What will you watch this weekend at the movies? Maybe a better question would be – what’s worth watching this weekend? After delivering “The Dark Knight,” one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful movies of the last decade, writer-director Christopher Nolan returns to cinemas this weekend with his most ambitious project yet – “Inception,” a film that carries the weight of being one of the most, if not THE most, anticipated film of 2010. Also new in theaters this week is the Jerry Bruckheimer fantasy actioner “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” starring Nicolas Cage and Alfred Molina as a pair of warring wizards fighting a 1,000-year battle in New York City (Are you laughing yet?).The following is my preview of the major movies opening in South Florida theaters this weekend and my thoughts on whether they’re worth your time and money or not.

INCEPTION

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page

Rated: PG-13 (for sequences of action and violence throughout)

WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan directs an international cast in an original sci-fi actioner that travels around the globe and into the intimate and infinite world of dreams. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb’s rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible—inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming. This summer, your mind is the scene of the crime.

WHAT’S THE BUZZ LIKE? “Inception” is unquestionably the most anticipated movie of the summer for almost every serious moviegoer and cinephile for a number of reasons. For one, it’s directed by critically acclaimed Oscar-nominated filmmaker Christopher Nolan (“Memento,” “The Prestige”) who’s coming off the biggest hit of his career (“The Dark Knight”). Secondly, it features a multi-national cast comprised of five Oscar nominees and two Oscar winners. Then there’s the movie’s brilliant marketing campaign that has positioned it as a cross between James Bond, “The Matrix” and “Minority Report” – not a bad start. Also, with almost every major summer blockbuster failing to deliver the goods this year, audiences will be hungry for a fresh and original movie – something that Nolan’s film certainly is. If the initial reviews and screening reports are to be believed, then movie fans will have good reason to believe that they’re going to be rewarded with one of the most dazzling movie-going experiences of the year.

WHAT’S MY TAKE ON IT? In a season when sequels, prequels and remakes are just about the only thing in movie theaters, “Inception” is like an Oasis in the middle of the Sahara. It’s a rare studio-made summer blockbuster that pushes you to think and rewards you with an experience that’ll leave you wowed, exhilarated and debating for days, perhaps weeks. With great action, a layered story, jaw-dropping visuals and award-worthy writing and direction, this is the type of big-budget moviemaking that Hollywood needs to deliver more of. It may not approach the levels of “The Dark Knight” but I dare you not to be impressed by its bold ambition and vision. GRADE: A

WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING? “INCEPTION” has been receiving almost universally glowing reviews. The following is a sample of the grades it has been receiving from critics around the nation.
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%; Top Critics: 74%; Average Rating: 8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes General Consensus: “Smart, innovative, and thrilling, ‘Inception’ is that rare summer blockbuster that succeeds viscerally as well as intellectually.”

Metacritic: 76/100 (Generally Favorable Reviews)

SHOULD YOU SEE IT? With a complex, multi-layered story, jaw-dropping action sequences and a story that combines elements of “The Matrix” and heist films like “Heat,” “Inception” is easily one of the most ambitious and cerebral blockbusters ever made. This is a MUST-SEE.

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*****

THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE

Directed by: Jon Turteltaub

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina, Monica Bellucci

Rated: PG (for fantasy action violence, some mild rude humor and brief language)

WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Walt Disney Studios, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Jon Turteltaub, the creators of the “National Treasure” franchise, present “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” — an innovative and epic romantic comedy adventure about a sorcerer and his hapless apprentice who are swept into the center of an ancient conflict between good and evil. Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina). Balthazar can’t do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness. It’ll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.”

WHAT’S THE BUZZ LIKE? “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” is uber-producer Jerry Bruckheimer’s second blockbuster of summer 2010 after the flawed but entertaining “Prince of Persia.” Like that film, “Apprentice” is a manufactured Bruckheimer experience to the tee. Add in Nicolas Cage, who has collaborated with Bruckheimer on six films now including the two “National Treasure” movies – which were also directed by “Apprentice” director Jon Turtletaub. While Cage’s roles and movies range from excellent to atrocious, this one seems to be one of the more mainstream, safe picks from the eclectic actor. On any other weekend, “Apprentice” may have been the top dog but this weekend, it’s unfortunately set up against “Inception.” To avoid direct competition from Chris Nolan’s blockbuster, Bruckheimer wisely moved up the release date of “Apprentice” to Wednesday, July 14 and watered down the rating to PG to get the widest demographic as possible.

WHAT’S MY TAKE ON IT? With its bombastic score, boisterous and CGI-laden action scenes, “The Sorcerer Apprentice” certainly makes a strong case for one of the loudest movies of the summer. But true to the saying, “empty vessels make more noise,” this fantasy action comedy hybrid is formulaic, forgettable and borderline idiotic at times. Still, with engaging performances from Nicolas Cage and Alfred Molina and a plot that flows effortlessly, this is a moderately entertaining effort. In this summer of suck, you could do far worse. GRADE: B-

WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING? “THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE” has been receiving mixed reviews. The following is a sample of the grades it has been receiving from critics around the nation.
Rotten Tomatoes: 40%; Top Critics: 29%; Average Rating: 5.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes General Consensus:

Metacritic: 46/100 (Mixed or Average Reviews)

SHOULD YOU SEE IT? If you’ve seen “Prince of Persia,” there really is no reason to see “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” because it essentially is tonally the same film. While Nic Cage and Alfred Molina are fun and there are some good action sequences, the movie as a whole isn’t strong enough to warrant a recommendation. WAIT FOR THE DVD.

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*****

NEXT WEEK: Angelina Jolie returns to the genre that made her a household name in America – the action thriller. Looking like a cross between the Jason Bourne films and “Mission: Impossible,” the Phillip Noyce-directed “SALT” should see Jolie again returning to the top of the box office. Early word has been encouraging and Jolie has been doing the rounds like an Indian on the warpath.  The other wide release of the weekend is the soon-to-be-forgotten kiddie movie “RAMONA & BEEZUS.” The art house district though will see the South Florida debut of one of the year’s best films – Lisa Cholodenko’s “THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT” starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore and Mark Rufallo.