The Prestige

This weekend marks the opening for a movie I've been looking forward to since God knows when (and by that I mean Batman Begins). By the same director as Batman Begins, Christopher Nolan brings us another epic with intrigue, mystery, and gripping storyline. It's about two competing magicians, but that's all I will say about it, as my own assumptions were completely thrown about it. The entire time it keeps you guessing, wondering what is really going on; and that is where the movie strikes some sort of brilliance. What is the essence of a magic trick? To keep the audience guessing. Oh, and I don't mean keeping the audience guessing in the context of a movie by way of who will live and die, whose allegiance is to who, but more expansively, what really is going on altogether. The movie is long done and I'm still digesting all of it, and in my book, that's a damn good movie. Great acting, great music, beautiful cinematography and wonderful laying out of the story make it my great surprise movie of 2006. Usually my surprise movie is something that came out of the blue to impress me, but I was expecting gold from this movie, and it came out as diamonds. Highly recommended if you're looking for a movie that you can take something home with, not recommended if you're looking for a popcorn movie. Can't wait to see it again, and also absolutely cannot wait until the next Batman. Be watching Christopher Nolan, because he seems to be what everyone thinks/thought Peter Jackson is/was. Also, kudos to Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johannsen, the guy who was Golum and David freakin Bowie for excellent performances. Definitely worth the price of admission.