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Inception (2010)
10/10
Where Do I Even Start?
2 January 2011
When I first saw the trailer for this film, I thought to myself that the film must have a magnificent storyline for this film to take off as the amazing CGI in the trailer just had no foundation - until I saw it.

The storyline by Chris Nolan was amazing - you get really involved with the characters, and you think that you know just enough about dreams by the time they plan their inception strategy - therefore, if you're on the ball, you should be able to follow it, and be able to discuss it at length with your friends after the film ends.

This film mixes together a huge range of cinematic delights - and it comes out beautifully. The casting was fantastic, and Leonardo DiCaprio has done very well to make it out of his Titanic fame...and grown into a very respectable actor with a huge CV to show for it. The CGI was mind- blowing, the famous clip from the trailer with the lifting of the city in the horizon fitted perfectly with the storyline - and with that same storyline in your head, and with the visual effects - you have no choice but to be blown away. The storyline is the third delight, well planned and prepared, and full of complexities and charm...it does very well to stand. Obviously, you could (if you wanted to) look into great depth about every scene...trying to make sure you know just what is going on at each stage...and that's what millions of people have been doing. Great work by Chris Nolan here - he's made a huge name for himself now...after The Dark Knight, Batman Begins, The Prestige and Memento - he's heightened the bar even higher with Inception.

At nearly two and a half hours, you'd think the film would struggle to keep you captivated and involved in the story. You'd think that no one would be able to follow it all the way until the end - but then you watch it, and nearly everyone in the cinema is up to speed with you (you can feel it - the dead silence at the tense scenes), then there is a huge twist which you just didn't see coming, and you know everyone else in the cinema is thinking exactly the same as you...there is that dead silence again once the credits start to roll whilst everyone takes in what has just happened. THIS is what I think distinguishes a film from the rest - leaving the audience captivated even during the credits. This is a definite must see.
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The Way Back (I) (2010)
10/10
I will never complain about going on a walk ever again!
2 January 2011
I went with my friends to see this the other day - we picked whatever film was on soonest at the cinema. The Way Back was on...and we went in. I had no idea what the film was about only that I'd heard that "People walk out of Russia".

This film really had you captivated for the entire journey - and you really connect with the characters within it, so much so you experience their emotions with them - you laugh with them, you are on the verge of tears at moments, and you feel their determination.

The acting was great - there were some familiar faces in the likes of Jim Sturgess (21) and Ed Harris (everything else)...and they do very well in their roles. Colin Farrell finds himself taking a respectable role in a respectable film - and does a very good job at it - and even manages to work a Russian accent, which he pulls off - and he pulls it off well. Surprisingly well, actually! Saoirse Ronan, at 15/16, is incredible in this. Given her youth, she manages to draw in the audience with her character's history and gravitas. The other actors within this, despite them being relatively unknown on the Hollywood stage, join the cast well, and the chemistry is there to make the journey and the true stamina of the group believable.

The cinematography was immense, with shots overlooking parts of Russia, Mongolia, Tibet, and India - just helps you realise the vastness of the journey. Most of the journey is filmed looking closely at the characters, but this is what is crucial to the audience enjoying the story. You can't have 2hrs and 13 mins of beautiful scenery and see the intimate struggles with each of the characters...therefore the director does well to mix the two. The audience can see just what the struggles and difficulties are...but are treated to some amazing shots of the scenery, which make you realise how incredible this journey was. (I even got a map out later and routed the journey they took)

I should expect that this film would receive some Oscar nominations, maybe for cinematography, director, perhaps even best picture, but I would love to see Jim Sturgess having a nomination for his role.
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