Death Note Trailer. Enjoy!

Directed By Christopher Nolan

Starring

Hugh Jackman...as Robert Angier

Christian Bale...as Alfred Border

Michael Caine...as Cutter

David Bowie...as Nikola Tesla

Scarlett Johansson...as Olivia Wenscombe

Piper Perabo...as Julia McCullough

Synopsis (From the official website of The Prestige)

From acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan ("Momento", "Batman Begins"), comes a mystery of two magicians whose intense rivalry leads them on a life-long battle from supremacy full of obsessions, deceit and jealousy with dangerous and deadly consequences.

From the time that they first met as young magicians on the rise, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) were competitors. However, their friendly competition evolves into a bitter rivalry making them fierce enemies-for-life and consequently jeopardizing the lives of everyone them.

"Every great magic trick consist of three acts. The first act is called "The Pledge"; the magician shows you something ordinary, but of course... it probably isn't. The second act is called "The Turn"; the magician makes his ordingary some thing do something extraordinary. Now if you're looking for the secret... you won't find it, that's why there's a third act called, "The Prestige"; this is the part with the twists and turns, where lives hang in the balance, and you see something you've never seen before." - Cutter (The Prestige 2006).

The Prestige refers to the third stage of the three-part-structure of every magic act, where the "magic" of the act is revealed.

The powerhouse cast, teamed with acclaimed director Christopher Nolan, this is one movie that you shouldn't give a miss. Wolverine Hugh Jackman, teaming up with Batman Christian Bale are not better suited actors for the role of Angier and Borden. Adding on to the strong cast and crew (screenplay by Jonathan Nolan) is the well written plot, from the original novel by Christophre Priest.

Of course, no doubt the performance of Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale is certainly a credible one. The chemistry of hatred and revenge and competition between these two couldn't have been better. Though Jackman did have the showier dark character of Angier, Bale certainly had a better lead in his character Bale, a restrained magician who is in conflict with the craft of magic and illusion and his personal life.

However, as usual, there is always one good actor that secretly steals the show... and its none other than Oscar Winner Michael Caine. Taking upon the role of Robert Angier's engineer, Cutter, Caine captures the audience with the loyalty and conviction as a team with Angier, depicting the wisdom of what a true partner/friend is really about. He performs Cutter with such absolute conviction and ease that captivates one and all.

Apart from the star studded cast, the story is definitely two thumbs up. The story opens up with a complicated storyline, and I must admit that although the skilful use of flashback techniques that jump to and fro in time was captivating, it did add a little confusion at the beginning. However, it was still engaging anyhow. But rest assured that no Hollywood production will allow the audience to be left confused throughout, the story continues to seek the attention of the audiences, and gradually unfolds...silently and unexpectingly. Truly.

A word of warning though... this is one movie that requires the audiences' utmost attention and engery throughout the entire screening. The sullen and moody atmosphere of The Prestige feel heavy and certainly isn't one movie that brings cheerfulness to lighten up your day. The broodiness is throughout this 130 minute movie, but I can assure you that you'll never feel the drag and you'll be surprised how 2 hours could have actually passed. I was certainly taken aback. And not forgetting to mention, the unexpected twist and turns will satisfy the audiences from the start to the very end of the movie.

And as mentioned, the skilful use of flashbacks sequences and placeholders by Nolan was done rather so flawlessly that time just seems so fluid in The Prestige. Audiences are brought to and fro time, yet clearly knowing which era they are in without being explicitly told... yes, there's no "2 years ago" kind of subtitles appearing before your very eyes.

"Are you watching closely?" - Borden (The Prestige, 2006)

One thing I feel that should be mentioned that although the movie is about magicians and their craaft, about how magic actually "works" or rather, the secrets behind the illusions, I've learnt one new thing that I never realised. Behind each magician, aside from the pretty female assistant as a distractor, the planted staff amongst the audience, and the seemingly 'ordinary' props, through The Prestige I learnt of the importance of an engineer behind each magician. Not just an engineer that would suffice... but a loyal engineer who never appears on stage, working meticulously behind the scenes who designs elaborate contraptions solely for his magician's use.

The Prestige is indeed a movie that teachs and brings about many lessons in life subtly. And remember, secrets are dangerous things and it comes with a price.. which you don't know how much you have to pay, until it is too late. That is one lesson I have learnt from The Prestige.

(My Rating: 4.5/5)

Death Note Trailer. Enjoy!

Directed By Christopher Nolan

Starring

Hugh Jackman...as Robert Angier

Christian Bale...as Alfred Border

Michael Caine...as Cutter

David Bowie...as Nikola Tesla

Scarlett Johansson...as Olivia Wenscombe

Piper Perabo...as Julia McCullough

Synopsis (From the official website of The Prestige)

From acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan ("Momento", "Batman Begins"), comes a mystery of two magicians whose intense rivalry leads them on a life-long battle from supremacy full of obsessions, deceit and jealousy with dangerous and deadly consequences.

From the time that they first met as young magicians on the rise, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) were competitors. However, their friendly competition evolves into a bitter rivalry making them fierce enemies-for-life and consequently jeopardizing the lives of everyone them.

"Every great magic trick consist of three acts. The first act is called "The Pledge"; the magician shows you something ordinary, but of course... it probably isn't. The second act is called "The Turn"; the magician makes his ordingary some thing do something extraordinary. Now if you're looking for the secret... you won't find it, that's why there's a third act called, "The Prestige"; this is the part with the twists and turns, where lives hang in the balance, and you see something you've never seen before." - Cutter (The Prestige 2006).

The Prestige refers to the third stage of the three-part-structure of every magic act, where the "magic" of the act is revealed.

The powerhouse cast, teamed with acclaimed director Christopher Nolan, this is one movie that you shouldn't give a miss. Wolverine Hugh Jackman, teaming up with Batman Christian Bale are not better suited actors for the role of Angier and Borden. Adding on to the strong cast and crew (screenplay by Jonathan Nolan) is the well written plot, from the original novel by Christophre Priest.

Of course, no doubt the performance of Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale is certainly a credible one. The chemistry of hatred and revenge and competition between these two couldn't have been better. Though Jackman did have the showier dark character of Angier, Bale certainly had a better lead in his character Bale, a restrained magician who is in conflict with the craft of magic and illusion and his personal life.

However, as usual, there is always one good actor that secretly steals the show... and its none other than Oscar Winner Michael Caine. Taking upon the role of Robert Angier's engineer, Cutter, Caine captures the audience with the loyalty and conviction as a team with Angier, depicting the wisdom of what a true partner/friend is really about. He performs Cutter with such absolute conviction and ease that captivates one and all.

Apart from the star studded cast, the story is definitely two thumbs up. The story opens up with a complicated storyline, and I must admit that although the skilful use of flashback techniques that jump to and fro in time was captivating, it did add a little confusion at the beginning. However, it was still engaging anyhow. But rest assured that no Hollywood production will allow the audience to be left confused throughout, the story continues to seek the attention of the audiences, and gradually unfolds...silently and unexpectingly. Truly.

A word of warning though... this is one movie that requires the audiences' utmost attention and engery throughout the entire screening. The sullen and moody atmosphere of The Prestige feel heavy and certainly isn't one movie that brings cheerfulness to lighten up your day. The broodiness is throughout this 130 minute movie, but I can assure you that you'll never feel the drag and you'll be surprised how 2 hours could have actually passed. I was certainly taken aback. And not forgetting to mention, the unexpected twist and turns will satisfy the audiences from the start to the very end of the movie.

And as mentioned, the skilful use of flashbacks sequences and placeholders by Nolan was done rather so flawlessly that time just seems so fluid in The Prestige. Audiences are brought to and fro time, yet clearly knowing which era they are in without being explicitly told... yes, there's no "2 years ago" kind of subtitles appearing before your very eyes.

"Are you watching closely?" - Borden (The Prestige, 2006)

One thing I feel that should be mentioned that although the movie is about magicians and their craaft, about how magic actually "works" or rather, the secrets behind the illusions, I've learnt one new thing that I never realised. Behind each magician, aside from the pretty female assistant as a distractor, the planted staff amongst the audience, and the seemingly 'ordinary' props, through The Prestige I learnt of the importance of an engineer behind each magician. Not just an engineer that would suffice... but a loyal engineer who never appears on stage, working meticulously behind the scenes who designs elaborate contraptions solely for his magician's use.

The Prestige is indeed a movie that teachs and brings about many lessons in life subtly. And remember, secrets are dangerous things and it comes with a price.. which you don't know how much you have to pay, until it is too late. That is one lesson I have learnt from The Prestige.

(My Rating: 4.5/5)