Cinephile No. 849 “Inception”

Recommendation: 4/5 Stars, SHOWTIME

Plot: “A thief who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a C.E.O.” -IMDB

Review: After a global pandemic ruined a 20-year streak of movie attendance in which I never missed two weekends in a row at a theater and saw 849 films, I found myself itching to return to my sanctuary. If you could look at my internet search history for the last six months, you would see a lot of, “When are movie theaters reopening?” or “Are there any theaters open near me?”

For weeks, I found myself disappointed. Then, one weekend and out of the blue, I noticed a Regal theater was open in Lacey, Washington. They were welcoming attendees back with a slate of “classic” films. Instantly, I knew I had to be there and decided Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” would welcome me back.

This particular viewing was my third time seeing this film and the first time coming close to grasping its complex beauty. For the unbaptized, this movie is built upon the premise that the dream state can be entered by outsiders. Once there, ideas can be implanted with the purpose of having a real-world impact. It is easier if you think of the team assembled before us as dream state thieves.

“Inception” flexes its complex muscle when we learn there are multiple levels of dream states and going deeper has a direct relationship with time and its speed. Christopher Nolan loves messing with time!

The scheme of this film is simply written but far from easily digested. Simply put, our assembled team needs to implant an idea in the mind of a C.E.O. who is considering a competition-breaking merger. If they can successfully achieve such a task, then our lead character, Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) will be afforded an opportunity to return to his estranged family.

To add more spice to a soup already bursting with flavor, Cobb has a complex love story that continually rears its ugly head at the wrong moment. Throw in kids and the egos of everyone on his team and you have a story that can easily confuse.

To combat this, Nolan uses a favorite tool of his, the clarifier. In almost all Christopher Nolan films, there exists a character who clarifies the complexities of the impossible. In this instance, Cobb and Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) work to explain dream states, time, and reality to a new member of the team, Ariadne (Ellen Page).

As the work of implanting an idea begins, the film becomes a thing of astounding beauty. Progressing deeper and deeper through various levels of dream states, Nolan’s love of live-action set-pieces shines. From a spinning hallway to a van over a bridge’s side, to a world built by Cobb and the love of his life, this film requires you to pay attention and spoon-feeds extraordinarily little. In an era when no one wants to do any heavy lifting, Nolan demands more. He does not always stick the landing, but I always appreciate the effort.

Be good to each other,

Nathan

Cinephile No. 848 “The Call of the Wild”

Recommendation: 3/5 Stars, STREAM

Plot: “A sled dog struggles for survival in the wilds of the Yukon.” -IMDB

Review: “The Call of the Wild” by Jack London is one of my favorite books of all-time. I love its simplicity and message about overcoming an impossible obstacle to discover your true self. I have read it several times throughout my life and each time it teaches me something new. With so much personal adoration for this book, I was nervous about yet another film version. While no movie will ever be as fantastic as our own imaginations, I found this adaption to be close to the book. More importantly, it left me with the same sense of wonder and gave me new questions to ponder.

Our story begins with a dog named Buck who lives a life of privilege. One dark night, he is stolen from his home by evil and violent men. Before Buck even realizes what has occurred, he arrives in the Yukon territory for the sole purpose of contributing to a sled dog team in the search for gold. Thanks to a chance encounter, he recognizes a familiar face, but any hope he possesses is dashed by a lead dog who is on a warpath to break Buck and remove him from the pack. This culminates in a standoff between the two dogs that was even more enthralling than the written version.

On the other end of that battle, Buck emerges as the new leader. Yet, an internal battle is beginning within Buck. In the wild of the Yukon territory, Buck sees real and imagined versions of his distant ancestors, wolves. They are pulling him toward his roots. With every encounter, he is finding the call harder to ignore.

This pull ultimately leads to his freedom and a new master, John Thornton (Harrison Ford). Together, they chart a new course in unexplored territory. Out in the real wild, they both battle demons and discover they are of two worlds. Here, the anamorphism becomes a bit much for my taste, but then again this is a story about a dog told by humans. There is bound to be some projection. The final third of the movie focuses on a conflict between John and Buck’s old master. Without spoiling anything, this battle becomes about freedom. Freedom for who? I will not spoil that.

In the end, this a perfectly acceptable adaption that still managed to move me. It is less raw and gritty than previous iterations. It seems to have its sights set on a younger audience, which is more than fine by me. Of all the stories we tell, I hope the allure of the wild is one we continue to tell as long as there are wild places.

Be good to each other,

Nathan 

Cinephile No. 847 “Portrait of a Lady on Fire”

Recommendation: 4/5 Stars, SHOWTIME

Plot: “On an isolated island in Brittany at the end of the eighteenth century, a female painter is obliged to paint a wedding portrait of a young woman.” -IMDB

Review: Starring Noemie Merlant as Marianne and Adele Haenel as Heloise, “A Portrait of a Lady on Fire” is more complicated than its plotline infers. On the surface, it is about another portrait painter attempting to capture the likeness of a subject who refuses to play along. This film is about much more than painting for money and a difficult subject. By exploring these characters at a deeper level, we begin to unravel the real issue. This journey is both a revelatory and heartbreaking experience; a cinematic feat I will not soon forget.

This film insists on silence and natural sound. It allows moments to linger. By doing this, glances and examinations exchanged between the two women mean more. Anticipation is allowed to build slowly until it erupts in a refined, yet cataclysmic event. By slowly building, we discover a young woman trapped by the circumstances of her time. As these walls begin to fall, Heloise finally submits to being captured for all-time.

As a forbidden love grows, a new silent battle begins. A suitor is expecting Heloise and the pressure placed on her by her mother makes the true pursuit of her heart even harder to fathom. As this film enters its final chapter, we must wrestle with the sadness of a momentary love or something actualized. Given the setting and time period, we may think we know the answer, but given another brilliant stroke by the filmmaker, we are left questioning until the final moment.

Be good to each other,

Nathan 

Cinephile No. 846 "Sonic: The Hedgehog”

Recommendation: 3/5 Stars, STREAM

Plot: “After discovering a small, blue, fast hedgehog, a small-town police officer must help him defeat an evil genius who wants to do experiments on him.” -IMDB

Review: I am not sure of the intended target audience for “Sonic: The Hedgehog.” Part nostalgia vehicle for 90’s youth and part cementing of a cultural icon in the same vein as Mario and Mickey, I assume this film had a few things in mind. First, it attempts to provide an origin story feeding the needs of those who have followed this story for nearly three decades. Secondly, the writing and humor are squarely directed at kids, which let me know this an attempt at making Sonic fresh in the eyes of a new generation. Finally, it attempts to do some world-building in line with a franchise that can only be understood by absorbing the cut scene following the final boss battle with Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey).

No matter its intention, it manages to do something very few movies based on video games have been able to achieve. By creating a watchable movie filled with heart and humor, it succeeds where so many other films have failed. Much of this work falls squarely on the shoulders of Jim Carrey. His pursuit of Sonic and his rings is evil, hilarious, and out of this world (exactly how a 90’s video game villain should be played). Thanks to his portrayal, we get a film that builds a bridge across the generational divide and invites a wider audience to enjoy this film.

This is also a film about family or the family of our choosing. As Sonic (Ben Schwartz) and his new friend Tom (James Marsden), make a long road trip from their sleepy mountain town to San Francisco, they talk of differences, life, and the danger before them. I think this is a powerful lesson for kids to absorb. As the film builds toward a final boss battle and a victory worthy of the video game, the family we choose becomes a more powerful message.

Of course, this film is not without its flaws. There is not much in the dialogue for adults to chew on, the ending is predictable, and the story lacks depth. Despite its weaknesses, I enjoyed the film and actually find myself looking forward to the sequel. Perhaps, the nostalgia-filled, 90’s kid was the intended audience.

Be good to each other,

 Nathan

 Cinephile No. 845 "Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)

Recommendation: 2/5 Stars, SKIP

Plot: “After splitting with the Joker, Harley Quinn joins superheroes Black Canary, Huntress, and Renee Montoya to save a young girl from an evil crime lord.” -IMDB

Review: I really wanted to like “Birds of Prey.” I love Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn) and think she has a brilliant future in front of her in Hollywood. I longed for this female-focused comic-book movie to head in a new and exciting direction. I longed for something dark and playful. I wanted the story to be stronger than “The Suicide Squad.” Instead, we were treated to a film where the attempt to be edgy never feels authentic and the glamorous aspects of the film never feel properly placed. In the end, Warner Brothers’ attempt to create an anti-MCU fell short of my expectations.

Our story begins with Harley Quinn ending things with the Joker once and for all. As you can guess from the trailer, things are not going well, as Ms. Quinn finds the strength to stand on her own two feet. It is at this point the film makes its first mistake. It chooses to tell a non-linear story. From here on out, we bounce around from the breakup to a hunt for a rare diamond, to the formation of a bad-ass female super team. This approach to storytelling works for a lot of movies, but it does not land here.

By bouncing around, we fail to find a film with an emotional center. Instead, we are offered a story completely lacking deeper character development (the exact problem plaguing the “Justice League.” This will once again leave you disappointed. I think the characters in the DC Universe are just as robust as the Marvel Universe, but once again they are presented in a way that feels force-fed and unnatural.

Be good to each other,

Nathan 

Cinephile No. 844 “Oscar-Nominated Animated Shorts”

Recommendation: 4/5 Stars, SHOWTIME

Plot: “An unlikely connection sparks between two creatures: a fiercely independent stray kitten and a pit bull. Together, they experience friendship for the first time.” IMDB

Review: Of all the animated shorts comprising the list of 2020 Oscar-nominated films, “Kitbull” is the one that impressed me the most in this impossible to choose category. I found myself drawn to its traditional-looking animation style and its story. Focused on a unique friendship between a strong and independent stray kitten and a pit bull neglected and abused by his owner, this film speaks powerfully about neglect, trauma, and finding a friend who understands your pain. When the credits rolled, it was this idea that had staying power for me. I am pretty confident it will have the same impact on your family.

Be good to each other,

Nathan

Be good to each other,

Nathan

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