THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE

Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson

"It all begins ... With a Choice."

Cinema 7, SM Megamall

So while everyone (OK well probably not everyone) was tuned to the telly for the first SONA of Pnoy, I was well ensconced inside a cinema theater. My eyes glued to the screen as the love story of Bella and Edward intensifies.

The setting is still as bleak as ever. The story line drags on as Bella is playing hard to get. Edward is truly persistent in marrying her. And poor Jacob is still fixated with Bella. A love triangle ensues as Bella isn't sure who she loves more. Although clearly Edward with his pale pallor has the upper hand.

Conflict wise, in addition to the usual threat from Victoria and the Volturi, they throw in a menace in the form of a newborn army of vampires who are thought to be highly vicious. And for the first time, both werewolves and vampires work together to fight a common enemy - the newborn army.

But in between the 'training' to face their nemesis, the sappiness between Bella and Edward continues and climbs to a mushy pace. While the rivalry between Edward and Jacob for the affections of Bella takes on a humorous spin. For instance in one scene Edward asks Bella if Jacob owns a shirt since he is constantly bare chested.

I also learned what 'imprinting' on someone means and that I don't need to read the book to 'get' the story. And that the film always ends the same way (fades to a black screen) and you are back to reality quicker that you can say "Volturi".

NEW IN TOWN

Renee Zellweger, Harry Connick, Jr, Siobhan Fallon, Frances McConroy

"She's an executive on the move.
But her career is taking her a little bit farther than she expected."

Star Movies

I was just thinking that it has been a while since I saw Renee Zellweger in a film and lo and behold I chance upon "New in Town" on Star Movies.

Here she portrays Lucy, an ambitious executive who is assigned to restructure a manufacturing plant in a small town. A sleepy lil town in Minnesota where temperatures are below zero, folks are simple minded and life moves at a slower and dare I say boring pace.

A perfect contrast to Lucy's technology laden, fast paced lifestyle in sunny Miami. Eventually, the outsider meets local union rep, Ted (Harry Connick, Jr) and they have a i.cant.stand.you relationship going from the get go. The film highlights the Minnesota lifestyle. From the town folks' accents to its small town customs and traditions all amidst a wintry wonderland setting.

In my opinion, Renee's face seemed a bit off. I don't know if it was the harsh winter weather effect or she was too botox-ed to convey natural face expressions. She had a convincing chemistry with Harry Connick, Jr who I admit was the only warm thing in the movie. There is a certain warm and fuzzy vibe that seems to emit from the noted jazz crooner.

But as predictable romantic comedies go, happy ending(s) abound. Boy and girl fall in love, girl saves plant from closing down and the entire town reaps the abundant rewards from the launch of a new product. So blah!

INCEPTION

Leonardo DiCaprio, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Ellen Page,
Ken Watanabe, Tom Hardy, Michael Caine, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger

"Your Mind is the Scene of the Crime"

Cinema 3, Shang Cineplex

Truth be told, sci-fi action thrillers don't really appeal to my discerning taste in movies. But my sister had an appointment at the nail salon so I thought I might as well kill some time and watch a film. Any film!

I surely don't regret my decision. I was simply blown away by director Christopher Nolan's film where he plunges the audience into the murky and multi-layered depths of the subconscious mind.

Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is an expert thief with a unique talent. He can enter people’s minds while they are sleeping and steal their ideas. His adept skill is highly in demand in the corporate espionage world. His financially rewarding job though has taken a toll on his personal life. He is a wanted fugitive who can never go home to his wife and kids. One last job could give him his life back if he can accomplish what seems hugely impossible. He and his team of specialists are hired to perform an "Inception". Instead of stealing an idea, they must invade the mind of a business scion and plant an idea.

A highly complicated venture into four levels of dreams, set in very different, and increasingly bizarre worlds, to get to their target’s subconscious to implant the intended idea ensues. There are inevitable obstacles that make the journey through the mind a particularly difficult challenge.

Nolan, who is no stranger to films which explore memory and perception like his debut film "Memento" is in his elements. It is in the execution that Nolan gets to mess with your head. From its mind-bending dream-within-a-dream-within-a-dream plot to its way cool special effects, the movie really delivers.

Leonardo DiCarpio leads a cast of highly talented actors. Each of them a worthy pawn in the clever presentation of a well executed and entertaining thriller. Just don't forget to put your thinking cap on or you might get lost within the the dark realms of the subconscious mind!