Predators, Inception and Splice

Three science fiction movies, all with a single name title, and two starring Adrien Brody. His role in Predators involves a lot of running around and being moody. Not much of a script, but that is only to be expected. Not quite as good as the original, but Robert Rodrigues has engaged Nimrod Antal as director, and he does a pretty good job in ramping up the tension as the group is gradually "whittled" down. An interesting cameo from Laurence Fishbourne contributes to a reasonably fun movie.

Inception is one of the two best movies I have seen this year, probably not quite up to the standard of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo but brilliant nonetheless. All the reviews are about how complicated the action becomes, but I dont think that I had to concentrate that hard to understand what was going on. Yes, there are layers within layers, but Christopher Nolan wants us to be there with him as the story unfolds. His direction is absolutely spot on, and is helped by a decent enough script great sound, music and cinematography. The casting is fabulous, with one exception. I am afraid to say that there are a dozen or so box office friendly actors who would have done far better job than Leonardo DeCaprio in the lead role. Even Clive Owen (and I am not a huge fan) would have been OK. But take a great actor like Tom Hardy (critically acclaimed for his lead role in Bronson) and put him in a supporting role and you get gold.

The great thing about a terrific actor like Adrien Brody is that even though you see him in two roles, you immediately forget the first while watching the second. He and his co-star, Sarah Polley, lend their considerable acting talents to what would have been a run of the mill genetic engineering monster movie. Splice is a cut above many of this genre, thanks to a decent enough screenplay and the special effects. Well worth seeing.