film: review

> FALL 2006 REVIEW ROUND-UP– PART ONE
The Prestige, Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, and Casino Royale

By John C. Lyons
Film Critic

THE PRESTIGE (2006)
8.5/10

Full of twists and turns, The Prestige is very entertaining and well-acted. Director Christopher Nolan made this movie during what will end up being a “break” from the Batman franchise, and can this guy miss? Having Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, and David Bowie (!) in your corner isn’t bad either, but the man has some serious talent. This is one of two magician-centered, period-pieces released this year (the other was The Illusionist) and while I didn’t see the other yet, I can’t imagine how it could top this one. While I feel there was maybe one twist too many, this movie will have you guessing until the end. Great production all around, highly recommended.

BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN (2006)
7/10

Sacha Baron who? I have to admit that until this year I didn’t have much of a clue who Sacha Baron Cohen or his alter-ego “Ali G” were, let alone “Borat”. But now everyone knows him, including a whole lot of people who wish they never met the guy or saw his movie. In what I can only describe as another in a line of hybrid movies, mixing the rawness of reality-TV, mockumentary, and dark humor, we have Borat…, one screwed-up, hilarious movie. Borat is sent from Kazakhstan to America to report on what he finds there. That’s the gist of it, and I won’t even touch some of the movie’s outrageous surprises, but along the way we learn a bit about ourselves too. One being that a lot of Americans are pretty backwards themselves. Borat is an experience that can’t really be described. I rarely stopped laughing during its duration, but I’m not sure I would go back for a second visit. If you’re curious, you should give it a try, but if you can’t stand shows like South Park or Jackass, I’m going to guess this one will turn you off as well.

CASINO ROYALE
8/10

Bond is back. Again. Even though the series has been milked dry, I had high hopes for this umpteenth reboot, and aside from a borderline cheesy bit before its finale, Casino Royale and Daniel Craig (as the new Bond) are just what the franchise needs. It’s nice to see them go with more focus on story and character development instead of over-the-top action and special effects as well. Bringing in Paul Haggis, from Crash and Million Dollar Baby fame, to write the story was a smart move. Sure the film has its insane in-your-face moments, but there’s a nice balance here for a 007 movie. Rest assured, all the Daniel Craig haters are eating their words right about now. (Didn’t you see Layer Cake?!) Eva Green holds her own too as an indie talent (see The Dreamers) taking a chance on her second big Hollywood role. Can’t wait to see where they take it from here.

I saw these films at Cinemark’s Tinseltown 17 Theatres on Peach Street in Erie, PA.

(06-1121)