**This entry does NOT contain spoilers. Don't worry.

Inception was

SICK.

Seriously. How much fun was that movie?! If you haven't seen it yet, you are obviously lazy or anti-fun. Plus, you are running the risk of becoming a social outcast.

Because, in the past week, everyone (And I mean this literally) has been talking about Inception. Every time David and I have been out to eat, someone at a table near us is talking about Inception. EVERYONE in the blogosphere is ranting, raving, fuming, or hypothesizing about this film. It is the "water-cooler" head-liner far and wide.

So, does Inception deserve this response?

My answer: YES.

Because it IS a great movie. Is it a perfect movie? No. Is it totally infuriating? Yes. Because, I don't think you can definitively pin it down with one viewing. I am going to go see it again soon, but after watching it and thinking about it and debating it with everyone I know, I'm still not sure what to make of it. But there's something funny about that ending (and I'm talking about BEFORE the final frame). It's weird. It feels rushed. And there's that whole issue of everyone looking at Dom (and, yes, I do think all of these things are intentional). The point is... as a whole, Inception is well done. It's visually stimulating. The music is good. The dialogue is snappy. And the story!.......

Let me stop you right there snarkers. No. Seriously. This is for those of you who have been backlashing the movie. You need to shut it. Because I get your game, you pretentious fucks. You get sold a movie that promises to be "intellectual" and "truly original" and your gut response is to be "more intellectual" than it is and start slagging on it, calling it " totally un-original." This is not a hard game to play. It's also not a hard game to recognize.

So save your bullshit comments about how the movie is "just like Total Recall or Memento" or whatever other movie you decide to pull out as a point of comparison. Of course Inception's not totally original. That's the point of the fucking movie you retards. There is no such thing as an "originally" conceived idea. All creativity is borrowed. That's why Inception is what it is (both in the movie and the movie itself).

And, as a person who tries to write, believe me when I say, if you spend 8 YEARS working on an idea, you WILL have thought about all the shit that comes with creating something. Because Nolan is a good writer. And he gets it. He would not have pissed away 8 years without thinking about all the problems inherent in his plot, his characters, his work. But, at some point, you have to make the best decisions you can and move on. And 8 years is long enough.

I (and other people) should NOT have to defend this movie. Because really...what more do you want? What summer blockbuster would you prefer? Do you want to see High School Dance Party 18? Or, on the flip side, do you really want to eat a bucket of popcorn and Jr. Mints while watching Antichrist? Inception is smart and it's also fun. But I do worry. Because a year from now, I fear pop culture will have pissed all over one of the good ones.

One of the movie writers over at Gawker said it best,

"I'm allowed to like Inception, right? This isn't one of those movies...where I'll get shot in the face for saying I like it? [Plus] who can forget Joseph Gordon Levitt's zero-gravity sex scene? It was a sex scene, right? Or was that just a dream I had. I can't tell! Oh my god..."

True. That. Because in addition to Inception being great as a whole, it has resurrected my passion for my childhood crush.

Claudia Schiffer and Jospeh Gordon-Levitt. There. Everybody wins.

Confession: When I was little, I loved Joseph Gordon-Levitt on 3rd Rock From the Sun. So cute. But then, he got stuck at 18. For most of his twenties, he still looked like a high-schooler. But, oh....not anymore. He is grown up. And he is SO hot.

I mean, have you seen Brick?

You haven't? Not surprising. But also not acceptable.

Brick is amazing. And he is so good looking in it. But you should also just watch Brick because it's good. It was a HUGE hit at Sundance a few years ago. And, thankfully, the buzz from the indie community made it a financial success. So much so that even though Brick was writer/director Rain Johnson's first movie...he has been given a green-light for his new film which is currently being shot. Brick is a great, tense, genre-bending movie (crush not required).

You know what else you should also watch?

Winter's Bone

Thanks whoever made this film for bringing back the Southern Gothic. Such such such an elegant movie...about the most un-elegant subject matter. And...OMG...where did this actress come from. Because Jennifer Lawrence, who plays the main character, is soooo good. Incredible, incredible performance.

Winter's Bone is playing now at the Chelsea. See it now before it leaves. And Brick is streaming now on Netflix. Download it.

PS. Here's my final come to Jesus for all you girls/guys looking for a new Movie Star crush...watch this New York Times Screen Test

Thanks to everyone who I've seen or blogged with who gave me their input re: Summer Books. Summer really is the best time to read.

It's also the best time to see movies. Especially here in the South where any excuse to find air conditioning is a good one.

So far this summer, there have been highs and lows at the box office. There have been good films and bad films. There have been movies that made money and movies that haven't. And the ones that have aren't necessarily good and vice-versa. But, of course, that's just my opinion. And I'm brutal when it comes to movies.

And I've seen some bad ones lately. But I've also seen some good ones. And I can't wait for others. Let's do the run down.

Exit Through the Gift Shop

This is one of those movies that you idiots won't see. But you should. Because in 30 years, Banksy will have become solidified as one of the most important artists of our time. And you will have to answer for why you didn't pay attention to him WHILE he was working. Like, seriously. Your kid will study him in art history. And he will ask you if you saw his work or his movie when you were younger. And you will shameface-dly have to say "no." Unless you get off your ass and go buy a ticket. And you should. Because this film is so funny and so smart...it will blow your mind.

Twilight Saga: Eclipse

It's like cancer. Twilight spreads and matastasizes with each installment. And, even though the directors keep getting better and better, each film is terrible. Beyond measure. And everytime, I go to the theater thinking that it can be redeemed. I keep telling myself that the wonderful talents of filmmakers like Chris Weitz (New Moon) and David Slade (Eclipse) can overcome the shit shit shit story that is Twilight and the even worse writing/dialogue of it's author Stephanie Myers.

But it's just not possible. Take Eclipse for example. It is directed by David Slade. He did "Hard Candy." Hard Candy is about a girl (played by the immeasurable Ellen Page) who seduces and then kills pedophiles. It's an incredibly gritty, well acted, and well directed movie.

As you can see, I had high hopes for Eclipse. And, in a way, I was rewarded. Because visually, Eclipse is by FAR better than it's predecessors. There is some great camera work and shot set-up in the movie. But it does not compensate for everything else that happens over two hours.

Terrible costumes and makeup. Terrible acting. Terrible writing. Terrible terrible terrible.

And so so so so funny.

Seriously. That's the silver lining to Eclipse. If you are looking for an absolutely hilarious, campy movie...go see Eclipse. Because you will laugh your ass off. Lines like "Isabella Swan, I promise to love you every moment of every day until your heart stops beating" are said with 100% earnestness from a 15 year old "wolf-boy" wearing cut off jean shorts and no shirt who is standing in the middle of a snow storm on top of a mountain during a vampire battle. No, I'm not kidding.

And 90% of the women in the theater orgasm out loud over it. See? It's worth it just for a laugh. Or twenty.

Inception

No lie...about twice a week, I find myself saying, out loud..."I can NOT wait to see this movie."

Thankfully, I won't have to much longer. Because it's coming out in 10 days. Count down has commenced.

I mean, it's written and directed by Christopher Nolan. Who, like Banksy, will go down in art/cinema history. Because, and I will say this once and only once, Nolan will be LEGEND.

Seriously. If his work continues in the same vein, he will rank up there with Scorsese, Speilberg, Welles, Hawks, Kubrick, Altman, Ford and the rest. To date, Nolan has only made 7 films. Three of these are considered new classics: Memento, The Dark Knight, and Insomnia. And I'm willing to bet Inception gets put on that list.

Because the buzz is out of control. Re: Lainey...

"Media screenings are happening this week. Everyone coming out of Inception is jerking off over Christopher Nolan’s latest brilliance. Like, everyone. And just in time too. Inception opens July 16 following a smartly paced, cleverly strategised marketing campaign that teased just enough and not too much and as such, should deliver both critically and commercially which is not to say that it’ll do Toy Story numbers, but well enough to be considered a hit and, having made its money, on to perhaps an awards season run. Yeah, apparently it’s THAT good."

And she's right. We're over a week out and already, it's at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. You heard me correctly: it is currently at 100%.

Plus, it has Leo. And you know how I feel about Leo. He is also one of The Greats. He will go down in history too. But then there's also Oscar winners Marion Cottliard, Michael Caine, and three other amazing actors called Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon Levitt, and Crispin Glover.

If you somehow haven't seen the third trailer, viewing is mandatory. Pull it up in Full Screen. Inception will be SICK.

Let the Right One In vs. Let Me In

vs.

I have been wanting to see Let the Right One In for forever. And it wasn't until yesterday that I realized how soon I need to go rent it. Because the trailer for the American re-make called "Let Me In" (what a dumb fucking 'translation', just call it the same thing) came out. And it is IDENTICAL to the original.

And, being American filmmakers, I'm sure whoever did the re-make will pussy out. Because Let the Right One In is a hard film to get through by all accounts. But it's also immensely rewarding. Because the Sweeds know how to make a movie. All the critics agree: Let the Right One In is the "right" movie. Which means the American knock-off is just wrong.

Other movies I'm excited about:

Cyrus

The Kids Are Alright

The Sorcerer's Apprentice (that's right. it's a nicholas cage/disney kids movie. now, shut it)

Enough for now, more to follow.

Love.