If I say INSOMNIA is nowhere near Robin Williams' worst film, am I actually saying anything?

Do you ever have those moments where memory plays tricks on you? Where you change the shape of a room or the color of a car? Or maybe the end of a movie?

I've done it twice now - a few years ago, I could have sworn CASABLANCA's last shot of Ingrid Bergman was of her looking tearfully out an airplane window at Humphrey Bogart, but then I saw Alfred Hitchcock's NOTORIOUS again and realized I had added a shot from that film into my memory of CASABLANCA. And I just realized I did it with INSOMNIA, too.

My recollections of INSOMNIA were very fuzzy, but I hadn't realized just how fuzzy they were until Nicky Katt showed up and started making with the awesome (as he so often does). For years, I had operated under the assumption that the conclusion of the film was a nicely tied bow that linked two separate cases together under Robin Williams' guilt.

Turns out, that completely doesn't happen. At all. There isn't even a second case. So either there was some sort of unfortunate BLOOD WORK-related crossed-wire-in-my-mind thing, or I'm a fucking idiot.

It's still not a great film, or even a good one, really, but it's nowhere near the travesty I remember it being. Hilary Swank is given a pretty thankless role and she does very little with it, but Pacino has some nice moments here that, again, I didn't remember. He plays a nicely understated guilt through most of the film that is especially effective when you compare it against his more standard scream-loudly-and-wave-my-arms approach. The examination of a cop under investigation by internal affairs feels real and well-researched, as does the actual detective work in the film.

The real problem with the film is, sadly, Williams. Now, I love HOOK as much as the next man. I do not love THE FINAL CUT or ONE HOUR PHOTO. He's just not well-suited to playing creepy. There's too much cultural baggage for him to shake. He's the goddamn Genie, for Christ's sake. But even if we purposely deprived a child of such classics as ALADDIN, JUMANJI, and MRS. DOUBTFIRE in some sort of cruel social experiment, that poor, damaged child still wouldn't believe Robin Williams as a credible foil to Pacino. From the very first moment Williams comes on screen, we know what the end game will be. Williams might weaken Pacino, chip away at him, but in the end, there is no doubt about who the winner will be. The film steadily trails off from the point his character is introduced, which is unfortunate, as his relationship to Pacino is really the film's raison d'être.

Has anyone seen the Swedish original? Is it worth checking out? If it is, there might be a better option than just trying to forget this version - or imagine a version where Jeff Daniels plays the Williams role.

The only way Chris Nolan can top INCEPTION is to bring back Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman

Remember INSOMNIA? Yeah, I barely do either. I remember not liking it very much at the time, thinking it was full of generic performances from tired performers, with a terribly convenient 'twist' ending. Pacino looked like he was sleepwalking (which may have been the point, with the titular affliction and all, but still) and Robin Williams playing creepy just didn't work. I think Hilary Swank actually had the word BLAND written on her forehead in one scene. Like I said, the memories are a bit fuzzy, but the impression is pretty strong.

If it wasn't for INSOMNIA, Nolan's filmography would be almost impeccable. MEMENTO was an instant classic, flipping noir conventions while remaining true to that thematic core. His BATMAN films have somehow made their way into the hearts of fanboys and general audiences alike. THE PRESTIGE gave us David Bowie as Tesla. Even FOLLOWING, his first feature, shows a mastery of narrative, playing on different timelines with stunning ease. Which brings us to INCEPTION.

INCEPTION is Christopher Nolan's masterpiece, no bones about it. This is a film in the best sense of the word, as gripping an entertainment as it is a serious examination of humanity. It's a loving hodgepodge of everything from THE MATRIX to James Bond films to PERSONA to episodes of THE TWILIGHT ZONE and soap operas. And it all feels like the most cerebral MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE movie we'll ever see. It's also far more than the sum of its parts, not just a collection of fun references, but a distinct film with its own soul.

There's a moment in this film that is as close to pure cinema as anything I've ever seen. It's the zero-G fight, and it's an absolutely incredible piece of filmmaking that's sure to inspire young kids to play with their cameras for years to come. I had an ear-to-ear grin while the sequence was going, and I can't wait to experience it again.

What really comes through is Nolan's determination to make a viscerally thrilling movie with an involving, thoughtful film, and in my books, he completely succeeds. Everything is working on multiple levels in this film. For example, the big Bondian assault on the mountain retreat works as an incredible action setpiece, but also functions as commentary about the violence near the heart of the human psyche. I know that sounds incredibly pretentious, but that's what makes this film truly incredible.

The cast is incredible, too. Leo's playing the tormented genius, the team leader with a mysterious past. There's weird echoes to his character in SHUTTER ISLAND that I don't particularly want to get into, but he brings his now-trademark intensity to the role. Joseph Gordon-Levitt knocks it out of the park again, bringing an understated (and unexpected) menace to his enforcer role. Tom Hardy is an absolute revelation as the actor of the team (the Martin Landau, if you will). I've had BRONSON sitting on my to-watch pile for months, I can't wait to see it now. Ellen Page is given a kind of thankless role as the moral compass, but she's able to shade it with some nice grays as well. Ken Watanabe is having a ton of fun playing the shady businessman. And Tom Berenger! Yes, MAJOR LEAGUE's Tom Berenger!

INCEPTION is absolutely incredible, a film that instantly catapults Christopher Nolan from the list of interesting modern filmmakers to the list of all-time greats. We all need to go see this movie, and see it multiple times.

Hell, it's even got me considering an INSOMNIA re-watch.