"The Prestige"

Last night we went to the English cinema.

We don't have "Orange" mobiles, but we still managed to find a way to get ½ price tickets. (Many thanks to Flik for the idea, and John and T.A. for helping us execute it.)

We didn't really know what was playing here, and seeing as how the only two theatres in town and right nexct to each other we just showed up at the cinema at 7:30. (British movie have only 1 evening showing - around 8pm.) We were quite surprised at the large queue for the box office - but quickly understood that the theatre was showing an advanced screening of "the Prestige" - a movie we've been waiting to see. So we went and saw that.

"The Prestige" is a movie about two rival stage magicians - played by Christian Bale (Batman) and Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) who live in London at the end of the 19th century. I am a big fan of the magic subject matter - go read "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell" by Susanna Clarke - and am thrilled that there are two movies (this one, and Edward Norton's "The Illusionist") coming out this season about Victorian era magicians.

This movie co-stars Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson, and has a minor role filled by David Bowie. Personally, we like all of these actors. Also, it's directed by Christopher Nolan (Momento, Batman Begins) - an amazing director - so, understandably, we were quite excited to see the movie. (I mean, it has Batman and Wolverine!)

We were not disappointed. The movie was really good, and has a lot of plot twists and turns. It has Nolan signature dark aspects to it, and the whole thing is pulled off quite well. Some of the plot twists we were able to see coming, but not nearly all of them. Also, many of the twists were quite different then we expected. Additionally, when the movie was over, and we had a chance to think about, and discuss, it we realized that overall the movie was really quite intelligent.

Definitely go see it.