Miscellaneous Movie Musings

Strangler Lewis · 06-11-2007, 01:17 PM

I liked both, but I found the competition at the core of "The Prestige" to be more compelling than the lost/found love thing at the core of "The Illusionist." "The Presige" reminded me of "Sleuth." "The Illusionist" reminded me of "The Princess Bride," except without the humor and the ROUSes.

I also thought that Christian Bale's character was fairly interesting in that, at least initially, he was unlikeable in a fairly lowkey, "What's wrong with this asshole" sort of way. The movie's low ratings might be attributable to the fact that Edward Norton provides more of a solid core for a movie than Hugh Jackman who is basically a handsome dish towel. Actually, to my mind, "The Prestige" was Jackman's most compelling showing since, like Tom Cruise, he seems to be at his best playing a handsome fellow who is totally in over his head.

Snowflake · 06-11-2007, 01:41 PM

I enjoyed them both, as I said. I found them both to be predictable. My main beef about The Illusionist was a plot point in the wrapup/flashback, was not seen during the course of the film, and that made me mad (like a Christie novel, adding a last minute character). It was stylish and entertaining.

The Prestige had more heft plotwise, but was equally predictable to me (I understand the book is much better). I felt nothing for either character, in fact I was more interested in David Bowie.

Both worth a Netflix rental, neither worth buying and keeping.

06-11-2007, 01:17 PM	#1
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	I liked both, but I found the competition at the core of "The Prestige" to be more compelling than the lost/found love thing at the core of "The Illusionist." "The Presige" reminded me of "Sleuth." "The Illusionist" reminded me of "The Princess Bride," except without the humor and the ROUSes. I also thought that Christian Bale's character was fairly interesting in that, at least initially, he was unlikeable in a fairly lowkey, "What's wrong with this asshole" sort of way. The movie's low ratings might be attributable to the fact that Edward Norton provides more of a solid core for a movie than Hugh Jackman who is basically a handsome dish towel. Actually, to my mind, "The Prestige" was Jackman's most compelling showing since, like Tom Cruise, he seems to be at his best playing a handsome fellow who is totally in over his head. __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
	Submit to Quotes

06-11-2007, 01:41 PM	#2
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	I enjoyed them both, as I said. I found them both to be predictable. My main beef about The Illusionist was a plot point in the wrapup/flashback, was not seen during the course of the film, and that made me mad (like a Christie novel, adding a last minute character). It was stylish and entertaining. The Prestige had more heft plotwise, but was equally predictable to me (I understand the book is much better). I felt nothing for either character, in fact I was more interested in David Bowie. Both worth a Netflix rental, neither worth buying and keeping. __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
	Submit to Quotes