Christopher Nolan Week: The Prestige

Are you watching closely?

You need to be in order to really relish Christopher Nolan's magical masterpiece, the Prestige which stars Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman and Scarlett Johansson

Following the success of Batman Begins in 2005, Christian Bale must have fancied the work of Nolan, taking up another leading role in a dark, twisted tale of exacerbation between two obsessive magicians.

Set upon the end of the nineteenth century, Robert Angler (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) are both associates of a seasoned magician by the name of Cutter (Michael Caine) who lives off teaching amateur magicians. An aged persona in Cutter, he can see serious potential in both Robert and Borden but both their perceptions of appropriate magic have wide differentiation.

When a magic trick involving a water tank goes wrong, ending with the drowning of Robert's wife, the blame is shed upon Alfred who had apparently back-tracked on which way he should have tied the knot, trapping Julia (Wife) until her death.

The after-mat of the unfortunate incident leads to the eventual plot of the prestige which consists of jealousy and rivalry. The death of Robert's wife sees both men depart, leading separate careers that result in twisted sacrifices. Both make it their all to become the best magician in the town, even if that means the sabotage of ones career, maybe life! The prestige shows a desperate tale of obsession and begrudging as Robert and Alfred struggle to reach the prime they ever so dream of.

"Now you're looking for the secret. But you won't find it because of course, you're not really looking. You don't really want to work it out. You want to be fooled." - Michael Caine's Cutter

Its dark concept reveals a love story from both camps as Olivia (Scarlett Johansson) sets a goal of deceiving both individuals, playing one off the other resulting in complications within Alfred's own relationship with Sarah (Rebecca Hall). Although Alfred and Robert show a hint of feelings for Olivia , both clever individuals see her as a spy as they both persuade her to infiltrate each others lives and performances resulting in what they hope is the revealing secrets within their magic.

Cutter is caught between the vicious rivalry as it is seen as the last straw for Robert who's desperate attempt to out-with Alfred is looking slim as he struggles to find a loop-hole within "The Transported Man", a gifted new trick holding a secret that Alfred will take to the grave!

Seen through the eyes of possessive magicians, the Prestige is an original, extraordinary tale of two individuals desperate to wow their audience with the next step...the prestige!

This is a glorious piece of work with memorable performances from both Bale and Jackman. Just like the previous work of Christopher Nolan, his brother Johnathan has also helped with the creation of a screenplay that proves once again that their weird and wonderful directing has resulted in a fantastic movie.

The prestige is one of my personal favourites and will go down as one of the best movies of the last decade. Michael Caine adds to the delightful cast with his presence resulting in an element that can only be relished and embraced through the experienced Christopher Nolan.

Overall: An original concept with performances and twists guaranteed to blow your mind!

B-Day, 22 Days. Are you Ready?

We were teased before the new year with just under a minutes capture of what was to come in the trilogy, or the end perhaps? A sick commissioner Gordon, a washed up Bruce Wayne and a tired looking Alfred. Like poor Alfred had not already got his work cut out, he now has to deal with a multimillionaire who dresses up as a bat, more than once a year! Not forgetting a flash forward of who could cause the beginning of the end for the caped crusader, Bane! (yeah I used the term caped crusader...George Clooney flashback! Apologies)

Well, time went by, people lived their life and talked about how typically mean Christopher Nolan was to show such lack of activity upon the first trailer. Although lets not forget the term, Teaser? Yes, this is whats used to get Batman/movie fans going viral with their thoughts and opinions. (Vlogs...of course)

Anticipation is an extraordinary thing. It pays off when a second trailer is released, official. Two full minutes of Christopher Nolan's genius concept to be. The trailer shows us Bane, and the chaos to come. Hopefully Tom Hardy's Bane is as cold as he seems, although blowing up an entire football field isn't exactly a "sane" thing to do is it? . So Besides from the sneaky flick of Catwomen and washed up Bruce...again, the highlight of the release is the possible plot to the movie. Bane wants to end Gotham and its only hope for survival.

"When Gotham is in Ashes, then you will have my permission to die" Tom Hardy's Bane

So then there is the third and final piece to this ridiculous, yet acceptable build up to what could be the best super-hero movie ever. On that note, is it wrong to say super-hero? on the basis of it been Christopher Nolan's masterpiece? I mean lets face it, as much as Batman has a history of being the super-hero/caped crusader in the past, this trilogy seems far from a "Save the Day" novel.

There are numerous additions to this trailer. The intro shows Bane and his affiliates hijacking a plane, in mid-air! obviously! I can't help but flashback to the bank scene in the Dark Knight. We all remember the classic introduction to the Joker and what he was all about. A first taste of his tricks to come. Oh, and a grenade in the mouth! I would be guessing the hijacking of the plane might just be the intro to The Dark Knight rises. Why wouldn't it be? It will definitely work. Plus we would all be lying to ourselves if we say we are more excited to see the Batman than Tom Hardy's portrayal as Bane...?

"I will not bury you, iv buried enough members of the Wayne family" - Michael Cain's Alfred

So if the destruction of Bane was not enough to show in the previous trailer, this one will settle the mind, for a while anyway. We see two bridges in Gotham collapse, we see the football field again, which is still a cool scene. This trailer gains serious advantage in relation to others regarding specific characters in the movie. Catwomen for instance. Anne Hathaway? I'm not convinced. Not on the basis of her reputation as an actor, but Catwomen's overall presence and relevance to the movie is yet to convince me. Although the chemistry between Bruce and Cindy, of what we are shown anyway looks a brilliant blend. The dance scene in the trailer where Selina tells Bruce in the nicest way possible,

"Theres a storm coming Mr Wayne"...Cold and nostalgic in relation to "Batman Returns". Ps no matter the out-come of this movie, Michelle Pfeiffer will always be the true Catwomen.

"You dont owe these people anything" - Catwomen

The fact that Joseph Gordon-Levitt also joins the cast is anonymous. It was great to see his brief appearance and hopefully makes for a good character as I rate him highly as an actor. In fact, who is he supposed to be? I am guessing either a crazed Batman fan, a down in the dumps journalist, rookie cop perhaps? or, wait for it...ROBIN!!? (Please no)

So anyway the trailer shows more washed up Bruce Wayne. He seems exhausted, weak and bewildered. It seems this is were Bane takes advantage. But never worry, I am sure there is an eye-opening speech that Alfred has prepared for when master Bruce says "No more". There is an upgrade in Wayne technology of course. The bat-jet,...or plane or car. yes flying car. According to Batman, he tells Catwomen "It's not a car" (Horse throat). Batman? c'mon, it's a car, with wings. A pretty cool car that I cannot wait to explore with my beautiful ability to see. :)

That pretty much covers it until its release JULY 20. I will update my blog if necessary. Until then, good luck. Ps Below is an exclusive picture of Tom Hardy's Bane, without the suit! :)

Links to the three trailers released below.

* The Dark Knight Rises #3 [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5VDDJlsD6I]
* The Dark Knight Rises trailer #2 [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GokKUqLcvD8]
* The Dark Knight Teaser trailer [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-Sktgm0aD8]