Ten to See: Inception Edition

Inception is one of the most wholly-satisfying movies of the year, and it's great not only as an entire package, but on the level of individuals' contributions, too.  It's a matter of every member of the cast and crew completely delivering, and if you're a fan of their work here, you should check out these other movies showcasing their talents.

Christopher Nolan


Following - Nolan's impressive black-and-white debut is deceptively simple, but strongly displays the potential that was fully realized in his follow-up, the 2000 masterpiece Memento.  Following details the life of a man who follows strangers through London and is drawn into criminal activity.  As you'd expect, there are twists and turns along the way, building to a surprising conclusion.  Fun fact: the main character's name is Cobb.  Sound familiar?

The Prestige - Nolan's beautiful adaptation seems to get unfairly overlooked when discussing his oeuvre.  The art direction is gorgeous, the writing is phenomenal, and Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale give performances that rank with their best.  The story is brilliantly-layered, gradually building the mystery and almost convincing the viewer that there is such a thing as magic.  It's a glorious trick, and getting to see behind the curtain is a shocking (pun intended) added bonus.

Leonardo DiCaprio


The Aviator - DiCaprio's collaborations with Martin Scorsese have yielded the actor's best work, and considering the consistent quality of his work, that's saying something.  His performance as eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes is perhaps his finest; his descent from charming arrogance to haunting isolation is utterly arresting and believable.

Shutter Island - DiCaprio's latest Scorsese film is a great suspense thriller that demands a second viewing.  The ambiguous ending makes the film either a great drama or horror; either way you read it, this is another example of DiCaprio at his best.

Marion Cotillard


La Vie en Rose - While this Edith Piaf biopic suffers from structural issues which make it somewhat hard to follow, Cotillard's transformative performance is simply staggering.  Through the magic of make-up and Cotillard's sheer bombshell talent, the actress plays the iconic "Sparrow" throughout her entire life.  In addition to her performance, there's also, of course, amazing music.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt


(500) Days of Summer - Last year's indie rom-com hit, a veritable Annie Hall for my generation, is among my favorite movies of all-time.  I love it so much, in fact, that I made a trip to Los Angeles just so I could see the filming locations.  Yes, I sat on the bench and ate in the very booth where Summer told Tom and McKenzie that she doesn't believe in love.  Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives an amazing performance as the optimistic-to-the-point-of-ignorance romantic Tom, and the brilliant, funny screenplay offers the most honest look at love in the genre since Woody Allen's Oscar-winning masterpiece.

Ellen Page


Smart People - Though Page is best-known for her work in Juno, it's far from her only worthwhile performance.  This dark comedy features Page among a talented cast including Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Thomas Haden Church, who all deliver great work (this is one of the rare times Sarah Jessica Parker isn't a loathsome bitch).  It's sharp, sweet, and funny at turns.

Tom Hardy

Bronson - Chronicling the life and imprisonment of England's most notorious prisoner, Charles Bronson, the film of the same name is defined by Tom Hardy's creepily thorough performance.  Hardy bares all, throwing himself fully into the role and delivering a frightening but somehow charming performance as the larger-than-life inmate.  His emcee-style narration is unforgettable.

Cillian Murphy


Red Eye - Murphy is perhaps best-known for his turn as the Scarecrow in Nolan's Batman films, but his villainous turn in Red Eye is perhaps even creepier.  Murphy is a master of glazing creepiness with charm; the careful balance is beautifully portrayed in his facial expressions, especially those haunting blue eyes.  His chemistry with Rachel McAdams makes his violent shift all the more effective.

Hans Zimmer


Sherlock Holmes - Last year's re-imagining of Doyle's classic sleuth wasn't completely successful, but one of its greatest strengths was Zimmer's bouncy, thrilling score.  His work was appropriately Oscar-nominated.