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.