Inception

Movies very, very rarely live up to their hype.

Such is not the case with Christopher Nolan's Inception. Everything from the story to the special effects, the acting to the score come together in what I can only describe as a perfect storm of cinematic entertainment.

The plot is so intricate and consists of so many layers, you don't want to blink for fear you'll miss something important. You've seen the trailers, so you understand the most basic concept of the film: dreams have become fair play; they can be tapped and important information stolen right from our minds. This barely scratches the surface of Inception.

In Inception, Leonardo DiCaprio's Dom Cobb is a thief that extracts top secret information from corporate moguls. One of his clients hires him to plant an idea (a.k.a. an Inception) rather than steal one.

One of the criticisms that I've read is that the audience doesn't understand why the client wants this done. The movie isn't about the client's motivation. It's about what Cobb has to gain by pulling it off.

The scenes within the dreams were very Matrix-esque. Perhaps that's why Joseph Gordon-Levitt reminded me so much of Keanu Reeves.

I must admit, I went into Inception knowing little about this movie. I had heard the hype...that it was supposed to be the best movie of the year...some say the decade. I knew Leonardo DiCaprio was in it, and I had seen Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the trailer.

So when Ellen Page entered the scene as Ariadne, I actually thought "Juno? Really?" Not to typecast, but this did movie did not seem to be within her genre, it was too intense. However, I was wrong. I had my doubts, but she pulled it off. My preconceived notions lasted less than 4 seconds.

Leo's performance was edgy, tense and emotional. He pulls you into the story and along on the ride. The movie is over 2 hours in length, but it since it lacks drag, it doesn't seem overly-long. (Hint, when seeing a movie that is 2 hours or longer, I skip the concession line...that way there are no emergency bathroom breaks.)

If you are looking for a thriller that's worth every penny, get yourself to Inception. I'm giving it 4-1/2 popcorns, with extra salt and butter.

Salt

With Ricky on vacation, I get to see some grown-up movies!

I took advantage of this freedom to see Angelina Jolie's new movie, Salt. Sometimes writing these reviews without spoilers is extremely difficult. However, I do promise, as always, not to give anything away!

Truth be told, I wasn't always an Angelina fan. There was a time I just found her annoying. I may have loved her movies, but the personal stuff -- she was just trying too hard to be too controversial. My opinion has changed over the years. I know, I know. But really, pitting her up against Jennifer Aniston is like putting a Bengal Tiger in a cage with a Persian kitten. Enough said about that.

If you've seen the trailers and think you know what Salt is all about, you couldn't be more mistaken. This action-packed movie is full of plot twists and turns, keeping the audience guessing. You think you've finally figured it out, and in the next scene find yourself saying "Wha....?" aloud in the theater. Is it remotely realistic? Of course not, it's an action-thriller. Is it full of CGI effects and stunts that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat? Absolutely.

Apparently, Tom Cruise was initially slated to star in the title role, but backed out. Not a loss. After all, who kicks ass better than Angelina? Nobody, male or female. Angelina is the stronger action star, and you needed her to carry this film.

Even though the script is hardly heavy with depth, Angelina manages to give CIA operative Evelyn Salt, accused of being a Russian spy, a certain vulnerability that we don't always see with her action heroines. I did appreciate that in one scene, rather than attempt to go on the run in high heels, she took off her shoes. Although running through city streets barefoot couldn't have been much more comfortable.

The CGI effects and camera shakiness during the fight scenes added to the intensity of the film. Again, realistic? A lone woman fighting her way though heavily trained and armed CIA agents, as well as the Secret Service? Probably not. Then again, spy thrillers are about car chases, blowing things up and kicking tail, not realism.

There were some plot points that didn't quite align. The ending, however, was left wide open for a sequel. Perhaps some of the blanks are to be filled in later, a la the Bourne series. One can only hope. ,I also hope that in the event of a sequel, Salt's character is developed more, so we get more of an idea of what drives her.

Liev Schreiber's performance as Salt's supervisor, Ted Winter, was slightly stiff. Then again, that could have been Winter's nature. I suppose I expected someone more dynamic, but as I've said, it seems the writer was more concerned with the action sequences than character development.

However, Chiwetel Ejiofor was outstanding as Peabody, the CIA "internal affairs" supervisor who pursues Salt, convinced of her guilt. I haven't had the opportunity to see him in many movies. The only other one that I am (very) familiar with is Love, Actually (which happens to be one of my favorites).

Salt is a very entertaining, high-action movie, with an ending that leaves you wanting more. After careful deliberation, I've decided to give it 3-1/2 popcorns.

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

Probably my shortest review ever.

Even Ricky agreed with me this time. There was no need for this movie to be in 3-D. This is starting to become irksome. Theaters charge more for 3-D movies, which I'm happy to pay, when it is worthwhile.

However, this is probably where my 10-year-old and I depart in our opinion.

Your kids are going to love this movie. Spying and flying dogs, cats and birds, working together to take down one seriously disturbed kitty -- what's not for them to love? Although there was an extended scene that replicated Silence of the Lambs. Needless to say, the kids aren't going to understand that reference, so I'm not at all sure why it was included. Obviously it was an attempt to bring parents into the movie, but it was poorly done and failed miserably.

Parents, what can I say? If it weren't a darkened movie theater, I would say bring a book. Do they still have those Itty Bitty Book Lights? This is not a movie you are going to see with hopes of being entertained. You will see it because your kids are begging for it. If you can get them to go to Despicable Me or The Sorcerer's Apprentice instead, go for it.

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore is a boring sequel that should have gone straight to video. The voice talents of heavy hitters such as James Marsden, Christina Applegate, Bette Midler, Sean Hayes, Neil Patrick Harris and Nick Nolte wasted. I am giving Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore 2-1/2 popcorns.

Grown Ups

Once again, late to the party.

If you are looking for a thought-provoking film, well, you would know better than to count on Adam Sandler and his compadres for that.

My first mistake was taking Ricky to see Grown Ups. In truth, we just pulled into the theater and looked at the marquee to see what was playing, it wasn't planned at all. He, of course, LOVED it. Has he seen one that he hasn't loved? He told me to give it 4 or 5 popcorns with lots and lots of extra butter. I'm not at all surprised about this, the humor was on his level (he even laughed at the jokes that went over his head). I know, I probably shouldn't have brought him, but he's seen PG-13 movies before, and the cast was loaded with kids, so I thought "Why not?"

Why not, indeed. Actually, it wasn't the sexual innuendo that I tried to shield him from, that stuff goes right over his head. It was the scene in which one of the children interrupts her mother's business call excitedly telling her that she lost a tooth. Her mother replied "Well, put it under your pillow and I'll put a dollar there later." I immediately reached over and put my hands over my still-believing son's ears. I fully expected the third degree afterwards, but it didn't even seem to phase him. He was excitedly talking about the funny parts.

My personal favorite part of the whole movie was Adam Sandler's wardrobe in the water park scene. It just so happens that he was wearing a Hartford Whalers t-shirt.

Of course, if you've seen David Spade in Rules of Engagement or almost anything else in the last few years, you've seen him play chronically-single Marcus Higgins.

He's not the only one. Adam Sandler played Adam Sandler and Kevin James played Kevin James. No breakthrough acting here. Rob Schneider's Rob Hilliard was a little more unique, but in an uninteresting way.

There were a few good laughs, although nothing at all original. There were some mild gross-out jokes, most of which became fodder for one-liners throughout the rest of the movie.

All I could say is that I really wish I hadn't wasted my money on this film the week that Ramona and Beezus and Salt were coming out. I'm hoping to still go to at least one of them this weekend.

Teens will enjoy this movie; some adults will find it funny. Wait for the DVD, or for it to come to cable/satellite. Ricky will be upset with me, but I am giving Grown Ups 2-1/2 popcorns.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

When we got in the car and I asked Ricky how he liked The Sorcerer's Apprentice, he thought for a moment before giving it a loud, animated "AAAW-AAW-AW-AWESOME!" I think that in this case, he can safely speak for young audiences everywhere. After all, it is brought to you by the magical people at Disney, and they know their target audience. Your kids will be at the edge of their seat. The only thing I noticed was that during the scenes where Dave Stutler (the apprentice) was attempting to develop a relationship with his childhood crush, my 10-year-old boy's attention waned just a bit.

Initially, I had some reservations about the casting of Jay Baruchel as Nicolas Cage's reluctant Sorcerer's Apprentice. I'm not sure why. His appearance and voice scream "underdog," so I should not have been surprised. I suppose I was wondering if he had enough "hero" in him to pull off this role.

Pleasantly surprised, I was (when you see the movie, you will understand this obvious reference -- I won't give anything away!). He was extremely convincing as the geeky physics student, who found a way to utilize his own knowledge with the skills that he learns as an apprentice sorcerer.

Nicolas Cage was in his element as Balthazar, the master sorcerer trained by Merlin, himself. In the trailer, Baruchel's Dave asks him "Are you insane?" Balthazar contemplates for a moment and admits that perhaps, just a little bit. The perfect character for Cage, who so brilliantly plays characters who's mental stability is in question.

If you are one who becomes cynical of the use of CGI special effects, avoid this film. If you are someone who embraces the excitement of the visual thrill ride this technology has given the movie industry, buy your ticket today. The car chase alone will have you on the edge of your seat.

I can't help but wonder if those cynics fail to realize that what we are watching is an ongoing battle between sorcerers. They can make anything happen, people! Why not make it as exciting as possible?

The homage to Micky's apprentice in Fantasia is humorous and enjoyable. However, even if your child is unaware of the musical version, s/he will still be delighted by the scene.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice delivers exactly what it promises, no more, no less. A fun, fast-paced family film that will have the kids bouncing on their seats and please parents as well. I'm going to give it 4 popcorns...with a dash of extra butter.

Knight and Day

This is going to hurt.

You see, personally, I haven't been a Tom Cruise fan for quite a while. And it has nothing to do with Oprah's couch, either.

That being said, I must admit that Knight and Day is an enjoyable, fast-paced action film, and the chemistry between Tom Cruise and the always-endearing Cameron Diaz is undeniable.

Cruise's character is a CIA agent suspected of having gone rogue, who accidentally gets Diaz's June Haven involved in an intercontinental, multi-antagonist escapade. The CIA is hot on their trail; and what would a good thriller be without international arms dealers?

Roy Miller (Cruise) comes off as quirky, confident, charming and, above all, a gentleman. His fast-paced banter is full of wit, charm, and positive-reinforcement (for instance, after a car chase, loading up for another hail of gunfire, he tell Diaz "When you opened the [car] door back there, that was perfect timing. You saved us.")

Diaz is consummate Cameron Diaz. Her character is smart and clumsy, cute and sexy. It just seems to come naturally to her.

The film is pretty much the standard formula. The damsel in distress (even though it was our protagonist that put her there), the McGuffin (in this case the Zephyr, a power source that never needs recharging), the uber-geek who created it, the misunderstood hero, and did I mention the international arms dealers?

The fight scenes and chase scenes stand for themselves, especially when you understand that Cruise and Diaz both did most of their own stunts. They are uniquely choreographed and deliver exactly what you would expect from this type of thriller.

Would I say cancel your plans for tonight and go see it ASAP? Probably not. Could you wait for the DVD release? Absolutely, you wouldn't be missing anything seeing it on the small screen. If you have nothing else to do and are in the mood for an action-comedy would you be satisfied? In my humble opinion, it would make for an enjoyable evening, maybe followed by a dinner of pizza and wine.

After careful deliberation, I am going to give Knight and Day 3-1/2 popcorns. Although it probably didn't hurt that they mentioned Lake Sunapee, where I spent most of my summers in my formative years.

Despicable Me

It's evil vs. evil with a little more evil thrown in just for fun! I challenge the grouchiest grouch, the curmudgeoniest curmudgeon and the mal-iest of malcontents not to laugh out loud watching Despicable Me. In fact, Ricky, who gave the movie 4 thumbs up, said that it was "a double L-O-L."

First, the voices. Steve Carell, Jason Segel and Russell Brand transformed themselves into their characters. Their voices are barely recognizable. So many animated films capitalize on using an all-star cast with distinct voices to draw audiences into the theater. Mike Myers dons a Scottish accent as Shrek, but the voice is unmistakable. Despicable Me has the all-star cast, but then let them loose. The result is outstanding. Somehow, I don't think that an elderly mad scientist who sounded exactly like Russell Brand would have made the grade.

One of the great things about this story is that there is no "good guy" trying to save the day. It is Gru vs. Vector to see who can pull off the most dastardly deed. Threat of law enforcement never even enters the scene. The "good" in the movie comes in the form of three orphans that Gru adopts as a means to an end, never anticipating the affect the girls will have on his villainy. Of course, for the audience, Gru's transformation was telegraphed from the moment he takes them into his home.

I say evil vs. evil with a little more evil thrown in because of Kristen Wiig's character, Miss Hattie. Miss Hattie runs the Home for Girls in such as way that I couldn't help but think of Miss Hannigan from Little Orphan Annie. The writers apparently recognized this. When Gru was less than forthcoming with love and attention, one of the girls noted "When we got adopted by a bald man, I was thinking this would be more like Annie." After this role, I would embrace a production of Annie starring Ms. Wiig as the dreadful Miss Hannigan.

Gru's little yellow minions steal the show. I just wanted to pluck one off the screen, squeeze him and take him home with me. It's not clear what they are supposed to be, but their zany antics had the audience roaring with laughter. If the shelves in Toys R Us and Walmart aren't already lined with them, they will be soon.

The 3-D effects were excellent. Hang on to your hat for the roller coaster scene! It's well worth the extra money to see it on the big screen. When the end credits start, keep those glasses on. The little yellow guys are about to have some fun with 3-D.

If you are looking for an all-around fun family film this summer, Despicable Me belongs on your "must see" list. I'm giving it 4-1/2 popcorns. With extra butter for good measure.