Hugh Jackman in "The Prestige"
courtesy of Disney Home Entertainment
"It's Magic Time"

There are some directors who make such a substantial imprint on their movies that they are more identifiable than the stars who appear. Such a man is Christopher Nolan. Nolan makes movie magic. He did it with "Memento," "Insomnia" and "Batman Begins." Now he really gets into actual magic with "The Prestige," a tale of competing magicians. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale play the two magicians and Scarlett Johansson is a possible love interest for both men.

As in "Memento," "The Prestige" does not follow a linear pattern for telling its story. It moves from the present day of the tale to the past and then to the middle and all around and back again. What you learn quickly is that Rupert Angier (Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Bale) started off working together as assistants to a magician. Angier's wife Julia (Piper Perabo) was also in the cast. A tragic accident occurred and the two men parted as bitter enemies.

Later they became fierce competitors with each man trying to find the ultimate trick or illusion to best the other. Borden also found love and married Sarah (Rebecca Hall) while Angier hired an assistant named Olivia (Johannson) with whom he also had a relationship.

A behind the scenes man named Cutter (Michael Caine) started out working with both men but eventually ended up in Angier's employ. He was the word of caution when the tricks became too dangerous.

The movie requires intense concentration in order to keep up with the twists and turns of the plot. It is an intricate script but it is also a fascinating one. Plus there are a couple of mysteries that aren't cleared up till the every end of the story. They provide the movie with the "huh" factor. You think about it and then you say "huh?" But that is the beauty of DVD, you can play it again and again until you fully understand everything that has gone on.

"The Prestige" was one of the best movies of the past year. Make sure you don't miss it.

It is difficult to believe it has been twenty-five years since Ben Kingsley stunned audiences with his magnificent portrayal of Ghandi in the film of the same name. Kingsley won the Academy Award for Best Actor and this performance led to a long and illustrious career.

Now the DVD of "Ghandi: 25th Anniversary Collector's Edition" is available and it is one that any movie buff should get and keep. It is enough just to have Kingsley's performance but you also get fine acting by Candice Bergen, Edward Fox, Martin Sheen, John Gielgud and Trevor Howard. Plus you get an assortment of "extras" which are bonuses on this collection.

This is a collector's edition you must have. "Ghandi" was a magnificent motion picture and it remains so until this day. It is a true classic - yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Kevin "Hercules" Sorbo stars in "Walking Tall: The Payback." It is advertised as a sequel to the original film but in my mind it is just a remake with new names. Once again a man returns to his quiet hometown to find it full of drugs and crime. He decides to clean it up and in order to do so he has to walk tall and carry a big stick.

Sorbo is perfect for this kind of movie and he makes it as exciting as can be. This is a fun film you can really enjoy. So get "Walking Tall: The Payback." They may not call him Buford Pusser in the movie but he lives up to the legend.

Finally the DVD that Scooby-Doo fans have long been waiting to see has arrived. It is "What's New Scooby-Doo: The Complete First Season." Yes this is the DVD that includes all thirteen episodes of that glorious first year. You get Scooby and the entire gang doing what they do best and that is solving crimes.

So after a long wait it is finally here. Don't hesitate, get "What's New Scooby-Doo: The Complete First Season" today!!!
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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