I didn't love the fairly non dramatic (if visually impressive) battle scenes that much either, although the dime-a-dozen hoodlums as you call them didn't particularly bother me. In fact they seemed extremely apropriate given that this was a dream, they weren't real people, just someone's concept of menacing figures.

@Jeffalford regarding Paprika

I am going to check this one out, moved to No.1 in my queue.

edit(for some reason this didn't come up as a direct reply,oh well)

I loved Inception, second time was better, IMAX and all. Can't wait for it on Blu-ray.

Though I watched The Fountain again recently, and I must say, that movie is just gorgeous and really weird. I think I like it better than Inception

Inception was a decent enternaining movie for me. And I refreshing exception of the usual re-make, sequel, animated kids movie flinging that is going on for quite a while now.

As for fav movies. Well I guess from the older days it's Boondock Saints.

Pan's Labyrinth was a very good one in my book too, btw.

To me Inception  was  amazingly overrated. It  lacked  common  sense, and  lacked a true  sense of  wonder.  Don't  get  me  wrong, I  still kinda  liked it,  but  I  was  floored  by  it's lack of  creativity, because the  trailer  was very promising. Acting  was first  rate  and the film was  mounted  well. A couple of  the  effects  were cool  (the  folded urban  landscape).

The story of  a dream  whith a  dream   is  NOT  new.   But  if people  have  forgotten,  dreams  distort  reality, they go  askew and  create unknowns  that  would  probably  not  make  people venture into  dreams simply  because it  would be  too risky  and  with  too many  variables.  Dreams  are  surreal, the  film's  dreams  were   vanilla.

Here's  a few dream movies that people should   check out:

The Lathe of Heaven: This is the PBS 300,000 dollar version not the Scifi piece of garbage. Almost only 3 people in the entire film, well acted and brilliant. Amateur effects. Approved by the author Ursulla K. LeGuin. The Lathe of Heaven book is perfect. An intelligent amazing film.

Akira Kurosawa's Dreams: It's Kurosawa, enough said.

Dreamscape: A small budget effects film in the 80's. Effects look 1/2 outdated with today's computer effects but a fun, popcorn cruncher well done flick.  Closest  to Inception.

Requiem for a Dream: It's a guided tour through hell for 4 people. Not much of a point but brilliantly acted by Ellen Burstyn.

The Cell: The Cell earns a place among such movie mind-trips as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Altered States, What Dreams May Come, and Un Chien Andalou. But the story lacks cohesion.

When Dreams May Come: Sad effects film starring Robin Williams. Moving of the  painting-like  effects  were inspired by Hudson River and German Romanesque schools of painting, so I'm a sucker for that.

Just my  two  cents, of  course, I could  be  wrong.

I will say this was the BEST movie of Summer 2010!

It was a good movie, I enjoyed it.

but...

Most of the really cool special effects were in the trailer and the rest of the movie was sorta lacking.  The previews (as they often did) lead one to believe the movie would have a lot more mind blowing special effects (and I'm kinda tired of hollywood overdoing special effects but still, I thought the preview was a bad tease).

The movie was too long and started to drag - it could've had 30+ minutes cut and still been as good a movie.

The ending was awesome.

@ Tryptophan , I apologize for not paying attention! I hang my head in shame. but I hope you watched and enjoyed the movie  one of my favorites!

I am not familiar with The Fountain, is it based Ran Ma Tales of the Fountain?

Found a copy of The Fountain  thanks for the heads up guys!

I went to see Inception Saturday evening.  Solo, but the cinema is a two miute walk from my apartment.  Tickets are 3 to 5 dollars - depending on age, status.

Was very well done. And like all well crafted stories, the title actually has a double meaning.  The end of the movie just leaves you spinning, not sure ,,, If you like movies that explore what it is to be human, this is a must see.  I usually lke romantic comedes.. so go figure.

(it was kinda jarring to see one of the "third rock from the Sun" kids playing a serious role!)