refer to the Expendables review). While there are some stunning action sequences and enough thrills to impress, you'll leave feeling perplexed and empty if you can't understand everything else.
 4/11 is in no way saying Inception is a bad film. It's breathtaking, but i know it won't be for everyone. This film focuses heavily on plot, story and intricate ideas, so if that's not what you're looking for, i'd advise giving Inception a miss. However, if you do insist on seeing it for fun, make sure you have someone with you who can explain the film's dynamic and fill in the blanks afterwards.


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To Infinity and Beyond

TOY STORY 3 (U)

 Toy Story cut a niche in cinema and put Pixar on the stage. It gave us a whole cast of characters, born of animation, to watch and follow. We fell in love with it, with the personalities and the clever humour scattered across the script. It was a film that had so much to offer both child and adult audiences that it is rightly seen as an icon.
 Then came Toy Story 2. The scepticism squad was on it's back right from the off, deciding there was no way Pixar could beat the masterpiece of the original. Wrong. Pixar never tried to deliver a supreme sequel. Instead, they took the characters on an entirely new adventure, defying expectation and remaining comically and characteristically loyal to the movie that won our hearts the first time round. 
So now, 11 years later, did they do it again? 


The Serious:11/11
In a word: Yes.
 Toy Story 3 is the crowning jewel on one of the most loved sagas in cinema. Not only does it (once again) take Woody & Co. on a whole new journey, it gives us more than we ever dared to dream was possible.
 For something primarily billed as a youngster's movie, Toy Story 3 enthrals audiences of all ages. Nowhere else can you find such a remarkable blend of childish and adult humour, or find characters that are simultaneously dazzling to the young and so easily related to by adults.
 I have found it impossible to find anything wrong with this film, like both of its predecessors. From the opening sequence to the final credits TS3 takes hold of your heart and sends it on an emotional roller coaster. Such is the brilliant effect of this, it's very hard to put into words exactly how it makes you feel, because it's a sensation that you have to experience to know, and there really doesn't seem to be a single word that does it justice.
 The excellence is supported further by the voice talent. All of the old cast are back in the shoes of the characters and its like they never left. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Wallace Shawn & John Ratzenburger all reprise their respective roles with as much vigour as ever, and are joined by other outstanding talents, such as Michael Keaton, Ned Beatty and Timothy Dalton. Every one of the above helps to reinstate or create the incredible characters, but credit, as ever, goes to the team at Pixar. It feels like all the other work between Toy Storys has been leading to this. Woody, Buzz, and all the rest become people in their own right, voices or no. In fact, it's safe to say, that due to Pixar's careful guidance, the toy's most emotional moments, are when they say nothing at all.
 There is so much more but i would only be slowing you down from heading straight to the cinema. While I'm a bit late to the game with this one, I implore everyone to catch Toy Story 3 while you still can and to see it again if you've seen it already, because this movie gets better every time you see it.
 You may not see such impeccable and ageless film making again for sometime. So go, now. Because this is something you'll remember forever.


The Fun: 11/11
Today, this section is going to be unusually short. If you aren't sold by the above, i give you the Perfect 22/22 rating. You know readers, that I'm not giving that lightly,so treat it seriously and take my advice.
 For entertainment, TS3 has it all. You'll laugh, fear, giggle and even the burliest of you will be moved close to, if not into, a river of tears.
 Like a packet of cinema sweets that's actually FULL of sweets, a perfect film is a very rare thing. Pixar provide one here.
 So with that in mind, go now to the cinema. It's entirely worth your cash.


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To Infinity and Beyond

KNIGHT AND DAY (12a)

Tom Cruise & Cameron Diaz.
Ethan Hunt & Princess Fiona.
Trekking the globe in order to thwart the bad guys. A spy romantic comedy, Knight & Day is light hearted entertainment, but it sadly falls into too many cliché traps.




The Serious: 6/11
I know, it's a pretty low rating, but hear me out. There is little originality in the plot line. Granted, that's hard to do (audiences do expect a certain pattern) but Knight & Day follows the stereotype all too rigidly. No surprises or twists really leap up and grab your attention, which is disappointing given the talents of the cast.
Never fear, it's not all doom and gloom. Tom Cruise has a refreshing and genuinely funny role as international CIA agent Roy Miller. The laughs in the movie are provided almost solely by him, but he still slams in some decent action sequences. The main giggle, however, comes from this apparent parody of his brilliant Mission: Impossible character, Ethan Hunt. Cruise just does not hold back, giving off a sense that he's genuinely enjoying himself. And who wouldn't in his position.
Diaz does well as lady-meets-spy-becomes-tough-and-skilled June Havens. While a staple character arc for a spy movie, the actress gets a few shining moments, including a brilliant motorbike stunt with Mr Cruise.
The other talent nod goes to Peter Sarsgaard, who gives us a good and gritty villain to hate in Fitzgerald.
So while the main performances do a great job, they're let down and unsupported by the story. See it if you're set on it, but for the unsure of you out there, i suggest waiting for the DVD.


The Fun: 8/11
For those of you who don't care so much about story, Knight & Day is a good laugh. Cruise is funny, Diaz is hot whilst convincing and Sarsgaard does a fun job as a dodgy agent.
The action comes thick and fast, with some impressive visuals and a lot of gunfire that asserts Cruise's status as Mr Spy. Despite knowing what'll be around every corner (If you've watched a spy movie before) if that doesn't bother you, you'll still enjoy the ride along. A couple of smooth spy moves and quips make Cruise the one to watch, convincing and full of smart, witty humour. It's certainly a welcome enjoyment to see this side of the actor again, so if you're a big Cruise fan, head for the silver screen and you'll enjoy what he provides.
Otherwise, it really depends on you're motivation for going. If it's for enjoyment, Knight & Day will not feel like a waste of money; you'll leave the cinema with a smile on you're face and some new quotes to annoy you're friends with.


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To Infinity and Beyond

THE EXPENDABLES. (15)


Sylvester Stallone. Jason Statham, Jet Li, Terry Crewes. Dolph Lundgren. Mickey Rourke. Randy Couture. Eric Roberts. Steve Austin. Bruce Willis. And the Terminator himself.


The biggest, most badass team ever assembled in one place.
A cast so manly it could kill you with pure adrenaline.
Since it was announced, there's been a lot of expectations...
Will this infact be, the most bullet filled, adrenaline fuelled, ass slamming film to date?
Or will all the big ol' action boys just get in each other's way?




The Serious: 7\11
Directed, starring and co-written by Sylvester Stallone, you might be expecting another Rambo adventure, full of extreme gore and a protagonist who appears to be invincible. Well, you'd be half right. As an action film, The Expendables has next to no rivals. Your blood starts to pound during the first sequence and is not given an oppurtunity to slow down, until the lights dim back up in the cinema, and you find yourself jaw on the floor in awe of what you just witnessed. The punches, bullets, knives and guns slam the senses, as the Expendables tear across the screen in a storm of carnage and death.
With such a stellar cast, it's hard to find a stand out. Rourke takes a step back from the action, becoming the wise and reflective job dealer, which you don't doubt for a second, and has possibly the only tearjearking lines in the film. Li and Statham dazzle with their martial arts expertise, dominating many of the fight scenes with blurred fury.
But this is Stallone's film. He has moments of genuine emotion, and you feel that he really has got it together this time; you don't doubt him for a second.
Now i know, the characters are stereotypical, along with the plot but the action is on a level rarely seen before. Super picky types stay away, but as a film, in it's own right, The Expendables does not disappoint. If you were expecting a deep, heartfelt, hugely meaningful experience, then you won't find it. This movie does exactly what the cast list would suggests.
Blows. Your. Mind.
See it once, you'll want to see it again.


The Fun: 11/11
As stated above, The Expendables will blow your mind. It defies explanation. It pumps adrenaline directly into your veins. It never lets up, even in more serious scenes. You'll leave the cinema wanting to pick up a gun and storm down a dictator yourself. It is easily argued that is just doesn't want to take itself seriously as a film, instead creating as much mayhem and havoc as humanly possible within the running time. For some of you (and myself, admittedly) that's all you want after you see the cast list, to be assualted with pure action, heroic lines, epic moves and one particular weapon that churns your blood pressure to a dangerous level.
Trust me when i say an 11 is not given lightly. I considered a 10, but that would relinquish my rights as a reviewer as well as a human. Honestly, there may never be an action film to match it in the near future. If you want to feel like a true man (or cool, action loving lady) this is unmissable and just won't be the same on a smaller screen.
So, for the ultimate lesson in how to kick ass and look cool doing it?
Do yourself a favour. Get to the Cinema.










So.
There it is. The first hurdle. Leave a comment below telling me what you think and/or email them to me. 
Any movie you want given the Camera's view? It can be a new release or something DVD'd for years, email me the title, your name and i'll see if we agree.
Please send all emails to pebblerockprod@gmail.com.


Until next time,
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To Infinity and Beyond.

The Beginning

I always get stumped at which reviews to listen to.
Every movie in the world gets 5 stars from someone, so isn't every movie just the best?

Well no.
I know that, you know that, even the movie makers know that.

So, without all the pretentious movie blah that seems to clog up reviews these days, I give you a shining beacon of nerdy movie hope.
I'll review films i'm asked to review on two levels.

One: The Serious: The section that covers the heavy, deep stuff that some, usually more picky movie viewers wish to know.

Two: The Fun: The section that covers the cares of the more casual film goer, who just wants to enjoy a movie, whether it be through adrenaline, laughs, scares, or any other kooky stuff that pops up.

Email me the name of a film you want reviewing, and i'll do the best job i can to satisfy your movie needs.

Zooming out.

To Infinity, And Beyond.