Debbie Schlussel: Weekend Box Office: Excellent Magician Thriller, Dirty Harry's Attack on Patriotism
Here are this week's debut flicks, worthy of consideration (but not necessarily your attendance & 10 bucks):
* "Flags of Our Fathers"--Being brief here b/c I want you to read my full review, "Dirty Harry's White Flag on Patriotism." Slaps American patriotism in the face. Anti-war movie on the men who raised the flag in the Joe Rosenthal portrait at Iwo Jima. It's the wrong message at the wrong time (and any other time). Attacking our patriotic icons in the name of attacking war sullies us all. Sometimes war is not only necessary, it is imperative. Ditto for the "mythical" images that symbolize it.
The story behind the photo is really not that important. The larger picture of why we needed to fight World War II, including the Battle at Iwo Jima, in order to survive is the story that apparently needs to be told again, judging from the gushing over this movie. We don't need them to be dragged in the mud. Again, read my full review, "Dirty Harry's White Flag on Patriotism."
* "The Prestige"--Magnificent. This movie was excellent and has universal appeal to both the sexes. It's a thriller about two rival turn of the century magicians (Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale) who take revenge on each other to learn the secrets of their acts. The magic acts in Vegas have nothing on these guys. I loved this film and recommend it highly. Though it is the second period magician thriller, this year--the first was the excellent "The Illusionist"--it is hardly second best.
"The Prestige" is equally as good as "The Illusionist," and perhaps more exciting. Although the flashbacks and flashforwards and some of the tricks get occasionally confusing, in the end it is all tied together. "The Prestige" is the pay-off portion of a magic trick or illusion. It's when the magician brings back the thing he made disappear. Blast from the past: David Bowie, with a weird accent, plays real-life, amazing scientist Nikola Tesla. Can't wait to see him play Tesla in a bio-pic. Also stars Scarlett Johansson and Michael Caine.
Very cool and highly recommended. Along with "The Illusionist," it is one of the best movies of the year. Very enjoyable. What going to the movies is supposed to be about.
Posted by Debbie on October 20, 2006 04:46 PM to Debbie Schlussel