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.

I am aware that this news leaked a few days ago, but I am still going to get it out there for you.  The fourth installment in the Bourne film franchise is coming, titled Bourne Legacy.  THR has said that screenwriter Tony Gilroy is in to write the script, leaving George Nolfi out.  However, who will be involved in the final product is still up in the air.  The biggest question marks are star Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass.

In the recent past, Damon has said he does not want to make a new installment without Greengrass, while the director has said he is moving on from the movie series. However, in an environment where studios are making fewer movies, and with this one assured of getting a greenlight — Universal wants this made for 2012 — on top of multimillion dollar paydays, the duo’s stance may soften.

The piece also mentions that the script for the forth film will not be based on the book of the same name written by Eric Van Lustbader for the Robert Ludlum series.

The Bourne trilogy was a strong one, but it got long in the tooth by the end of the third, in my opinion.  All were well done and entertaining at least, but I think that the somewhat repetitive storylines can only go so far.  Who can Jason Bourne trust, etc.?

I would hate to see the franchise go on without Damon, I’m not necessarily in favor of it going on even with him on board, but the movie is going forward one way or another.  The franchise has been too lucrative to have the kibosh put on it now.  That being said, I don’t have any preference of who gets involved at this time, if Damon is not involved.  There are only so many Greengrass / Damon pairings one can take.  They at least have to be siginificantly broken up by time in between like the Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorcese working relationship.  Their recent film Shutter Island was another in a line of successes for them, but at least they are willing (DiCaprio in particular) to do other projects in between.  What do you think of this project?  Are you into the idea of seeing another Bourne film?  Do you care if Damon and/or Greengrass does not return?  Does this help or hurt the films prospects?  Share.

Leo. Scorcese. Haunting trailers. Hype and buildup heading into a potential late season release.  Everything was looking great for this movie…last year.  With a push back/delay on it’s release date ’til early this year, this strong picture put itself in the precarious position of being released two months too late for the ‘09 Awards season (see my 2009 Film Rankings here), while at the same time being the first big event type film of the 2010 year, though it was not mentioned on this year’s Most Anticipated Films list due to the delay.  All of that mumbo-jumbo aside, Shutter Island lived up to its billing as must see entertainment for me but it will have people questioning whether they feel the same more so than many other movies released this year.

Leo's "Teddy" arrives at the gates of the prison.

Shutter Island is the name of the island US Marshals Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck (Mark Ruffalo) see as the film opens to a haunting score with their ship approaching the island where the criminally insane are held in prison.  Mass murderers, rapists, criminals of the worst kind are held here for various reasons.  Once you get on the island, the only way out is by ferry.  Think San Francisco’s Alcatraz but more remote and intimidating.  And trust me, Alcatraz is intimidating, I’ve been there and don’t wish to go back.  When the Marshals dock, they give up their guns and thus begins a wicked unspooling of events where they are investigating a missing person.  This potentially dangerous escapee purportedly killed her children years ago and then as Ben Kingsley’s Dr. Cawley (the prison’s superintendent) advises, “it’s like she evaporated straight through the walls.”  Talk about mysterious, without the obvious giveaways found in the classic The Shawshank Redemption.

Throughout the film, Teddy gets deeper and deeper into his investigation and more clues are revealed which lead to more questions.  The entire prison – inmates, staff, cops, doctors – all seem to be involved in one way or another.  Teddy trusts no one, he even starts questioning his best friend Chuck, and is battling his own issues as well.  To tell too much more wouldn’t be prudent.  Various supporting turns are given by Michelle Williams as Teddy’s wife, Jackie Earle Haley (aka Freddy Krueger to be) as a crazy inmate (aren’t they all?), Patricia Clarkson (is she crazy or not?) and the eery Max von Sydow.

The film has various twists and turns but none more shocking than the ending one. This is sure to divide some audiences, but in my mind, if you like the Sixth Sense, then this will sit fine with you.  The film holds elements of David Fincher’s brilliant The Game and Scorcese’s own Cape Fear, along with the previously aforementioned ending.  It’s a cinematic entertainment that provides strong performances, good visuals, and thought provocation worthy of repeat viewings.  I’m eager to see this one again.

Just a regular inmate at "Shutter Island."

Shutter Island stayed with me for a few days after seeing it. That is not something that is easily done.  I do, however, think that the February release date change could hurt it’s awards season chances.  A few days is one thing but nearly a full calendar year is another.  Even having this release in late August would have been beneficial to this date.  But that doesn’t detract from the quality of this film.  If you like Leo, or Scorcese, or thriller films, or any combination thereof – this really is can’t miss entertainment for you.  Highly recommended.

One of cinema’s classic works, Carol Reed’s Joseph Cotten/Orson Welles-starring The Third Man is rumored to be remade with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire in the lead roles.

CHUD broke the rumor news about the potential remake with a script being written by Eastern Promises scribe, Stephen Knight. At the moment the story fits perfectly into the rumor mold, but it appears things are far enough along where if everything holds together an official announcement could come shortly. One of the major questions this rumor brings is who would play which role. I’m of the thought Maguire would play the Cotten role of Holly Martins, searching for his friend, Harry Lime. Although the Cotten role is more of the lead, I think DiCaprio would be better suited for Orson Welles’ Harry Lime, as it’s the showier part, with a bigger entrance.

To remake any movie, let alone a classic, will have it’s detriments. I don’t believe the film merits a remake at all, but I can say DiCaprio has to be one of the most intriguing actors out there right now and I’m pretty willing to follow him wherever he goes. It might sound preposterous, but I’d love to see what a remake of this classic film would look like in its current rumor state. If things don’t go along these lines, I’d be less inclined to support it. What about you?

Also, be sure to check out the beautiful Criterion Blu-ray of The Third Man, here.

Leonardo DiCaprio looks set to star in 20th Century Fox’s The Deep Blue Goodbye. The film will be an adaptation of the first book of John D. MacDonald’s best selling 21-book mystery novel series. This is a project that was once headed in the direction of Robert Downey Jr., before he became entangled in Guy Ritchie’s upcoming Sherlock Holmes.  From Variety:

DiCaprio is in line to play Travis McGee, a self-described beach bum who lives aboard 52-foot houseboat the Busted Flush and alleviates his cash-flow problems by hiring on as a “salvage consultant.” He recovers property for clients, taking a hefty percentage and getting into a lot of danger and romance in sun-drenched Florida.

The Deep Blue Goodbye originally came out in 1964. The same character has previously been played by Rod Taylor (who was also Winston Churchill in Inglourious Basterds as well as starring in The Birds and The Time Machine) and perhaps the more well-known, Sam Elliot (The Big Lebowski, Hulk).

Producing the project are Appian Way’s DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran, and Peter Chernin. The script has been written by Dana Stevens (For The Love of the Game) but no director is yet attached the project.

I have not read any of these books (or previously heard of them), but if anyone has please inform us as to what we can expect.  Particularly “The Deep Blue Goodbye.”  Same goes for anyone who has seen previous iterations with Elliot or Taylor.  Film noir/mystery is an interesting genre, plus with it being in a classic throwback sort of vein from what it sounds, I can see DiCaprio doing a nice Gregory Peck impersonation or the like here.  Dare he bring Marty in on the project?  That, admittedly, I hope does not happen.  Your thoughts are most welcome, agree or not.

UPDATE: This film has been pushed back to February 19th, 2010.

Like Sergio Leone with westerns or Alfred Hitchcock with thrillers, Martin Scorsese has become synonymous with the crime genre. Such movies like Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Casino and The Departed have easily become the most movies of the genre.  However, it’s unfair to simply label Scorsese with crime movies when he has a proven track record of doing other things like dramas (The Aviator), documentaries (The Last Waltz) and historical epics (Gangs of New York). Easily his best non-crime movie would be Raging Bull, sometimes considered his best overall. I’m glad to see Scorsese change it up yet again, with a thriller called Shutter Island, his first thriller since the remake of Cape Fear in 1991. It actually even borders the horror genre, which would be a first for Scorsese. Shutter Island stars Leonardo DiCaprio making it the fourth time they’ve worked together (like DeNiro before), the others being, Gangs of New York, The Aviator and The Departed. Shutter Island was adapted from a book of the same name, written by Dennis Lehane in 2003.  Lehane’s other work includes the adapted Gone Baby Gone and Mystic River as well as having been a writer for HBOs great “The Wire.”

Ashes, ashes, we all fall DOWN.

Set in 1954, DiCaprio plays Teddy Daniels, a U.S. marshal investigating the vanishing of a patient from a mental hospital for the criminally insane on Shutter Island, much like Alcatraz.  Joining him is his partner, U.S. marshal Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo, Zodiac). They are looking for an escaped patient named Rachel Soldano (Emily Mortimer, Match Point), who just disappeared a mere 24 hours after they got there.  Helping with the investigation is Dr. John Cawley, (Ben Kingsley, Sexy Beast) the hospital’s administrator and main physician. While searching for Rachel, they get suspicious of what Dr. Cawley is telling them and soon question his story. Before they can start a truthful investigation, the island is struck by a hurricane, which traps the marshals and a cell riot ensues. They now have to deal with their own sanity amongst the insane and find the real truth behind Shutter Island.

The movie will also co-star Michelle Williams (Synecdoche,  New York), Max Von Sydow (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen), Patricia Clarkson (Pieces of April), Elias Koteas (Shooter) and the Zodiac killer himself, John Carroll Lynch (Zodiac). Martin Scorsese (obviously) directs Shutter Island and works from the adapted screenplay written by Laeta Kalogridis (Pathfinder).

"The better to shoot inmates with, my dear."

This looks sweet and you can count on me seeing it. Scorsese is a legend and is still one the best directors going. I’ll probably enjoy this a little more than normal because it brings the horror element into it. Since his last movie, The Departed, was such a commercial success, I think this should do well having Scorsese’s name on it. Plus, the horror/thriller genre has always been popular with audiences. Lock me down, because I’m ready to visit Shutter Island.

Shutter Island opens October 2^nd.

One of the most well-known dystopian works of literature could be making it to the big screen for the first time. According “The Hollywood Reporter’s Risky Biz Blog,” Aldous Huxley’s 1931 novel, “Brave New World,” is currently in development with Leonardo DiCaprio and Ridley Scott set to produce while looking to respectively star in and direct.

Huxley’s novel takes place in what seems to be a perfect 26th century in which the world has achieved peace by women no longer forced to give birth, but rather the process taking place in laboratories. The notion of “family” has been outlawed. The story focuses on Bernard’s pursuit of Lenina. Bernard is seen as antisocial and Lenina is deemed frigid due to her monogamous nature in a society of free sex.

The novel has been adapted for television a few times, but has never been projected onto the silver screen. Currently tapped to write the script is Farhad Safinia, who co-wrote Apocalypto with Mel Gibson.

I’ve never read the book, although it is regarded as a classic. Reading the full synopsis, it appears there’s a lot of cool stuff going on here. Scott has proven his worth in dystopian futures with 1982’s Blade Runner and hopefully this film could dare to be on par with it. I like DiCaprio a lot, and although I haven’t seen their last collaboration (Body of Lies), I would eagerly look forward to this one.

Anybody who’s read the book care to expand on its cinematic capabilities?

I can already tell you what will be the hottest selling image in Hot Topic stores in malls across the country in a few years’ time. It’s going to be Little Red Riding Hood. Just like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Heath Ledger’s Joker merchandise are undoubtedly the biggest-selling goth products out there, Red Riding Hood will soon follow suit. Why? Because the story is being gothic-ized for the big screen.

“Variety” reports the writer of Orphan, David Leslie Johnson, has been tapped by Leo DiCaprio’s Appian Way production company to adapt the Little Red Riding Hood tale and inject it with a gothic twist. It’s not remotely being considered a possible project for DiCaprio to star, as what would he play? The wolf?

The story of Red Riding Hood is certainly familiar to everyone who’s no longer a fetus, but apparently some earlier oral versions of the story involve a werewolf, rather than a wolf, which we know is getting a cinematic resurgence right about now. The prospect of this re-telling of the Red Riding Hood story reminds me of the concept for the PC game, “American McGee’s Alice,” which had an even more twisted take on that tale than its original version. I do like the idea behind this and I have a feeling if executed properly it could make for an interesting film. What does the goth in you, think?