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Inception
Posted : 13 years, 9 months ago on 23 August 2010 08:21
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I saw Memento very recently, something that turned out to be a great miss.I saw it again, just to make a couple of thins straight-and ill definitely do the same with Inception.
Christopher Nolan keeps improving himself, with even more complex and multilayer script like this.And i thought Memento was hard to reach by most of the viewers, but no.Inception will keep you mesmerized and captivated by the genius, thats hidden behind it.And not just directors and screenwriters (or with other words-Nolan), but with acting and sound-and effects and editing as well.
When you have a cast like this-i mean Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Lewitt, Michael Caine, or Marion Cotillard (a personal favourite), the movie just keeps going flawlessly.Most of the crew is the same the Nolan brothers worked with on TDK and earlier in Batman Begins.So the Oscar noms in those categories are a certainty for me.
The only thing one could have against the movie, is the headache one could have.See, most of my friends go to the movies for brainless action, they enjoyed Iron Man 2 and The A-Team, but this movie-you have to see it at least twice, to understand it.The levels and the layers on which thing are happening are so many, that one surelyll miss something vital.This is a reason for not fitting to the mass audience, but i hope that won happen, because Nolan is one of my favourite directors/writers, and he showed, that the brainless action flicks aren all of it.There are still movies like Inception out there and still people like the Nolans to make those movies, so its not all lost.And i hope this movie could show the audience that the story is still important for the experience one could receive, not the endless, constant explosions.Because this is really a one of a lifetime event.
Saying that, i must say, that in a world full of remakes, reboots, sequels, prequels and God knows what, this is a unique chance to see something different and unmatched so far-a strong movie, that, surely will be Nolans latest masterpiece! My Grade won change-its the same for all Nolan movies-sheer 10!
Tagline: Your mind is the scene of the crime.
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Hypnosis in the Inception
Posted : 13 years, 9 months ago on 10 August 2010 02:30
The movie Inception has provoked the thought about people’s conscience or subconscious behavior and how our actions can be influenced. Without revealing the details of the film, I had the chance to remove myself from the film after I seen it and reflected about how much of a real possibility that this can occur, to be manipulated in our dreams as well as our own thoughts. What I was closely to make a comparison to I discovered was the use of hypnosis, to be hypnotized to do a course of action that we may never otherwise do in our present state.
In hypnosis, our minds dwell upon thoughts or events that may or not had happened. You can walk the experience of the emotions you felt at the time and of others in the environment that you had become a witness of the accounts that unfolded. It is here where information can be retrieved as it was in the case of the film Inception they are “extracted” and the pertinent information is used for some purpose or task. Also in hypnosis you can be impressed into a state to where an individual may be then introduced to carry out a task that perhaps may be conducted unknowingly.
In both of these manipulations of the mind, the subject can do involuntary events contrast to what they may not ordinarily perform. You are thus placed in a separa-te frame of time and mind. You have no control of your faculties in your logic and reasoning. It is only until you are pulled or “kicked” from what you were programmed to performed, do you actually realized you were contrary to that of your normal behavior.
The film Inception exhibits what if our very dreams can be manipulated so much that we believe in that dream in our subconscious that the actions we take from the result of our dreams are believed in so much that it becomes the fabric of ourselves, that the course of action taken from the dream now becomes voluntary. We thus are now thoroughly knowingly convinced in the decision made is the way we chosen to lead ourselves of the desired outcome.
This type of powerful “inception” inserted in our most personable and vulnerable moments where we are having a swirl of thoughts hovering in our minds over matters during the time which we dream, makes a quite powerful concept for an intriguing thought if something of this instance to occur. The changing of government officials, business and financial transactions, fraud manipulation, the social landscape, all such activities can never be uncovered or to have been found to be altered because all parties were willing voluntary participants.
Christopher Nolan’s Inception has created a fictitiously possible film that is already actively possible to some measure in hypnotherapy. The film lends itself to discuss the approaches in learning about the human thought contained in the complexity of our brains and how much is still unknown about us in this capacity. Films that touch about our human psyche and the use of our intellect are vital to our development even if it may be fictitious in its content. I recommend the film for its value of debate and whether or not this film is well received.
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Avant-garde dream of reason.
Posted : 13 years, 9 months ago on 5 August 2010 06:32
"Welcome to the world Nolan."
This is a grand dream, which is located on the shore of the subconscious. Its nature is paradoxical, but the essence of the unknown. It makes the time - to stop, stretch and shrink, while quantifiable value is not meaningless. Dreams erase all the differences: then and now, life and death. " And staying in your dreams, do you think that they - the reality. But is it worth to wake up and it is difficult to distinguish fantasy from real incidents. Brightness experienced rapidly fading. Only a true manipulator of consciousness is able to infect your imagination in such an inexhaustible source of light, which will keep lights and after the very encouraging. To raise a dream inside of sleep, forced into oblivion world reality. In a split second to show encrypted in distant corners of the mind message, illustrating the desire to reveal all the details of sleep to make sure that the unit axiom - it is the most abstract, interactive and amazing beautiful dream world that opened your eyes.
Having honed skills and a precious ability to turn any picture into a faceted diamond, Christopher Nolan is the best director today. His ideas are outstanding and the designs of giant. Fabrics authentic majestic mind the director, who carries a fount of phenomenal ideas. The artist never creates a formatted movies, tapes only lead the audience into a state of rare catharsis. Masterpieces in the gene code, which is a talent deal with the hidden parts of the human brain. Due to such excellent skills maestro performs the role of direct catalyst of artistic perfectionism world cinema. His innovative work «Inception», based on the reminiscences of the ideas of the famous American science fiction writer, promises not only to narrative art, but also a milestone in the history of modern cinema. Picture, which will be conceptually a new look at the future. The product, captured the transformation of the information age technologies. But the main story, which seemed to ricochet piercing leave traces in the soul of everyone.
In this brilliant sci-fi puzzle chartered a thief carries out the removal of trade secrets, as a result of the invasion into the subconscious of unsuspecting individuals. For its purpose Cobb uses psychotropic medications and special equipment, as a result of interaction which is possible to bathe in the landscape, existing on the verge of fantasy. The flip side, enclosed in the intervention of foreign dreams, is paranoid reflection of personal drama in his right mind the main character. By focusing on the embodiment of life perfectly planned and multi simulacrum to import the idea into the consciousness of an armed businessman, the character begins to systematically aware of the alarming truth, thanks to the fatal words of the projection of his beloved wife. Reality and dreams are one unit, on the verge of a limb. Close, in fact, to this revelation, which was organized as a complex, a dizzying maze pattern «Inception» simulates the front of the audience, another universe in which the driving force of science plays a minor role, compared with the full of dreams. But this does not mean ignoring the reliable device physical laws on which lives a fantasy world. The deviation from the previously studied only allows the director to focus on the originality of the project, and the film set a number of provocative questions, which are based on esoteric reflections on the nature of the human mind is in a state of sleep.
Sensing a lack of boundaries of imagination, Christopher Nolan should be integrated to all its principles. His creation demonstrates an innovative approach in all aspects, which can be achieved only beyond the established canons and rehashed storylines. The scenario on which the director has worked for ten years - is not just a feat of cinematic work, but also a tribute to the classic Kubrick. But where the master of cold style made only cautious steps, Nolan arranges marathon. «Inception» unique pattern, which consists, and, consequently, operates at many levels volyuntarnyh. Like each of the hyperbolic phases of sleep, which has a transcendental structure, the work recreates the various stages of the genre existence. When the leitmotif is beginning to acquire the features of a smart and exciting thriller, gradually emerges a portrait of a broken man who is obsessed attempts to revive a lost love. History sensual varies between two essences, and leaves behind a long aftertaste.
In terms of scale and style, the film is comparable with the best excursions in the history of Agent 007. Continuing eyes will please the most beautiful corners of our planet. The rapid pursuit with a view of the Arctic vault, supported by intuitive installation, can cause heart palpitations. We can not come to the delight of the mind-blowing of decaying cities, urban streets connecting into a coherent whole, large-scale scenery, a striking absence of gravity. But more important than emotional shell belts, because of which does not disappear refined atmosphere of Enigma. In this regard, the product turned out to be extremely balanced. Nolan juggles subplots, revealing the inner worlds of the protagonists, while Wally Pfister amazing retrospective of professional staff. The multifaceted role of Leonardo DiCaprio, saturates the film elements of tragedy and reveals the psychological depth, by contrasting the privileges mind over heart, as well as the desire to be reunited with those whom we love and lost. His game is not ambivalent makes it clear that the actor is worthy of the golden statuettes than anyone else. Symbolic image of Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy play a gifted, brilliant dialogue Michael Caine and hallucinatory symphony Hans Zimmer, complete cinematic ecstasy.
If the tape «Inception» is a metaphysical avant-garde, it is clearly a touch of metaphorical allusions. You can not see the similarities between the character and DiCaprio's own director. Activity Nolan is identical to postmodernity happening, though, in our reality. Like an architect who came from the pages of science fiction novel, the wizard of detailed accuracy of reconstructing the objective world of sleep, using any previously embedded in the consciousness of the public progressive ideas, as much operating time of his own mind. And all for the sake of effect lasting impression of spectators, who took possession of his work. But in order to discover the significance the work, you need to concentrate and perceive the hidden characters, clever puzzles director from the very first frame. Though the beginning of etude and opens the curtain in front of you all the secrets and the true meaning of unreal work of the artist, but will make a profound allusion to his true greatness. And until a few seconds, it will be an outstanding movie.
Cinema is capable of revolutionizing the cinema, and rewrite any rules. One great idea with perfect embodiment, which can affect the perception of reality and change the outlook of each. Christopher Nolan, thanks visionary ideas, invented a truly ideal mechanism contained in the heart of building a unique picture. His imagination completely encapsulates the concept of dreams, through the prism of the opening of the parallel measurements of illusions. In an innovative idea of the director centered on the radical philosophy, directed them to study architecture of the individual mind, in order to identify the limiting boundaries of human consciousness. But the tape «Inception» not only focuses on the intellectual experiment, but also projects a subtle moral distinction, in which the crime drama is interwoven with the family tragedy. And like an allegory for the incredible value and design type of art before us is a unique dream that do not want to go.
Perhaps this is an absolute masterpiece of the XXI century, in the way of becoming a modern classic. Sensational standard surrealistic genre with expressive content. Or just a movie dream that will never forget. Time will tell and dot...
This is a grand dream, which is located on the shore of the subconscious. Its nature is paradoxical, but the essence of the unknown. It makes the time - to stop, stretch and shrink, while quantifiable value is not meaningless. Dreams erase all the differences: then and now, life and death. " And staying in your dreams, do you think that they - the reality. But is it worth to wake up and it is difficult to distinguish fantasy from real incidents. Brightness experienced rapidly fading. Only a true manipulator of consciousness is able to infect your imagination in such an inexhaustible source of light, which will keep lights and after the very encouraging. To raise a dream inside of sleep, forced into oblivion world reality. In a split second to show encrypted in distant corners of the mind message, illustrating the desire to reveal all the details of sleep to make sure that the unit axiom - it is the most abstract, interactive and amazing beautiful dream world that opened your eyes.
Having honed skills and a precious ability to turn any picture into a faceted diamond, Christopher Nolan is the best director today. His ideas are outstanding and the designs of giant. Fabrics authentic majestic mind the director, who carries a fount of phenomenal ideas. The artist never creates a formatted movies, tapes only lead the audience into a state of rare catharsis. Masterpieces in the gene code, which is a talent deal with the hidden parts of the human brain. Due to such excellent skills maestro performs the role of direct catalyst of artistic perfectionism world cinema. His innovative work «Inception», based on the reminiscences of the ideas of the famous American science fiction writer, promises not only to narrative art, but also a milestone in the history of modern cinema. Picture, which will be conceptually a new look at the future. The product, captured the transformation of the information age technologies. But the main story, which seemed to ricochet piercing leave traces in the soul of everyone.
In this brilliant sci-fi puzzle chartered a thief carries out the removal of trade secrets, as a result of the invasion into the subconscious of unsuspecting individuals. For its purpose Cobb uses psychotropic medications and special equipment, as a result of interaction which is possible to bathe in the landscape, existing on the verge of fantasy. The flip side, enclosed in the intervention of foreign dreams, is paranoid reflection of personal drama in his right mind the main character. By focusing on the embodiment of life perfectly planned and multi simulacrum to import the idea into the consciousness of an armed businessman, the character begins to systematically aware of the alarming truth, thanks to the fatal words of the projection of his beloved wife. Reality and dreams are one unit, on the verge of a limb. Close, in fact, to this revelation, which was organized as a complex, a dizzying maze pattern «Inception» simulates the front of the audience, another universe in which the driving force of science plays a minor role, compared with the full of dreams. But this does not mean ignoring the reliable device physical laws on which lives a fantasy world. The deviation from the previously studied only allows the director to focus on the originality of the project, and the film set a number of provocative questions, which are based on esoteric reflections on the nature of the human mind is in a state of sleep.
Sensing a lack of boundaries of imagination, Christopher Nolan should be integrated to all its principles. His creation demonstrates an innovative approach in all aspects, which can be achieved only beyond the established canons and rehashed storylines. The scenario on which the director has worked for ten years - is not just a feat of cinematic work, but also a tribute to the classic Kubrick. But where the master of cold style made only cautious steps, Nolan arranges marathon. «Inception» unique pattern, which consists, and, consequently, operates at many levels volyuntarnyh. Like each of the hyperbolic phases of sleep, which has a transcendental structure, the work recreates the various stages of the genre existence. When the leitmotif is beginning to acquire the features of a smart and exciting thriller, gradually emerges a portrait of a broken man who is obsessed attempts to revive a lost love. History sensual varies between two essences, and leaves behind a long aftertaste.
In terms of scale and style, the film is comparable with the best excursions in the history of Agent 007. Continuing eyes will please the most beautiful corners of our planet. The rapid pursuit with a view of the Arctic vault, supported by intuitive installation, can cause heart palpitations. We can not come to the delight of the mind-blowing of decaying cities, urban streets connecting into a coherent whole, large-scale scenery, a striking absence of gravity. But more important than emotional shell belts, because of which does not disappear refined atmosphere of Enigma. In this regard, the product turned out to be extremely balanced. Nolan juggles subplots, revealing the inner worlds of the protagonists, while Wally Pfister amazing retrospective of professional staff. The multifaceted role of Leonardo DiCaprio, saturates the film elements of tragedy and reveals the psychological depth, by contrasting the privileges mind over heart, as well as the desire to be reunited with those whom we love and lost. His game is not ambivalent makes it clear that the actor is worthy of the golden statuettes than anyone else. Symbolic image of Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy play a gifted, brilliant dialogue Michael Caine and hallucinatory symphony Hans Zimmer, complete cinematic ecstasy.
If the tape «Inception» is a metaphysical avant-garde, it is clearly a touch of metaphorical allusions. You can not see the similarities between the character and DiCaprio's own director. Activity Nolan is identical to postmodernity happening, though, in our reality. Like an architect who came from the pages of science fiction novel, the wizard of detailed accuracy of reconstructing the objective world of sleep, using any previously embedded in the consciousness of the public progressive ideas, as much operating time of his own mind. And all for the sake of effect lasting impression of spectators, who took possession of his work. But in order to discover the significance the work, you need to concentrate and perceive the hidden characters, clever puzzles director from the very first frame. Though the beginning of etude and opens the curtain in front of you all the secrets and the true meaning of unreal work of the artist, but will make a profound allusion to his true greatness. And until a few seconds, it will be an outstanding movie.
Cinema is capable of revolutionizing the cinema, and rewrite any rules. One great idea with perfect embodiment, which can affect the perception of reality and change the outlook of each. Christopher Nolan, thanks visionary ideas, invented a truly ideal mechanism contained in the heart of building a unique picture. His imagination completely encapsulates the concept of dreams, through the prism of the opening of the parallel measurements of illusions. In an innovative idea of the director centered on the radical philosophy, directed them to study architecture of the individual mind, in order to identify the limiting boundaries of human consciousness. But the tape «Inception» not only focuses on the intellectual experiment, but also projects a subtle moral distinction, in which the crime drama is interwoven with the family tragedy. And like an allegory for the incredible value and design type of art before us is a unique dream that do not want to go.
Perhaps this is an absolute masterpiece of the XXI century, in the way of becoming a modern classic. Sensational standard surrealistic genre with expressive content. Or just a movie dream that will never forget. Time will tell and dot...
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Technically excellent, yet hampered by issues
Posted : 13 years, 9 months ago on 1 August 2010 07:33
"You're asking me for inception. I hope you do understand the gravity of that request."
The critical mind boggles when confronted with the challenge of reviewing Inception. It is not that this is a particularly difficult movie to review, but it is tough to pen a critique of the film due to the subjective nature of reviews. So far, die-hard loyalists have expressed severe hostility towards any critic who has dared to write anything negative about writer-director Christopher Nolan's 2010 project, and therefore, it is hard to remain impartial and fair. Certainly, there is a lot to admire about Inception, as it is a lavish, intricate mindfuck exhibiting the filmmaking excellence that Nolan is renowned for, and it is a must-see for moviegoers who enjoy solid, intelligent, original blockbusters. Despite the technical virtuosity, the commendable conceptual scope and the phenomenal visuals, Inception is as emotionally stimulating as an early-morning University lecture, as it lacks humanity and ethereal imagination.
Here's the premise of Inception at a basic level: what if Freddy Krueger was James Bond? The narrative unfolds in a near-future setting where devices allow agents to enter the dreams of others and extract their secrets. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is an ace extractor who makes a living by stealing deep-seated thoughts and secrets from his clients' corporate competitors. Corporate magnate Saito (Ken Watanabe) hires Cobb to implant an idea into the mind of evasive businessman Robert Fischer Jr. (Cillian Murphy), who is the heir to a financial kingdom. However, the process of inception is far more complex than mere extraction, and Cobb recruits a crackerjack team to back him up: information and research specialist Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), dreamscape architect Ariadne (Ellen Page), identity theft expert Eames (Tom Hardy), and advanced pharmacologist Yusuf (Dileep Rao).
Technically speaking, Inception is flawless. With the benefit of a vast $160 million budget, the special effects are practically photorealistic, and the visuals, in general, are breathtaking. A scene depicting Ariadne testing her architectural skills results in her folding a cityscape onto itself, and the moment does not look blatantly digital; instead, it looks convincingly lifelike. Several impressive action sequences also inject adrenaline into the film, including a car chase and an exhilarating scene of gravity-free hand-to-hand combat. As a matter of fact, Inception's second half more or less amounts to a massive, riveting extended action sequence of escalating suspense and excitement as dangerous circumstances unfold across numerous levels of dreamscape. Hans Zimmer's accompanying score affords a suitably epic feel, while Wally Pfister's cinematography is crisp and slick.
To ensure that viewers will not get lost, Nolan goes to great lengths to explain the plot complexities and, in doing so, neglects a vital human element. Of all the characters, only Cobb receives adequate development, and that is only through him grieving the loss of his wife, Mal (Marion Cotillard). Meanwhile, the rest of the characters are one-dimensional plot fodder without backgrounds, arcs, and more than a couple of character traits; they are merely names with faces. In a movie like Inception, characters must have personality. All of cinema's greatest action heroes (John McClane, Rocky Balboa, Luke Skywalker, etc.) are interesting and compelling. Inception, however, features bland, forgettable and generic empty ciphers that never evoke a modicum of emotion. Furthermore, the film is unbelievably verbose, as the script explains all aspects of the plot in laborious detail. The chatter is unnecessarily long-winded and, at times, uninteresting, which disrupts the pacing. Nolan devotes most of the first hour to exposition, keeping the film disappointingly dull as the dialogue unfolds in a clunky fashion that betrays the breathtaking visuals. Without a strong sense of pace or any characters worth legitimately caring about, Inception falls short of its potential.
Additionally, Inception is not as clever as it wants to be. Case in point: the characters can dream up a weapon of their choosing at any given time, as evidenced on several occasions. Thus, when Cobb's team is under attack, why don't they dream up a bazooka or a powerful machine gun turret? Additionally, how often have you woken up from a dream to realise that the dream makes no sense? Landscapes constantly shift in ways that make sense in a dream but are not coherent when you ponder them after awakening. Dreams feature constant abstractions and surrealistic touches, but Inception barely acknowledges this, as every dreamscape is too vivid and literal in terms of set design and lighting. The dreamscapes are also devoid of surrealism, etherealism and, most importantly, daring creativity, all of which are essential for visualising dreams.
As for the acting, there is little to complain about. Leonardo DiCaprio is excellent as Cobb - his acting is effortless and utterly convincing despite his shallow role allowing him to do little more than look morose and conflicted. The acting is uniformly strong across the board, making it all the more disappointing that the characters are undernourished. Joseph Gordon-Levitt (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, (500) Days of Summer) is excellent as Arthur, and Ellen Page (Juno, Whip It) is both focused and endearing as Ariadne. Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe and Dileep Rao also shine as other members of the team, while Cillian Murphy is wonderfully nuanced as the team's target, and Marion Cotillard is terrific as Cobb's deceased wife.
Inception's deliberate ambiguity continues to provoke online discussions as Nolan ambitiously explores what reality is, and he leaves the ending open to interpretation. In this sense, the picture is somewhat reminiscent of the brilliant Memento. Although this reviewer humbly disagrees with the majority who sing endless praise for Inception and crown it the movie of the decade, it is difficult to overly dislike Nolan's latest visual tour de force. As a piece of technical wizardry, it's hard not to get swept up in the exhilaration of what is happening, but at the same time, Inception is cold at its core, with all the razzle-dazzle denying a vital human element.
7.2/10
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Simply Stunning
Posted : 13 years, 10 months ago on 21 July 2010 03:43
Dom Cobb is trained in Subconscious security. He can enter into the human mind and steal any idea. He must do one last job, one last risky job that will put all his training to the test. Cobb must use his skills not to steal an idea but to plant one. Cobb will use only the most skilled people in order to get his job done; each one has their specific task.
What’s the most resilient parasite? An Idea. A single idea from the human mind can build cities. An idea can transform the world and rewrite all the rules. Which is why I have to steal it.
Inception has been one of the most talked about films in a really long time. Writer/Director Chris Nolan makes his return to the big screen after 2008's The Dark Knight was an instant success. Nolan however this time around created something that is purely original. Nolan has created a film that takes the complexities of the dream world and tries to explain them. He creates a film that is borderline fantasy. Nolan creates his best work to date; Inception is exciting, fresh and original. As much as I loved The Dark Knight, Inception is way more intense and much deeper. Inception tackles touchy subjects, and gets us questioning reality and how our minds actually work.
Inception is by far the best film I have seen this year, if not in the past 5 or 6 years. Dicaprio continues to amaze me with his stellar choice of scripts. This time around he plays Cobb a man who is trying to find a way home to his children. Cobb holds many secrets and little by little we learn more about this man, and we are not quite certain if he is trustworthy of not. In the past 10 years there has not been an actor as consistent as Leo in choosing quality roles working alongside some of the best directors of this generation. Leo on numerous occasions has turned in award worthy performances, and Inception is another one of them. I am really hoping as a fan of his work that Inception can finally be that film that gets him an Academy Award.
Inception is way deeper then I could have ever imagined it being. Some of the things they discuss and bring to the forefront leave you breathless and with chills down your spine. It is a heavy film, with many concepts and will take repeated viewings to understand. Even still after 3, 4 or maybe even 5 viewings this film may still weigh heavily on your mind. It is up to you what you take from it. Nolan has set it up so you can discuss and process it within in your own mind or with a group of friends. Just don’t lose your sense of reality trying to wrap your head around the fantasy elements this film possesses.
Inception is a beautiful film, one that will stick with you long after you have seen it. It has been nearly three hours since I have finished my first viewing of the film and all I can think about is when will I be seeing it again. Will I think the same about the ending and the events after the second viewing? Is any of this remotely possible at some point in the future? Would this be a benefit or a menace to society? The biggest question of all that Inception raises is what is real and what is not? Is any of what we are surrounded by in fact real or are we just projections of another persons dream state? Inception raises all these questions and many more for me, but maybe it will raise different questions for you. Inception is that kind of movie; it will get people questioning different aspects of life and the human mind.
This cast has been a part of something much more then just another film. Inception is a portrait of the depth of the human mind, and how we as humans are the masters of our own dream state, and within the state we can be whoever or whatever we want. The dream state can bring back images, places from our past and take us to far out exotic lands and on life changing adventures, but we always have to come back to this reality whatever that may be for each of us. Inception takes on that wild ride from start to finish and reminds us that knowing exactly what reality is can be the only thing keeping us from going insane.
Nolan has created something of awe and wonder. Dreams are a collection of thoughts, and Chris Nolan has given us his take on the dream world, now we must draw our own conclusions on what it all means.
What’s the most resilient parasite? An Idea. A single idea from the human mind can build cities. An idea can transform the world and rewrite all the rules. Which is why I have to steal it.
Inception has been one of the most talked about films in a really long time. Writer/Director Chris Nolan makes his return to the big screen after 2008's The Dark Knight was an instant success. Nolan however this time around created something that is purely original. Nolan has created a film that takes the complexities of the dream world and tries to explain them. He creates a film that is borderline fantasy. Nolan creates his best work to date; Inception is exciting, fresh and original. As much as I loved The Dark Knight, Inception is way more intense and much deeper. Inception tackles touchy subjects, and gets us questioning reality and how our minds actually work.
Inception is by far the best film I have seen this year, if not in the past 5 or 6 years. Dicaprio continues to amaze me with his stellar choice of scripts. This time around he plays Cobb a man who is trying to find a way home to his children. Cobb holds many secrets and little by little we learn more about this man, and we are not quite certain if he is trustworthy of not. In the past 10 years there has not been an actor as consistent as Leo in choosing quality roles working alongside some of the best directors of this generation. Leo on numerous occasions has turned in award worthy performances, and Inception is another one of them. I am really hoping as a fan of his work that Inception can finally be that film that gets him an Academy Award.
Inception is way deeper then I could have ever imagined it being. Some of the things they discuss and bring to the forefront leave you breathless and with chills down your spine. It is a heavy film, with many concepts and will take repeated viewings to understand. Even still after 3, 4 or maybe even 5 viewings this film may still weigh heavily on your mind. It is up to you what you take from it. Nolan has set it up so you can discuss and process it within in your own mind or with a group of friends. Just don’t lose your sense of reality trying to wrap your head around the fantasy elements this film possesses.
Inception is a beautiful film, one that will stick with you long after you have seen it. It has been nearly three hours since I have finished my first viewing of the film and all I can think about is when will I be seeing it again. Will I think the same about the ending and the events after the second viewing? Is any of this remotely possible at some point in the future? Would this be a benefit or a menace to society? The biggest question of all that Inception raises is what is real and what is not? Is any of what we are surrounded by in fact real or are we just projections of another persons dream state? Inception raises all these questions and many more for me, but maybe it will raise different questions for you. Inception is that kind of movie; it will get people questioning different aspects of life and the human mind.
This cast has been a part of something much more then just another film. Inception is a portrait of the depth of the human mind, and how we as humans are the masters of our own dream state, and within the state we can be whoever or whatever we want. The dream state can bring back images, places from our past and take us to far out exotic lands and on life changing adventures, but we always have to come back to this reality whatever that may be for each of us. Inception takes on that wild ride from start to finish and reminds us that knowing exactly what reality is can be the only thing keeping us from going insane.
Nolan has created something of awe and wonder. Dreams are a collection of thoughts, and Chris Nolan has given us his take on the dream world, now we must draw our own conclusions on what it all means.
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A Different Kind of Heist Movie
Posted : 13 years, 10 months ago on 21 July 2010 02:11
In a nutshell, Inception is a fantastic movie - multi-layered, thought provoking, action packed and very well acted. Miles above a lot of the dreck that has come out this summer, heck even this year. More spoilerish thoughts below...
The technology exists to allow people to entire your dreams and steal information. But Dom Cobb is tasked with something even bolder and more dangerous - breaking into someone's mind in order to plant an idea.
The trailers for Inception left me intrigued and a bit confused as to what to expect and the 2 plus hours of running time left me a bit iffy. But consider my mind blown - the movie is outstanding with a fantastic story, especially if you buy the conceit that we're actually in Cobb's dream because frankly the notion that Inception is primarily propelled to prevent a business competitor's global domination is not all that exciting.
The dream within a dream within a dream makes Inception feel like you're in different movies - at each layer, characters have different motivations. It makes you question the nature of reality though not as masterful as The Matrix did.
I only have two problems with the movie - the interaction between Mal and Cobb near the end, though needed, dragged down the story's pace and Ken Watanabe's pronuncation issues. A lot of the time I felt like he was talking with a mouth full of marbles. Still, these are minor quibbles that don't detract from the awesomeness of this movie.
I'm going to watch it again before I get into a philosophical and psychological debate about the nature of dreams and reality.
The technology exists to allow people to entire your dreams and steal information. But Dom Cobb is tasked with something even bolder and more dangerous - breaking into someone's mind in order to plant an idea.
The trailers for Inception left me intrigued and a bit confused as to what to expect and the 2 plus hours of running time left me a bit iffy. But consider my mind blown - the movie is outstanding with a fantastic story, especially if you buy the conceit that we're actually in Cobb's dream because frankly the notion that Inception is primarily propelled to prevent a business competitor's global domination is not all that exciting.
The dream within a dream within a dream makes Inception feel like you're in different movies - at each layer, characters have different motivations. It makes you question the nature of reality though not as masterful as The Matrix did.
I only have two problems with the movie - the interaction between Mal and Cobb near the end, though needed, dragged down the story's pace and Ken Watanabe's pronuncation issues. A lot of the time I felt like he was talking with a mouth full of marbles. Still, these are minor quibbles that don't detract from the awesomeness of this movie.
I'm going to watch it again before I get into a philosophical and psychological debate about the nature of dreams and reality.
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"The Dream is Collapsing"
Posted : 13 years, 10 months ago on 19 July 2010 06:52
Inception is the greatest movie ever made, and I say that with alot of confindence. Where can you find another movie, with awesome acting, great special effects, with not too much CGI used, great suspense and action, and also a love story that isn't corny. This movie keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat through out all the two and a half hours its playing. The performances are all top notch. This has to be Joseph-Gordon Levitt's breakout performance, I wouldn't give him the best supporting actor oscar nominee, but maybe a Golden Globe for him, because he was awesome. On the other hand Dicpario deserves the oscar for this, probably my favorite performance by him. Now what about the ladies, well they were also awesome. Ellen Page, like usually did not dissapoint, and Marion Cotillard was also awesome. This movie amazed me, so much I didn't want it to end. I wish it never did, almost like a dream you liked. Everyone should see this movie, it's not just a movie but an experience, for the mind. "You must not be afraid to dream bigger darling" 10/10
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Nolan strikes again!
Posted : 13 years, 10 months ago on 17 July 2010 10:37
After Nolan's giant success The Dark Knight, I was thrilled to learn that he was doing a sci-fi film with Leonardo DiCaprio as the leading role! However, when the official trailer was released I thought 'this looks about the oddest film I think I'll ever watch but it still looks very interesting.' When I saw this film, I was gripped to it from start to finish and it blew me away completely! Despite it is a sci-fi film, it did in fact tell us some things about dreams that we didn't realise but also some things that we thought 'Ohhhh yeah that's true', you know. I mean, it was bound to be awesome seeing as the ensemble cast is breathtaking as are the special effects and incredible screenplay and direction!
The plot is hard to explain to someone before you've seen the film but when you have seen it, you really understand it. Like the plot reveals itself as you watch it so to speak. Dom Cobb (DiCaprio) doesn't steal things, he steals ideas. By projecting himself deep into the subconscious of his targets, he can glean information that even the best computer hackers can't get to. In the world of corporate espionage, Cobb is the ultimate weapon. But even weapons have their weakness, and when Cobb loses everything, he's forced to embark on one final mission in a desperate quest for redemption. This time, Cobb won't be harvesting an idea, but sowing one. Should he and his team of specialists succeed, they will have discovered a new frontier in the art of psychic espionage. They've planned everything to perfection, and they have all the tools to get the job done. Their mission is complicated, however, by the sudden appearance of a malevolent foe that seems to know exactly what they're up to, and precisely how to stop them. Hmmm... I thought at first 'Leonardo DiCaprio in a sci-fi? Good to see him working with Nolan but not sure whether the science fiction genre suits him' but now I take that back! For the second consecutive time in 2010, DiCaprio has portrayed a messed-up confused character about his wife who he is confused about her existence and that it involves children too (previous film I'm on about is Shutter Island). Also, it was a bit weird seeing him in a summer film seeing as I'd not seen him in a summer blockbuster before. I thought he was amazing as Dom Cobb and I do keep thinking he is getting better and better. After Joseph Gordon-Levitt was successful in 500 Days Of Summer, he goes on to succeed once again but this time not only in a science fiction film but in a supporting role behind a very talented actor! He portrays Arthur who is Cobb's work partner, accomplice, side-kick whatever you want to call him. Marion Cotillard was obviously smoking hot in this film like always but her performance was a lot like Michelle Williams' performance in Shutter Island. Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy, Ken Watanabe and Michael Caine all deliver good performances too.
Nolan does it again! The man is an absolute genius and creates both something new and goes old school with his own original story. I like to think of Nolan's Inception like Kubrick's 2001. Nolan has proved himself once again that he as a director is a powerful force to be reckoned with. The filming was perfect just like The Dark Knight. To be honest, I would say Nolan is the best living British director. It isn't only the filming and production side of things where Nolan is pretty much always successful in his films but also he likes to have an ensemble cast where he picks the right actors for the right characters. Nolan again shows that he just cannot fail because I have seen every film that he has done and I have really enjoyed every single one so far! I will be damned if Inception doesn't win the Oscar for Best Visual Effects let alone get a nomination for Best Picture 2010, Best Leading Actor, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing and Editing, Best Film Editing or Best Art Direction.
Overall, Inception is an absolutely AMAZING film that is definitely one of the best films of 2010! I don't think it is a film that you need to fully understand to enjoy because I think you are just instantly gripped by the effects, music, filming and characters pretty quickly. Nolan strikes again!
The plot is hard to explain to someone before you've seen the film but when you have seen it, you really understand it. Like the plot reveals itself as you watch it so to speak. Dom Cobb (DiCaprio) doesn't steal things, he steals ideas. By projecting himself deep into the subconscious of his targets, he can glean information that even the best computer hackers can't get to. In the world of corporate espionage, Cobb is the ultimate weapon. But even weapons have their weakness, and when Cobb loses everything, he's forced to embark on one final mission in a desperate quest for redemption. This time, Cobb won't be harvesting an idea, but sowing one. Should he and his team of specialists succeed, they will have discovered a new frontier in the art of psychic espionage. They've planned everything to perfection, and they have all the tools to get the job done. Their mission is complicated, however, by the sudden appearance of a malevolent foe that seems to know exactly what they're up to, and precisely how to stop them. Hmmm... I thought at first 'Leonardo DiCaprio in a sci-fi? Good to see him working with Nolan but not sure whether the science fiction genre suits him' but now I take that back! For the second consecutive time in 2010, DiCaprio has portrayed a messed-up confused character about his wife who he is confused about her existence and that it involves children too (previous film I'm on about is Shutter Island). Also, it was a bit weird seeing him in a summer film seeing as I'd not seen him in a summer blockbuster before. I thought he was amazing as Dom Cobb and I do keep thinking he is getting better and better. After Joseph Gordon-Levitt was successful in 500 Days Of Summer, he goes on to succeed once again but this time not only in a science fiction film but in a supporting role behind a very talented actor! He portrays Arthur who is Cobb's work partner, accomplice, side-kick whatever you want to call him. Marion Cotillard was obviously smoking hot in this film like always but her performance was a lot like Michelle Williams' performance in Shutter Island. Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy, Ken Watanabe and Michael Caine all deliver good performances too.
Nolan does it again! The man is an absolute genius and creates both something new and goes old school with his own original story. I like to think of Nolan's Inception like Kubrick's 2001. Nolan has proved himself once again that he as a director is a powerful force to be reckoned with. The filming was perfect just like The Dark Knight. To be honest, I would say Nolan is the best living British director. It isn't only the filming and production side of things where Nolan is pretty much always successful in his films but also he likes to have an ensemble cast where he picks the right actors for the right characters. Nolan again shows that he just cannot fail because I have seen every film that he has done and I have really enjoyed every single one so far! I will be damned if Inception doesn't win the Oscar for Best Visual Effects let alone get a nomination for Best Picture 2010, Best Leading Actor, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing and Editing, Best Film Editing or Best Art Direction.
Overall, Inception is an absolutely AMAZING film that is definitely one of the best films of 2010! I don't think it is a film that you need to fully understand to enjoy because I think you are just instantly gripped by the effects, music, filming and characters pretty quickly. Nolan strikes again!
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Dreams within dreams...
Posted : 13 years, 10 months ago on 17 July 2010 01:35
''Dreams feel real while we're in them. It's only when we wake up that we realize something was actually strange.''
In a world where technology exists to enter the human mind through dream invasion, a single idea within one's mind can be the most dangerous weapon or the most valuable asset.
Leonardo DiCaprio: Cobb
Inception is a 2010 science fiction action film written, produced and directed by Christopher Nolan. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, with a supporting cast that includes Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy, Tom Berenger, Dileep Rao and Michael Caine.
Dreams have always been brought forth via films, the subconscious mind has been a vocal point and inspiration for many master film makers. Akira Kurosawa's Kagemusha, Ingmar Bergman's Wild Strawberries, Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo and presently Christopher Nolan has been inspired by the greatest and best masters before him.
So for his latest, Nolan brings to our attention Inception; A classy, thrilling sphere of complexity. Nolan has looked at memory, magic, deception and the human psyche and here again he delves even deeper into our imagination.
The story and film is beautifully complex; We have Leonardo DiCaprio as Cobb the Extractor - a man who specializes in subconscious security, but steals his clients' ideas. Supporting and members of his team:
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Arthur, the Point Man - the person responsible for researching the team's targets.
Ellen Page as Ariadne, the Architect - a college graduate student who constructs the world of the dream.
Tom Hardy as Eames, the Forger - a sharp-tongued team member who impersonates the target within the dream world and forge an identity in a physical form.
Marion Cotillard as Mallorie "Mal" Cobb, the Shade - Cobb's deceased wife, who manifests in the dreamscape beyond Cobb's control.
Cillian Murphy as Robert Fischer, Jr., the Mark - the heir to a business empire and Dom's latest client and target.
Ken Watanabe as Saito, the Tourist - a businessman who employs Cobb.
Tom Berenger as Peter Browning, Robert's godfather.
Dileep Rao as Yusuf, the Chemist - the team member who formulates the drugs needed to enter the dream world.
Pete Postlethwaite as Maurice Fischer, Robert's dying father.
Lukas Haas as Nash, Dom's previous Architect.
Michael Caine as Miles, Cobb's mentor, teacher, and father-in-law, and Ariadne's college professor. Miles is also the guardian of Cobb's children.
Eames: They come here every day to sleep?
Elderly Bald Man: [towards Cobb] No. They come to be woken up. The dream has become their reality. Who are you to say otherwise, son?
Inception shouldn't be classed as being a new age Matrix because it features and divulges intricate originality and ideas in it's own right. The dream within a dream within a dream and the sense of time in dreams becoming increasingly longer than the short span via conscious reality.
A few scenes, including the ending are truly clever in the way that captures ambiguity; Letting us the audience draw our own conclusion. When you finally finish the film your mind has plenty to feed upon.
Who can forget the scene where the unconscious team is in a van while within a 2nd dream?
While the van is in a state of spinning, the corridor is equally spinning in a dizzying array of awe inspiring deftness...This is simply unforgettable. Inception displays a genius spark not often seen in today's regurgitated film stream; Christopher Nolan has yet again proved he is one of the best Directors of this age as he sends forth his dreamy masterpiece.
Leonardo DiCaprio also replicates his success he had with Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island which also had an underlining dream/psychological context. With Inception Leo proves equally adept with Nolan, and undoubtedly has been churning out layered performances which have moulded him into a seasoned actor who retains resonance and poise.
Inception was everything I expected it to be and in some circumstances exceeded expectations intricately.
Witty exchanges of dialogue between Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Tom Hardy produce sly grins - ''You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.'' - while the serious issues covered by Leo, Ellen Page and Marion Cotillard elevate the story and acting to higher spheres via implicity.
This is one of the best films this year and I can't see anything rivalling it later. This is one of those films where they will still be talking about it a hundred years later, where people will discuss and debate about what is real and what is dream.
The beauty of Inception is the deception and intelligence of how important an idea is yet the relevance of said idea is not. I could quite happily watch this over and over and still pick up new ideas and see new threads emerge from the puzzling maze that is presented to us.
What else makes Inception glorious as well as the imaginative visuals and story? Hans Zimmer's score. It is one of his best yet and it sends shivers up my spine everytime.
Christopher Nolan is the best at what he does, Inception proves it. The sharp suits, gravity defying antics and twists all combine in a sort of signature move regarding Nolan. This is his baby. No doubt about it.
This will have you pondering, wondering and thinking...Is this real? Is this a dream? Most importantly what is reality? The only answer I believe is one that is open to interpretation. Cleverly, Nolan leaves answers ambiguous while the theme of dreams is defined effortlessly. Our minds are spinning just like the spinning top that closes the film...Is this a dream or real? Be your own person and make your own choices.
''What's the most resilient parasite? An Idea. A single idea from the human mind can build cities. An idea can transform the world and rewrite all the rules. Which is why I have to steal it.''
In a world where technology exists to enter the human mind through dream invasion, a single idea within one's mind can be the most dangerous weapon or the most valuable asset.
Leonardo DiCaprio: Cobb
Inception is a 2010 science fiction action film written, produced and directed by Christopher Nolan. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, with a supporting cast that includes Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy, Tom Berenger, Dileep Rao and Michael Caine.
Dreams have always been brought forth via films, the subconscious mind has been a vocal point and inspiration for many master film makers. Akira Kurosawa's Kagemusha, Ingmar Bergman's Wild Strawberries, Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo and presently Christopher Nolan has been inspired by the greatest and best masters before him.
So for his latest, Nolan brings to our attention Inception; A classy, thrilling sphere of complexity. Nolan has looked at memory, magic, deception and the human psyche and here again he delves even deeper into our imagination.
The story and film is beautifully complex; We have Leonardo DiCaprio as Cobb the Extractor - a man who specializes in subconscious security, but steals his clients' ideas. Supporting and members of his team:
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Arthur, the Point Man - the person responsible for researching the team's targets.
Ellen Page as Ariadne, the Architect - a college graduate student who constructs the world of the dream.
Tom Hardy as Eames, the Forger - a sharp-tongued team member who impersonates the target within the dream world and forge an identity in a physical form.
Marion Cotillard as Mallorie "Mal" Cobb, the Shade - Cobb's deceased wife, who manifests in the dreamscape beyond Cobb's control.
Cillian Murphy as Robert Fischer, Jr., the Mark - the heir to a business empire and Dom's latest client and target.
Ken Watanabe as Saito, the Tourist - a businessman who employs Cobb.
Tom Berenger as Peter Browning, Robert's godfather.
Dileep Rao as Yusuf, the Chemist - the team member who formulates the drugs needed to enter the dream world.
Pete Postlethwaite as Maurice Fischer, Robert's dying father.
Lukas Haas as Nash, Dom's previous Architect.
Michael Caine as Miles, Cobb's mentor, teacher, and father-in-law, and Ariadne's college professor. Miles is also the guardian of Cobb's children.
Eames: They come here every day to sleep?
Elderly Bald Man: [towards Cobb] No. They come to be woken up. The dream has become their reality. Who are you to say otherwise, son?
Inception shouldn't be classed as being a new age Matrix because it features and divulges intricate originality and ideas in it's own right. The dream within a dream within a dream and the sense of time in dreams becoming increasingly longer than the short span via conscious reality.
A few scenes, including the ending are truly clever in the way that captures ambiguity; Letting us the audience draw our own conclusion. When you finally finish the film your mind has plenty to feed upon.
Who can forget the scene where the unconscious team is in a van while within a 2nd dream?
While the van is in a state of spinning, the corridor is equally spinning in a dizzying array of awe inspiring deftness...This is simply unforgettable. Inception displays a genius spark not often seen in today's regurgitated film stream; Christopher Nolan has yet again proved he is one of the best Directors of this age as he sends forth his dreamy masterpiece.
Leonardo DiCaprio also replicates his success he had with Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island which also had an underlining dream/psychological context. With Inception Leo proves equally adept with Nolan, and undoubtedly has been churning out layered performances which have moulded him into a seasoned actor who retains resonance and poise.
Inception was everything I expected it to be and in some circumstances exceeded expectations intricately.
Witty exchanges of dialogue between Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Tom Hardy produce sly grins - ''You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.'' - while the serious issues covered by Leo, Ellen Page and Marion Cotillard elevate the story and acting to higher spheres via implicity.
This is one of the best films this year and I can't see anything rivalling it later. This is one of those films where they will still be talking about it a hundred years later, where people will discuss and debate about what is real and what is dream.
The beauty of Inception is the deception and intelligence of how important an idea is yet the relevance of said idea is not. I could quite happily watch this over and over and still pick up new ideas and see new threads emerge from the puzzling maze that is presented to us.
What else makes Inception glorious as well as the imaginative visuals and story? Hans Zimmer's score. It is one of his best yet and it sends shivers up my spine everytime.
Christopher Nolan is the best at what he does, Inception proves it. The sharp suits, gravity defying antics and twists all combine in a sort of signature move regarding Nolan. This is his baby. No doubt about it.
This will have you pondering, wondering and thinking...Is this real? Is this a dream? Most importantly what is reality? The only answer I believe is one that is open to interpretation. Cleverly, Nolan leaves answers ambiguous while the theme of dreams is defined effortlessly. Our minds are spinning just like the spinning top that closes the film...Is this a dream or real? Be your own person and make your own choices.
''What's the most resilient parasite? An Idea. A single idea from the human mind can build cities. An idea can transform the world and rewrite all the rules. Which is why I have to steal it.''
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Taking dreams to the next level
Posted : 13 years, 10 months ago on 16 July 2010 07:04
I caught a matinee viewing of Inception this morning for the opening, and yes, it lives up to all the hype it has received. I can easily say it's the best movie I've watched in the last 5 years, if not more. I could easily go through the entire plot of the film without revealing too many spoilers, because A) it might not make any sense at first and B) you just have to see how Nolan masterfully intertwines all these sub-conscious realities together so seamlessly.
The storyline for Inception manages to toy with your own conscious/sub-conscious mind that leaves you questioning your own state of being; yes, somewhat like the original Matrix, which I imagine this will draw lots of comparisons to. Maybe I'm still on that movie "high", but I think Inception is even better. There's everything in this film that I go to movies for: thrills, philosophy, ambition, love, a smattering of gratuitous violence and most importantly, real thought. Next time you have a dream, you might think of Inception ... I know I will.
The storyline for Inception manages to toy with your own conscious/sub-conscious mind that leaves you questioning your own state of being; yes, somewhat like the original Matrix, which I imagine this will draw lots of comparisons to. Maybe I'm still on that movie "high", but I think Inception is even better. There's everything in this film that I go to movies for: thrills, philosophy, ambition, love, a smattering of gratuitous violence and most importantly, real thought. Next time you have a dream, you might think of Inception ... I know I will.
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