Michael Caine | Jeffrey K. Lyles' Movie Files

Film Flashback: Inception (2010)

August 27, 2012

jklmd2002 Drama, Film Flashbacks, Movie Reviews, Science Fiction Christopher Nolan, Cillian Murphy, Ellen Page, Inception, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ken Watanabe, Leonardo DiCaprio, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine, Tom Hardy 8 Comments

One of the more exciting parts of this gig, besides seeing modern-day classics like “Macgruber” and “Marmaduke” of course, is seeing a brilliant film for the first time. Nothing can quite top that sense of awe and wonder about what’s going to happen next. While it won’t be the exact same, I imagine that in watching ‘Inception’ very little of that awe and wonder will diminish from one of the most groundbreaking and original films I’ve seen in the last decade.

Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures

This really shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone since ‘Inception’ was written and directed by Christopher Nolan, the genius behind “Memento,” “The Prestige” and the second highest grossing movie of all time “The Dark Knight.” [2012 FF: Stupid "Avatar!"] “Inception” is Nolan’s sixth full-length film, and marks the last indicator that he’s operating on a totally different level than his peers. He doesn’t need 3D or any other here today, gone tomorrow fad to sell movie tickets. His gimmick? Exemplary storytelling that draws you in and keeps you thinking about what you’ve just witnessed long after the final credits. More

Film Flashback: The Prestige (2006)

July 25, 2012

jklmd2002 Drama, Movie Reviews Christian Bale, Christopher Nolan, Hugh Jackman, Marvel's The Avengers, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, The Dark Knight Rises, The Prestige 2 Comments

I’d planned to look back at “Inception,” but finding that review is proving to be a super pain. Anyway, here’s another in a continuing line of excellent films by “The Dark Knight Rises” Director Christopher Nolan starring some of his frequent collaborators — Christian Bale and Michael Caine — and an actor I’d love to see him reunite with in the future in Hugh Jackman.

Ron Phillips/Warner Bros. Pictures
Christopher Nolan sets up a shot.

It’s no illusion. ‘‘The Prestige” is the best film of 2006 and represents storytelling at its finest. More

Review: The Dark Knight Rises

July 19, 2012

jklmd2002 Movie Reviews Batman, Christian Bale, Christopher Nolan, Gary Oldman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, The Dark Knight Rises, Tom Hardy 24 Comments

Photo by Ron Phillips/Warner Bros. Pictures
TOM HARDY as Bane and CHRISTIAN BALE as Batman clash.

There’s two things you need to know about “The Dark Knight Rises.” Comparing it to “Marvel’s The Avengers” is pointless as they’re two vastly different takes on a superhero blockbuster. If you like great movies you’ll love “The Dark Knight Rises” just as much as “Avengers” — just in another way. Secondly, “TDKR” doesn’t reach the heights of the genre-challenging masterpiece that was “The Dark Knight,” but that was as flawless a movie you’ll ever see so there’s no shame coming up short to that lofty standard.

That said, “The Dark Knight Rises” is the kind of spectacular edge-of-your-seat epic that will have you hooked right from its jaw-dropping opening sequence and dare you to resist the urge to applaud once it’s finished. More

Film Flashback: The Dark Knight (2008)

July 18, 2012

jklmd2002 Movie Reviews Aaron Eckhart, Batman, Christian Bale, Christopher Nolan, Gary Oldman, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, The Dark Knight, The Joker 3 Comments

I wrote this years ago obviously, but my opinions on it are pretty much the same so I likely won’t have too much to add here. I just finished watching it in actual preparation for “The Dark Knight Rises,” which would just about have to be the greatest movie ever to top this one for me.

“The Dark Knight” is a phenomenal masterpiece whose creators aren’t content with simply making a great comic book movie but craft one that transcends the genre to become one of the best films this decade. More

Film Flashback: Batman Begins (2005)

July 16, 2012

jklmd2002 Action/Adventure, Comic Book Batman Begins, Christian Bale, Christopher Nolan, Cillian Murphy, Katie Holmes, Liam Neeson, Marvel's The Avengers, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises 2 Comments

In preparation/insane level of getting hyped up for “The Dark Knight Rises,” I’m re-watching Christopher Nolan’s Batman films. Very taxing work I assure you to force myself to sit through two amazing, genre-defying films that forever change audiences’ perception of a “comic book movie.”

Christopher Nolan gets his hands dirty prior to “The Dark Knight Rises”

June 28, 2012

jklmd2002 Celebrities Anne Hathaway, Batman, Christian Bale, Christopher Nolan, Gary Oldman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, The Dark Knight Rises Leave a comment

This news just got released about my current favorite director:

: Eric Charbonneau/Warner Bros. Pictures
From of Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “THE DARK KNIGHT RISES,” MORGAN FREEMAN, GARY OLDMAN, CHRISTIAN BALE, CHRISTOPHER NOLAN, ANNE HATHAWAY, MICHAEL CAINE and JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT at the ceremony honoring director/writer/producer CHRISTOPHER NOLAN, whose hand and footprints were placed in the forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. “THE DARK KNIGHT RISES” is a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

In celebration of the upcoming release of “The Dark Knight Rises,” the film’s director/writer/producer, Christopher Nolan, will be accorded a rare industry honor and will have his hand and footprints cemented into the famed forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

The hand-and-footprint ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. July 7.

“Everyone at Warner Bros. joins me in congratulating Christopher Nolan, who has been such an integral part of our family for the past 12 years,” said Jeff Robinov, president, Warner Bros, Pictures Group. “We are extremely proud of the cinematic legacy he has given us through his films. At only 41, Christopher takes his place alongside other industry giants featured at Grauman’s, and generations of fans will remember the extraordinary impression he left on their imaginations.”

Sure Kobe Bryant and Alvin & The Chipmunks have added their prints to the forecourt — don’t get me started – but Nolan is undeniably deserving of this honor. The guy hasn’t made a bad movie yet and he continues to deliver some amazing sequence in his films that taps into the full scope of movie-making. I’m still amazed that “Inception” was passed over for the Best Picture Oscar and that Nolan wasn’t even nominated for Best Director in 2011.

And I’m almost ready to start the obnoxious countdown for “The Dark Knight Rises,” which opens July 20 that will no doubt include plenty of reflections on Nolan’s previous works and Batman’s film history. Stay tuned. Should be a fun July!

Jeffrey K. Lyles' Movie Files

Film Flashback: Inception (2010)

Film Flashback: The Prestige (2006)

Review: The Dark Knight Rises

Film Flashback: The Dark Knight (2008)

Film Flashback: Batman Begins (2005)

Christopher Nolan gets his hands dirty prior to “The Dark Knight Rises”

Recent Posts

Archives

Blogs I Follow

Follow “Jeffrey K. Lyles' Movie Files”