Tag Archives: “Cillian Murphy”

In Time

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Yeah… Let’s start off by saying I like Justin Timberlake, and Amanda Seyfried is ridiculously cute. But liking and looks are not enough to save “In Time.”

The story is set in an indiscriminate era that visually reminds me of Equilibrium, where time is literally the new currency. Presumably to cure overcrowding, the aging gene stops at 25. At that time, a visual biological clock starts a countdown of one year. That amount can be increased or decreased by working or paying off bills. The “rich” have a lot of time and the poor have to scrounge and live day to day. You get the idea? Good.

Will Salas (Justin Timberlake) is a working man who saves Henry Hamilton (Matt Bomer) from being robbed in a bar. Henry is an old man who is basically ready to die. Don’t forget no one appears older than 25. Henry (through a much used, but not explained process of control) transfers almost all but a last few moments of his time to Will. Will is assumed to have killed Henry and later goes on the run. But not before he is unable to save his mother (Olivia Wilde) who dramatically dies in his arms and he becomes angry at the system.

While on the run, but before he knows he is being pursued, Will meets the daughter of Phillipe Weiss (Vincent Kartheiser), Sylvia (Amanda Seyfried). Phillipe is one of the richest men in country? World? I’m not sure. Sylvia is also upset at the system. Specifically how the rich are alive for however long they can afford, but they do not live the life they have. From here, it becomes more incoherent. And the whole checking how much time is left, and transferring of time gets played out very quickly.

For a technologically advanced time, no one has a cell phone. A poor plot point is completely reliant on a pay phone… During this crappily executed point, Raymond Leon (Cillian Murphy), a Timecop, is shot. He lays on the ground, apparently seriously wounded. Next scene he is walking out of zone 12, bleeding and injured. (he went in with no back up and his vehicle was stolen). The next scene seems to forget the last 2 ever happened and no indication of a wound ever shows up again.

More items pop up but never seem to pay off or make sense. If a person won a windfall, twice, what would they do? Will’s father and his legacy… (He is mentioned multiple times, and the associated reveal is LAME) Can one or two persons by themselves, without a substantial plan, really make a difference? How much is too much blatant exposition? (To cover the plot holes that were created). How can passengers in a convertible that flips and rolls multiple times, with no seat belts on, not fall out? Is this supposed to be Bonnie & Clyde? Or Robin Hood? Or Romeo & Juliet?

I will say that I liked the cars. Mostly old school and muscle cars with flat black paint and modified lighting. The only  thing that will make me feel better is “Logan’s Run” which it seems this movie was inspired from. Watch the extended trailer, it’s more cohesive and entertaining than the movie.

Inception

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Inception is a rare gem… It’s intriguing, exciting, thought provoking, dramatic, complicated, and entertaining.

For the purpose of the film, the term “Inception” derives from the concept of “Extraction.” Extraction is the process of going into to a persons dreams via drugs and interconnection to pull information from an individuals subconscious. Unless the subject is aware or trained to defend against this intrusion, it will seem like any other dream. Inception is the process of PLANTING an idea… And is much more delicate and detailed. The idea has to be placed in such a manner that a seed takes root and grows, as opposed to a blatantly obvious, “DO THIS THING!”

The all star, and extremely capable cast (that delivered), includes Leonardo DiCaprio as Cobb, the troubled leader of the “Dream Team.” Arthur  (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is Cobb’s partner and voice of reason. Ariadne (Ellen Page) is the new architect of the dream worlds. Earnes (Tom Hardy) is the efficiently deadly muscle. Saito (Ken  Watanabe) is the motivator for Inception, and Robert Fischer Jr (Cillian Murphy) is the target.

Cobb is on the run, or at the very least, avoiding the United States. He is wanted for the murder of his wife. After an unsuccessful attempt to have information extracted from his mind, Saito presents Cobb with an offer… Plant an idea in the mind of Robert Fischer Jr that will benefit him. If it is works, Cobb can go home.

Thus ensues a story that anyone can tell Christopher Nolan has spent a hell of a lot of time working out the kinks. He has created an altered reality, and applies rules, explains them, and is truthful to them. Inception flows, and covers its tracks. Meaning, there is a LOT going on, but it all goes somewhere with a purpose. In case you haven’t noticed, I am sooo trying to write a review without giving away important information, only enough to explain why you should go see this movie.

The only portion I feel was a bit excessive is the music. It was a good score, but played at times where I felt it was not needed to push the tension. The exposition was enough, and natural in its own right. Imagine you are disclosing important information to someone who has just come into your life and may be able to help you fix a massive misunderstanding. And the whole time you have dramatic music underscoring you… Distracting, isn’t it?

There are so many reasons to like this film, but 2 of the biggest are, 1) Unlike much of the fare that comes out of Hollywood, it does not treat its audience like  swarm of imbeciles that need to be spoon fed a hacked up script. If there are things you don’t understand, go see it again, I’m pretty sure it was explained along the way.  2) The ending. All I’m going to say is I liked it.