This looked like an intriguing film already, but David Bowie playing Nikola Tesla?

This is looking good.

http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/story.asp?NID=17544

Dave

This looked like an intriguing film already, but David Bowie playing Nikola Tesla?

This is looking good.

http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/story.asp?NID=17544

Dave

Wow, way to dig that one up!! I am looking forward to this one!

Sounds interesting but I was hoping for a movie about Tesla himself and his not-so-well-known experiments. I've read that the mad scientists of the older movies were a characterization of Tesla.

Wne to the movies and had to choose between The Prestige and The Departed, so we settled on The Prestige. If you've seen Memento and Insomnia, you will recognize Christopher Nolan's style right away. The flashbacks and skip aheads were sort of confusing at first, but came together in the end. It was entertaining but not fantastic. Hugh Jackman is just not a leading man...although I could definitely see him as Jack. Maybe a little to old though..

This looked like an intriguing film already, but David Bowie playing Nikola Tesla? This is looking good. Dave

I checked it out the weekend it was released, and I give it a very big thumbs up.

Excellent casting, rich production design, intense directing...all of it was top notch. Unlike "The Illusionist," "The Prestige" does not leave you with that "oh give me a break" feeling, like you've just been cheated with a cheap trick. Yes, there are elements of plotting that the more astute film-goer and fantasy enthusiast will be able to second-guess half way through...but the most important aspects of the film, the realization of just what a person is willing to go through in full dedication of their task, in life...that provides for a very visceral denouement...IMHO.

As for Bowie, his Tesla was pretty good. A bit low-key for my taste, but I think he pulled it off. His looks have changed enough over the years that he was able to disappear into this small supporting role rather easily.

** LEGACIES Spoiler **

They demonstrate two specific 'unknown' Tesla inventions in the movie...one which plays a very prominent role in Paul's RJ novel, "Legacies."

Arrivaderci!

Mike

p.s. And no, I never read the novel it is based on...

Wne to the movies and had to choose between The Prestige and The Departed, so we settled on The Prestige. If you've seen Memento and Insomnia, you will recognize Christopher Nolan's style right away. The flashbacks and skip aheads were sort of confusing at first, but came together in the end. It was entertaining but not fantastic. Hugh Jackman is just not a leading man...although I could definitely see him as Jack. Maybe a little to old though..

Saw it with my wife. OK, but not as good as I thought it should be. Some bad loose ends and confusing story line. Flashbacks were excessive.

p.s. And no, I never read the graphic novel it is based on...

Mike, it isn't a graphic novel, it is a full length novel by a British author called Christopher Priest.

Dave

Mike, it isn't a graphic novel, it is a full length novel by a British author called Christopher Priest. - Dave

You don't say. I'll have to hit the library this week and try to find it. I really enjoyed the movie and am curious how the novel reads.

Thanks for the heads-up, Dave!

Mike

Christopher Priest'sbook, "The Prestige" is very entertaining, written in a very interesting style where he writes the book through the Diaries of the two magicians. The Movie is materially different than the book. I don't want to give away anything about either medium, but i'd be interesting in hearing from others who both read the book then saw the movie.

Given it's director (Christopher Nolan), it's stars (Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine and a dandy cameo by David Bowie), I was hoping to like "The Prestige" more than I did. It's lovely to look at, but the story trips over itself. I saw the major plot twists long before they unfolded onscreen. I did like the opening and closing shots; the latter added understanding and depth to Hugh Jackman's line: "I never knew if I was going to be the man in the box or the man who returned." If you think about that, it's quite eerie.

In summary, I liked "The Prestige" with a fair-to-middling rating, and it left me with something to ponder, which is always enjoyable. Add Tesla and his inventions to that, and you've got a movie that folks on this board will most likely enjoy.