To Dream or Not to Dream: Part 1

I may have been the last person to have done it, but I have finally seen Inception. It was nothing like I thought it would be. Typically I hate psycho-thrillers, but this is the best one I have encountered, that has given me a new appreciation for the genre. Unlike others I have seen, Inception doesn’t solely rely on cheesy suspenseful music, and close-up shots of fear on the actor’s faces. It ignites true anticipation and anxiety rather than a fake imitation of the emotion.

Everyone is all gung-ho about the special effects, but for me it wasn’t even about that. I was pleased and surprised by the plotline-and to me that is the best aspect of the movie. After a constant stream of sequels, prequels, remakes, and cheesy plotlines, to watch a film with an original, unpredictably plot was simply refreshing. I started to suspect some things about the ending and some of my guesses were right, and some were wrong, but the fact that I had to, and wanted to, give my whole attention to every second of the movie was a more exciting than any predictable movie I could watch.

The idea of manipulation during a state of unconscious is not completely new to me. Ideas like studying right before you go to bed, so that the concepts you learned can fully manifest themselves in your mind is an example of this. However, I can’t deny that the idea of someone taking advantage of my sleeping, vulnerable state doesn’t freak me out a bit. Though the concept was well made, including things like your subconscious fighting against an obvious invasion, or the time proportions throughout each stage of a dream. The plotline didn’t have any loose ends, or theories that didn’t make sense in the scheme of things.

The special effects were spectacular. My favorite part is when DiCaprio takes Page dream-sharing for the first time and she folds their environment into a box so that the streets are above her. They didn’t look unrealistic at all, and even though in reality it is too hard for me to conceive, on film, the visual representation of that idea translated perfectly.

The perception of death in this movie is one of the more psychologically disturbing aspects of the movie. The characters tread a fine line between the ideas that killing someone can be inconsequential and that death is an ending of a life. Throughout the film the characters steadily blast away “projections” and yet DiCaprio’s character (who probably kills the most amounts of people in the whole movie) is still reluctant to shoot the projection that is his wife.  It was just jarring, mentally, for me to constantly switch back and forth between death not being real, and death causing a lasting emotional impact on the characters.  The transitions were smooth in the film, but my mind couldn’t make the switch as easily.

Inception played with my mind, but it didn’t destroy it. I am so tired of psycho-thrillers meant to scare me out of my wits-and nothing else. This particular film addresses the idea of regrets, the fact that putting actions to our thoughts can ultimately alter who we are, and how we should tread carefully when manipulating the thoughts of others.  Inception took psycho-thrillers to a new level, one that blended a story that seems so realistic on screen, that I know I couldn’t conceive in my everyday reality. Honestly, I am glad I got to see such a cool movie, I just wished I hadn't watched it so close to my bedtime. Who knows how warped my dreams will be tonight?

For more information on Inception, check out the IMDB page or the Offical Movie Site.

Part Two with the recipe comming soon!
Questions? Observations? Suggestions? Post a comment below.

Confessions about Toffee Apples

Okay I have to tell everyone the truth. I recommended the Toffee Apple recipe without bothering to try making it. So in an effort to redeem myself I decided to give it a go.

Unfortunately, I have a terribly cavalier approach to cooking so I attempted the recipe without really looking at the ingredients. I omitted the vinegar and the butter. I just put sugar in a pot (white sugar, since my brown sugar seemed to be hiding somewhere beneath the box of flour, yeast, and baking powder) and added water. In an effort to display my culinary genius, I added juice from an orange as well.

It actually went okay at first. The mixture started boiling just like in the video. But after a few minutes I started to feel a little uneasy. Instead of the big clear bubbles, I was getting a foamy layer on top that just didn't look right at all. It smelled kind of good though. I tasted it quickly.

Now most people know that you should never touch caramelizing sugar because it really can burn you. I got to learn this the hard way when I rushed to put cold water on my scalding tongue. But no matter! It tasted okay. The mixture was still pretty clear and had not browed enough yet, so I turned my attention to the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" while stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon.

Who knew the Fresh Prince could be so captivating? 20 min later I looked down at my burned sugar and water with horror. But I decided to continue anyway. I felt bad in wasting all that sugar.

I dipped a piece of an apple in, waited for it to cool and took a bite. The coating was so sticky. It tasted, well, bad-to be completely honest. BUT, it wasn't terrible and it had potential. Surely following the recipe and giving the food my undivided attention would've resulted in a sweet and delicious treat.

I decided to watch Sherlock Holmes anyway. Even though my toffee apples were messed up, Nutella and apples makes a wonderful compromise.

An Apple a Day Keeps the Detective Away

Sherlock Holmes: There is one odor I can’t quite put my finger on.Watson: Mm?

SH: Is it candy floss? Molasses?

(Watson turns around to see bad guys entering)

SH: Maple syrup? Barley Sugar!

W (facing bad guys): Toffee apple.

(SH turns around as arsonist holds up his toffee apple and smirks.)

Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, and Mark Strong is my favorite movie of 2009. Of course watching Jude Law play the hot sensitive guy and Mark Strong plays the evil villain can get old after awhile but the script was side-splitting. Robert Downy Jr. is entertaining with his portrayal of a seemingly half-drunk, cunning detective who has flaws, and yet manages to find every clue. His partner in…well not crime, but in using unorthadox methods in order to preserve justice is Jude Law. He plays the voice of reason who attempts to tone down Holmes’ madcap methods.

Of course there’s a love interest. The fetching Rachel McAdams plays a mysterious woman who is able to keep up with Holmes’ witty banter. Her character is a little wishy washy and underdeveloped, but at least she doesn’t detract attention from Holmes’ zany detectiving.

The movie’s mysterious, yet comical air is almost cartoonish. Almost like…a TOFFEE APPLE! The color palette of nitty gritty London is a perfect match for this post’s recipe.

Toffee apples foodify (like personification but with food, get it?) the character of Sherlock Holmes.  The sourness of a green apple suits Holmes surly/tangy/witty nature while the sugary toffee encasement represents the sweet, delightful moments of hilarity that Holmes brings to the film. This is the perfect treat to make for your friends next time you get together to watch Sherlock Holmes.

Watch the video and follow the link to see the full recipe. Enjoy!

Fruit:
How To Make Toffee Apples

 (P.S. A Toffee Apple = Candy Apple, and yet neither of them are the same thing as Caramel Apples. Toffee Apples have a hard sugar coating, and the process of applying it is very different from making caramel apples. So don't dip apples in sugar and put them in the fridge thinking you are making toffee apples, 'cause you're not.)

For more information on Sherlock Holmes, check out: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0988045/

Or, http://sherlock-holmes-movie.warnerbros.com/dvd/index.html

Questions about the recipe? Suggestions for movies?  Post a comment below.