Out Of The Gate

Variety's Andrew Stewart is reporting that Inception made a "healthy" $3 million from midnight showings on 2000 screens. A lot of people have to go work on Friday morning, but $1500 a screen doesn't sound like much to me. Boxoffice's Phil Contrino reminds that Avatar's midnight debut was $3.5 million, and that "huge midnight grosses are usually reserved for sequels or established properties."

If any HE readers caught Inception last night I'd love to hear what happened. What they thought, what the room "felt" like, predictions, etc.

Today's tracking has Inception with an 18 first choice, 23 unaided awareness, and a 48 definite interest. That'll mean $60 million or so for the weekend, but it also means that a lot of Eloi are holding on to their ticket bucks for the time being.

Chris Nolan's multi-levelled mind-tripper opens today at 3,792 locations, including 197 IMAX runs. As noted previously, I'm catching an 8:30 pm IMAX screening at San Francisco's Metreon tonight.

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on July 16, 2010 at 11:07 AM

comment #1

allstar397 Author Profile Page says ...

I dont know, i wouldnt worry about the midnights seeming low. Unless its a sequel or an established property of some kind, midnights usually aren't huge right?

40 seems low to me, I feel like this will defy tracking. I hear a LOT of people talking about this movie as the one that's gonna get them back to the theater this summer after a bit of a lull.

Posted by allstar397 Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 11:37 AM

comment #2

Brandon Boudreaux Author Profile Page says ...

Went to the Lincoln Square Imax midnight showing. Packed house. The crowd was definitely psyched before hand. The ending got a whole bunch of joyous woahs and applause. A lot of the people walking out were already planning multiple viewings. I dunno, I think it's going to do quite well based on word of mouth. A definite "you've got to see it in the theater" vibe.

Posted by Brandon Boudreaux Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 11:38 AM

comment #3

michael Author Profile Page says ...

Jeff, I posted this already in the Faraci thread but I saw it in Imax in Charlotte, Nc at midnight. It was a packed house. Completely sold out. I was actually surprised at that because I expected there to be about 10 of us there but I had to scramble to get a seat. The crowd cheered when the Warner Bros. logo came up at the start of the film and the whole place cheered....not polite applause...actually cheered when the end credits came up. The film played like gang busters. There were laughs at the right times, gasps at the right times and very few people left even to go to the bathroom. It was a rapt audience. I absolutely don't think the film is too complex or complicated for the mass audience, and I didn't have a problem keeping up at any point, and it didn't seem like anyone around me did either. I will say this though, I don't think it was just your theater having sound issues, because I could barely make out a word Ken Wantanabe said. I could hear everyone else fine, but it sounded like he was muffled or something. It was like his vocal was buried in the sound mix or something. Awful. But I loved the film, absolutely loved it, and I can't speak for other crowds, but the audience last night at Stonecrest Imax on Rea Rd. in Charlotte, Nc loved every frame of this movie.

Posted by michael Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 11:38 AM

comment #4

Roger in Orlando Author Profile Page says ...

Predictions range from $60 to $73 million for it. If it does $40, or even in the $40s, wrists will be slashed.

Posted by Roger in Orlando Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 11:43 AM

comment #5

michael Author Profile Page says ...

I have to be honest, I could actually care less how much money this one makes. I hope it does crazy business because it would be nice if Hollywood gave Nolan 200 million dollars every couple years to make one of these mind fucks. The fact that a film this out there exists at all is a triumph to me.

Posted by michael Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 11:46 AM

comment #6

Mark Author Profile Page says ...

My crowd, not midnight, but a Monday Chicago screening, had a big and positive reaction to the wink-wink cut to credits, indicating that they stayed with it for the most part.

Some applause, zero groans, though it wasn't universally loved gauging by some overheard conversation.

I personally loved Cotliard and Hardy. They are the new Blanchett and Crowe ca. 1997. So much other stuff to love, including the idea that you could live a lifetime inside of a brief nap.

Two big negatives. Extraction seems so obtuse; that one keeps their secrets in redacted typed pages inside a dream safe that others can crack. Inception seems much easier to grasp. The notion that you can influence others inside their dreams. That the former is accepted truth, and the latter is a pipe dream seems a huge stretch.

The 2nd negative is Leo's character. He's not very likable for the most part. Just a reckless thief of intellectual property, which seems like such an unsympathetic violation.

Posted by Mark Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 11:58 AM

comment #7

lazarus Author Profile Page says ...

I see a lot of repeat business here. While there will be some who will be confused and want nothing more to do with it, there are a lot of people who will want to dip back into its world, either to "figure it out" (not that this is really necessary) or just to experience the adrenaline rush again.

Crowd ate it up, and I can't remember another film that kept such a level of tension up for so long (the climax itself is arguably 30-40 minutes long), to say nothing of doing so while juggling so many realities.

Just amazing.

Also, the Scott Pilgrim trailer was booed and received derisive laughter afterwards. I don't think it's going to do very well.

Posted by lazarus Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 11:58 AM

comment #8

Mark Author Profile Page says ...

One last comment. I know that a lot of people are avoiding reviews and spoilers on this one, but I actually think that it's spoiler proof. It's not exactly the 6th Sense. Reading about it may actually allow your head around some of its ideas beforehand which may aid the experience.

Posted by Mark Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 12:05 PM

comment #9

Jake_Juice Author Profile Page says ...

Saw it last night at the midnight showing at IMAX Metreon San Francisco. The same place Jeff will be seeing it this weekend.
Perfect picture. Incredible Sound. Sold out audience. And the Vibe was positively electric. The audience even clapped at the end of the Hewitt sequence. The whole experience was awesome.

I've been lamenting the death of the cinema going experience. This just confirms for me that the only ticket i will ever buy to see a movie, is the midnight show, at a Real Imax, opening day.

Posted by Jake_Juice Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 12:12 PM

comment #10

phantasmata Author Profile Page says ...

my experience was identical to michael's and boudreaux's. i went to the midnight IMAX showing at the irvine spectrum in OC and was surprised at how big the turnout was. the line was reminiscent of TDK when i saw that at its midnight opening as well. i even said to my friend, "shit, you'd think we were at a batman movie." the theater was packed, people literally had to bring in chairs from the main theater lobby and lugged them up the stairs.

surprisingly low geek turnout. i'd say about 60% of the crowd were hipsters, 30% were "cool OC types" and 10% were a mishmash. don't think i saw one person below 18 and, like, one person over 35.

the crowd was really enthusiastic and they even unleashed the damn beachball on us. people went nuts for the tron trailer (and i'm telling you, none of them were geeks, i was sitting next to a smoking hot girl who could've been on tv herself and she went apeshit for the tron trailer, but looking at her you would never assume she had even heard of tron before). no scott pilgrim and no social network trailers. very few people got up during the movie. everyone laughed at the funny moments and i'd say at least half the theater literally jumped out of their seats at the final shot and yelled "NO!!!! WTF!?" and then broke out in applause. can honestly say i've *never* seen that sort of response to a movie before. not even TDK.

going to see it again tonight at 7:00. i think word-of-mouth is going to propel people to see this in the theater as opposed to waiting for the dvd.

Posted by phantasmata Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 12:23 PM

comment #11

Deathtongue_Groupie Author Profile Page says ...

How can put this as delicately as possible?

Jeff, BO has never been your strong suit. You admit repeatedly it bores you, so no big shake. But it does give you a major blindspot.

Try to follow this:

If a 2.5 hour film (one that is only playing on average about 4 times a day (some 3, some 5....) makes $1500 for a single midnight screening, then that translates to a possible $68M for a three day opening weekend. Apparently many of those screenings weren't sold out.

In other words, factor in phenomenal word-of-mouth that is expected, and Warners has a rare non-sequel original summer blockbuster that should hit $300M+ easily.

Posted by Deathtongue_Groupie Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 12:28 PM

comment #12

LexG Author Profile Page says ...

Midnight at the Vista in LA: Packed but not quite sold-out, crowd DEFINITELY way into it, place went apeshit during the Gordon-Levitt sequence, big cheers/applause at end (and I think beginning too.)

Ultimately went there but also checked the seating charts online for the Arclight down the street before heading out-- they ended up adding additional shows because their FOUR midnight shows were all selling out.

Though, as always, a little hard to judge from LA or from the Hollywood/Los Feliz crowd, which is always up on everything and wants to see it right away; Midnights of KICK-ASS or GRINDHOUSE surely would've been packed to capacity and cheered like gangbusters, so not always the most precise box-office indicator.

10 years later I'm still giddy as hell and can't wait to see it again. AWESOME movie.

(Though, yeah, 20% of the dialogue, especially in loud spots, was incomprehensible. I still have no idea what the deal was with Lukas Haas' character or what any of that was about, because Watanabe's dialogue to DiCaprio about Haas's fate was a total sonic blur.)

Posted by LexG Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 12:43 PM

comment #13

LexG Author Profile Page says ...

10 hours later, sorry.

Also PAGE was ADORABLE in her LITTLE HAT.

Posted by LexG Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 12:44 PM

comment #14

michael Author Profile Page says ...

LexG: It would only be 10 years later if you were on the 2nd or 3rd level down in the dream. :-)
And yes, Ellen Page was kinda smokin' in this. I loved the hat.

Posted by michael Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 12:51 PM

comment #15

tenstice Author Profile Page says ...

Caught a midnight show at The Landmark on Pico. Packed house with a couple projection snafus - they played a trailer for The Town *twice* and there was a brief issue with focus and shadows from the booth. Aside from that, there was cheering as the lights went down, some audible reactions at the final shot and more applause as the credits rolled. Lots of enthusiasm, with the caveat that anyone seeing this film at midnight was obviously jazzed in the first place.

Posted by tenstice Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 1:19 PM

comment #16

citizenmilton Author Profile Page says ...

Caught a midnight screening. Demographic skewed young. The connected kids were texting their thumbs off before.

95% capacity.

prelude: cosmic spiritual communion occurred at The Social Network trailer. stunning response. the room lifted.

INCEPTION: got off to a rough start. crowd was disoriented, disappointed, unsure. it took about an hour to win them over. the kids were patient.

and for the last hour - they were riveted. still clearly confused and disoriented but trusting it - surrendering to it.

and the final image - as it lingered - another lift everyone was taking a deep breath - and then - that edit - LOUD audible "AWWWWW MANNNN!" but in a wink-winky we-get-it. Ten seconds later, of course it had to end that way but dammit still.

Twenty minutes after the movie: PACKED lobby. Arms in motion, animated discussion. Argument. At this theater the most I've ever seen is maybe 3 or 4 clumps of people and this was over fifteen or so groups holding forth.

Judging from this midnight screening, the Eloi aren't going to be as cold as you feared. But, in a terribly un-hip town this was the best screen in town so, who knows how representative it was....

Posted by citizenmilton Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 1:23 PM

comment #17

shanes5 Author Profile Page says ...

Saw it last night. Theatre was at about 80% capacity and filled primarily with 20somethings, lots of film students, and as we listened in on all the pre-movie chatter around us my wife noted, "I bet there's not a person in here that scored under a 27 on their ACT."

There was a palpable buzz of energy prior. The film broke just as the team began their mission---it took about four minutes before it began again and interestingly the audience just kind of sat there as if in a state of suspended focus--very little discussion, as if they were using the opportunity to process everything they'd seen so far.

Going again next Thursday for a second exposure. I definitely never felt like "I've seen this before" and while I did have a few small issues at times, I was enjoying the ride so much that I was able to let them pass quickly. Looking forward to seeing how my perspective changes onthe second viewing.

I did have the same problems with understanding Wantabe and Cotillard--was sitting almost in the exact middle of the theatre.

Posted by shanes5 Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 1:37 PM

comment #18

a1 Author Profile Page says ...

I saw it at a midnight screening in downtown Chicago with a theater 3/4 full. I was 1/3rd of the way from the back of the theater, and didn't see a single bathroom visit or texting session during the 2&1/2 hour run time. The last shot had the audience holding its collective breath and then busting into a decent level of applause when the credits showed up.

And Jeff is 100% right about the terrible sound mixing of Ken Watanabe's dialogue - I understood maybe 10% of what his character was saying. Very frustrating, especially in the beginning of the movie when you're trying to get established in the movie's world.

Posted by a1 Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 1:52 PM

comment #19

Chase Kahn Author Profile Page says ...

Well, I saw a 10:40 this morning at the Cinemark 14 in Valparaiso, Indiana (I'm on vacation, family and stuff) and there were four other people in the theater, so I didn't really get that "crowd reaction wave" that I could pass on, but...

Really liked the film. I don't think it's a masterpiece (maybe a B+/A-) but in a summer in which The A-Team, Knight and Day, Prince of Persia, Robin Hood and Iron Man 2 all left me dull and unenthusiastic, it was great to be awed, engaged and tickled by a summer blockbuster again. (I literally sweat right through my Waikiki Cheeseburger shirt.)

Anyway, it's great - loved the genre mash-up here, loved the cast, loved how the film struck the perfect balance between science-fiction geekery and a more definable action-adventure heist formula.

It's unfortunate that DiCaprio's performance here (and his character) is so reminiscent of Teddy Daniels aka Andrew Laeddis in Shutter Island, but oh well.

And I think repeat business will be huge. It's a two-headed monster in that it will re-attract viewers who are both looking to piece together every aspect of the plot and re-immerse themselves back into the experience and the visceral force of the thing.

It's also remarkable how the film can be at once new and exciting and yet wholly and entirely a Nolan film.

Posted by Chase Kahn Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 2:39 PM

comment #20

jtagliere Author Profile Page says ...

Midnight MD screening - from the reaction, I'd be guessing Nolan becomes the second man to have two billion dollar grossing films.

Posted by jtagliere Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 2:40 PM

comment #21

Alvy Singer Author Profile Page says ...

I had a great time with Inception, but I am the only one who felt that the central emotional plot was highly reminiscent of What Dreams May Come?

Posted by Alvy Singer Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 3:43 PM

comment #22

lipranzer Author Profile Page says ...

Saw it this morning, 10:20 at Kips Bay Theater on 2nd Ave, not IMAX but regular (it's all about only paying $6). I would guess the theater was about half to 3/4 full. No cheering or applause, but I didn't sense anyone being bored either (admittedly, I was sitting in the middle - one of the nice things about Kips Bay is they have a group of seats in the front, then a few seats on the walkway, and then a group of seats farther up, which is good for those of us who need the leg room).

I definitely want to watch this again. It's very entertaining, to be sure, and I didn't have any problems with the performances, the editing, or even the heavy exposition, but I didn't find it particularly deep, and since Nolan's movies usually have something else going on underneath, which is one reason why I'm a fan of his, that was definitely a disappointment.

Best line of the movie goes to Ken Watanabe - when the crew is trying to plot how to infiltrate a plane to allow them to perform the task undetected, Watanabe's "I bought the airline. It just seemed safer that way" was the one big laugh line for me and the rest of the audience.

Posted by lipranzer Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 3:48 PM

comment #23

hford1 Author Profile Page says ...

Just got back from the Friday evening show at Odeon Leicester Square in London. Looked pretty much sold-out. Real sense of excitement in the theatre. Round of applause and cheers when the lights went down, which you don't get every day here in the UK. Big laughs when Gordon-Levitt tricked Ellen Page into kissing him. And a huge collective gasp and very loud "Noooo!" when the screen cut to black on the final shot.

Seemed like the audience were with it all the way through, no chattering or bathroom breaks, and you could feel everyone holding their breath when the 3 (4?) levels all reached their kick points. Personally I couldn't believe it was 2.5 hours long, felt like about an hour, if that.

Am sad to report that the Ken Watanabe dialogue issues seem to have made their way over here too - all of my friends were like "what the hell was he saying?".

Overall I'd have to see it again to make sure, but I'm pretty certain it's one of the best movies I've seen for quite some time, and by miles the best movie I've seen this year.

BTW so you know where I'm coming from, my favourite Nolan movie so far is "Prestige", which I know makes many people insane with rage.

Posted by hford1 Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 4:44 PM

comment #24

Chase Kahn Author Profile Page says ...

The Prestige is and probably still is my favorite Nolan film. I think the Bale-Jackman conversation at the end of the film is one of the best things he (or his brother) has ever written.

Posted by Chase Kahn Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 5:15 PM

comment #25

matt cousens Author Profile Page says ...

Saw it at a packed midnight showing in Millbury, Mass. It went over pretty well with the crowd. I also thought that Leo was still in Shutter Island mode, but i thought the film was a solid A. Still wrapping my head around it, actually...

Posted by matt cousens Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 5:18 PM

comment #26

Chester54 Author Profile Page says ...

Hope it does great, don't think it will. Mid-day Friday Santa Barbara semi-full screening. Lots of awed response at the technical feats and the charmed moments but there was no sense of emotional response and the semi-gotcha ending only reinforced the lack of feeling. I went through all that and don't even know if he got back to his kids? The men's room afterwards was packed (that's a long movie!) but no buzz.

Posted by Chester54 Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 5:43 PM

comment #27

matt cousens Author Profile Page says ...

His kids looked the same way at the end that they did in his memory. Same lighting, positions...needless to say, he didn't get back.

Posted by matt cousens Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 5:56 PM

comment #28

austin111 Author Profile Page says ...

If anything, it'll be a word of mouth thing. Sort of like Titanic was. Irregardless of what people now think of Titanic, that's how I view the over the moon response to this thus far. Similar insane response to that one in many ways. Different movies I know but just saying. I remember going to a not full theater when I first saw it. Two weekends later, you had to get there really early to get in and the movie was selling out pretty nicely. I can't see this one being that successful. Titanic had more heart and about as straightforward a story as you might want.

Posted by austin111 Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 7:15 PM

comment #29

Zufall Author Profile Page says ...

Jeff...I saw this thing tonight at the IMAX in Greenville, South Carolina....practically Eloi Ground Zero. And people went NUTS for this thing. Huge reaction at the end as people gasped after the screen went dark...then started applauding. The word of mouth, even in flyover country, will be phenomenal.

Posted by Zufall Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 7:42 PM

comment #30

crazynine Author Profile Page says ...

Saw it tonight in Northern Virginia. Young Friday night crowd, mix of geeks and dates.

Focused vibe throughout, applause at the end, TONS of smiles and happy talking walking out.

The film is going to be huge for four big reasons:
1. It's original.
2. It demands a movie theater.
3. It's complex but not complicated.
4. It's really freakin' good.

I will admit to actually tearing up during the hallway fight scene-- the construction of that scene, the lead up to it, all the pieces fitting together... one of the best set pieces in years, completely knocked my socks off at the imagination of it all.

Oh, and Tom Hardy is a total pimp, and will be getting much more work very soon.

Loved it. LOVED. IT.

I have my complaints-- nits, really, things I (the guy who ISN'T a millionaire directer, heh) would have done differently. Plus a few huge "film coulda gone the other way" deals.

SPOILERS AHEAD

SPOILERS AHEAD

SPOILERS AHEAD

-- When Leavitt and DiCaprio discuss the totems with Page-- they're unique, you can't touch others-- and then DiCaprio shows off that his is his wife's, I totally thought they were going to twist it as this was HER dream all along, not his. Glad they didn't.

-- If "falling" wakes you up, I'm surprised they didn't incorporate the plane turbulence at some point (they did mention it)

-- I was actually expecting a double-cross ending, I'm surprised Nolan didn't go for it. I thought that the whole deal all along would have been Watanabe arranged the whole thing not to do inception into Murphy's mind, but to trap him so far down in his mind under sedation and THEN shoot him, trapping him limbo. Would have been a surer way of taking out a competitor, no? You could have still had DiCaprio dive deeper into the dreamworld, but instead of going there to save Watanabe, he'd be going there to confront Watanabe in order to save Murphy.

Instead, the movie went with the happy ending. I'm fine with that, great beats, but I totally could have seen it going the other way.

Great, great flick. Not the best ever, not even Nolan's best, but best film I've seen this year, hand's down.

Word of mouth is going to be huge.

Posted by crazynine Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 9:32 PM

comment #31

citizenmilton Author Profile Page says ...

Indicator #2 that the Eloi aren't going to be as cold as Jeffrey originally thought...

just take a look on twitter tonight.
insanely positive.

Posted by citizenmilton Author Profile Page at July 16, 2010 9:35 PM

comment #32

DeeZee Author Profile Page says ...

Packed at the Grove screening. Had to sit near the front next to women who brought a little kid, but since this wasn't the Sucklight, I managed to find a better seat. Other than that kid and someone with a cell phone, it was surprisingly focused in my section of the audience. A number of people applauded at the end and talked about it after the show optimistically. So maybe if this thing disappoints, it'll be bailed out on home video.
Though it should be a lock for Best Visual Effects if Alice doesn't sweep the rug under its feet.

To be honest, though, I'm more surprised that *El Topo" at the New Beverly had a packed house.

michael: Yeah, Inception has some serious mumblecore issues.

DTG: $300 million should cover its costs and P+A, but it needs $500 million to be profitable.

crazynine: "1. It's original."

Um, we've been over this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdbHmAMo6xY&playnext_from=TL&videos=VRiwF1pZl-E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw72EyG2z7s&playnext_from=TL&videos=s2V8CFrxcOg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er5QG_AkspU&playnext_from=TL&videos=FdpMjTKDAA8

Posted by DeeZee Author Profile Page at July 17, 2010 12:30 AM

comment #33

Noah Cross Author Profile Page says ...

Friday afternoon showing in Santa Rosa California and the theater was 80% full. Good audience response, with nothing else exciting on the summer slate, this looks like a blockbuster to me.

And since we give DeeZee such grief, good for you on actually going to a movie and on opening day.

And though it was nothing like DeeZee's Avatar predictions, LexG did say the other day that he thought Sorcerer's Apprentice would do 50 - 60 this weekend and Dinovelvet thought SA might be the #1 movie of the weekend.

There is still a market for quality entertainment, good on Nolan.

Posted by Noah Cross Author Profile Page at July 17, 2010 1:53 AM

comment #34

Sams Author Profile Page says ...

Nikke Finke is reporting overall B+ Cinemascore, but A with the under 25. B+ sounds problematic for good word of mouth. She also thinks it might do $55M this weekend.

Posted by Sams Author Profile Page at July 17, 2010 7:11 AM

comment #35

crazynine Author Profile Page says ...

Um, we've been over this.

Um, we've been over how no one likes you Daniel. No. One.

You wore out whatever welcome you EVER had here, years ago.

Posted by crazynine Author Profile Page at July 17, 2010 8:35 AM

comment #36

CitizenKanedForPostingThoughts Author Profile Page says ...

Danny, if you think fan-made mashups of Inception and Paprika somehow "prove" that the former is a rip-off of the latter, then boy, you've got more issues than even I thought possible.

Btw, layering Cobb's voiceover from Inception over an animated characters mouth not only doesn't prove anything, but it's also quite lazy and unoriginal in and of itself.

Posted by CitizenKanedForPostingThoughts Author Profile Page at July 17, 2010 9:34 AM

comment #37

DeeZee Author Profile Page says ...

Noah: "And since we give DeeZee such grief, good for you on actually going to a movie and on opening day."

Um, I've done it before...

"And though it was nothing like DeeZee's Avatar predictions, LexG did say the other day that he thought Sorcerer's Apprentice would do 50 - 60 this weekend and Dinovelvet thought SA might be the #1 movie of the weekend."

Gawd do I hope not. This should be Cage's Knight and Day.

Kane: "Danny, if you think fan-made mashups of Inception and Paprika somehow "prove" that the former is a rip-off of the latter, then boy, you've got more issues than even I thought possible."

Not just me. Critics who reviewed the movie. Oh, and http://www.excessif.com/cinema/actu-cinema/dossiers/inception-par-christopher-nolan-interview-references-indices-5926972-760.html .

"but it's also quite lazy and unoriginal in and of itself."

It's about the equivalent of what you get from most Hollywood remakes, so...

Posted by DeeZee Author Profile Page at July 17, 2010 11:31 AM

comment #38

CitizenKanedForPostingThoughts Author Profile Page says ...

Daniel, where do you find these links? lol. I take it you don't really understand French and just googled "Nolan" and "Paprika," and this is just the first (only?) thing that came up.

Here's what it basically says: Nolan cites the main character of Paprika as an influence on the way the Ellen Page character was refined.

"Refined," as in, it was already on the page when he saw the film (Nolan's been working on this script for at least 10 years, by most accounts). Secondly, it's just one character, who may or may not even be real (as opposed to a projection of Cobb's personality). Thirdly, he's come out and been honest about referencing it as an inspiration...isn't your normal problem that filmmakers (like Tarantino) don't cite their influences (not like they owe it to us to do so, anyway)?

Look, Paprika is a pretty good, creative film and I'm certainly not going to lower myself to slag it just to defend your moronic point that Inception is some sort of glorified remake of it. But if you honestly think that movie was the very first word on the subject and didn't steal liberally from Matrix, Blade Runner, Tron, Neuromancer, Akira, Ghost in the Shell, etc., etc., you'll continue to be a delusional hypocrite.

Posted by CitizenKanedForPostingThoughts Author Profile Page at July 17, 2010 12:27 PM

comment #39

DeeZee Author Profile Page says ...

Kane: "I take it you don't really understand French and just googled "Nolan" and "Paprika," and this is just the first (only?) thing that came up."

Actually, not the only thing in French.

"(Nolan's been working on this script for at least 10 years, by most accounts)."

Novel predates the script, and Tsutsui's career as a writer predates Nolan's.

"Secondly, it's just one character, who may or may not even be real (as opposed to a projection of Cobb's personality). "

It's more than just the character. There's the broken mirror, the floating corridor, Levitt dressed as one of the bar-keeps, etc.

"Thirdly, he's come out and been honest about referencing it as an inspiration...isn't your normal problem that filmmakers (like Tarantino) don't cite their influences (not like they owe it to us to do so, anyway)?"

Well, he indirectly seems to have acknowledged Paprika. And it's only because fans pressed him the way the fans pressed the Wachowskis over GITS. But if Paprika was as niche as Kimba or City on Fire, Nolan would still be in denial mode.

"But if you honestly think that movie was the very first word on the subject and didn't steal liberally from Matrix, Blade Runner, Tron, Neuromancer, Akira, Ghost in the Shell, etc., etc., you'll continue to be a delusional hypocrite."

It probably wasn't, but it still had its own stamp which Nolan peeled off, and which his fans tried to cover him on, since it's as embarassing for them that he might like those "Japtoons" as it is for QT fans that his movies are really unofficial remakes.

Posted by DeeZee Author Profile Page at July 17, 2010 3:01 PM

comment #40

Gordn27 Author Profile Page says ...

"And since we give DeeZee such grief, good for you on actually going to a movie and on opening day. "

Yeah, but notice he hasn't actually expressed an opinion about the movie. This is because he's lying about going to see it. He's going to start criticizing it based on posts he read on the IMDb that were too intellectual, so that he couldn't fully understand them.

Posted by Gordn27 Author Profile Page at July 19, 2010 6:06 AM

comment #41

designerbag Author Profile Page says ...

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comment #42

DeeZee Author Profile Page says ...

Gordon: Actually, I've said it was dull, bloated, and lazy.

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