The Illusionist

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Brinn
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Post by Brinn »

I agree with Tara's W. The Prestige was a better movie. Darker, well acted, tremendous use of theme, excellent twists!
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A Gunslinger
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Post by A Gunslinger »

I have now seen both and agree that the Prestige is the far better of the two films. Nothin' beats a movie about obsession!
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[Syl]
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Post by [Syl] »

I disagree, but mainly because I think Jackman comes across as wooden and bland. That, and I was incredibly disappointed by the 'twists.' Pretty facile, IMO. For me, those two items put it about equal to The Illusionist, which is to say it was still pretty damn good.

I was also a little annoyed that one of the timelines continued after the mechanism for it ended, but that's a very minor complaint.
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-George Steiner
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dANdeLION
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Post by dANdeLION »

I liked them both. I prefer the story in 'the Illusionist'; it has a happier ending, and it never had to resort to Tesla's machine like 'the Prestige' had to in order to solve its plot.
Dandelion don't tell no lies
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Tell me if she laughs or cries
Blow away dandelion

I'm afraid there's no denying
I'm just a dandelion
a fate I don't deserve.

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Fist and Faith
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Re: The Illusionist

Post by Fist and Faith »

I just saw this. I really had no idea what to expect. (I hadn't read any of this thread, not that it gives anything away anyway.) I enjoyed it very much! Sure, the whole thing was obvious from before she died, but lots of stories are obvious but still great.
danlo wrote:Finally a plug for Giamati--I couldn't stand his whining in Sideways, but he impressed me in Cinderella Man and now-whoa, the dude has arrived!! 8)
Yes, he was whining in Sideways, but he was whining wonderfully! I absolutely love the first scene we see him tasting wine. "And a hint of cheddar cheese; and asparagus..." What a freakin' nerd!!! :LOLS: But extremely well done!

And yeah, he was great in Cinderella Man.
jelerak wrote:One question...

The doctor who examined her 'dead' body...what was his tie in with Norton's character?

He obviously was in on the charade...
I got the impression that the doctor really thought she was dead, and just didn't want people poking at her body and leering at her.
All lies and jest
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest -Paul Simon

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Post by dlbpharmd »

Yes, he was whining in Sideways, but he was whining wonderfully! I absolutely love the first scene we see him tasting wine. "And a hint of cheddar cheese; and asparagus..." What a freakin' nerd!!! LOL But extremely well done!
I love Sideways! It's hilarious!
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Fist and Faith
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Post by Fist and Faith »

Yeah, I'm a big fan too. I really like the overall oddness of it; the awkward, uncomfortable feel. And so many great moments. I love the moment with the motorcycle-helmet, and the naked guy in the street.
All lies and jest
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest -Paul Simon

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[Syl]
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Post by [Syl] »

The only thing I liked about Sideways was the whole wallet thing... when he lost it and when he went to get it back. That was funny.
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
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Re: The Illusionist

Post by SoulBiter »

Fist and Faith wrote:
jelerak wrote:One question...

The doctor who examined her 'dead' body...what was his tie in with Norton's character?

He obviously was in on the charade...
I got the impression that the doctor really thought she was dead, and just didn't want people poking at her body and leering at her.
I loved this movie..... the doctor was the illusionist! 8O
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Fist and Faith
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Re: The Illusionist

Post by Fist and Faith »

SoulBiter wrote:I loved this movie..... the doctor was the illusionist! 8O
8O Yeah??? Wow!
All lies and jest
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest -Paul Simon

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Tulizar
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Re: The Illusionist

Post by Tulizar »

SoulBiter wrote:
Fist and Faith wrote:
jelerak wrote:One question...

The doctor who examined her 'dead' body...what was his tie in with Norton's character?

He obviously was in on the charade...
I got the impression that the doctor really thought she was dead, and just didn't want people poking at her body and leering at her.
I loved this movie..... the doctor was the illusionist! 8O
Yeah, wasn't the doctor the old illusionist Eisenheim met when he was a lad---under the disappearing tree? He was in on the charade--the doctor was the same guy with Eisenheim at the train station.



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Fist and Faith
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Post by Fist and Faith »

Yeah, that does all make sense. I'd forgotten he had the helper at the train. I'm not surprised, but I hadn't noticed.
All lies and jest
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest -Paul Simon

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