“Inception – Round Two: Life is but a dream” by Tim Hayes
Mr. Hayes is not only the ALMT publicist and lead editor,
but also contributes film journalism and reviews to Critic’s Notebook and Cinemattraction.
Tim Hayes on Theatrical Thursdays
Inception – Round Two: Life is but a dream
“Inception” rolls on, to the tune of $142 million in the US and $220 worldwide. And people’s theories about what it all means are rolling on too, like the one that says it’s a big metaphor for the things directors have to do to get their movies made.
Since Christopher Nolan and Leonardo DiCaprio look like they were separated at birth, there might be some mileage in that one.
I’m sticking with last week’s explanation, that Christopher Nolan – intellectual, cultured, likes his film noir – also enjoys watching Michael Bay films where big guys shout at each other and leggy brunettes blow things up. Actually that’s not a theory, Wally Pfister said so weeks before “Inception” opened.
Bottom line: “Inception” is a meaty, ambiguous movie, and whether or not it’s actually about capital-I ideas it’s still got a few of them in its head. And before it opened, people were already hoping it would “save the summer of 2010″ from mediocrity.
So how do the next few months shape up for movie-goers who have acquired a taste for this kind of intellectual challenge?
AUGUST
“The Expendables”. Sylvester Stallone and a queue of other hard-nuts from Jason Statham on down are hired to infiltrate a South American country and overthrow its ruthless dictator.
Could it be a dream: Stallone may be hoping to wake up and find it’s still 1985.
Chances of passing the Bechdel test: You’d have to guess it’s unlikely.
Intellectual challenge: Wondering if the plot will require Charisma Carpenter to take a shower.
SEPTEMBER
“Resident Evil: Afterlife”. Zombies, viruses and Milla Jovovich in some couture rags seem guaranteed.
Could it be a dream: More of a nightmare.
Chances of passing the Bechdel test: Jovovich, Ali Larter and Sienna Guillory are all back from earlier instalments. They may discuss high-caliber weaponry, so it’s possible.
Intellectual challenge: To bear in mind that Milla Jovovich was the highest paid model in the world in 2004 and is one smart cookie.
OCTOBER
“Saw 3D”. Jigsaw, still the main character even though he’s been dead for four movies, is again played by Tobin Bell and continues to control the lives of other poor saps. Apparently they form a self-help group.
Could it be a dream: Tobin Bell’s agent is probably dreaming he has gone to agent-heaven.
Chances of passing the Bechdel test: Every single conversation in “Saw” is about Jigsaw. Slim.
Intellectual challenge: Guessing which body part will be thrown towards the camera in slow motion next.
NOVEMBER
“Red Dawn”. China attempts to invade America but may have reckoned without those pesky kids.
Could it be a dream: MGM, the company attempting to release this film, may go bankrupt first so the film’s very existence may yet be an illusion.
Chances of passing the Bechdel test: The People’s Liberation Army is nearly 50% female, so maybe.
Intellectual challenge: Admitting just how weird and wonderful the original was, while also being dreadful.
On the whole I’m pinning my hopes on “Piranha 3D”.
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