The Prestige, The Illusionist and The Good German
It's been ages since I've been to the movies (see, this journal's last entry was in July... true, I've seen Infamous and haven't written about it, but still...). It normally never happens but those days are hard.
Anyway, I finally rented some DVD's of films I had missed. Mostly blockbusters I couldn't have seen in a theatre that suits me anyway.
The Prestige
The story of a lethal rivalry between 2 illusionists in turn-of-the-century London...
A very good cast (Hugh Jackman, Michael Cane, Scarlett Johansson) and a very pleasant plot.
Nothing extraordinary but well done: a film built like a puzzle and a beautiful tale about obsession.
And Davie Bowie as Nikola Tesla ♥ ...
The Illusionist
Another film about a magician.
Again, at the end of the 19th century, but this time in Vienna.
And this time, the magician's opponent is no-one else than the Crown Prince.
Very good casting too (Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, whom I still remembered as the teenager from 7th Heaven, but she really grew up into a very good -and pretty- actress).
I can't help comparing both films and I think I preferred The Prestige because it was a bit more thrilling... but still, I liked them both and consider them both as good entertainments (and it certainly helps that I like magic tricks a lot).
The Good German
This was the one I thought I'd like best and after all, I ended up a little disappointed.
Soderbergh decided to recreate a film noir from the 1940's, starring Cate Blanchett and George Clooney, and taking place in the ruins of Berlin in 1945.
Sounds good, uh? Well, it is, but to me, it was lacking something. The whole thing I've been waiting for something, and I'm unable to tell you what. But definitely "something" was missing!
It's a beautiful exercise of imitation but in all honesty, I'd rather rewatch The Maltese Falcon or Gilda than this one.
Anyway, I finally rented some DVD's of films I had missed. Mostly blockbusters I couldn't have seen in a theatre that suits me anyway.
The Prestige
The story of a lethal rivalry between 2 illusionists in turn-of-the-century London...
A very good cast (Hugh Jackman, Michael Cane, Scarlett Johansson) and a very pleasant plot.
Nothing extraordinary but well done: a film built like a puzzle and a beautiful tale about obsession.
And Davie Bowie as Nikola Tesla ♥ ...
The Illusionist
Another film about a magician.
Again, at the end of the 19th century, but this time in Vienna.
And this time, the magician's opponent is no-one else than the Crown Prince.
Very good casting too (Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, whom I still remembered as the teenager from 7th Heaven, but she really grew up into a very good -and pretty- actress).
I can't help comparing both films and I think I preferred The Prestige because it was a bit more thrilling... but still, I liked them both and consider them both as good entertainments (and it certainly helps that I like magic tricks a lot).
The Good German
This was the one I thought I'd like best and after all, I ended up a little disappointed.
Soderbergh decided to recreate a film noir from the 1940's, starring Cate Blanchett and George Clooney, and taking place in the ruins of Berlin in 1945.
Sounds good, uh? Well, it is, but to me, it was lacking something. The whole thing I've been waiting for something, and I'm unable to tell you what. But definitely "something" was missing!
It's a beautiful exercise of imitation but in all honesty, I'd rather rewatch The Maltese Falcon or Gilda than this one.