Top 10 Movie Memorabilia

What film fan doesn't want some Movie Memorabilia to hang on their wall or display in their geek-den? And today I made my dream wish-list of movie memorabilia! My only rule in making this list is the prop can't be huge, like the Millennium Falcon, but of a practical display size, such as the size of a full body costume or smaller. Otherwise, anything goes!

The topic of today's article is definitely thanks to Invaluable.com, who contacted me with the idea for this post. Invaluable.com is the place to find must-have collectibles and one of a kind pieces; new memorabilia and movie props is being added almost daily to their website, and they boast an entire section dedicated to Star Wars! If you want to check out some movie memorabilia, as well as various others things, definitely check them out.

Now, let's get this list started! And the list is not in any order.

Darth Vader Costume

At the top of my most-wanted Movie Memorabilia list is the Darth Vader costume worn by David Prowse in Star Wars (1977). While finding a place to display it would not be easy, it is the costume of one of my favorite characters in all film, and one of the most imposing and iconic costumes in the history of film. 

The One Ring

There were various props of differing sizes that were used for the One Ring during the Lord of the Rings trilogy. However, the one I would want is the version that is used during the close up shots with the actors. Even more specifically, the one dropped into Mount Doom.

Indiana Jones' Hat and Whip

Ever since I was a kid watching the Indiana Jones films, I have wanted the hat and whip used by Harrison Ford during Raiders of the Lost Ark. Other than Lightsabers, no other movie prop defines my childhood like Indy’s Hat and Whip!

Neo's Sunglasses from the Matrix

Aside from the trench coats and guns, there are few props directly associated with the Matrix except one thing: the sunglasses. The Matrix's sunglasses might be impractical in the real world, but Neo's sunglasses would make an excellent display piece!

Iron Man's Arc Reactor

Iron Man is not a film with many smaller recognizable props. However, the first Arc Reactor created by Tony Stark to escape from the terrorists is unforgettable piece from the film that launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

R2-D2 and BB-8

With the exception of Lightsabers, there are few things in Star Wars more iconic than the droids! And R2-D2 is easily the most iconic droid from the film. Who doesn't love this plucky-willed droid? And now BB-8 from The Force Awakens is sure to become yet another iconic droid in the Star Wars franchise. Both of the props used for the droids would make excellent pieces in any collection.

Captain America's Shield

Captain America has been my favorite superhero since childhood, and what superhero movie prop is more recognizable than his Shield? While many props are made for the shield, the heavier one used during close ups, held by Chris Evans, is the one I'm sure anyone would prefer.

Han's DL-44 Blaster

A classic weapon from my favorite character of all-time, Han's DL-44 Blaster is a must for a Star Wars fan like myself. In fact, you can read more about it from Invaluable.com, specifically the one used in the Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

The Tenth Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver

While the TARDIS from any of the seasons would be cool, who has room for a large blue box? Instead, David Tennant's Sonic Screwdriver, my favorite one from the franchise, is the ultimate piece of Whovian memorabilia!

Anakin and Luke's Lightsaber

Lightsabers are one of, if not, the most iconic props in the Star Wars franchise. And no other Lightsaber would make a better collector's item than the very first Lightsaber seen during the original Star Wars. But of course, any of the Lightsabers from the Original Trilogy, or Kylo Ren's Lightsaber from the Force Awakens, are at the top of my list.

What movie memorabilia are at the top of your wish-list? Please comment below and let me know!

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Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies: Part 6

The Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies list now comes to an end! These are the 5 Sci-Fi films that rise up all others. These are the best of the best! Now, let's get started!

5: Aliens

James Cameron’s Aliens is one of the most thrilling and pulse-pounding film experiences ever made. While the first Alien film created the Xenomorph creature and established the concept, Cameron's Aliens exceeded the original film by combining the thrills of the original with incredible special effects and edge-of-your-seat action sequences. Aliens also established Ellen Ripley as one of film's greatest female protagonists of all-time. How could Aliens not be among the best sci-fi films of all-time!?

Aliens (1986) Review.

4: Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Before Titanic and Avatar, James Cameron actually made a few freaking awesome sci-fi films and there are none better T2. Deciding between Aliens and T2 for my favorite Cameron flick was not easy, but after some deliberation, T2 came out on top, partially due to the fact that it has been one of my favorite movies ever since I was a kid. Despite T2 being known for its revolutionary CGI, it is the heavy use of practical effects during the action sequences that make it hold up so well today. Few action films today can match the level of action direction of T2, and yet it never forgets the characters by including a healthy dosage of heart.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day Review.

3: The Matrix

The Matrix blew my mind with its combination of sci-fi philosophy and sequences that remain unmatched in western films. Despite being more than 15 years old, everything holds up in the Matrix today as well it did years ago, and many of themes are all the more relevant to today's increasingly technological society. Unfortunately, the Wachowskis were never able to recapture the Matrix's greatest in the sequels or any other film.

2: Inception

Yet another mind-blowing and mind-bending experience on my list, Inception is the film that literally launched my film critiquing hobby. Christopher Nolan is at his unquestionable best with Inception in all aspects. For the first time in his films, he manages to craft characters that you genuinely care that get caught up in a plot with more twists and turns than one can count. While not everything about the concept and plot is the most original, the way Nolan used the concept of dreams to move the plot forward is unique and inventive. Will Nolan ever be able to top his masterpiece? That remains to be seen.

Inception Review.

1: Star Wars Saga

How could there be any other? Without Star Wars, half of the films on this list would have never been possible for technological, inspirational, and financial reasons. Star Wars showed Hollywood that science fiction is a viable genre. It elevated the Science Fiction genre to new heights never seen before! Not since the early days of film has a movie or franchise made such an impact on the culture of the world than Star Wars.

Since the Original Trilogy would have taken up the Top 3 spots on the list, I opted to include the franchise as a whole so that more sci-fi films could make the list. Of course, The Empires Strikes Back would top the list with the original Star Wars not far behind. With the new Star Wars films on the horizon, let us all hope that Star Wars will rise yet again to its former glory!

Well, that concludes my list of the Top 25 Sci-Fi films of all-time! At a later date, I will write up something about the 25+ Honorable Mentions that almost made the list. So, what do you think of my list? Please comment below and let me know! Thanks for reading everyone and if you missed one of the previous parts, click on the links below.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

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Seven Samurai vs. The Magnificent Seven

On today's FIlm Versus, we have a battle of a remake and the original with Seven Samurai vs. The Magnificent Seven. 

Before comparing the two films and deciding which one is the best, let’s discuss remakes of foreign language films and how they are translated to the American culture.

When adapting a foreign language film, not only is translating the language important, the writers must translate the culture so that it fits the different setting. Both American and Japanese fiction and legend have stories of skilled warriors helping small towns and villages. In America, that warrior is often the cowboy, and conversely, it is the samurai in Japan, thus why Japanese samurai films translate so well into the western genre. In regards to translation of language and culture, Smartling provides exceptional language translation software for businesses to translate websites or applications as a whole to preserve the original intent, so that the content can be easily shared with a global audience.

For example, Japan's samurai films, referred to as "chanbara," translated as "sword fighting," have had a surprising influence on western cinema. Due to both the Wild West and samurai eras featuring many of the same motifs, such as skilled swordsman/gunman facing insurmountable odds, the west has adapted various samurai films into westerns, with the one of the most notable being A Fistful of Dollars, a remake of Yojimbo. 

Now that you know how samurai films have influenced the western genre, let's move on to the showdown.

Plot Comparison

Taking place in 1587, during the Warring States Period of Japan, Seven Samurai tells the story of a village that hires seven lone samurai, also known as ronin, to protect their village from bandits. On the other hand, The Magnificent Seven, takes the original film's setting and moves it to the Wild West, an apt replacement for the Warring States Period, and obviously changes the samurai to gunman. Ultimately, the differences between the two in the overall narrative are minor aside from setting.

Characterization

Seven Samurai: Thanks to the long runtime, each character is given ample development and motivation. Each character follows a now familiar archetype with a likable personality and unexpectedly deep motivations. You get to know each and every one of the main cast, and while some receive more screen time than others, the characters are distinct from one another. However, the antagonists is notably weaker compared to the protagonists as they receive little development and are not particularly memorable.

The Magnificent Seven: Containing the same archetypes, The Magnificent Seven’s characters all have an undeniable cool factor to them, largely due to the all-star cast of actors. Towards the end a few of the character receive development, although it is not particularly deep or complex. However, the villain, Calvera, is a memorable foil to the heroes, as he is one of the more notable characters from the film.

Verdict - Seven Samurai: Despite The Magnificent Seven's antagonist being far more memorable, Seven Samurai's band of seven are further developed with more complex motivations, which is largely due to the much longer runtime.

Entertainment Value

Seven Samurai: Even though Seven Samurai is an engaging film, its pacing can be incredibly slow at times. It takes nearly 45 minutes before anything is set in motion. However, once the film reaches the second half of its nearly four hour runtime, the story moves along at a relatively swift pace. With that said, Seven Samurai is not a particularly rewatchable film. How often do you have enough time to rewatch something that is almost longer than two entire films!?

The Magnificent Seven: At a standard runtime of 128 minutes, The Magnificent Seven condenses the original film's story into something that fits the tone and pacing of a Hollywood action adventure flick. The result is a fun western adventure with plenty of action and old-school entertainment.

Verdict - The Magnificent Seven: Thanks to the much shorter runtime and faster pacing, Magnificent Seven is a more enjoyable and entertaining flick with greater rewatch value.

Direction

Akira Kurosawa: Kurosawa is a masterful director, one of the best to ever live, and Seven Samurai is among his best work visually. Despite having a much smaller budget than its contemporaries, Kurosawa manages to display a large sweeping landscape of the Warring States Period. The action sequences towards the end, filmed entirely in the rain and mud, while not as impressive today, was well ahead most other films from the era.

John Sturges: Sturges' directing of The Magnificent Seven is perfectly adequate for what the film required. It looked like a classic western flick, and it did not require anything special.

Verdict - Akira Kurosawa: While Sturges' direction is adequate, Kurosawa's direction is among the best of the era; this is an easy win for Seven Samurai.

Overall 

Verdict - Seven Samurai: While both films are classics in their respective genres, it is Seven Samurai that wins today's battle thanks to Kurosawa's visionary direction and deeper characterization. However, Magnificent Seven reminds one of the most fun and entertaining westerns to date, and neither film should be missed.

Which is your favorite? Have you seen either one? Please comment below and let me know!

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47 Ronin Review

47 Ronin is a 2013 fantasy adaptation of the true story of 47 Ronin, samurai without a lord, taking revenge for the death of their lord. The original legend has been described as Japan's "national legend" by some authors, but does this American adaptation disappoint? 47 Ronin is set in 18th century Japan and stars Keanu Reeves as Kai, a "half-breed" (half Japanese and half English), who is treated as a second class citizen. 

Directed by: Carl Rinsch
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Action Adventure,
Release Date: December 25, 2013
Running Time: 118 minutes
MMPA rating: PG-13

The Good: Hiroyuki Sanada gives the best performance, Keanu Reeves is likable in his role, Well choreographed action scenes, Good soundtrack,

The Bad: Weak supporting cast and characters, Dull first third,


Plot: 7.5/10- 47 Ronin's plot is simple. There are not a lot of twists and turns, but it is an effective revenge story. It adds a lot of fantasy elements to the original story, which worked for the most part. The film's pacing can be a little slow and dull at times, especially if you have no interest in the Japanese setting. If you have an interest in Japanese culture, history, or samurai, like myself, the story will appeal to you much more.

Characterization: 3.2/10- Aside from the two main characters Kai (Reeves) and Oishi (Sananda), there is little to no development for the cast of characters. While I am no expert, the creators did seem to get the honor aspect of the film right with Reeves' character bowing and showing respect to the other characters due to his low status as a half-breed. Also, while Kai may appear to be the main character of the movie from the trailer, Oishi is the main protagonist in actuality, which is certainly for the best. He receives the most screentime, and he plays a larger role in the overall plot.

Action: 7.8/10- While the action is often short and sporadic at first, towards the last third, the action picks up with several well choreographed samurai sword sword fights.

Oishi, the true protagonist.

Acting: 5.0/10- While Reeves has top billing, Hiroyuki Sanada (The Wolverine, Helix) is the true star of the film having most of the dialogue and screentime, which is good because he is also the best actor of the cast. Reeves is generally likable in his role. As for the rest of the cast, the acting ranges from mediocre to bad. Thankfully however, the principal cast is Japanese and not whitewashed. Unfortunately, many of the performances from the Japanese cast trying to speak in English can be terrible, which is likely due to the language barrier.

Special effects: 6.5/10- While never mind blowing or impressive, the special effects for the fantasy creatures get the job done well enough. During the first third, some of the sets looked a little cheap and the same goes for the costumes, although it did give the movie a classic feel to a degree.

Soundtrack: 8.1/10- Ilan Eshkeri's score is surprisingly good in the film. Most of the tracks have a distinctly Asian feel that fits the tone and setting of the film well.

Humor: 5.0/10- With the exception of a few jokes, 47 Ronin is mostly humorless.

Entertainment Value: 7.2/10- Due to my interest in the Japanese legend and samurai in general, I enjoyed the movie more than most, although my brother and fellow critic, Jacob, enjoyed the movie as well.

Overall: 6.1/10- Despite some notable flaws, 47 Ronin is an entertaining Japanese fantasy tale of revenge that is supported by its two main characters and the film's setting.

Closing comments: If you have no interest in samurai movies or Japanese history, I would lower my overall rating to around a six.

Recommended for: Samurai fans, Japanese fans,

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Why does this guy get his own poster? He is in the movie like one minute!

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Hilarious Sam L. Jackson Video

During an interview with Samuel L. Jackson on a news network about his upcoming movie RoboCop movie, the interviewer confuses Sam L. Jackson with Laurence Fishburne when he asks about Jackson's Super Bowl commercial, which he did not actually make. Even though Sam L. got a little too mad at the guy for confusing him with Fishburne, it was, nonetheless, the hilarious! If you are unfamiliar with Jackson and Fishburne, Jackson plays Nick Fury in the Avengers movie, Mace Windu in Star Wars, as well as many other great movies. Fishburne played Morpheus in the Matrix trilogy, and if you want to see the Super Bowl commercial that was referenced, you can watch it below. Even though the commercial was not particularly that great, being a fan of The Matrix, it was fun seeing Fishburne playing Morpheus again. What did you think of the videos? Please comment below and check back tomorrow for my review of the latest Walking Dead episode. 

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Ghost in the Shell Review.

Ghost in the Shell, the film inspired the Matrix, and a film that was far ahead of its time, and one that is getting a live-action Hollywood adaptation coming in a few years.

Ghost in the Shell is a one of the classic anime films that introduced many American audiences to the genre. My expectations for Ghost in the Shell where relatively high considering that the film is said to be similar to the Matrix and that the genre of sci-fi is usually my type of thing. Except for a few minor flaws, Ghost in the Shell was satisfying and smart action thriller that presents complex themes of technology that are even more revelation today than they were years ago.

According to Wachowskis, Ghost in the Shell was said to have inspired the Matrix, which is one of my favorite movies of all-time, and the similarities are noticeable, particularly the setting, granted, there are plenty of differences. Ghost in the Shell reminded me of a combination of Blade Runner and the Matrix since it shares many of the concepts that both films explored. While some of the concepts are confusing at first and definitely require further thought to fully understand what the film is trying to accomplish, anyone that enjoys a complex message about technology should watch Ghost in the Shell.

On a side note, Ghost in the Shell was one of the first anime films that I had seen when I watched it for the first time last year. At the time, Akira was the only other anime movie that I had seen. Since then however, I have seen about twenty other feature length anime films.

Directed by: Mamoru Oshii
Genre: Sci-Fi, Anime, Animation, Action, Cyber-Punk, Thriller,
Release Date: November 18, 1995
Running Time: 82 minutes
MMPA rating: R

The Good: Thought provoking themes, Intriguing sci-fi concepts, Several impressive action scenes, Created a unique sci-fi world, Inspired the Matrix, Complex plot, Strong female lead,

The Bad:

Warning: This film is rated "R" for violence, profanity, and other mature content.


Plot: The following plot summary is copied from Wikipedia.com.
In the distant future, the world has become interconnected by a vast electronic network that permeates every aspect of life. Much of humanity, including the protagonists, has direct access to this network through cybernetic bodies, or "shells", which possess their consciousness and can give them superhuman abilities.
Major Motoko Kusanagi, a female police officer and leader of Public Security Section 9's assault team, is assigned to capture an elusive hacker known as the "Puppet Master". Her team, Batou and Ishikawa, triangulate their activity with a garbageman. The man believes he is going through a divorce and thinks he is using a program obtained from a sympathetic man to illegally ghost-hack his wife's mind to find his daughter. Kusanagi and her team arrest both the garbageman and the man who gave him the program, but they discover that both men's memories were either erased or implanted, which means they themselves were ghost-hacked by the Puppet Master, who remains at large.
Watch the movie to see what happens next.


Plot: 9.0/10- Ghost in the Shell combines the genres of psychological thriller and sci-fi thriller with a very complex plot. At first glance you may think it is a standard sci-fi action film, that, however, is not the case. While there is some action, the Ghost in the Shell is more complex than the typical science fiction movie and it requires a surprising amount of thought to comprehend the plot. Due to the film's short length, a sizable amount of the exposition is told through dialogue, which works for the most part, but it does give an odd "tell not show" presentation.
Unlike like many movies that try to convey some "deep" philosophical message that either was a lot less meaningful than the creators thought it was or make no sense entirely, Ghost in the Shell's commentary on technology is quite fascinating and well thought-out. Many of the same concepts have been used in other films, most of which where made after Ghost in the Shell.
My only issue with the plot is, as I stated earlier, it has a tenacy to tell and not show what is happening or why the characters feel as they do. On the topic of characters, while the characters are well realized enough to move the plot forward, the film does not give enough time to develop them, fortunately however, there is a TV series and manga to watch/read.
Also, the mystery element is quite good, albeit not a main draw.



Action: 8.4/10- Ghost in the Shell has several unique and inventive devices that are used excellently in the film's action scenes. Since the main protagonists are essentially cyborg-robot, there are few limits on what they can do in an action scene, which makes for some great set-pieces. Another thing is the Thermo-optic Camouflage, basically what the Predator uses in stealth mode. There are several awesome scenes that unitize it well. Although the action that is there was great, I almost wish there could have been more because it was done so well, but that is actually not a big issue.

Acting: 8.2/10- Ghost in the Shell's only slightly weak point is its English Dub cast. While the main protagonist give decent performances, a few of the supporting cast members could have been better. Later in the film however, the cast started to grow on me and I ended up liking the voices for the main characters. It is also important to know that since the characters have cybernetic implants, they can communicate through their minds to each other and carry on conversations. At first the characters not moving their mouths during conversation is confusing and it is never actually explained, but that is important to know when watching the film. Additionally, as usual, the original Japanese audio is solid alternative with few drawbacks since you can't actually understand why the characters are saying anyway, and they at least as though they express a little more emotion.

Art Style (Original Version): 9.1/10- Considering when Ghost in the Shell was made, the animation is rather impressive for a film not made by Studio Ghibli. The animation is fluid, the backgrounds are well drawn, and the characters are mostly well realized.

The top pictures are the 2.0 version and and the bottom are the original.

Art Style (2.0 Version): 8.2/10- Unfortunately, when I first watched Ghost in the Shell, I watched the "enhanced" 2.0 version of the film since that was the only one was available at the time, and while it still had excellent animation, the CGI additions where entirely unnecessary. Also, the coloring is way off. If you watch the movie, do not watch the 2.0 Version, is it a waste of time when the original still looks so much better.

Soundtrack: 7.2/10- Occasionally the soundtrack is distracting and other times it compliments the films well, overall, good but nothing special.

Comedy: N/A-

Would I Watch This Again: Ghost in the Shell is a film that is worth re-watching because of the complexity of the plot.

Overall: 8.7/10- Overall, Ghost in the Shell is excellent and thoughtful anime film, but those unfamiliar with anime and complex stories about technology will likely not enjoy the film as much as I did. However, if you are a fan of the Matrix and would like to see what inspired the film, consider watching Ghost in the Shell; it is a classic.

Closing comments: Ghost in the Shell is a unique experience that could only have been done in anime, at least at the time it was made, and it is not to be missed by fans of the genre.

For another opinion on the film, you read Arvin Saint's review of Ghost in the Shell here.

Warning: It is important to emphasize that Ghost in the Shell is rated "R" for a reason and it certainly earns that rating with the violence and other mature content. One other thing should be noted is that the star, Major Motoko Kusanagi, wears a stealth suit that turns were invisible using active camouflage, however when she uses this suit, it is extremely skin tight and skin colored, but the male characters in the film can use the same technology while wearing regular clothes.

Recommended for *Mature*: Sci-fi fans, Action fans, Anime fans, Cyber-Punk fans, Matrix fans,

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Inception Vs The Matrix: Part 3

The final round of Inception Vs. The Matrix is finally here, who will win? Click Here to read part 1 and Click Here to read part 2.

 

Acting

The Matrix: Keanu Reeves is often criticized for his performance, but as I previously stated he was intentionally an empty shell and gave a solid performance for his role. Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity played one of the coolest female roles in a film. As I said before, Hugo Weaving was awesome as Agent Smith and Laurence Fishbourne was good as well. Sure, none of the actors gave Oscar worthy performances, but they played their roles well.

Inception: Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance should have won him the Oscar for Best Picture. Ellen Paige was fantastic as the likeable Ariadne. Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s performance made me a JGL fan; he is another likeable actor with that relatable “everyman” type personality. Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, Cillian Murphy, Marion Cotillard, and Michael Cain were all amazing in their roles. 

Verdict: Inception: There is no contest, Inception’s cast is one of the best of all-time and easily takes this category. 

 

Premise/Concept/Plot

The Matrix: The Matrix is packed with philosophy and hidden meaning. The concept is very original and I have never seen anything like it before or since. Many of the ideas proposed in the film are far more relevant today than they were nearly 15 years ago, in this new age of technology and cyber warfare.

Inception: Not only is Inception highly complex and one of the most original plots I have ever seen, Nolan manages to mix a very personal story into the complex narrative. 

 

Verdict: Inception: As much as I enjoyed The Matrix’s plot, Inception was more personal and complex.

 

Cultural Impact

The Matrix: Not only did The Matrix revolutionized special effects, it also popularized the famous “Bullet Time” effect and other slow-motion effects are now common in today’s cinema. 

Inception: While The Matrix has much more time to be ingrained in culture, Inception’s popularity is growing and most people around the internet know about the ridiculously loud horn sounds in the trailer that is often parodied.

Verdict: The Matrix: Although Inception is growing in popularity, it will never reach the popular-culture heights of The Matrix, due to Inception narrower appeal.

 

Soundtrack

Don Davis/Other Artists

Don Davis/Other Artists: Don Davis gave the film a perfect mix of synthesized and orchestral elements to the score. The other techno tunes in The Matrix were fantastic and worked well in the film.

Hans Zimmer: Inception’s score is Zimmer’s second best, and on my Top 10 list of all-time soundtracks. It conveyed the disorientating feel of a dream and transported the audience into the film’s dream world. 

 

Verdict: Hans Zimmer: While The Matrix’s soundtrack was good, it cannot beat Zimmer’s mind-bending score.

 

 

 

Overall

The Matrix: The Matrix is the ultimate tech-geek/cyber-punk film, filled with intense action scenes, and mind blowing special effects. As a tech-geek myself, I love The Matrix movie. 

Inception: Thrilling, suspenseful, immensely complex, and action packed, Inception is completely unique and original, with fleshed out characters and various interpretations of what the film is actually about.

Verdict: Inception: After lengthy debate, I have decided Inception should take the victory. It is more original and it is a better film overall. However, it was an extremely close fought battle between two of my favorite films and if you like The Matrix better, I could not disagree.

Which is your favorite? Please comment below.

 

 

 

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Inception Vs The Matrix: Part 2

Here is Part 2 of the Inception Vs. The Matrix Film Versus! Thus far the score is tied with both Inception and The Matrix scoring 2 points each. Click Here to read Part 1 of this Film Versus.

 

 

Villain

Agent Smith Vs. Mal/Subconscious

Agent Smith: Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith is one of the greatest film antagonists in movie history. His demeanor and mannerisms make him a very menacing villain.

Mal/Subconscious: Inception does not have the typical villain character as with most other films. The true antagonist is the protagonists’ and Fisher’s subconscious mind. However, Mal (Cobb’s subconscious), played brilliantly by Marion Cotillard, would be considered the film’s “villain” and she was fantastic in the role.

Verdict: Agent Smith: As complex and interesting as Inception’s subconscious antagonists are, Agent Smith is nearly unmatched in villainy.

 

 

 

Most Memorable Scene

Bullet Time Vs. Inception’s Ending

 

Bullet Time: When I watched the film, the Bullet Time scene blew me away! The scene is indescribably cool and easily one of the best moments in cinema history.

Inception’s Ending: *Inception Spoiler* Could the film have ended any more thought provoking and ambiguous? Nolan left us with Cobb’s spinning totem possibly on the brink of toppling but never gave a final explanation.

Verdict: Bullet Time: While I almost want to give this to Inception, “Bullet Time” has made a more cultural impact and I will never forget the first time that watched the scene.

 

Visual Effects

The Matrix: At the time, The Matrix’s special effects were revolutionary! Almost nothing at the time even compare and they hold-up well today.

Inception: The use of practical and CGI effects was seamless. In the hallway fight, the hallway was actually rotating with while Joseph Gordon-Levitt and the stun-men were performing the scene. 

Verdict: The Matrix: As great as Inception’s visual effects are, The Matrix is in a league of its own, and may even have better effects than Inception does today. Without The Matrix, “Bullet Time” would have never became so popular.

 

Academy Awards

The Matrix: 4 Nominations and Wins:

Best Film Editing

Best Sound Mixing

Best Sound Editing

Best Visual Effects

Inception: 8 Nominations and 4 Wins:

Best Picture

Original Screenplay

Best Original Score

Best Sound Editing

Best Sound Mixing

Best Art Direction

Best Visual Effects

Best Cinematography

Verdict: Inception: The numbers don't lie, even though they won the same amount of awards, Inception had twice as many nominations. 

 

Woman in Red and Woman in Black

Although this is not one of the “Versus” categories, it is a similarity that is worth comparing. Both scenes use a woman as a distraction to demonstrate an important point in the story and both were constructs of the film’s tech/deception experts, Mouse (The Matrix) and Eames (Inception). However, in The Matrix the scene is more important opposed to Inception were it was more of a plot device, not a philosophical metaphor. 

 

 

It appears that The Matrix is taking the lead in the second round but can it hold it down the final stretch?

 

 

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