The Prestige was on one of the movie channels last night and I accidentally tuned into it – and I could not turn it off. I forgot how brilliant The Prestige really is; it is an enthralling film filled with brilliant performances, a great cast and an amazing sotry.
I cannot tell you that the story behind The Prestige is simple as I do with some of my other reviews, nor can I tell you all about it as that would spoil the surprise. What I can tell you is that this film improves with every viewing because more layers of the story become clear to the viewer.
My favorite thing about the film is actually how it is structured; the film is structured like a magic trick. One of the characters sets up this structure at the beginning of the film; every magic trick contains three parts, the pledge where the magician shows you something ordinary but of course it isn’t ordinary, the turn where he takes the ordinary object and makes it extraordinary, and finally the prestige where the pay off of the magic trick is revealed - without the prestige the trick is worthless.
The pledge in this film seems so very ordinary; Cutter, Alfred, Robert & his wife Julia work for a magician and the Robert & Alfred have aspirations to become magicians in their own right. While performing a trick they have done hundreds of times something goes wrong and Julia is killed. Distraught, Robert blames Alfred for Julia’s death and both men leave their positions seeking to better the other as the world’s best magician a rivalry fueled by Robert’s anger at Alfred. Alfred and Cutter join forces to help bring Alfred’s magic to the public.
The turn is the middle of the film; Alfred has lived up to his word and created what appears to be the world’s greatest magic trick and no one can duplicate it. Alfred becomes massively popular and eclipse's Robert’s glory; the two men begin to compete even more than before and each forsee’s the other’s next step. Angered even more, Robert seeks to discover how Alfred’s illusion is managed and finally has Alfred stopped from performing his trick by having him arrested and tried for murder.
The prestige is what I cannot reveal, but it truly is the point in the movie where Christopher and Jonathon Nolan take what seemed to be an ordinary rivalry and turn it into something you never expected and a masterful bit of writing that makes the entire movie that precedes it more worth the viewing. Just like promised, the prestige of this film makes the entire movie worth watching again and again.
When I tell you that this movie is different I am not exaggerating. The story is more complex and layered that I can explain here without ruining everything for you. I think that this movie surprises and confuses people, but it is so worth your time.
Director: Christopher Nolan
Writers: Christopher and Jonathon Nolan
Alfred: Christian Bale
Robert: Hugh Jackman
Cutter: Michael Caine
Julia: Piper Perabo
Olivia: Scarlett Johansson
Tesla: David Bowie
Sarah: Rebecca Hall
Cutter: Every great magic trick consists of three parts or acts. The first part is called "The Pledge". The magician shows you something ordinary: a deck of cards, a bird or a man. He shows you this object. Perhaps he asks you to inspect it to see if it is indeed real, unaltered, normal. But of course... it probably isn't. The second act is called "The Turn". The magician takes the ordinary something and makes it do something extraordinary. Now you're looking for the secret... but you won't find it, because of course you're not really looking. You don't really want to know. You want to be fooled. But you wouldn't clap yet. Because making something disappear isn't enough; you have to bring it back. That's why every magic trick has a third act, the hardest part, the part we call "The Prestige".
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Penelope
I watched this again over the weekend because my best friend really wanted to see it. The movie didn't get old for me. I will admit that it probably palys better to girls, but I think this is a fabulous, cute movie.
What I didn't even think about until my friend pointed it out is that there is absolutely nothing objectionable in this film; there is no swearing, no sex, no vulgarity - and yet it plays to adults. I do think that this film really does show that if you make a good movie it is worth watching, even if you're trying not to be flashy and controversial.
I also really love that this movie is set outside reality while somehow keeping "reality" totally in mind. It bends just enough so that there is no specific time or place this film is set in, but that we can believe this crazy mystical world does exist. This movie was brilliantly designed.
Duty Cop: Detailed description?
Jessica Wilhern: Brown hair. Brown eyes.
Jessica Wilhern: A unique... ly pleasant personality.
Franklin Wilhern: Think pig.
Duty Cop: So she's a fat girl?
What I didn't even think about until my friend pointed it out is that there is absolutely nothing objectionable in this film; there is no swearing, no sex, no vulgarity - and yet it plays to adults. I do think that this film really does show that if you make a good movie it is worth watching, even if you're trying not to be flashy and controversial.
I also really love that this movie is set outside reality while somehow keeping "reality" totally in mind. It bends just enough so that there is no specific time or place this film is set in, but that we can believe this crazy mystical world does exist. This movie was brilliantly designed.
Duty Cop: Detailed description?
Jessica Wilhern: Brown hair. Brown eyes.
Jessica Wilhern: A unique... ly pleasant personality.
Franklin Wilhern: Think pig.
Duty Cop: So she's a fat girl?
Less Than Zero
I must admit that because this is the summer of Robert Downey Jr. I am very interested in seeing as many of his films as I can. In light of this I got Less Than Zero from Netflix. I had no idea what to expect from Less Than Zero, I actually thought it was a comedy. Turns out I was wrong, but I was not disappointed.
Less Than Zero follows three high school best friends six months after graduation: Clay is the goodie-goodie who goes to a far away college, his high school girlfriend Blair forgoes college to stay in LA and model, and their best friend Julian is taken up by a series of bad decisions and spirals into a constant state of dependency on drugs and alcohol. Clay returns to LA for Christmas break to discover that Blair and Julian are not faring well without him and Blair and Clay attempt to rescues Julian from the clutches of his addiction and Rip his dealer who he is in great financial debt to.
First and foremost this movie can make you feel bad for the spoiled, rich and beautiful – something that you really wouldn’t think of. None of these characters are feel-good characters, and you end up pitying them all for different reasons. Clay is the nice guy who was wounded by his girlfriend and best friend, and always tries to do the right thing; Blair is the beautiful girl that really wants it all and is hurting because she’s trying to figure out what she wants more now that she knows she can’t have it all; Julian is the great guy that just needs to get clean, but he’s the friend that you’d want in your life no matter how badly he screws up just because he loves you that much. Through the film all of the characters are put through extreme situations that somehow make you relate to them all.
What stands out the most in this movie is Robert Downey Jr.; this movie was made in 1987 and Downey must have been somewhere in the neighborhood of 20. However, his performance shows how much the man truly devotes to his craft and how dang good he is at it. Even as a young performer Downey disappears into the role; you watch Julian with such interest in this film partially because Downey is so captivating and able to produce so much sympathy from the audience.
This is a film that shows the dark side of the fabulous. It is very real, and very sad but to a fan of Downey, or an avid viewer like myself this is a great film to add to your vocabulary.
Director: Marek Kanievska
Writer: Harley Peyton
Clay: Andrew McCarthy
Blair: Jami gertz
Julian: Robert Downey Jr.
Rip: James Spader
Clay: Are you happy, Blair? You don't look happy.
Blair: But do I look good?
Less Than Zero follows three high school best friends six months after graduation: Clay is the goodie-goodie who goes to a far away college, his high school girlfriend Blair forgoes college to stay in LA and model, and their best friend Julian is taken up by a series of bad decisions and spirals into a constant state of dependency on drugs and alcohol. Clay returns to LA for Christmas break to discover that Blair and Julian are not faring well without him and Blair and Clay attempt to rescues Julian from the clutches of his addiction and Rip his dealer who he is in great financial debt to.
First and foremost this movie can make you feel bad for the spoiled, rich and beautiful – something that you really wouldn’t think of. None of these characters are feel-good characters, and you end up pitying them all for different reasons. Clay is the nice guy who was wounded by his girlfriend and best friend, and always tries to do the right thing; Blair is the beautiful girl that really wants it all and is hurting because she’s trying to figure out what she wants more now that she knows she can’t have it all; Julian is the great guy that just needs to get clean, but he’s the friend that you’d want in your life no matter how badly he screws up just because he loves you that much. Through the film all of the characters are put through extreme situations that somehow make you relate to them all.
What stands out the most in this movie is Robert Downey Jr.; this movie was made in 1987 and Downey must have been somewhere in the neighborhood of 20. However, his performance shows how much the man truly devotes to his craft and how dang good he is at it. Even as a young performer Downey disappears into the role; you watch Julian with such interest in this film partially because Downey is so captivating and able to produce so much sympathy from the audience.
This is a film that shows the dark side of the fabulous. It is very real, and very sad but to a fan of Downey, or an avid viewer like myself this is a great film to add to your vocabulary.
Director: Marek Kanievska
Writer: Harley Peyton
Clay: Andrew McCarthy
Blair: Jami gertz
Julian: Robert Downey Jr.
Rip: James Spader
Clay: Are you happy, Blair? You don't look happy.
Blair: But do I look good?
Friday, September 12, 2008
Prey for Rock & Roll
The most interesting thing about Prey for Rock & Roll is that it is a very gritty tale of the life of yet-to-be-successful rockers in LA – and they’re a chick band. This is a very independent film that most people have not heard of, thought it is at least worth watching once.
Prey for Rock & Roll follows the members of Clam Dandy who are all friends, all dedicated to their craft and all hoping that they can fall into their big break. The compelling thing about the story is that at one point or another all of these women admit that they are most likely never going to get that big break, yet that cannot give up because music is what makes them a complete human being. The film follows them through the ups and downs of their life in LA; one is addicted to drugs and needs to clean up, two are in a lesbian couple that deals with the complications of being a couple that lives and plays together, one is becomes a victim of rape, and the lead beings a relationship with the brother of a band member. The film is gritty, dirty and deals with female musicians in a way that I have not seen in another film; in fact I am not sure if there is another fictional film about female rockers out there.
What I greatly enjoy about this film is the frankness with which it deals with its characters and their issues. I don’t know if that frankness comes from the director or the writers, but it is refreshing to see the film deal with things like rape and drug addiction in the case of our female protagonists and not shy away from the emotional turmoil, stress and even the joy they take in their daily lives. These women are not glamorized, and nothing is glossed over because it is too dark or depressing. All of this lends to make very genuine, real female characters.
The music in the film is also a treat as the filmmakers had the actors learn and perform the songs. The actors actually toured through the country performing in an effort to make some publicity for the film. I think that this effort and dedication shows in the soundtrack and makes the entire film feel that much more real.
While I don’t think everyone will enjoy this film I do believe that it has a unique story to tell and unique characters to relay it and is well worth the watch.
Director: Alex Steyermark
Writers: Cheri Lovedog & Robin Whitehouse
Jacki: Gina Gershon
Tracy: Drea de Matteo
Faith: Lori Petty
Sally: Shelly Cole
Animal: Marc Blucas
Jacki: OK, two dykes, a wannabe rock star, and a tequila guzzling speed freak walk into a restaurant. I always imagined it would be a bit more, I don't know, glamorous. I mean we'd be in this big beautiful office, we'd sign on the dotted line, and we'd cut to band on stage, playing to thousands of adoring fans. Wow, I can't believe that my whole future is hanging in the balance at the Big Drip Cafe.
Prey for Rock & Roll follows the members of Clam Dandy who are all friends, all dedicated to their craft and all hoping that they can fall into their big break. The compelling thing about the story is that at one point or another all of these women admit that they are most likely never going to get that big break, yet that cannot give up because music is what makes them a complete human being. The film follows them through the ups and downs of their life in LA; one is addicted to drugs and needs to clean up, two are in a lesbian couple that deals with the complications of being a couple that lives and plays together, one is becomes a victim of rape, and the lead beings a relationship with the brother of a band member. The film is gritty, dirty and deals with female musicians in a way that I have not seen in another film; in fact I am not sure if there is another fictional film about female rockers out there.
What I greatly enjoy about this film is the frankness with which it deals with its characters and their issues. I don’t know if that frankness comes from the director or the writers, but it is refreshing to see the film deal with things like rape and drug addiction in the case of our female protagonists and not shy away from the emotional turmoil, stress and even the joy they take in their daily lives. These women are not glamorized, and nothing is glossed over because it is too dark or depressing. All of this lends to make very genuine, real female characters.
The music in the film is also a treat as the filmmakers had the actors learn and perform the songs. The actors actually toured through the country performing in an effort to make some publicity for the film. I think that this effort and dedication shows in the soundtrack and makes the entire film feel that much more real.
While I don’t think everyone will enjoy this film I do believe that it has a unique story to tell and unique characters to relay it and is well worth the watch.
Director: Alex Steyermark
Writers: Cheri Lovedog & Robin Whitehouse
Jacki: Gina Gershon
Tracy: Drea de Matteo
Faith: Lori Petty
Sally: Shelly Cole
Animal: Marc Blucas
Jacki: OK, two dykes, a wannabe rock star, and a tequila guzzling speed freak walk into a restaurant. I always imagined it would be a bit more, I don't know, glamorous. I mean we'd be in this big beautiful office, we'd sign on the dotted line, and we'd cut to band on stage, playing to thousands of adoring fans. Wow, I can't believe that my whole future is hanging in the balance at the Big Drip Cafe.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Penelope
When I saw Penelope in the theatre I thought that it would be either a pointless chick flick (which I hate) or a guilty pleasure movie; luckily, the film surprised me and turned out to be a thoroughly modern fairy tale.
Penelope follows the plight of Penelope Wilhern who had the misfortune to be born into a family curse; due to the dalliances of a distant relative far back in the aristocratic family line the town witch cursed the Wilhern family so that the next daughter would be born with the face of a pig and would remain that way until she was accepted by “one of her own kind” – another blue blood. Like any responsible parents, the Wilhern’s lock Penelope away from the outside world to help her escape ridicule and as soon as she is of age they begin to work on breaking the curse by finding an eligible blue blood man who will marry her.
Unfortunately, no blue blood can stand the sight of her and all run in terror –but are caught by the butler and made to sign a gag agreement until one day blue blood Edward manages to get away; he then teams up with Lemon a photographer to track down the truth about Penelope and expose her to the public. Along the line they bring in Max, a down and out blue blood to infiltrate the Wilhern’s system and help expose Penelope only something goes terribly wrong with their plan – Max begins to have feelings for Penelope but when she asks him to marry her he refuses. This leads Penelope to run away, discover herself, and continue to break the curse in this thoroughly contemporary fairy tale.
I think my favorite part of Penelope (other than James McAvoy & Christina Ricci) is the production design. I know it sounds little crazy, but there was no part of this movie that was not fully flushed out and created on a visual level, from Resse Witherspoon’s hair and winged vespa to Penelope’s scarf and room every detail was attended to, designed and placed to underscore the special world that Penelope takes place in. The costume designer too needs to be lauded and praised for what they did within the style of this film. All of the elements truly are things of beauty.
I highly recommend this film to anyone that enjoys a fairy tale, young or old. Penelope is a world that should be experienced by a great many people.
Director: Mark Palansky
Writer: Leslie Caveny
Penelope: Christina Ricci
Max: James McAvoy
Jessica Wilhern: Catherine O’Hara
Annie: Reese Witherspoon
Lemon: Peter Drinklage
Frank Wilhern: Richard E. Grant
Edward Vanderman III: Simon Woods
Penelope: Helaborasoreantalis. They're amazing; they bloom even in the winter.
Annie: That's cool.
Penelope: They just pop up without any help from anyone.
Annie: [laughs] Kind of like my ex-boyfriend, if you know what I mean.
Penelope follows the plight of Penelope Wilhern who had the misfortune to be born into a family curse; due to the dalliances of a distant relative far back in the aristocratic family line the town witch cursed the Wilhern family so that the next daughter would be born with the face of a pig and would remain that way until she was accepted by “one of her own kind” – another blue blood. Like any responsible parents, the Wilhern’s lock Penelope away from the outside world to help her escape ridicule and as soon as she is of age they begin to work on breaking the curse by finding an eligible blue blood man who will marry her.
Unfortunately, no blue blood can stand the sight of her and all run in terror –but are caught by the butler and made to sign a gag agreement until one day blue blood Edward manages to get away; he then teams up with Lemon a photographer to track down the truth about Penelope and expose her to the public. Along the line they bring in Max, a down and out blue blood to infiltrate the Wilhern’s system and help expose Penelope only something goes terribly wrong with their plan – Max begins to have feelings for Penelope but when she asks him to marry her he refuses. This leads Penelope to run away, discover herself, and continue to break the curse in this thoroughly contemporary fairy tale.
I think my favorite part of Penelope (other than James McAvoy & Christina Ricci) is the production design. I know it sounds little crazy, but there was no part of this movie that was not fully flushed out and created on a visual level, from Resse Witherspoon’s hair and winged vespa to Penelope’s scarf and room every detail was attended to, designed and placed to underscore the special world that Penelope takes place in. The costume designer too needs to be lauded and praised for what they did within the style of this film. All of the elements truly are things of beauty.
I highly recommend this film to anyone that enjoys a fairy tale, young or old. Penelope is a world that should be experienced by a great many people.
Director: Mark Palansky
Writer: Leslie Caveny
Penelope: Christina Ricci
Max: James McAvoy
Jessica Wilhern: Catherine O’Hara
Annie: Reese Witherspoon
Lemon: Peter Drinklage
Frank Wilhern: Richard E. Grant
Edward Vanderman III: Simon Woods
Penelope: Helaborasoreantalis. They're amazing; they bloom even in the winter.
Annie: That's cool.
Penelope: They just pop up without any help from anyone.
Annie: [laughs] Kind of like my ex-boyfriend, if you know what I mean.
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