'Inception' Is Great Entertainment

"It's gratifying to experience a summer movie with large visual ambitions and with nothing more or less on its mind than (as Shakespeare said) a dream that hath no bottom." -- Michael Phillips, the Chicago Tribune.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Coming Soon: John Lennon Biopic

Here's a trailer for Nowhere Boy, a biopic of the early life of John Lennon. Looks good.

Critics Schmitics. Airbender Was Enjoyable

Yes, there were slow moments. But overall, The Last Airbender stayed true to the spirit of "Book One: Water" of the animated series. Granted, I saw it in 2-D, not 3. And that's probably how it was supposed to be viewed before the scramble for 3-D flourishes brought on by Avatar. But, yes, the movie scored only 8 percent on RottenTomatoes because 1) most of the critics didn't watch the cartoon series on which it was based and 2) they weren't the audience anyway. I'm hoping for a part two. The movie debuted in No. 2 and has since grossed $62.5 million.

Mad Men, Glee Top Emmy Nods

From the first commercial for the sneak peak way back when, I knew Glee would be damn good TV. And it's place as one of the most affecting and addicting new comedies ever was solidified today when it nabbed 19 Emmy nominations, including acting nods for Lea Michele, Matthew Morrison, Jane Lynch and Chris Colfer. Neil Patrick Harris and Kristin Chenoweth are nominated for their guest turns on the series.

Our other favorite show, Mad Men, was nominated 17 times. And this year, January Jones -- who seriously killed it last season as Betty Draper -- is nominated for female lead in a drama. Christina Hendricks and Elisabeth Moss compete in the supporting actress race, John Hamm gets another lead male nod and John Slattery competes for a supporting actor award.

Other standouts:

• Showtime's crazy spectacular Nurse Jackie (did you see the last minute of the second season finale!) nominated for best comedy and actress (Edie Falco)
• That guiltiest of guilty pleasures, True Blood got a nomination for dramatic series (disappointed there were no acting nods for Anna Paquin who plays Sookie and Nelsan Ellis who plays Lafayette)
• You Don't Know Jack, HBO's Dr. Kevorkian bioflic starring Al Pacino (nominated for lead actor) as well as Brenda Vaccaro and Susan Sarandon, who compete in the supporting actress race
• Mary Kay Place and Sissy Spacek, both nominated for their work on Big Love
  

Check out the full list of nominations at The Envelope at the Los Angeles Times.