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[nib95]

Ok, so I watched Inception on release in IMAX, and as much as I was dazzled by the spectacle and special effects, drawn in to the world and it's characters, the tangled sinew of narrative complexities etc. I still left the cinema feeling a little empty. It blew me away to a degree, but for what I felt were many of the wrong reasons. I couldn't quite put my finger on why, but it just didn't have the same entertainment value as say, The Dark Knight.

Upon second viewing, it only re-affirmed my opinion that this was an 8/10 film for me. It does so much well, impressing at certain scenes to no end. But it also feels ever so slightly bloated and devoid of warmth. It's cold and detached through and through and that coupled with the over stuffed second half just makes it less approachable. I think more should have been done in the earlier parts of the film to explain facets of the story and dream world that are explained or forced later on, at the end it feels like a mass cramming of information. I found it difficult to spread my enjoyment across both the magnificent action and the multi faceted and layered story that goes through it's main unveiling in the last overly long portion of the film, which is the most action packed. It's almost like there's too much going on and it takes away from the subtle qualities of each scene.

I also think the action scenes, whilst innovative, were still a bit bland in implementation. The actual fist fighting is a bit messy and un-co-ordinated, and the shoot outs don't really feel like anything we haven't seen before.

Ultimately, whilst I thought Inception was a more intelligent film, I found Toy Story 3 to be more entertaining. It also proves that you don't necessarily need a dynamic layered bespoke complex story idea to necessarily show off a more creative imagination.

 

[MercuryLS]

Just got done seeing it, absolutely amazing in every way. My favorite movie of the year by far and the best film Nolan has done.

I can't wait to see it again.

 

[Zoramon089]

I also think the action scenes, whilst innovative, were still a bit bland in implementation. The actual fist fighting is a bit messy and un-co-ordinated, and the shoot outs don't really feel like anything we haven't seen before.

Dude you realize this is how fist fights actually are...they aren't trained fighters :lol

 

[layzie1989]

i absolutely need this poster in a bigger size than 17x8 inches.....

 

[Kraftwerk]

i absolutely need this poster in a bigger size than 17x8 inches.....

this good enough? linky
version #2

 

[ezekial45]

Dude you realize this is how fist fights actually are...they aren't trained fighters :lol

Yeah, exactly. The

Spoiler

hallway fight scene,

in particular was were things this rings true.

Spoiler

That scene worked better because the outside forces were throwing both Arthur and the subconscious off. It would've been weird seeing a perfectly choreographed fight scene in such a chaotic and unpredictable environment.

 

[nib95]

Dude you realize this is how fist fights actually are...they aren't trained fighters :lol

As someone who has been in a fair few fists fights, I disagree, but at the risk of sounding like an internet hardman, whatever lol. Also, JGL was a trained fighter/hitman, that was his main speciality right? He didn't seem it in that fight, and instead seemed a little sloppy. None of the punches really seem to make any raw contact. There's no real force behind them, it's almost child friendly. As much as it is my favourite scene (zero gravity), it still could have been done better imo.

Not saying I wanted some Jet lee esque stuff. Just something with more grunt and force behind it. You know, like when you hit someone in the face in real life, or throw a flurry of punches close range. You want to see that aggression and power.

 

[Zoramon089]

As someone who has been in a fair few fists fights, I disagree, but at the risk of sounding like an internet hardman, whatever lol. Also, JGL was a trained fighter/hitman, that was his main speciality right? He didn't seem it in that fight, and instead seemed a little sloppy. None of the punches really seem to make any raw contact. There's no real force behind them, it's almost like child friendly. As much as it is my favourite scene (zero gravity), it still could have been done better imo.

Nah he wasn't trained. His job was simply to research each job. And you disagree? From the fights I've seen, if neither person is trained, it's mostly flailing and random hooks

 

[layzie1989]

this good enough? linky
version #2

agh thanks but i want to buy a full sized poster, those are nice for wallpapers on my comp though...

 

[nib95]

Nah he wasn't trained. His job was simply to research each job. And you disagree? From the fights I've seen, if neither person is trained, it's mostly flailing and random hooks

Are you sure about that? The way he moved and acted in all other respects made it seem as though he'd had some sort of military training. All the way through to reaction times, how he held an assault rifle or pistol etc. I also think it's rather naive to assume that beefy security guard had no training either.

 

[Kraftwerk]

agh thanks but i want to buy a full sized poster, those are nice for wallpapers on my comp though...

oh...hmm well i suppose it might be available online somewhere currently or will be soon.

 

[Zoramon089]

Are you sure about that? The way he moved and acted in all other respects made it seem as though he'd had some sort of military training. All the way through to reaction times, how he held an assault rifle or pistol etc. I also think it's rather naive to assume that beefy security guard had no training either.

Well I'm assuming that was more from experience rather than training. It's safe to assume Cobb and him have gone on a number of extraction jobs before

 

[Pinko Marx]

Well I'm assuming that was more from experience rather than training. It's safe to assume Cobb and him have gone on a number of extraction jobs before

And you can just as easily assume that he has had some training.

 

[DMczaf]

http://community.livejournal.com/cobb_arthur

Welp.

 

[SamuraiX-]

http://community.livejournal.com/cobb_arthur



http://i30.tinypic.com/179wr8.png[IMG]


Welp.[/QUOTE]

Oh for fuck's sake.

Now I'll never be able to watch the movie the same way again. :lol

Fuck the Internet.

 

[Dead]

http://community.livejournal.com/cobb_arthur

Welp.

"Oh Cobb, dream a little bigger Cobb, bigger!!!"

 

[KHarvey16]

Mmmm, trigger discipline.

 

[jtb]

As someone who has been in a fair few fists fights, I disagree, but at the risk of sounding like an internet hardman, whatever lol. Also, JGL was a trained fighter/hitman, that was his main speciality right? He didn't seem it in that fight, and instead seemed a little sloppy. None of the punches really seem to make any raw contact. There's no real force behind them, it's almost child friendly. As much as it is my favourite scene (zero gravity), it still could have been done better imo.

Not saying I wanted some Jet lee esque stuff. Just something with more grunt and force behind it. You know, like when you hit someone in the face in real life, or throw a flurry of punches close range. You want to see that aggression and power.

Exactly. I've beaten the shit of out some people, and others have beaten the shit out of me - and the key to making a good fight sequence is not how choreographed it is, but how every punch/kick/attack has a very visceral impact. There's a reason why the original Matrix is superior to Reloaded in terms of fights, regardless of the number of Smiths or anything like that, because even when Neo and Smith fight at the subway station, there's blood, there's contact, there's a very visceral sense that these fighters are being worn down every second. Again, it doesn't have to be choreographed (it always is, but it doesn't have to look choreographed) - I felt that in Inception, Arthur never felt like he was taking any real damage, nor was he dishing it out with every punch and that takes a lot away from the sequence, in my opinion.

 

[SamuraiX-]

Exactly. I've beaten the shit of out some people, and others have beaten the shit out of me - and the key to making a good fight sequence is not how choreographed it is, but how every punch/kick/attack has a very visceral impact. There's a reason why the original Matrix is superior to Reloaded in terms of fights, regardless of the number of Smiths or anything like that, because even when Neo and Smith fight at the subway station, there's blood, there's contact, there's a very visceral sense that these fighters are being worn down every second. Again, it doesn't have to be choreographed (it always is, but it doesn't have to look choreographed) - I felt that in Inception, Arthur never felt like he was taking any real damage, nor was he dishing it out with every punch and that takes a lot away from the sequence, in my opinion.

This I can agree with. Something did feel off about the scene when I was watching it, despite how awesomely epic it was.

 

[Guzim]

http://community.livejournal.com/cobb_arthur

Welp.

 

[artist]

http://community.livejournal.com/cobb_arthur

Welp.

WTF_is_this_SHIT.gif

 

[Deku]

Dude you realize this is how fist fights actually are...they aren't trained fighters :lol

That's what I like about inception. There's the male fantasy element. Lots of guns and cars. But there isn't the Matrix dojo element of superman.

They could obviously 'do more' physically and it's hilarious that all the security forces kept missing Yusuf on the top layer dream.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Exactly. I've beaten the shit of out some people, and others have beaten the shit out of me - and the key to making a good fight sequence is not how choreographed it is, but how every punch/kick/attack has a very visceral impact. There's a reason why the original Matrix is superior to Reloaded in terms of fights, regardless of the number of Smiths or anything like that, because even when Neo and Smith fight at the subway station, there's blood, there's contact, there's a very visceral sense that these fighters are being worn down every second. Again, it doesn't have to be choreographed (it always is, but it doesn't have to look choreographed) - I felt that in Inception, Arthur never felt like he was taking any real damage, nor was he dishing it out with every punch and that takes a lot away from the sequence, in my opinion.

Completely agree. Kudos.

 

[ezekial45]

Theres already Fanart emerging too. Some of which are pretty cool. But some are....:lol :lol :

http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/201/4/d/INCEPTION___Stair_Room_by_bluestraggler.jpg (I do like this one though)

http://i.imgur.com/GbM2f.jpg (and this one)

http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/200/8/5/inception_junk_by_superlucky13.jpg

http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/189/0/0/Ellen_by_jdelgado.jpg

 

[ColonelColon]

http://community.livejournal.com/cobb_arthur



http://i30.tinypic.com/179wr8.png


Welp.

When Twilight fans see Inception, this happens.

 

[Guzim]

http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/201/d/9/inception_sketches_by_theyoungdoyler.jpg

http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/201/7/7/INCEPTION___Arthur_x_Ariadne_by_MeganBest.png

Why?!

 

[Archer]

.

 

[Great King Bowser]

Dude you realize this is how fist fights actually are...they aren't trained fighters :lol

Anyone else unable to throw a punch in their dreams? Every time I do it feels like I'm punching underwater.

 

[DMczaf]

I can't wait for the first cheesy Youtube video collage set to 'Time'

Titled "Arthur + Ariadne 4Ever <3"

 

[fredrancour]

Anyone else unable to throw a punch in their dreams? Every time I do it feels like I'm punching underwater.

Nope. once wound up bludgeoning a locust from gears of war with my bare hands :lol

 

[shintoki]

Exactly. I've beaten the shit of out some people, and others have beaten the shit out of me - and the key to making a good fight sequence is not how choreographed it is, but how every punch/kick/attack has a very visceral impact. There's a reason why the original Matrix is superior to Reloaded in terms of fights, regardless of the number of Smiths or anything like that, because even when Neo and Smith fight at the subway station, there's blood, there's contact, there's a very visceral sense that these fighters are being worn down every second. Again, it doesn't have to be choreographed (it always is, but it doesn't have to look choreographed) - I felt that in Inception, Arthur never felt like he was taking any real damage, nor was he dishing it out with every punch and that takes a lot away from the sequence, in my opinion.

The Smith vs Neo fight in Matrix had such a fantastic build up too. It's definitely up there with Arnold in Predator or Weaver in Aliens. You know exactly what the wall they have to over come is and thus it creates the tension. It makes you excited, nervous, and in general invest emotions into it.

Inception was just watching bad asses go through dozens of faceless bad guys without breaking a sweat. There was no real tension created from it.

 

[jtb]

The Smith vs Neo fight in Matrix had such a fantastic build up too. It's definitely up there with Arnold in Predator or Weaver in Aliens. You know exactly what the wall they have to over come is and thus it creates the tension. It makes you excited, nervous, and in general invest emotions into it.

Inception was just watching bad asses go through dozens of faceless bad guys without breaking a sweat. There was no real tension created from it.

Agreed - and Nolan has no one to blame but himself. This complex structure that the film relies on ultimately ends up undercutting it in certain aspects, this being one of them. Here, we barely have an emotional investment in JGL's wooden and bland Arthur, let alone in two faceless, nameless mean looking bad guys. Technically impressive? Sure. A strong action sequence? Hardly.

 

[jsnepo]

The Smith vs Neo fight in Matrix had such a fantastic build up too. It's definitely up there with Arnold in Predator or Weaver in Aliens. You know exactly what the wall they have to over come is and thus it creates the tension. It makes you excited, nervous, and in general invest emotions into it.

Inception was just watching bad asses go through dozens of faceless bad guys without breaking a sweat. There was no real tension created from it.

Just like a boss fight when compared to a video game? I won't be expecting the same with Inception where there's no clear antagonist hence you can't build up tension like that. Can't say the same with TDK though. :lol

 

[shintoki]

Agreed - and Nolan has no one to blame but himself. This complex structure that the film relies on ultimately ends up undercutting it in certain aspects, this being one of them. Here, we barely have an emotional investment in JGL's wooden and bland Arthur, let alone in two faceless, nameless mean looking bad guys. Technically impressive? Sure. A strong action sequence? Hardly.

It doesn't even really need bad guys for example.

Sunshine came to mind with Capa's Jump. No fighting or anything and it's barely an action sequence in normal sense. Yet it felt so nerve wrecking watching it. The music cues, the build up, the character and everything. It was fantastic.

I feel like Inception is a step back from Batman. Where that was some coherency issues and lack polish. Inception's was just emotionless nonsense.

Spoiler

Eames' part was god awful. It was basically quick cuts of him going Bond on mother fuckers.

 

[jtb]

It doesn't even really need bad guys for example.

Sunshine came to mind with Capa's Jump. No fighting or anything and it's barely an action sequence in normal sense. Yet it felt so nerve wrecking watching it. The music cues, the build up, the character and everything. It was fantastic.

I feel like Inception is a step back from Batman. Where that was some coherency issues and lack polish. Inception's was just emotionless nonsense.

Spoiler

Eames' part was god awful. It was basically quick cuts of him going Bond on mother fuckers.

Yup, that final

Spoiler

snow level

was godawful. Horribly framed, horribly conceived, horribly shot, horribly edited, etc. etc. Just a horrible execution for what should have been a simple shoot that has been done countless times before (as opposed to the hallway scene).

 

[marathonfool]

Just saw the film.

A great ride from the beginning to the end. I have to recommend it to anyone who enjoys action thrillers. Hans Zimmer's score just pounds you with force.

I still think Christopher Nolan cannot shoot a action scene to save his life, but thankfully this film has enough depth and acting to overcome the sloppy camera. There were parts in the film that reminded me of Bond films (not in a good way).

The cast is tremendous. I didn't think JGL and Ellen Page would fit in this movie but they completely proved me wrong. Dicaprio does what he does best, play an intense character.

The movie is not hard to follow and easily digestible. If you go looking for details, plot holes are easy to find. Take everything at face value and enjoy the ride.

 

[Anton Sugar]

Not related, but did you guys see Cotillard in this funnyordie vid?

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/5a52180b80/forehead-tittaes-w-marion-cotillard?rel=player
:lol

 

[PowderedToast]

I'm a huge fan of Armond after last night's podcast. I don't agree with his platform, well actually I do to a limited extent in theory, but he's pretty awesome none the less.

listening to it now, and i agree.

 

[Veidt]

I get Armond White now.
He's just so knowledgeable about films, that he believes that a great film, is the one that does something that has literally never been done before. And that only those kind of films deserve to be given the recognition Nolan films such as TDK and Inception get .Films such as Inception do incorporate some key aspects of great films, and merge them together into greatness. But he believes in absolute uniqueness.

He is willing to settle for films such as Transformers 2, as they don't try to do something new and accept themselves for what they are.... Well, that's what I would have liked him to say regarding TF2, but he how he goes on about how much of a work of art it is, and how Michael Bay is a genius, invalidates him yet again.

Another issue with that theory, is why stop there? Why not extend it cross medium and into books. Then we can go all the way back to the first book ever written, and say "Look!, this is the greatest book ever, because it was the first!

Armond White is the ultimate hipster.

 

[StuBurns]

For me a great film has to do a number of things, but the biggest two are it has to be something that couldn't effectively be accomplished in another medium, if you're not using the unique properties of your chosen medium, your choice of medium is questionable. The second is you have to challenge the audience in some manner, make them an almost active participant in the film, Inception certainly does both of those things for me.

It's not flawless of course, I have some issues with a couple of character motivations, some acting performances, etc, but overall, I think it's pretty incredible that Nolan managed to achieve the two things I mentioned above within an action film, that is a very rate thing from my experience.

 

[Pinko Marx]

Not related, but did you guys see Cotillard in this funnyordie vid?

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/5a52180b80/forehead-tittaes-w-marion-cotillard?rel=player
:lol

Beautiful. :lol :lol

 

[PowderedToast]

I get Armond White now.
He's just so knowledgeable about films, that he believes that a great film, is the one that does something that has literally never been done before. And that only those kind of films deserve to be given the recognition Nolan films such as TDK and Inception get .Films such as Inception do incorporate some key aspects of great films, and merge them together into greatness. But he believes in absolute uniqueness.

He is willing to settle for films such as Transformers 2, as they don't try to do something new and accept themselves for what they are.... Well, that's what I would have liked him to say regarding TF2, but he how he goes on about how much of a work of art it is, and how Michael Bay is a genius, invalidates him yet again.

Another issue with that theory, is why stop there? Why not extend it cross medium and into books. Then we can go all the way back to the first book ever written, and say "Look!, this is the greatest book ever, because it was the first!

Armond White is the ultimate hipster.

did you even listen to the podcast? that's not at all what he said.

 

[Anton Sugar]

I get Armond White now.
He's just so knowledgeable about films, that he believes that a great film, is the one that does something that has literally never been done before. And that only those kind of films deserve to be given the recognition Nolan films such as TDK and Inception get .Films such as Inception do incorporate some key aspects of great films, and merge them together into greatness. But he believes in absolute uniqueness.

He is willing to settle for films such as Transformers 2, as they don't try to do something new and accept themselves for what they are.... Well, that's what I would have liked him to say regarding TF2, but he how he goes on about how much of a work of art it is, and how Michael Bay is a genius, invalidates him yet again.

Another issue with that theory, is why stop there? Why not extend it cross medium and into books. Then we can go all the way back to the first book ever written, and say "Look!, this is the greatest book ever, because it was the first!

Armond White is the ultimate hipster.

Eh, the two bolded may be true, but really underline the problem I have with Armond. Even if it's not Armond's opinion, how on earth can one presume to know which "barriers" the director was trying to break, if any at all? What if Transformers 2 was meant to break all previous action movie conventions/barriers and failed miserably?

 

[Anton Sugar]

Beautiful. :lol :lol

Exactly :lol

It's also weird how gorgeous she is, even in this spoof commercial and with boobs on her forehead.

 

[cloud_sleep]

Yup, that final

Spoiler

snow level

was godawful. Horribly framed, horribly conceived, horribly shot, horribly edited, etc. etc. Just a horrible execution for what should have been a simple shoot that has been done countless times before (as opposed to the hallway scene).

Agreed. You rarely get a proper sense of where anyone is in relation to each other, which is vital for an action sequence. Nothing feels like its building to a climax. It's all quick, shaky cuts of guns firing, scenery exploding, vehicles skidding, people ducking or getting shot etc. There's very little emotional investment, tension or excitement in much of Nolan's set pieces - it's all about the shallow cool factor. It's a shame Nolan felt the shoot outs were needed at all. With such inventiveness seen in other elements of the film, and the freedom the concept provides, could he not have provided another form of jeopardy for the protagonists than

Spoiler

goons with guns

?

 

[Johann]

WTF_is_this_SHIT.gif

What the hell do you ship? ArthurxAriade? Ha!

 

[Veidt]

did you even listen to the podcast? that's not at all what he said.

Really? Because I've listened to it about an hour ago. And I do recall him saying that the dream world has already been explored before and in a better way than Nolan could ever come up with. Or how he suggests that Gamer is a better commentary on the video game culture. Ridiculously comparing two films that don't have anything to do with each other. I also don't appreciate the fact that despite his lack of knowledge of present day videogames he is bold enough to go on about how they don't capture and provide a narrative on humanity or human soul.

Or how he said that people only love Nolan films for the budget. But was clearly left speechless when one of the /Film crew enlightened him on the fact that Memento was a low budget film.

He's very smart man, but just trolling. And people on both ends are falling for it.

Someone should have asked him how Michael Bay including a robot humping a leg, is a sign of great film making. And what the secret and ingenious meaning behind that really is.

 

[PowderedToast]

I get Armond White now.
He's just so knowledgeable about films, that he believes that a great film, is the one that does something that has literally never been done before.

don't be silly. he simply believes that films should always be judged against what has come before (which they should be). if they aren't, then as he says; everything would be phenomenal. in inception's case of dreams, he argues that nolan falls short when compared to those who have dealt with them in the past, both in execution and interpretation.

And that only those kind of films deserve to be given the recognition Nolan films such as TDK and Inception get .Films such as Inception do incorporate some key aspects of great films, and merge them together into greatness. But he believes in absolute uniqueness.

he didn't believe any aspect of inception was accomplished or great. so i don't know where you fashioned that from.

He is willing to settle for films such as Transformers 2, as they don't try to do something new and accept themselves for what they are.... Well, that's what I would have liked him to say regarding TF2, but he how he goes on about how much of a work of art it is, and how Michael Bay is a genius, invalidates him yet again.

again, i'm not sure whether you listened to the podcast or not. he actually made a case that bay's filmmaking is quite niche and unique. nowhere did he make the point that T2 is good because it accepts itself for what it is.

 

[PowderedToast]

Really? Because I've listened to it about an hour ago. And I do recall him saying that the dream world has already been explored before and in a better way than Nolan could ever come up with.

please tell me how you got from that, to this:

"He's just so knowledgeable about films, that he believes that a great film, is the one that does something that has literally never been done before."

a clear exaggeration.

Or how he suggests that Gamer is a better commentary on the video game culture. Ridiculously comparing two films that don't have anything to do with each other.

he made it quite clear why he was comparing them. from his review:

"Reality is neither perceived nor penetrated in Inception. Cobb’s dream obsession suggests pop-culture addiction, mirroring how consumers habitually escape reality with video games and movies. But Nolan never critiques this as Neveldine/Taylor did in Gamer"

I also don't appreciate the fact that despite his lack of knowledge of present day videogames he is bold enough to go on about how they don't capture and provide a narrative on humanity or human soul.

i'm pretty sure he prefaced this, with "what i have played of them". i may be wrong.

Or how he said that people only love Nolan films for the budget.

again, you're sensationalising. he merely cautioned that people should try and avoid being lulled by large 'prestige' films like inception, and view them as objectively as they would any other film.

Someone should have asked him how Michael Bay including a robot humping a leg, is a sign of great film making. And what the secret and ingenious meaning behind that really is.

this more or less highlights how much you missed his point.

 

[Veidt]

don't be silly. he simply believes that films should always be judged against what has come before (which they should be). if they aren't, then as he says; everything would be phenomenal. in inception's case of dreams, he argues that nolan falls short when compared to those who have dealt with them in the past, both in execution and interpretation.
How is that not the same thing?

he didn't believe any aspect of inception was accomplished or great. so i don't know where you fashioned that from.
["Films such as Inception do incorporate some key aspects of great films, and merge them together into greatness.]
This is what most people believe.
[But he believes in absolute uniqueness. ]
This is his position on the matter.

again, i'm not sure whether you listened to the podcast or not. he actually made a case that bay's filmmaking is quite niche and unique. nowhere did he make the point that T2 is good because it accepts itself for what it is.

In his review he states:
"In the history of motion pictures, Bay has created the best canted angles—ever. "
Read that again. In the history of motion pictures.
Not only unique, but also the BEST in some aspects, as he put it. After reading his review, you don't come out with a neutral mindset on TF2. No, his intend is to praise it. Thus going by his words, it is not only a good film, but one that offers some of the BEST film making to be put on film. I don't know how you have not come to accept that Armond White thinks TF2 is a good film.

He thinks its a good film and some of the best in film making, in certain aspects. He has his personal reasons, he elaborates on them. That's his opinion.
He thinks there is literally nothing good about Inception. And he believes TF2 to have some of the best aspects of film making. That is who he is. We should accept it. And not try to put that aside.