It’s rare that you can describe a film as both a summer blockbuster and an Oscar contender.  But I would argue that the movie Inception could be both. Not only does it have the thrilling action scenes and dazzling special effects that the popcorn movie watcher craves, it also has a thought-provoking plot that offers Leonardo DiCaprio a vehicle for an academy award.  While most summer flicks are easily forgotten once your drink has melted, I’d like to offer you my five reasons that Inception needs not only a second viewing, but also post-film conversation:

5. The brow-furrowing plot.

Director Christopher Nolan worried that this film would be “too confusing for a crowd pleaser” but hoped that there would be a emotional “response to the roller coaster ride of it all” (Entertainment Weekly, 7/30/10).  Usually, more complex films are considered outside of the summer realm, where the average audience is comprised of male action-film fans who are teens.  If dubbed a summer blockbuster (complete with the all-out budget and marketing of, say, Nolan’s own The Dark Knight), then usually that drives the more mature moviegoer from the theater. After all, Inception isn’t a sequel and doesn’t boast “3-D” format.  However, this plot has managed to appeal to a wide range of audiences, garnering terms like “Oscar worthy” from critics, a ‘B+’ from ticket buyers, and an ‘A’ rating from the coveted under-25 crowd (EW, 7/30/10).  Here’s the basics, without spoilers: this is a “One Last Job” plot, with our protagonist (DiCaprio) pulling together a crew for the heist.  However, instead of the usual extraction of information (like secrets) from a target, this time they are tackling the supposed-impossible: planting the seed of an idea by infiltrating the target’s dreams.  (This is called inception.)  Our hero (or thief–you decide) is plagued by the projections he brings into the dream world; he is haunted by his dead wife (Marion Cotillard).  Thus, the plot is not only to create a dream world capable of completing this task–three levels of subconscious dreaming are needed–but also avoiding all the complications of his own psyche. Take notes: several scenes (including the opening sequence) are crucial in understanding the plot!

4. The masterful acting.

This is a stellar cast, with each member getting the chance to shine.  Tom Berenger and Michael Caine fully develop minor characters, and Marion Cotillard steals all her scenes as both a memory and a threat to Cobb’s sanity.  Played with great emotion, you can feel her chipping away at DiCaprio’s hold on the dream world as his guilt and regret are revealed to the viewer.  Watch out for Ellen Page, too, as the required newbie of the group: it’s through her innocence as the “new one” that we can learn more about how fragile and complex this plot really is.

3. The fabulous special effects.

Bucking the CGI trend, the film uses a blend of live action and special effects.   My personal favorite: the nail-biting hallway scene.  This tense house-of-cards scene layers all of the kicks in the film that would be needed for the dreamers to awake, synchronized, and return to reality.  The special effects team constructed three separate sets to film this scene.  This part alone requires a second viewing!

2. The hidden clues.

What can I write here without spoilers?  It’s only in the last scene that you realize many clues were woven throughout to help you “get the message” of the film.  Watch out for totems and the “rules” of inception that are sprinkled gently throughout the film.  You’ll have to work for them though: this isn’t a knock-you-over-the-head film.  It’s quite subtle in delivery.

1. The ending.

I don’t remember this much talk over the ending of a film in years. Websites have popped up devoted solely to discussion of the final scene.  While Nolan predicted that audiences might have “disagreements about what things mean,” I don’t remember a film in many a year that made me (or others) want to argue about interpretation.

Hopefully, these five points might make you want to see Inception, an odd combination of science fiction, action, and drama. Leave yourself time after the movie for a cup of coffee and passionate discussion. You might also want to plan a second viewing on your way out of the theater!

Creative, imaginative, and thoughtful. My rating: ‘A’

Reviewed by Dr. Sandra Eckard

Thank you!  As a small non-profit movie theater, we can always use donations.  It’s a real struggle with the film industry dying off as more and more people watch movies at home via Netflix and studios cutting all their independent arms because low-budget indie films just don’t draw good crowds (as evidenced by the lack of support for indie treasures Harry Brown and The Secret in Their Eyes).  So thanks for giving us a dollar.  It makes a difference.

Your contribution will enable us to bring in some really great films this summer–from I Am Love to The Kids Are All Right to The Girl Who Played With Fire.  Every little bit counts.  Even “selling out” and bringing in a sure-fire blockbuster like Eclipse.

Thanks again,

PCT Staff

The problem with sequels is that in an attempt to give audiences more of what they loved the first time around, filmmakers do just that: more. More money on special effects, more on gadgets, more on everything–usually–but plot and character development. Interestingly, Iron Man 2’s director Jon Faverau considered this issue when constructing this sequel to his 2008 hit. He says that what he wanted was to create a better film, not just a second film; he wanted to create something that would connect with audiences and meet their needs. Faverau asks in a recent Entertainment Weekly interview, “How do you fulfill their expectations in an unexpected way? What should we demand of ourselves?” (Rottenberg, 5/7/10, p. 29). While Iron Man 2 is not a perfect film, it is a worthy sequel, especially for the very fact that it takes the “2″ in the title quite literally; everything in the film, from the bad guys, to the Iron Man suits, to the female heroines, is present in pairs to double your fun and develop layers to the film.

First, the plot revolves around two villains who challenge Tony Stark’s prowess as Iron Man and protector. The first villain–easy to spot in the teaser–is Ivan Vanko, the yin to Tony’s yang. While Tony’s father left him the legacy of Stark Industries, Ivan Vanko’s father left him the plans for an Iron Man suit of his own. Angry and bitter at his own dreary lot in life–as well as Tony’s glowing success as Iron Man–Ivan sets about to create a sinister suit of his own, complete with electrical whiplashes that can slice through, well, just about everything. Just as evil–yet much more smarmy–is Justin Hammer, a rival who wants to take over as the kingpin who supplies all the weapons to the military. What’s interesting in their pairing is that while both villains are opposites in appearance and disposition, both are, in the end, similarly evil.

We also get double the Iron Men–literally–with both Tony and his BFF Rhody donning versions of the suits. The plot here revolves around how far a true friend would go to not only help a friend, but also save the world. The conflict between the two, of course, leads to Tony’s growth and some awesome special effects in several action sequences–one comical, one thrilling.

The last double in Iron Man 2 is a treat: two female leads. We first have Pepper Potts, the smart girl’s role model for witty comebacks. While the tension simmers between Pepper and Tony, continuing their flirtation from the first film, we also get a future Avenger in Natalie Rushman (aka Black Widow). It’s always nice to see a naughty versus nice plot device, especially when both leads can command a screen well, but what makes this “double fun” is that you might be surprised what the resolution is to their relationships with Tony.

Summer is the time to escape to the movies with a tub of popcorn and an icy soda. Most popcorn flicks are meant to be forgotten once the popcorn is gone. However, Iron Man 2 is more clever than the usual action yarn and offers quite a bit to enjoy. You might even find you have twice as much to chat about after!

Reviewed by Sandy Eckard

Please click on the link below to read the entire story Pocono Record ran today about Evi Blaikie, one of the featured speakers at Holocaust Remembrance…The Hidden Children on April 8th and 11th from 7 to 9 pm.  Blaikie is a contributing editor and writer to the book Remember Us as well as the author of Magda’s Daughter: A Hidden Child’s Journey Home, both of which will be on sale at the event.  Please read this moving article:

http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100407/NEWS/4070348

The Pocono Record, Weekend Section, included an article about our event on page 2 on the best bets page!  Below is the link to the article:

http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100402/LOCALENT/4020359

East Stroudsburg – The Pocono Community Theater will host a community event, “Holocaust Remembrance…The Hidden Children” on Thursday, April 8^th, 7 – 9 p.m. and again on Sunday, April 11^th, 7 – 9 p.m.  The Pocono Community Theater is located at 88 South Courtland Street, East Stroudsburg.  Participants will view a documentary about Tom Breslauer who was a local resident and Holocaust survivor, hear readings by survivors who were Hidden Children in Hungary during the Holocaust, and take part in an interactive panel discussion. This community event will be free for all participants.

The event will begin with a viewing of a documentary film about Tom Breslauer, a long-time resident of Stroudsburg and a Holocaust survivor.  Participants will experience the Holocaust through his telling, how life changed overnight when the Nazis took over the German government.  He became a “non-person”, a concentration camp prisoner and later was able to escape from Germany to England and then to the U.S.

After the film, participants will hear from survivors who were Hidden Children in Hungary.  You will hear excerpts from Remember Us, a book of children’s memories from the Holocaust, written by members of the Hungarian Hidden Children of New York, Inc. (HHC).  Thirty Jewish Hungarian men and women, who survived the Holocaust as children in hiding, relate memories of their trauma filled childhood. These are not the horror tales of the Holocaust that so much has been written about, rather glimpses, sudden visions that pop into a child’s mind when the word “Holocaust” is heard.

Evi Blaikie, published author and contributing editor of Remember Us, will provide an overview of Hungary during the Holocaust and the Hidden Children.  The following survivors will then read short excerpts from the book:

• Susan Kalev, Social Worker, B’nai Jethron  (April 8^th and 11^th)
• Tamas Revai, CPA (April 8^th and 11^th)
• Suzanne Nash, retired Insurance Executive, (April 8^th)
• Dr. Susan Bendor, Professor of Social work, Yeshiva University, NYC (April 11^th)

An interactive panel discussion will follow the readings.  Dr. Brian Alnutt, Assistant Professor of History, Northhampton Community College, will join the panel discussion.

The Holocaust Remembrance…The Hidden Children event takes place right before and on the Holocaust Remembrance Day, also known as Yom H’Shoah, which is on Sunday, April 11^th this year.  This is one day set aside each year when those who suffered, fought and died during the Holocaust are especially remembered.

Six million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust.  In addition, five million others were murdered during the Holocaust: three million Polish Catholics and Christians, including thousands of Catholic priests and Christian pastors, half a million Eastern European Gypsies, tens of thousands of homosexuals, people with handicaps, members of religious groups who did not believe in the Nazi ideology, such as Jehovah Witnesses, as well as German citizens who refused to go along with Hitler’s plan.

You can purchase a copy of Remember Us: A Collection of Memories from Hungarian Hidden Children of the Holocaust for $25 at Josephine’s Fleur-de-lis, 601 Main Street, Stroudsburg or during the event at the Pocono Community Theater.  Payment can be made by check.  All profits from book sales go to the Memorial Museum of Hungarian Speaking Jewry, Safed, Israel.  $15.00 per book is tax deductible.

For those of you unaware, Eric Hantson resigned as Executive Director in January.   He has decided to focus on his music and acting career.  I , Kimberly Fisher, have been General Manager since his resignation.  If my name doesn’t ring a bell, maybe this will–I was the cafe manager.  Still no recollection?  I was also pregnant for what felt like an entire year, and many of you watched my belly grow!

We will all miss Eric, especially me.  Eric hired me in November 2008, and we worked closely together during the year he was at the helm. I was his idea sounding board and would often help him complete projects.  He is like a brother to me, and though I wish he was still part of the theater family, I know that he is fulfilling his dreams.  I wish him much success and hope he visits us often.

Now let me tell you a little about myself and my vision for PCT.   I grew up in the area, and my family has strong ties to East Stroudsburg.  My great-grandfather owned an appliance store down the street from the theater years ago, and my grandmother is currently the associate dean at the Monroe campus of Northampton Community College.  I can credit her with my love for this theater because she brought me here to see my first foreign film, Shall We Dance, when I was in high school.   I fell in love with the theater’s ambiance.  I saw two other films here with my grandmother before leaving the area to attend college–Shakespeare in Love and  Tea with Mussolini.

I have always wanted to work at a non-profit, and this is the perfect fit for me.  I love movies!   There is nothing better than sitting in a dark theater, eating delicious popcorn (topped with REAL butter, of course), and being absorbed into a great movie.  I’ll admit that I have a Netflix account, but nothing compares to seeing a movie in the theater.  I absolutely love the feeling of contentment as I walk out of the theater, rubbing my eyes against the light, and mulling over the film I just saw.

My goal as General Manager is to keep bringing in the quality films you can’t see anywhere else while also trying to focus on the community.  If you see a more widely publicized movie on our marquee, don’t think that I’ve abandoned our ideals.  In order to keep us alive and vibrant, I try to book movies that all people will want to see.  To me, being a great community theater means engaging all of the community.  However, in all my film selections, I always keep an eye on quality.  I want the movies you see here to move, inspire, and excite you.  I want you to talk to your friends and coworkers and random passers-by about the experience you had at PCT.  From the staff member with whom you discuss the movies to the popcorn you eat to the movie you see, I will make sure that you “Experience the Difference” of Pocono Community Theater.

Questions?  Comments?  Complaints?  Email me directly at kim@poconocommunitytheater.org or even call me at 570-421-2036.  I want to do my very best to make this theater great, and you are essential to PCT’s (and my) success.

See you at the movies!

will finally open on March 12.  Please win that Oscar, Jeff Bridges!