Movie Review: "Inception"

Seen on: July 12, 2010

The players: Director: Christopher Nolan, Writer: Christopher Nolan, Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ken Watanabe

Facts of interest: None. Just go see it!

The plot: DiCaprio plays a man who specializes in extraction - stealing secrets from deep within someone's mind while they are asleep.

Our thoughts: Christopher Nolan’s utterly brilliant sci-fi thriller “Inception” is undoubtedly the best blockbuster of the year, and it will go down as one of the most original movies of the new decade. It also goes down in history as one of the most mesmerizing big-screen experiences I’ve ever had, because there’s not one scene in this masterpiece that won’t blow your mind. It’s THE movie to see this summer!

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Movie Review: “Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant”

Seen on: October 19, 2009

The players: Director: Paul Weitz, Writers: Brian Helgeland, Paul Weitz, Cast: John C. Reilly, Ken Watanabe, Josh Hutcherson, Chris Massoglia, Ray Stevenson

Facts of interest: Based on the books by Darren Shan.

The plot: A teenager visits a freak show and decides to jump on board and become a vampire, which really pisses off his best friend. A rivalry ensues...

Our thoughts: Paul Weitz’s “Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant” is the beginning of something we may even never get to see. It’s merely an introduction to what could be a more intriguing story, and that’s the main reason I simply couldn’t connect with this dark, periodically humorous vampire tale.

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Daily news dose: Ken Watanabe joins 'Inception;' Ben Stiller in talks to star in 'Used Guys'

Here's your dose of film news for May 5, 2009:

• Ken Watanabe and Tom Hardy are the latest to board Christopher Nolan's upcoming sci-fi thriller flick "Inception," which is described as an action flick set within "the architecture of the mind." Watanabe will play a villain. Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Marion Cotillard and Cillian Murphy co-star. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Ben Stiller is in negotiations to star in Fox's futuristic comedy "Used Guys." Jay Roach was originally set to direct Stiller and Jim Carrey, but Fox halted the project in 2006 because of budget concerns. Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton are now in talks to direct, and Reese Witherspoon may end up playing the female lead. (Variety)

• Christina Aguilera will make her big-screen debut in "Burlesque," a musical that follows a small-town girl who finds love and success in a Los Angeles neo-burlesque club (sounds very much like something we've already seen a couple of times). Steven Antin will direct the film. He also wrote the script, which Susannah Grant revised. (Variety)

• Production Weekly recently listed Dwayne Johnson as cast in McG's upcoming "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo." Turns out this was a mistake, as PD announced today. Featuring characters from the Jules Verne novel and written by Bill Marsilli, the film focuses on Nemo's efforts to build the Nautilus, his advanced submarine.