Christopher Nolan has had audiences fervently discussing the ending of his ingenious sci-fi Inception for the last 4 years, as it remains ambiguous whether extractor Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is awake or, in fact, still inside the dream world. The very image of the spinning totem is a potent metaphor for audiences to ponder on the nature of their own reality, and just might have students poring back over their dusty Descartes books to consider the notion of "I think therefore I am". As a still, it takes on an even more interesting meaning, as if we do not see the totem spinning in motion, we can never be sure of whether it will continue to spin or is mere nano-seconds away from wavering and falling over. Outside of the movie's context, this means less about being awake or asleep, and is simply more indicative of life's uncertainty: things might continue as they are, or could change at a moment's notice. Our reality is our own to confront and shape to our will as much as humanly possible. This sole image has fostered so many passionate discussions between cinema-goers that its power should certainly not be underestimated.
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
