Movie Preview: Inception

Watch out, there is a new completely derivative movie coming out soon. Considering it will star the overrated Leonardo DiCaprio, you can guarantee a couple of things: It will get far too much hype, it will make a profit, women will be the main audience (mostly in their late teens and early 20's).

Those are about all the positives that I see from the movie trailer for his film Inception.



The film is described as "A contemporary science fiction action thriller set within the architecture of the mind."

What does that mean? A story made up of the plots and devices of a host of other films. The list of films that make up elements of this film are not limited to:

The Matrix
Dark City
The 13th Floor
Tron
The Lawnmower Man
Fantastic Voyage

It's the latest rehash of the concept that in someone's mind, connected to a computer and thus made into a virtual reality, you can do almost anything. And if you are a greedy CEO, that wants the top secret plans to some new widget that will make you millions, you go into the mind and steal it.

This is an idea that has been done in part and in total many times before. But it tries really hard to disguise the copied material with lots of neat photography tricks, and ample helpings of CGI. The end result is a trailer that is uninspiring, and likely a movie that will only work for fans of the looks (not acting ability) of DiCaprio.

The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy and a small role for Michael Caine.

Now I like Caine and Watanabe. I'm glad that Hollywood continues to recall their talent and include them in major films. But this film appears to be a waste of time, and their excellent talents.

As for the rest, Joseph Gordon Levitt really needs help after the fiasco that was the GI Joe movie but this isn't it. Ellen Page wants another hit like Juno so she can claim to be an A-list star (with it's pay) but likely will not acheive that here. Marion Cotillard is relatively unknown and this film will help her stay that way. Much like the rest of the cast.

As an indication of what will be out for the 2010 blockbuster season (the film will be in theraters in July but after the holiday) I can only saw that it's a good thing you can always go and see Iron Man 2 again.

2010 remakes, sequels, and everything else

Lastly are the films of 2010 that are a crap shoot. These are films that are revisions, remakes, ideas and sleepers that are likely to either be great or absolutely miserable. Sometimes it's just too hard to have an opinion, especially so far ahead of time. But making an opinion is what you read this for right?

Mortal Kombat - supposedly there is another film in this series coming. Is it a revisioned restart (al la Star Trek) or another sequel? It's not clear. Filming with 3 original cast members was started and stopped in 2009. Theoretically there could be a film in 2010. Will it be worth seeing? Not if it is even the least remotely like Mortal Kombat Annihilation.

Scream 4 - Yes, it never ends.

A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas- How is this possible since Kal Penn is now an Obama flunky in D.C.? I guess President Obama decided to finally shrink the Government by 1 job - Penn's.

Jackass 3 - Well it's the only work Johnnie Knoxville can get, or is qualified for.

Daybreakers - good concept, but its an early January film. Studios have no confidence in its ability to make money. But sometimes a decent film slips into the January slot.

When in Rome - I'm over 15 so I wouldn't see this film if I was paid 3x my annual salary. But some people like this kind of drivel.

Valentine's Day - see When in Rome

Shutter Island - Leonardo DiCaprio's hypefest is waning. It has Max Von Syndow, and Scorcesse. Beyond that, I bet it's completely forgetable.

The Crazies - revisioned Romero films are a rage in Hollywood these days. Too bad I don't think those films are good (the revisioned ones). This will likely be no better than the other remakes.

Brooklyn's Finest - lots of stars, including Don Cheadle, Wesley Snipes, Ethan Hawke, and Vincent D'Onofrio. It could be great, a big sleeper hit. Or it might be bloated by all the star weight and posturing. Not sure.

Machete - I want Danny Trejo to do well in this film. It's about time he gets to have a bigger star. But this film is anyone's guess.

Nightmare on Elm Street - revisioned remake of a classic. Normally this means instant failure. But it has the benefit of NOT being a Rob Zombie film. I still don't think it will be worth the money, but as a DVD buy it should be decent.

Shrek Forever After - Mike Meyers really needs another job.

Five Killers - unless you love Ashton Kutchner and/or Tom Selleck this is a film worth ignoring. Not as bad as some I've already mentioned in 2010, but not good by a long shot.

Footloose - yes 2010 is filled with remakes. Since it's not the 80's anymore the question is will this same 'White boys can't dance' theme work in this film like it did in the past? Dance films are popular these days (for whatever reason).

The Last Airbender - anime fans get their own live action film. Will this be worth it? That's likely the only twist M. Night Shyamalan will bring to this film. Still it can't be as bad as Dragonball Evolution could it?

Little Fockers - people love Ben Stiller, I have no idea why.

Zookeeper - everyone loves talking animals right? Right?

Burlesque - we know Cher can act. She spent decades proving it. So either she thinks Christina Aguilera can act also, or she was paid a crazy amount of money to be in this film. Either way this will bring in tons of money from teen boys (and older guys) that want to see her (either woman) in tight clothes. Hopefully it will be better than Glitter (which should be easy to do if any of the actors are awake onscreen).

Ok, there you have it. The good bad and ugly of 2010. Now all you have to do is decide which ones you agree with me on as the year goes by. Let me know what you think as the year progresses.

The top (and worst) actors per dollar in 2009

In Hollywood it is often said that

you are only as good as your last film.

While still somewhat true, there are those that are worth the money they make on each film and then there are those that are not. Generally, the quality of the actor often matches the box office bucks they generate.

But every year the best and worst actors per dollar they bring to the box office is figured out. Still Hollywood doesn't always pay attention.

So here are the very worst actors that money can buy

Will Ferrell - he was great in Elf. Then he kept doing the same character in every subsequent film - most recently in the bomb Land of the Lost revisioning. At this point his films are just really long, and bad, Saturday Night live skits. Of course he keeps getting paid too well not to be stuck in the mud. He generated $3.29 for every dollar he made.

Ewan McGregor - was a decent Obi Wan. Too bad he hasn't used the force to read any of the scripts of the films he has done since. He brought in $3.75 per dollar to him.

Billy Bob Thornton - been a while since that name was attached to something anyone saw. It's also been a while since his movies brought in a profit. I guess the mojo of Angelina Jolie's blood has worn off. $4 per dollar he made.

Eddie Murphy - was a superstar when he was young. Now, if you are under 15 you probably still think he is great. But his box office numbers look like somebody's allowance. His $4.43 per dollar he earned almost pays for a DVD of Meet Dave.

Ice Cube - not really an actor, but getting there. He's still earning his chops but it seems that his rap fans won't stick around in theaters to watch the lessons. I can't say I blame them. He made $4.77 in the box office for what he got paid.

Tom Cruise - yep, believe it or not he is overpaid. Thank goodness he has his own studio. Of course if he keeps making films like Lions for Lambs he will earn a permanent place on the overpaid list. But MI:4 might help him out. $7.18 per dolloar he got overpaid.

Drew Barrymore - there had to be at least one girl on the list. Yes she is pretty, and seems like a nice person. But none of that seems to matter when she is in a film like Lucky You. Too bad producing a film is not counted otherwise she might have brought in more than $7.43

Leonardo DiCaprio - overpaid and overhyped. You don't have to agree but more do than don't. The proof is in the $7.52 he brought to the box office versus what he got.

Samuel L. Jackson - it hurts me to have him on this list. Still my personal like of the actor and some of his work does not prevent Snakes on a Plane and Soul Man from happening. He made $8.59 in box office for every dollar paid to him. Not good.

And the final top 10 overpaid actor is Jim Carrey. He just made it to the list, but with good reason. Either his movies are huge hits, like The Grinch, or they are bombs like Number 23. Considering how much he gets paid per film I'm sure Hollywood execs were hoping for better than $8.62 at the box office.

Ok, now that you have suffered the pain and if you are still with me, here are the best actors per dolloar. But again, don't assume quality with earnings.

Shai LeBeouf - proof that ability has little to do with anything. He was in all the right films and tops the list with $160 brought in for every dollar he earned. Expect this to go way down since there's only so many Transformer movies that can be made - I pray.

James McAvoy - Not familiar with the name? Well he filled theaters when WANTED came out - or was that because of the scene with a bare backed Jolie? Either way he brought studios $114 for every dollar they brought him.

Michael Cera - not one of the leading male actors in looks, but he brings home the bacon at the box office. Even with films like Year One, he still pulled off $102 per dollar he got paid. But can he do it 2 years in a row?

Daniel Radcliffe - is still riding high off of Harry Potter. That franchise alone put him almost at the top with $93 in the box office for what he earned. Considering he's almost all grown now, will he keep the young girls swooning in his roles after Hogwarts? Maybe.

Robert Downey Jr - Probably the best actor on the list. He is phenomenal when he is sober, and better than most when he isn't. Possibly the only actor to be stuck in a proverbial can and still out earn most any film where you can see the acting. He brought in $78 at the box office for every dollar, and would have done better if he didn't get roped into Tropic Thunder. Iron Man 2 and Sherlock Holmes can't come out fast enough.

Javier Bardem - don't know his name? Well like Cera you went to see him, over and over again. To the tune of making $73 at the box office for what he was paid. Maybe you'll remember his name next time since he will likely get a lot more films.

Ryan Reynolds - I'm glad he made the list. He's just a funny guy, that can do action at least as well as anyone on this list. And who didn't want to see him in X-Men Origins: Wolverine after watching the movie trailer (too bad the film was a waste of time). Expect higher numbers than the $61 in the box office for his pay once Green Lantern and Deadpool hit screens in 20011-12.

Christian Bale - he terminated the competition as a Dark Knight. The franchises have been good to him and to the box office of Hollywood. $55 for his every dollar. And more sequels are coming.

Aaron Eckhart - he doesn't make big bucks himself, but compared to what his movies bring in... Suffice to say that even with PC Hollywood he made smoking interesting again. $45 to the box office for ever dollar getting him on-screen.

Dennis Quaid is the old man of the list. He brought in $43 for every wrinkled dollar he earned. Lucky for him The Day After Tomorrow was not part of the calculations.

Well that's the lists. Love it or hate it, there you are. I'm glad Forbes made the list because figuring it all out just takes too long.

Movie Preview: Body of Lies

The latest film to propose that America is a horrible nation filled with deceit and violence seems to be Body of Lies. This latest film by director Ridley Scott stars Leonardo Di Caprio and Russell Crowe.

Now I tend to like the films of Ridley Scott. He made Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator, and American Gangster to name a few. He is a good action director. And generally his films are quality. Body of Lies will not be among that list.

I also like Russell Crowe. He is a solid actor, with very good performances in Gladiator and A beautiful Mind. And yes I did like him as Sid 66.7 in Virtuosity. He has a decent style and takes chances in his roles. This role will fail.

The reason why this film will not do well is not the action, or the acting. It won’t be the female fans swooning over DiCaprio or the guys looking for the overkill of explosions and bullets. It’s because like so many films right now, Hollywood is on an agenda – that being telling America we are bad.

Hollywood wants you to believe that the American Government is horrible. It is evil in fact they would say. Of course they never consider that in any other government they probably couldn’t make the diversity of films, nor get paid as much as they do.



That’s the best parts of the film. And in no part does the film directly describe the hate of America that I believe the film is based in. And I come to that conclusion by 1 simple statement

“The actor [Russel Crowe] said as a result of the film's exploration of the American government and foreign policy, "I don't think it will be very popular, but that’s never been part of my project choice process."

Foreign Policy. Yep that means this is another political commercial disguised as a movie. Like the films War, Inc. and Lions for Lambs or Redacted and several others this is just a way for Hollywood to promote Democrats next month. It’s a message with a soundtrack. And it will suck away your money without giving you what you went to see it for, entertainment.

I don’t mind a political message in a film. There are many films of quality with one. Apocalypse Now, Dr. Strangelove, 3 days of the Condor and many others are political and filled with messages. Even Blade Runner did so, but with style and not as the main point of the movie. They were films that entertained first and lectured a far distant second or third.

So you can waste your time seeing this film if you chose. But considering the cost of going to the movies, and the economy being shaky at the least, I prefer to watch the news for my political updates. And I’ll go to the movies to be entertained.

Wait for the DVD if you need a diCapro fix, but if you want to be entertained just avoid this.