Inception is an amazing movie.  There is no sense in moving forward with a full review without first getting that out of the way.  Christopher Nolan and his team, with a cast that is led by the sterling Leonardo DiCaprio, have made a complex, innovative, and compelling film that will be talked about for years to come, let alone is an early awards season favorite.  It is likely the best film that I have seen in the last five years and perhaps longer.  Yes, it is that good.

Now that the superlatives are out of the way, let me tell you a bit about the film that has been hyped on the internet for at least a year.  Inception is a difficult film to define, which will leave you questioning the events you have seen from start to finish.  The idea of inception, is the concept of planting an idea in someone’s mind, in order to make that idea a reality within the individual.  It may sound complex, and it is, but it also is very compelling.

In the film, DiCaprio’s Dom Cobb is a master at entering people’s dream states and stealing their ideas for various uses.  Cobb has a team of rogues that include Arthur (the continually maturing Joseph Gordon Levitt of 500 Days of Summer fame), Tom Hardy’s (Bronson and RocknRolla) impersonator Eames and the rookie architect Ariadne (Juno’s Ellen Page).  The team’s members are all capable of interacting with one another within a dream state.

While Cobb has largely been a stealer of ideas, with the concept of inception, his goal is to plant an strong idea in Robert Fischer’s (Cillian Murphy) mind, as a favor (paid) to billionaire Saito (Ken Watanabe), so that Tom will regain his freedom and be able to return to the United States and see his children.  Cobb has been living on the lam internationally since he was forced from the US upon an accusation that he killed his wife (Marion Cotillard).

Entering the mind is a challenging art as the mind has defense mechanisms built in to defend itself against theft, which is played out in the film in various forms as well.  That is the essential groundwork one can know, in order to grasp the basic principles of what will take place in the movie.  Almost anything else would be considered a spoiler; a slippery slope as it is.  That being said, the journey that Nolan’s Inception takes you on is an incredibly immersing and creative one.

The visual effects are top notch, the creativity involved truly makes a dream world come to life unlike any film I can recall witnessing.  Physics and time rules are tossed out the window (trains travel down the middle of the street, building are bent, gravity shifts – all at a moments notice), and similar to being in a dream, things happen seemingly at random until the “kick”, which is a reference to being jolted awake.

Most everyone knows the feeling of falling from a cliff in their dream and bouncing awake on their bed. Inception takes that fundamental feeling and explains how it happens.

The movie is an incredible thing to witness.  You are taken on a journey across continents, torrential weather changes, shape shifting worlds where houses float and stairs end and begin as you create them in your mind.  Throw that on top of the strong acting and incredible direction.  If you thought The Dark Knight or Memento was Nolan’s strongest point, you can now cast such thoughts aside.

Inception is the clear-cut leader in the awards race for best picture, director and technical achievement at this juncture, if nothing else.  The Oscars, Golden Globes and others will be hard pressed to find a yet to be released film to top it.  A tall statement in July I understand, but one I believe will hold true nevertheless. Inception combines the striking visuals and mind bending concepts of a film like The Matrix, the action of the Bourne trilogy, with the emotional core of a film like Slumdog Millionaire and rolls them into one challenging whole. Inception is a film that demands repeated viewings and philosophical discussions for those truly trying to discern specific answers to it, but even those who leave their minds at the door can enter into a dreamlike state and just take it all in.

Sin Nombre director Cary Fukunaga is in negotiations to direct another version of Jane Eyre.  U.K. writer Moira Buffini, who has already penned a screenplay for Stephen Frears’ in-production comedy “Tamara Drewe,” wrote the Jane Eyre script for Ruby Films producers Alison Owens and Paul Trijbits, who hope to begin filming next year, according to Variety.

Fukunaga announced his presence as a major talent with his debut film, Sin Nombre, which hit theaters very early this year after a brief stint at Sundance, where the helmer won the Best Director prize. Shooting on-location in Mexico and Guatemala, mostly on top of a rusty cross-country train, he delivered a beautiful, lived-in portrait of gang-culture, immigration and hope – still one of my favorites of the year.

Of course, Charlotte Bronte’s 19th century novel, “Jane Eyre”, has been adapted numerous times, most notably (and recently) in 1996 with Franco Zeffirelli’s version starring William Hurt and Charlotte Gainsbourg. In my opinion, the best is still Robert Stevenson’s 1944 adaptation starring pre-outlawed Orson Welles and Joan Fontaine, co-scripted by John Houseman and Aldous Huxley.

I don’t know that another version is warranted and I don’t know that Fukunaga is the right man for it, but I do know, based on the merits of one film, that he’s a talent. Cary Fukunaga still has a writing-directing pact at Focus Features as well as a separate deal with the parent company, Universal Pictures. I don’t expect a lack of opportunities in this 32-year old director’s future.

Ellen Page was originally attached to play the lead, but left a project “some time ago”.

Rainn Wilson, Dwigt (if you’re a fan, you know that’s not a typo) in NBC’s “The Office,” is set to star alongside Ellen Page and Liv Tyler in a superhero comedy, simply titled Super. “Variety” describes it as taking aim at the superhero genre, but lets all assume it will be something far better than last year’s Superhero Movie.

Super was written and will be directed by James Gunn, who wrote and directed 2006′s Slither. Wilson is set to play an average guy who takes on the pseudo-superhero alter ego of the Crimson Bolt, after watching his wife (Tyler) fall under the spell of a charming drug dealer. Lacking super powers, he compensates by swinging a trusty wrench.

Gunn also wrote 2000′s The Specials whose trailer reminded me a lot of Mystery Men. It’s somewhat difficult to assume this will stray into a different category, but we’ll find out soon enough. I like Wilson in “The Office,” but didn’t see his big screen starrer, The Rocker, and still wonder if he can carry a film on his own. At least he’ll have two capable supporters with him in Page and Tyler. Would you be more apt to see a movie starring Wilson if it has something to do with superheroes?

When I first saw Ellen Page in her Academy nominated performance in Juno, I thought she was funny, but had a lot of talent as well. Since Juno co-starred Michael Cera, I had a bad feeling she was going to play the same typecast role as he’s continued to do and only benefited from a brilliantly written script from Diablo Cody. Thankfully she is anything but playing the same type roles. In our Films U Missed section, I read that she was really good in Hard Candy (a must watch for me) and judging from the trailer for Whip It, it’s safe to say she’s very dynamic. The biggest surprise that came to me when I first read up on Whip It is that it’s directed by none other than Drew Barrymore. Her only other directing credit is a 2004 TV documentary called Choose or Lose Presents: The Best Place to Start. I think it’s a good thing she’s going behind the camera. I would like to see what she brings to the table. I have no idea why the movie is called Whip It, perhaps it’s a term that’s used in roller derby, which the movie focuses on. The only time I’ve heard the term before was the 1980 hit by Devo. I’m assuming the film will explain the title choice.

Appearing in a beauty pageant with blue hair is an automatic loss, like denying Perez Hilton a satisfactory answer to his question.

Page plays Bliss Cavendar, a teen suffering from living in a small Texas town called Bodeen. After failing to make an impact in the beauty pageant circuit (forced upon her by her parents), she seeks an alternative interest outside of school to cure her boredom. While shopping in a thrift store, she is approached by a group of girls skating into the store and handing her a flier about a roller derby league in Austin. She attends the event and soon enough, joins up. She naturally struggles with it at first and doesn’t receive approval from her parents, played by Daniel Stern (Home Alone) and Marcia Gay Harden (The Mist). She loves roller derby, but has to deal with the pressure from her parents of going against their discretion and gaining the brutal physical and mental aspects other players possess in her chosen passion.

The movie co-stars Kristin Wiig (Adventureland), Juliette Lewis (From Dusk Till Dawn), rapper Eve (Barbershop 2: Back in Business), Jimmy Fallon (Fever Pitch), Zoe Bell (Death Proof) and Barrymore herself. As mentioned before, Whip It is directed by Barrymore and this will essentially be her debut film behind the camera. The movie is adapted from the book, “Derby Girl,” which was written by Shauna Cross, who actually played roller derby. Cross adapted the screenplay herself and she also wrote the script for a film called Taking 5.

"I haven't had this much fun since I gave away my baby."

I’m still undecided on seeing this and it will definitely be a game-time decision to do so. This looks to be a hit for female audiences and perhaps I’ll feel left out of the mix. Whip It should be big considering Page’s star power. Barrymore, who also serves as an executive producer, hopes this movie will turn toward the box office and Whip It, Whip It Good!

Whip It opens October 2^nd.

There have been several attempts at displaying roller skating/roller derby on screen throughout the years.  There is Heather Graham as the infamous “Roller Girl” in PTA’s epic Boogie Nights. There is James Caan in the 1975 classic Rollerball.  There was even a roller-skate themed Bow-Wow movie Roll Bounce which I know is beloved by all.  Now, Drew Barrymore makes her directorial debut with Whip It.  I don’t believe there is any affiliation with the classic Devo hit.  “Whip It good!!!”  According to USA Today, Page plays, get this “a rebellious teenager” not so much a stretch for her I would say, who plays the dangerous game of Roller Derby.  She rolls for a team called the “Hurl Scouts.”  Oh Drew, you crack me up.  Insert your decade-old “not” joke here.  To continue: “who signs up to play the brutal and sexy female sport against her mother’s will, finding friendship and freedom among the bruises and falls.”  This sounds like your typical coming-of-age tale with a twist. Given that Barrymore is directing, there is a bit more intrigue as she has produced such films as Donnie Darko, but on the other hand did the same for Charlie’s Angels.  What do you think we’ll get here?

The "Hurl Scouts" taking action. Scary.

I’ll say the only time skates are acceptable to me is if you are under 10 yrs. of age or you’re Heather Graham having sex, after that, I can’t say as I see much use for them. Same goes for skateboarding. To take their slogan and flip it, “It is a crime!” It should be anyway. Nothing good can come from wheels in the open other than injury. You can reach me at broken arm on a board when I was younger, daredevil that I was. Acid dropping and building ramps and what not. A regular Tony Hawk, pre his era I say. Nevertheless, as for Whip It, we do have some exclusive images here and the one above for you, judge for yourself what you expect from this piece of work. I would like to see Page stretch herself more than the sarcastic, out of place, rebellious type. I like her, I think she is talented and cute, but not certain that I will enjoy this piece of work from her. Share your thoughts if you please.

I just saw at Target last night that old-school Ninja Turtles were being sold in what looked like their original packages due to the character’s 25th anniversary this year. Nice. However, news came out today via [Film Drunk] that a new live-action Ninja Turtles movies is due for release in 2011. Very nice. I didn’t care for the animated one that came out a couple of years ago and I think live-action is the way to go. Cowabunga!

Our preview writer, Joe, will be very conflicted with this news. Nightmare on Elm Street is getting remade. Sarcastic yea’s all around. Rooney Mara is playing the lead terrified woman and Jackie Earl Haley is playing Freddie Kruger. Jackie Earl was actually announced a bit ago, but the Mara announcement exposed us to it. I hate the idea of this being remade, but I don’t care for the original anyway. However, Haley’s involvement is awesome. [Screen Rant]

Here are some more set photos for you, shockingly not debuting from the new “Empire” issue. The subject is Nic Cage and Jay Baruchel’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. [Film Geek]

[Rama's Screen] has the news that Anna Faris will star in What’s Your Number? for director Mark Mylod. The film is based on the book “20 Times A Lady” by Karen Bosnak. It kind of sounds like a female version of Ghosts of Girlfriend’s Past. Perhaps what’s most important, though, is the script was written by Gabrielle Allan and Jennifer Crittenden. Crittenden has written for “The Simpsons,” “Seinfeld” and “Arrested Development.” Believe it or not, I knew that off the top of my head. This might actually be something.

We told you about Elizabeth Shue in Piranha 3-D the other week, now Richard Dreyfuss, who’s no stranger to fierce things lurking in the water, has joined the project. [Nuke the Fridge]

Remember the list of projects Guillermo del Toro was scheduled to be involved in that we wrote about a while ago? Well, Robert Rodriguez dropped his list today at [Dread Central]. It contains Machete, Nervewrackers, Sin City 2, The Jetsons and Predators. What’s Predators? Why that would be Rodriguez’ reboot of the Predator franchise. People seem to really like this news, but can the original really be improved upon? What do you think?

Want to see the new Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen trailer? It’s debuting April 29th on 20 screens all over the country in front of a one-day screening of Transformers in IMAX. [Transformers Live] has more details.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has joined the cast of the new Christopher Nolan film, Inception. He’ll be surrounded by Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy and Marion Cotillard. Not that we needed any more reason to see it, but we got it. [Sci Fi Cool]

I promise this is the last remake news I’m posting today. James Marden is poised to play the lead in a remake of 70′s fight-for-survival flick, Straw Dogs. I can tell this is going to be a watered-down version just with this announcement. [In Case You Didn't Know]

Lastly, do you want to see the first seven minutes of The Brothers Bloom? Hulu has posted it up. We’ve seen the whole film and reviewed it back in October. Click the film’s title to see the review. Here’s the first seven minutes:

So, while the plethora of yesterday’s April Fools jokes were primarily meaningless and pointless exercises in stupidity, there were a few that were funny (still pointless, mind you) and yet I’m still not entirely sure we are out of the dark yet.  The latest movie news is below.

The full list of Transformers robots that will appear in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is officially made public. [USA Today] has the entire list.

More Megan Fox news drops  as she is “a slender beauty with wings” in Passion  Plays, opposite Mickey Rourke. [Risky Business Blog] Might this be the perfect woman opposite Mickey?  How happy is he?  I am sure he will do everything he can to get in her pants too.

[The One Ring] claims that there might be a third Hobbit film, meaning the original two planned by Del Toro need expansion.  Not sure if this is a joke or not, but other sites have also reported on it, so we’ll leave the guesswork to you.

[Spike] has thoughts on Robert Patrick’s involvement in Terminator 5, which has already been green-lit.  McG and T2‘s Patrick are tight but nothing is confirmed yet.

Ellen Page, Marion Cotillard and Cillian Murphy join Christopher Nolan’s Inception.  Leonardo DiCaprio is the lead in the sci-fi/psychological film. [Cinematical]

It’s a little older, but [IESB] breaks down a planned Vin Diesel The Chronicles of Riddick sequel.  Pitch Black was pretty well done, but Riddick bombed hard, leaving Fast & Furious to prove Diesel still has clout.

[UGO] interviews Quantum of Solace Director Marc Forster to discuss that film, World War Z, and his other films and interests well.

The “Mount Rushmore of Forgettable Actors” is conceived at [MCN] and while I disagree with some of the names on the list, it is a mildly intriguing concept at least.

Since almost everybody knows about this by now, I went straight to the source [Variety] for the news that X-Men Origins: Wolverine has been leaked online.  Check the torrent sites to see it early.  But I don’t advocate that.  I’ll tell you what’s up but leave the ethical/moral part to you.

The emergence of the torture porn genre over the past few years, is one I’ve followed closely. I was there when Saw first came out. I loved the killer with a moral code aspect. I’ve seen Hostel and although I don’t like it nearly as much, I enjoy the third act immensely. I felt compelled to describe it to anybody that would listen. Of course, the unique effect wore thin pretty quickly. I still liked Saw II, but things continued downhill from there. Hostel 2 deserved its meager box office take and the wave of imitators, like Captivity helped turn the genre instantly stale and curdled like sour milk. A film I had missed among this mass of cinematic torture was Hard Candy.

I wouldn’t say Hard Candy is truly a torture porn movie, as there really isn’t any gore in it at all, but it doesn’t mean it won’t make your stomach turn in the way a good torture movie should. Hayley Stark (Ellen Page) is a wise-beyond-her-years 14-year-old who meets an older interested partner over the internet. She’s flirtatious and depicts herself as a prime suspect for an affair with Lensman319. After some coy comments, she decides they should meet at a local coffee shop. Lensman jumps at the chance, and both proceed with their plan, uninhibited by potential dangers.

Hayley is immediately taken with Lensman319, who now that he’s in the flesh is Jeff Kohlver (Patrick Wilson). He wipes chocolate cake off her lip and licks the remains. They share verbal foreplay over coffee and desserts. He even purchases a souvenir t-shirt commemorating their meeting at the café. Of course it comes with a price and he tells her she has to model it for him. She goes into the bathroom and after a quick peek at only Haley’s torso and above clothed only in a sportsbra which sends Jeff wild, she emerges modeling the material. Hayley continues to play aggressor in the situation, regardless of the age differential and suggests going home with Jeff. He nervously, but excitedly agrees.

If you're turned on by this...this is the movie for you.

Jeff’s home is uniquely modern, as it’s also his workplace. He’s a photographer, primarily for young models, and his house serves as his studio. Shots of his are adorned all over the walls, proudly displaying his work, as well as his underage subjects. Like the precocious adolescent she is, Hayley urges Jeff to talk about his conquests and prods at figuring out if he’s ever slept with any of the subjects he photographs. She offers herself as a photogenic topic only if she can swallow back some alcohol, offering the same opportunity to Jeff. He accepts and that’s where the fun begins.

Jeff’s drink is drugged and when he awakens, he finds himself strapped to a chair. Hayley reveals her true purpose for joining Jeff in his home, and it’s to enact revenge. Jeff is a pedophile. His studio and his work are only justification for Jeff’s true nature. He likes little girls. He’s responsible for the disappearance of Donna Mauer, the current Missing Milk Carton Pin-Up. He stalked Hayley online to make her his next victim, at least according to Hayley. The roles of predator and prey are instantly inverted. She may be outmatched by age and size, but in Hayley’s world, she has the upper hand.

What follows is why I would place the film in the torture porn genre. Every ounce of Hayley’s energy is used to put Jeff back in his place. To reduce him to the equivalent of his victims. Her main target is to ensure Jeff can no longer take pleasure in what he normally derides. Have you every witnessed a castration? Prepare yourself, for it is a sight to behold, to be triumphed only by the sound of the subsequent placement of the removed testicles in question in the garbage disposal when the switch is turned “on.”

The beauty of the film isn’t truly in the nature of torture, but rather the arguments both pro and con when it comes to Hayley’s methods. The truth is in the dialogue between Hayley and Jeff. Each presents their side of the story. Hayley embodies the role of judge, jury and prosecution, while Jeff can only play defendant. As much as we despise Jeff for his alleged action, we are also appalled by Hayley’s aggressive insistence and her constant prying into his life. Jeff has secrets to keep, but since Hayley is a child, albeit a freakishly mature one, nothing is sacred. Jeff maintains a certain position of innocence, and attempts to reason with Hayley. In a desperate attempt to retain his manhood, he reveals a story which could have lead to his now predatory nature. The viewer feels compassion for him, but Hayley refuses to budge. What he is supposed to have done to these girls is ungodly. We are presented to two very compelling arguments and although are presented with a conclusion, how you feel about the ending can help determine your humanity.

A wolf in Little Red Riding Hood's clothing

Again, the film isn’t a gory one. A lot of actions are alluded to and certainly spoken about, but rarely shown. The story Jeff tells is not shown in flashback, but rather delivered completely through monologue. The script by Brian Nelson is terrific. It’s almost fully dialogue driven. It could make a great play that I’d love to see. There are only a total of five faces seen in the movie and one of them has no dialogue at all. Two others only have one scene each. The rest is dedicated to Hayley and Jeff. Although the script could be performed on stage, director David Slade makes it greatly cinematic. At no point do you feel it could’ve been ported over, as no visual ever feels stagy. He keeps tensions ratcheted as far as they can go and never lets them go. The characters pour sweat from exertion, while the viewers wring their hands in suspense.

As great as I believe the story, script and direction are, the film couldn’t succeed without the tremendous work of the two leads it relies so heavily upon. Hard Candy marked Ellen Page as a top tier talent long before Juno. She becomes Hayley so effortlessly, you almost wonder if she had a personal stake in the outcome. Wise-beyond-her-years has become a staple of her characters and it’s because she did such a fantastic job in this. Page’s high-quality performance is only matched by that of Patrick Wilson’s Jeff. He was a complete unknown to me until I saw his other pederast-centered film, Little Children, and he continued to marvel me in this. He’s easily risen to being one of my most sought after actors and I look forward to everything he puts out in the future. He makes Jeff both slimy and charming all at once and his fear of pain translates to the audience. Bravura performances for both.

I do think there are a couple of slight missteps in the film, mainly involving Sandra Oh’s neighbor character, but nothing can stop the massive momentum it had built up to that point. Torture porn as a genre is tired and dead to me, but this is its crown jewel. It’s more than just a visceral attempt to titillate through squeamish situations. It’s far less pretentious than Funny Games, aiming to be a commentary on our obsession with violence. It’s great cinema boiled down to basic elements of strong writing, directing and acting. You know the somewhat vulgar saying of, “I’d give my left nut to see that”? Be like Jeff and give both. It’s worth it.  A seminal Film U Missed.

Buy this Film U Missed here.