Paul (2011)

It is a comedy directed by Greg Mottola starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. I laughed a lot and really enjoyed the film.

First of all, I love Pegg and Frost since I watched the film ‘Hot Fuzz’ (2007). They were co-starring in ‘Shaun of the Dead’ (2004) as well, but it was not as good as ‘Hot Fuzz’.

Paul is the name of the alien who arrives in his cosmic ship decades earlier killing same name dog of a little girl. Graeme Willy (Pegg) and Clive Gollings (Frost) are two English comic book nerds who take a road trip through America in their RV. A couple of times during the film they are taken for homosexuals. They meet Paul who wrecks up the car, which he has been driving to get to the place of departure for his ‘homeland’.

Later, it is revealed that government intends to surgically remove Paul’s brain in order to obtain his abilities of healing, disappearing, transferring information by touching with fingers, via telepathic link. He runs from government in order to return to his planet. He is no longer useful to them with his scientific and sociological advises.

I loved the way Paul claims that he gave the idea for E.T. and creating the character of Fox Mulder. But also as a believer, I did not like how Paul convinced Ruth Buggs, who run a motor park together with her father Moses, in non-existence of God. I did not like their swearing as well. Boys and alien are forced to take Ruth with them as Paul reveals himself to her. Later, Paul heals her eye.

After number of adventures and almost getting caught by their hunters, Paul is able to leave. But before he leaves, he demonstrates his healing ability once again by bringing Graeme, who has been shot by headmaster of hunters (Sigourney Weaver), back to life. As it is common for films with aliens, Paul takes Tara, little girl who is now an old woman and who saved his life when he arrived, with him. Two years later, Graeme and Clive are shown in an event promoting their new comic book, ‘Paul’

Film is funny, clever and amusing with some black and English humour. I recommend it as a good laugh and funny watch in the company of family.

Reviewer's rating: 7.0 out of 10

Inception (2010)

This is another 2010 film with ambiguous ending. I enjoyed watching it, though went back to the film and studied final scenes all over again to finally accept the truth.

Entering subconscious minds through dreams and “extract”ing important information is a cool and great idea for film. Scenario of film was written by Christopher Nolan, director of film. One might get easily confused counting dreams in dreams, but not the writer. Nolan wrote the script for almost a decade. He clearly and beautifully delivered Inception as he knew what it is all about.

Film characters, Dom Cobb and his friend Arthur are professional thieves - extractors. Each mind-spy has a “totem”, small object that helps them determine whether they are in somebody’s dream. Cobb’s object is a spinning top. His wife Mal’s memory disturbs him frequently in his dreams and spoils his efforts of extraction. Lovely, sexy, beautiful Marion Cotillard stars as Mal.

Cobb takes the last extraction offer of performing ‘inception’ from wealthy Mr.Saito (Ken Watanabe). Saito promises to use his contacts to clear Cobb of the murder charges for his wife’s death. It will allow Cobb to return to the United States and reunite with his children. In return Mr. Saito asks to enter the mind of his competitor’s son who will inherit the vast energy company and plant in him the idea of breaking up the company.

They sedate their target during the long flight from Sydney to Los Angeles and build a three-level shared dream. This is where story gets complicated. I loved the idea of ‘militarized subconscious’ – subconscious trained to find and kills extractors. Going into limbo upon death in the dream is interesting as well.

Though team accomplishes the task and plant the idea in target’s mind, Saito gets killed inside the dream and Cobb searches for Saito in limbo. He finds old Saito who has been waiting in limbo for decades and brings him back.

Extractors awaken on the flight. Cobb returns to United States and turns his spinning top to check reality. But he cannot see the result as he gets distracted by his children, inviting the speculation on whether the final scene was reality or another dream. It is up to viewer to decide.

I am positive about Inception. It is a nice evening watch in the company of friends and family.

Reviewer's rating: 8.5 out of 10

Limitless (2011)

I have just watched “Limitless”, film directed by Neil Burger. It is a crazy film about drug addiction, drug-chasing and drug-dealing. It is not a boring and not a deep film. It does not leave lasting impressions, but it is interesting to watch.

Main character, Edward Morra, is a writer whose girlfriend dumps him in the beginning of story. His life is one big mess. He fails with deadlines of his new book. His flat is unclean and messy, just like him. It is here, he meets his ex-brother-in-law Vernon Grant. Vernon gives Eddie one tablet of a new drug called NZT. Well, it is not just a drug; it provides access to 100 % of the brain power. Thanks to this drug, he finishes his book extremely fast in a short time.

Later he finds Vernon dead in his flat, searches his flat for drug and finds stash of NZT. Edward understands that there are no limits to his ability and abandons his writing career. He starts trading stocks. He becomes rich and gets back together with Lindy. He takes more and more NZT for fast learning and thinking. But nothing comes without side effects. Soon, his memory starts to fail, and he becomes frenetic.

His ex-wife Melissa, who also was an NZT-addict, warns him about major health problems in case of withdrawal from NZT. He manages to consume drug in an average level, assists his new boss in making an important deal, and gets away from murder charges and also from Russian thug Gennady.

As usual for these types of films, a year later we see Eddie, in a better position, running for the United States Senate. While refusing Carl’s (Robert De Niro) offer of an unlimited NZT, Eddie mentions that he no longer needs the drug. He says that modified version of drug has helped him to come off the drug, though in the last scene of film  he speaks Chinese with waiter  and it is left unclear (as it is fashionable nowadays) whether he uses NZT or not.

Bradley Cooper plays his role very well. He changes his attitude a couple of times throughout the film and becomes a new person each time. Cooper delivers it flawlessly. He makes the film a nice watch.

Reviewer's rating: 7.0 out of 10