Chick 1 says:

This has been one of my most anticipated movies of this year (and that includes Iron Man 2).  The first trailer was so intriguing, and considering director Christopher Nolan’s ability to beautifully weave intricate plots with complex themes, when the big marketing push started a few weeks ago, I purposely avoided the new footage so I wouldn’t figure anything out.  I’m glad I did but turns out, it didn’t matter.

The Basics: I’m not gonna tell you.  Just let me advise you to bring something to take notes so you can keep up.  If you want more details watch the trailer here.

What I Liked:  Honestly, my brain hurts…but oh, how it hurts so good.  I’ve been thrilled about the cast (come on!  Leo, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Ken Wantanabe, Michael Caine, Lucas Haas!) since the trailer.  The physics-warping script did not disappoint and somehow, Nolan keeps all the plates spinning like a good magician, keeping our attention where it needs to be.  The score (by personal fav Hans Zimmer) is intense but works well; I didn’t even notice how heavy it was until the end credits.  And the sign of a good movie, at least for me, about half way through I realized I had seen most of the freaky footage in the trailer and still had no idea where this was going.

What I Didn’t Like: I am abandoning this section in this review, nothing to write. Instead we look at:

Movies That Inception Draws Elements From Without Ripping Off (It’s Still Totally Original):

-The Matrix - Don’t worry.  You won’t figure it out.

-Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Gorgeous.

-Shutter Island - Obvious reasons.

-Speed - Yes, at one point I thought - Hey, it’s like Speed.

Bottom Line:  Mind blown…pieces everywhere…need to see again.

Addendum:  OK, I did think of something for my What I Didn’t Like section but it’s kind of a SPOILER so read at your own risk.  The bad guys obviously graduated from Stormtrooper Marksmanship Academy.  So many times the good guys should be shot…dead…several times over.  I’m willing to suspend my disbelief somewhat since…the bad guys aren’t real and Juno is controlling the physics of the world but….

Professor Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman)

Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Chick 1 says:

It’s a bit early for Oscar season.  There are still a few big summer movies due out yet.  But it is time for the trailers for upcoming Oscar bait to start hitting.  Here are a couple that look intriguing.

Never Let Me Go: Haven’t read the book. Had no idea what this was about. But my first viewing, along with the awesome cast, made me want to see it.   Kind of period drama meets scifi?  Comes out September 15th.

The Social Network: When I first heard they were making a movie about Facebook, I just threw it in the pile with the rest of the Hollywood trash, like the upcoming movie about Monopoly.  Yea, Monopoly.  But then I heard that David Fincher was directing and Aaron Sorkin was writing.  With those two names, I was in.  Now the full trailer is out and, WOW!  This has been officially moved to my I Can’t Wait list.

Chick 1 says:

Yay!!!!  It’s time for Iron Man 2.  Can they repeat their success with even more moving parts?  Let’s see!

The Basics:  After outing himself as Iron Man, Tony Stark now has to deal with the added pressure & publicity, the US Government, and a new development with the arc reactor in his chest, and naturally a new round of villains.

What I Liked:  The original cast return with extras and are still having a blast.  Of course, Downey Jr is a hoot whenever he’s onscreen and excels at playing the arrogant ass that is also vulnerable and likeable.  And while I liked Paltrow in the 1st movie I thought she was the weakest part of the original.  But here she is hysterical, even stealing a couple of moments from Downey, not an easy feat.  Cheadle does just fine as the replacement Rhodey and has great chemistry with his co-stars.  Our villains are on fine form too; Sam Rockwell as the cheesy Justin Hammer & Mickey Rourke as the brooding Whiplash.  And even Jon Favreau gets a piece of the action.  The first & third acts move along nicely and the movie never takes itself too seriously.

What I Didn’t Like:  The second act, which was the best part of the original, is actually a little slow in places, even when RDJ is onscreen (which seems impossible).  Scarlett Johanson is stiff and cold and that works for her character sometimes but also feels one dimensional.  There was also one scene in particular that I couldn’t tell if it was supposed to be serious but came off as funny.

Bottom Line:  There’s action, comedy, drama, and a bit of romance; the perfect blend for a summer flick.  (Did I mention how cute RDJ looks?)

Chick 1 says:

Honestly, I haven’t seen that many Luc Besson films, but I love his quirky storytelling.  The Fifth Element is one of my favorites.  He’s got a new one coming out and it looks awesome!  I can’t find a release date for the US yet but it’s already been released in some parts of Europe.  I originally saw this without the subtitles & I still thought it looked cool.  I must warn you there is some brief nudity.  It is French afterall.  But come on!  A Victorian adventure with a kick ass heroine!

Chick 1 says:

The Basics: Tina Fey & Steve Carrell combine their entertainment super powers to play a married couple on a date night (need I say “Spoiler”?) that goes very, very wrong.

What I Liked:  Obviously, the stars.  Carrell & Fey are both funny & smart and together they create a kind of vortex of hilarious.  Each of them excels at playing very normal suburbia types  that most of us relate to who are put in outrageous situations  and that’s the case here.  There were moments that, honestly, in the script weren’t that funny but these actors made them awesome.  The outtakes at the end are proof that the funny is all about the actors.

What I Didn’t Like: The movie does have its moments when the humor falls short.  And both the script and the pace is sometimes uneven.

Bottom Line:  Not the funniest movie ever but if you make me wheeze when I laugh and then laugh later that night when I’m trying to fall asleep, you get my vote!

Joe Banks (Tom Hanks)

Joe Vs. The Volcano (1990)

Marshall (Ossie Davis)

Joe Vs. the Volcano (1990)

Chick 1 says:

Do you hear the rumbling under your feet?  It is the sound of the earth trembling from the sheer awesomeness of the new Iron Man 2 trailer.  It Doth Rocketh.

It premiered during Jimmy Kimmel Life following the Oscars Sunday night.  Do I really need to say it?  I.  Can’t.  Wait.

Chick 1 says:

By now you know that Sandra Bullock won the Oscar for Best Actress Sunday night.  Her acceptance speech was humble and touching and she looked fabulous.  But did you know that she also received another prestigous award on Saturday and by winning both back to back she actually set a record? 

On Saturday the annual Razzie Awards were held in Los Angeles to celebrate the very worst Hollywood has to offer.  Bullock was nominated for her performance in All About Steve and, in keeping with her self-depricating humor, she showed up to accept.  She was charming and her appearance was the highlight of the evening.  You can check it out below.  And, yes, she is the only actor to win an Oscar and a Razzie in the same year.