Comic Books ahoy.

Greetings, and welcome to my film reviews:

The Prestige (Christopher Nolan; 2006) [U.S.A.]

My previous post last week wasn't much of a review, so I thought I'd expand on my incoherent praise. Christopher Nolan's "The Prestige" is adapted from Christopher Priest's novel of the same, adapted for the screen by Nolan and his brother, Jonathon. We last saw them team up for "Memento". The film follows the careers of two rival stage magicians at the turn of the 19th century: the theatrical Angier, Hugh Jackman, and the more talented but less flamboyant Borden, Christian Bale. The film tracks the magicians' obsessions over a single trick: a transportation trick. But what started as a rivalry soon turns evil, and both magicians pay heavy prices to outdo the other.

I've been looking forward to this movie for months, ever since I saw the trailer earlier in the year, and I have to say that I wasn't let down at all. To start with, I thought the casting was excellent, with Jackman portraying the obsessive, almost borderline psychotic Angier with enough intensity, but also the traces of an emotional scar after losing his wife. Christian Bale, of course, can just do about anything in my eyes, and portrayed the cocky Borden with a tough arrogance and...charm...to pull it off. Michael Caine supported them well, as a trick designer/builder, whatever you call it, who observes the magicians' obsessions. Scarlett Johansen pulled off an English accent nicely as a stage assistant, and David Bowie was a very nice surprise as Tesla, a scientist whom Jackman's character seeks out in America.

The script, of course, was tight and concise, with crisp dialogue delivered well. The intensity of the subject matter was well observed, and as the obsessions grew, the script observed that, and the sacrifices became greater. The themes of the film were very well defined.

With a plot that jumps across time, it's very easy to get lost, but the editing kept the plot moving along quite nicely, and the act breaks were blended together quite well. The second half of the second act did drag for me, as it does in every film, but it recovered nicely and delivered a final "prestige" worth hanging around for.

Really, the only faults I'd have with the film are that it could have been a little shorter, with some trimming around the latter part of the second act. I would have liked to have seen how talented the characters really were in illusions, but that's just me. I felt that part of the script wasn't explored enough.

All in all, I thoroughly recommend it, and class it as one of my favorite films.

X-Men: The Last Stand (Brett Ratner; 2006) [U.S.A.]


After a drug has been produced that "cures" mutants of their mutation gene, lines are drawn between humans and the mutant community. Professor Xavier, leader of the X-Men, believes a diplomatic approach should be undertaken, but Magneto, leader of "The Brotherhood", wish to take the cure by force and destroy whoever is in their way. Meanwhile, Jean Grey has been found alive, but an evil subconscious force within her, "The Phoenix", runs rampant, and Magneto utilises her to her fullest potential in his war against humans.

Deviation from the comic books notwithstanding, my problems with this film were not with the plot. The mutant "cure" was enough premise for a third sequel, and I was looking forward to seeing it achieved.

The script, however, let md won. After a wonderful first sequel, "X2", (Which I purchased today on DVD, incidentally), the screenplay for this film felt sloppy. Act breaks were easily picked, dialogue was corny, scenes that should have had my heart racing kept me bored. Sure, the massive fight scene at the end was cool, but it lacked *heart*. I was looking forward to a face-off between Pyro and Iceman, as predictable as it may be. I wanted to see them spewing forth their powers in a rage, trying to outdo each other as the tension grows higher...but instead I got a headbutt. What the heck was that?! It was like they ran out of money at the last second.

Casting was fine, but I don't particularly enjoy Halle Berry as Storm.

I don't have a *lot* to say about the film, because the film doesn't have a lot to say itself. I enjoyed it, sure, but definitely the worst of the series.

2.5/5 for me.

Flickering pictures or home alone?

Many people try to argue that with the growth of home entertainment systems, the cinema will eventually die. What with DVDs, do-it-yourself surround sound and television quality you could kill for, the magic of cinema is disappearing, they say.

I disagree. And it disturbs me I had to wait two seconds before remembering how to spell "disappearing".

I don't think the cinema will ever die. Sure, piracy will continue to grow, concession stand prices will probably stay high, Hollywood will continue to spurt forth crapola and ticket prices will still cost a mill worker's weekly wage. But no, it will never die. Because the cinema offers an experience a home-entertainment system can only replicate at a lower level of intensity.

There is nothing like sitting in a dark room with strangers who are all paying to feel emotions they would give anything to avoid in reality. Sure, you can watch the same film at home, but do you notice how the jokes are less funny, the kisses are less intimate, the explosions are less dramatic and the conspiracies less thrilling?

Anakin can fight Obi-Wan at home, but you'll only hear the collective gasp at the cinema. It raises the level of intensity to a new height.

And that, my friends, is all I have to say about that.

The recent posting of a video, "Iraqi Kids Run For Water", highlights the indecent and cruel treatment of Iraqi civilians by coalition forces. Not only does this seemingly small and insignificant event reflect poorly on the U.S military, but on the U.S. as a whole.

This is democracy and fairness? This is equality for all?

It says a lot that an Iraqi child has to run down the street for fresh water, being taunted by the forces meant to be protecting him.

Get. Out. Now.

I'm afraid I'm going to have to re-assess my favorite films list:

1. "Moulin Rouge!" (Baz Luhrman, 2001) [AUS]

2. "Beauty and the Beast" (Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise, 1991) [U.S.A]

3. "Singin' In The Rain" (Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly, 1952) [U.S.A]

4. "Finding Neverland" (Marc Forster, 2005) [U.K]

5. "The Prestige" (Christopher Nolan, 2006) [U.S.A.]

Seriously. Go and see it. Now.

Freaking. Awesome. No more needs to be said.

I'm trying to think of all the bands and artists I've seen live:

John Farnham x 3
James Taylor
Thirsty Merc
Maroon 5
Boy Sets Fire
Goldfinger
Frenzel Rhomb (Spelling?)
Linkin Park
The Living End
Jurassic 5
Shihad
Nickelback x 2
Three Days Grace
Plumb
Juke Kartel
Antiskeptic x 2
Compliments of Gus x can't remember, too many.
Green Day
Jimmy Eat World
My Chemical Romance

I'm sure there's more I can't remember.

...and as of last night, U2. Freaking awesome show, loved the whole thing.

And no, Kanye West does not count.

I'm sitting at my desk, this...quite disgusting Monday afternoon, and I have nothing to do. I've finished uni classes, I'm not working until Wednesday.

I suppose I could study for my French exam...I'll do that tomorrow.

I just have this overwhelming wave of laziness. Any cures?

The Democrats have the majority in the House of Representatives.

The Democrats have the majority in the Senate.

Hilary Clinton is back in.

Donald Rumsfeld has resigned.

This is a glorious day, indeed.

There's something difficult to explain about musical theatre. It's hard to explain that magical feeling of being entrapped in a performance to someone who doesn't appreciate it.

But how could you not...appreciate it? Sure, I love my films, but there's just something intoxicating about seeing a story unfold before your eyes. And being in a room with other people enjoying the same thing. It's really awesome.

Musical theatre is fantastic, because it uses a variety of mediums to express emotion. When words aren't enough, we sing. And man, the fantastic songs that musicals have produced:

Bring Him Home
On My Own
Seasons Of Love
Oklahoma
Mein Herr
Anything Goes
Guys and Dolls
Defying Gravity
Soliloquy
Lily's Eyes
Phantom of the Opera
Memory
Hey There (I maintain the Pajama Game is an awesome musical).
America
Singin' In the Rain

And so many more.

Musicals make me happy.

Your Inner European is French!

Smart and sophisticated. You have the best of everything - at least, *you* think so.

Who's Your Inner European?

I've always wondered why people are rude to other people from the get go.

If I meet someone, I am polite. I offer a handshake, smile, etc. Not because I have to, but because I am interested in people and I genuinely want to know who they are and what they do.

I don't understand the mindset of 'I've never met you, but I'm going to be rude to you." If more people were genuinely polite and interested in others, half the world's problems would be solved.

Hooray, for I exist.

I've completed my last assignment - so I'm done with classes and assignments, FINALLY. All I have left is my French exam on the sixteenth, but that'll be a breeze so I'm not too fussed.

I've just finished a fascinating book - "The Case For Christ". Lee Strobel, a journalist with the Chicago Sun-Tribune, became interested in the authenticity of the gospel accounts of Jesus Christ when his wife became a Christian. He seeks out experts in the field and questions them about certain things:

1. Can the gospels be trusted?
2. Did a person, namely, Jesus of Nazareth, exist?
3. Did he believe he was the son of God?
4. Was he crazy?
5. Was he crucified?

And so on. I must say, even though I'm a Christian, this book reaffirms my belief from a historically accurate standpoint. It's such a fascinating, compelling book, and even more authentic for it comes from the point of view of a skeptic.

Also, I've started a book called "Waking the Dead" by John Eldredge. I always love his books - they're such an insight into his mind. I'm quite enjoying this one. Not as much as Wild At Heart or Journey of Desire, but enjoying it nonetheless.

And with that, I'm going to read more of it.

By the way, I have a car now! A nice 1987 Corolla. It runs VERY well :)

Good luck and good night.