Now You See Me // A crack FBI squad and a super-team of the world’s greatest illusionists, who pull off a series of daring bank heists during their performances, go against each other in the ultimate game of cat and mouse.
I went to my first magic show in New York City at the Waldorf=Astoria last year, and I was amazed so this movie that combines the magic of movies and real live magic tricks will be a fun one. I’m really digging the cast which includes my favorite mad genius Jesse Eisenberg, the sweet Melanie Laurent (Beginners), the guy who brought Hulk alive again Mark Ruffalo, always up for a good time Woody Harrelson, more than meets-the-eye Isla Fisher, and, you know, James Franco’s brother, Dave Franco. I am alittle concerned that it will not be the magical feat that I professes to be but rather a collection of Vegas performer cliches (ehh, not a fan of Vegas) coupled with a dufus cop that chases them around, but I have hope. I’m sure the movie will be full of misdirections for the audience so it’s will be one to pay close attention to while watching. Oh, and what is Morgan Freeman’s role in all of this? One of these diversions?
Slowly but surely, I’m still building on my previous list…
61. Someone can only hold you back from a better life if you let them [Smashed]
62. The group of outcasts is the group I want to be in [The Perks of Being a Wallflower]
63. The best men are the ones that stand up for their beliefs [Hunger]
64. Forget about coming up with a plan for anarchy, saying sentences with more than 5 “v” words, it difficult enough for me. Also, a shaved head can be hot. [V is for Vendetta]
There were many reasons I was looking so forward to seeing The Dark Knight Rises that I purchased a ticket to a midnight showing for the opening of the film to the public and dared any rowdy teenager (as their were many of them there ‘cuz yeah, it’s unfortunately summertime and they don’t have anywhere to go in the morning) to ruin my movie watching experience. One, Chris Nolan - I’m a dedicated, hardcore fan of his (if you know me well enough, you know that Memento is my favorite movie of all time). Two me, he’s a very exciting, introspective, intriguing writer/filmmaker who often captivates me in one way or the other. I have been really enjoying he’s take on Batman and what he has brought to comic book film history. It’s Chris Nolan’s world and I’m just living in it, folks. Two, Joseph Gordon-Levitt - I love him, pure and simple. It may be corny but there is a sort of joy that he brings to his acting that always makes me care out his characters and connects with me as a viewer. Also, there was much speculation on his role in the movie, and I was excited to see how he was really going to fit into the Batman universe (John Blake, rookie cop, my ass). Three, the cast. Except for Anne Hathaway (really?), everyone just made sense in their supporting roles when the cast was announced. Ahem, and I would like to note that I may from here on in refer to this movie as the unofficial Inception reunion (five, count ‘em, five actors + director in common). Tom Hardy especially made sense as he has been so great in transformative roles that I couldn’t help be into him as Bane. Four, last but not least, the story. I was alittle sad to learn that this would be the last of Nolan’s Batman (I actually think he won’t do any more of them and move on, which I actually think he should), but I wanted to see how it would wrap up. I was interested to see how the symbol of Batman stands and survives in the post-Dent world. As I had shared with a friend of mine, Batman has always been my favorite comic book hero and resonated with me because he’s imperfect, moody, and valiant; he represents the best and worst of us much more than any other superhero. I’m glad to say that I really enjoyed and applaud The Dark Knight Rises in so many respects. I didn’t feel it was an amazing movie or even one of Nolan’s best, but what it does do was present another consistent and interesting layer to the Batman mythos and remind us of things we can strive for in our own lives. I clapped at the end of the movie; I teared up alittle. It is more than a movie, that is worthy of attending. My Grade: B+
