Inception (2010) (8/10)

A cool idea executed pretty well. People believe dreams are ways to let your brain rest, recuperate, relearn. Some people even believe that they tell you the future. But could they be used for ulterior motives? By someone else? It is said that you should share your dreams. The movie takes it to a whole new level. Or 3. Leaves us wondering if we are ourselves in a dream. You need to have an ally to know. Wink, wink. ME TOTally.

But it does not stop there. How about it if besides learning from shared dreams we could use them to actually change the future? The concept is not unheard of, but here it is shown using technology somewhat ala matrix. Elements of Stalker (1979) are also seen. So also is a reflection of Douglas Hofstadter's 'Little Harmonic Labyrinth' (in 'Godel, Escher, Bach', the conversation before Chapter 5). It is hear that the concept of Tumbolia is introduced (a land where cartoon character live when no one is reading the cartoons). What is dreamland if not a version of Tumbolia in some other space. How different is limbo? The concept of GOD (=GOD Over Djinn) is also introduced there. The name comes from Bach's composition called 'Kleines harmonisches Labyrinth.' And labyrinths play an important role in the movie. It is interesting that Penrose is mentioned in the movie but Godel and Escher (and Bach) are not.

But making a movie that seems sensible on such a topic is far from easy. One thing I do not like in such movies though is that a lot relies (in terms of making sense) on the first and last few minutes. I am guilty of it myself in some short stories (all Marathi so far) but in my defense they are not feature length.

What will happen if the inception of dreams fail? Can there be time-like loops? Closed or open? What if it reverses? I would not want to actually say what is in the movie so that I do not end up spoiling it for you. I am sure you will enjoy it though.

Oh, BTW, parts of the movie have been shot in Pasadena and LA.

Inception (2010) (8/10)

Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009) (7/10)

Being absolutely honest is not easy. Especially if you realize that others don't expect you to be honest and if no one wants you to be. But it is your nature to be so. Can one person change the system? From the inside? Or from the outside. Who will help you? All good questions. It can turn out that if you are really willing, may be you can be enough of a nuisance to do something.

Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009) (7/10)

Ratatouille (2007) (7/10)

Many good cartoon movies are being made of late, partly thanks to technology. This is one of them. The story is not extra-ordinary, but well brought out. Food is the theme, and when its French food, there is no question that you can make movies on it. But there is also magic. And passion. And passion about cooking, conjuring dishes that make you forget everything, including what you think is your core. Critics are thrown in for good measure too. Did I tell you that mice are also involved. Oh yes, lots of them, and of all types. Including the hero.

Ratatouille (2007) (7/10)

Paranormal Activity (2007) (2/10)

I normally don't give such low numbers to a movie because something tends to be good: acting, plot, cinematography, songs, dances, music, something. Here: zilch, nada, shunya. Nothing happens. What little happens is supposed to be inexplicable (get it? paranormal! abnormal may describe it better though). Well, in a way it is. But it is like a cricket match where they start and inexplicably leave in 5 minutes.



And yes, they meant to scare you. And I am sure some people did get scared. But there wasn't nothing. I will give them that they did not make it distorted or dirty. Overall it was horrific, I mean horrible. Worse than Blair witch project. If you liked that one, there is a small chance that you could add some money to the kitty of this movie and perhaps even feel good about it.

Paranormal Activity (2007) (2/10)

Moon (2009) (8/10)

A difficult story in terms of the number of actors which is approximately one. But it is fairly well handled. A mission on the moon for mining. A single person needed to keep the mines working. A thankless job. Three year terms for the humans. Love and hope keep him going. For many cycles. Then something unusual happens, unraveling the plan.

As there tend to be, there are some loopholes e.g. if they could have so advanced automation, why did they need the sole human? But I guess it does not matter.

Moon (2009) (8/10)

Minority Report (2002) (8/10)

One reason I may have liked it more was because it got mentioned in context of the sixth sense device the demo of which I had already seen and because I work on large datasets myself. Yet, it was not just the showyness, nor the futuristicness that struck me, but the ability to carve an interesting story within such a far flung possibility, and have enough twists within it, some so obvious that only later you ask yourself why you did not anticipate them. Using precognition to see future murders and to stop them come what may (have happened in the future). The innocence and the cunningness, the dutifulness and the ruthlessness all counterbalance each other well. Timetravel movies can become a bit cliched since you know that different timelines would get resolved in most stories. Here it is not really different timelines though apparently there may be a choice. Or, if you are to believe in minority reports, may be more than a choice.

I own a book or two by Philip K Dick, but have not read them. May be it is time to do so.

Minority Report (2002) (8/10)

Doubt (2008) (8/10)

The closed structure of a convent, the vows of christianity and the temptation of sin. Can doubt be far behind? It does not get too emotional, but is clearly emotionally charged. Only 3 powerful characters, and a small number of others putting in short appearances. Parables and sermons used to good effect.

Doubt (2008) (8/10)