The Prestige

The Prestige

By KaijuFMTV & Film
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The Prestige episodes

  • 2.44 - WAYNE’S WORLD (1992) & The Fourth Wall

    This week’s ‘palate cleanser’, post-Batman, is the iconic Mike Myers vehicle (iconic, but unwatched for one of us!). We talk about the conventions with which the film is fairly obviously playing, touch on its meta-filmic nature, and think about the extent to which this is a genuinely funny comic film with very few jokes.

    This Week’s Media

    TAMPOPO (1985): Juzo Itami, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Nobuko Miyamoto
    KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE (2014): Matthew Vaughn, Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson

    Recommendations

    PARKS AND RECREATION (2009—2015): Greg Daniels, Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones
    BILL AND TED’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE (1989): Stephen Herek, Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter
    THE CLASS OF 1999 (1990): Mark L. Lester, Bradley Gregg, Traci Lind
    JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK (2001): Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, Ben Affleck

    Footnotes

    Firstly, here’s more on the concept around which we’ve based this episode. Rob spends some time talking about Myers and camera angles; this gives more info on the details of this. This is the American TV series that required some Googling from us(!). And this is a good piece on some of the stories behind WW that we may not have had time to explore.

    31 min
  • 2.43 - THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2012) & The 1%

    We conclude our tour through the Batman universe (except for That Of Which We Do Not Speak [see footnotes]) with Christopher Nolan’s 2012 film. We talk about a visually impressive but ultimately pretty unsatisfying movie, earning narrative weight, and the dubious politics of Bruce Wayne.

    This Week’s Media

    GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 (2017): James Gunn, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana
    GET OUT (2017): Jordan Peele, Daniel Kaluuya, Alison Williams
    THEIR FINEST (2017): Lone Scherfig, Gemma Arterton, Sam Claflin

    Recommendations

    THE REVENANT (2016): Alejandro G. Iñarritu, Leonardo di Caprio, Tom Hardy
    INCEPTION (2010): Christopher Nolan, Leonardo di Caprio, Ken Watanabe
    MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (2015): George Miller, Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron
    ONE DAY (2011): Lone Scherfig, Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess

    Footnotes

    First of all, here’s our ‘small batch’ episode on the most recent Batman film, Zack Snyder’s 2016…effort. Here’s that Nerdwriter video Rob mentions (and his video on the evolution of Gotham is also apposite, as we come to the end of the franchise). We discuss two comic series, ‘No Man’s Land’ and ‘The Dark Knight’. And finally, I do enjoy these videos (there are some impressively thorough ones about more recent blockbusters, too).

    32 min
  • 2.42 - THE DARK KNIGHT (2008) & Ordered Disorder

    The ‘Nolanverse’ rolls on, as we focus on THE DARK KNIGHT. Sam’s view of the film may not be as predicted, before we talk about the origins of the Joker, what it means to really be chaotic, and the young loss of a phenomenal acting talent.

    This Week’s Media

    JOHN WICK (2014): Chad Stahelski, David Leitch, Keanu Reeves
    AMERICAN GODS (2017): Neil Gaiman, Ricky Whittle, Emily Browning

    Recommendations

    BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (2005): Ang Lee, Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal
    SPECTRE (2015): Sam Mendes, Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz
    HEAT (1995): Michael Mann, Al Pacino, Robert de Niro
    THE MAN WHO LAUGHS (1928): Paul Leni, Mary Philbin, Conrad Veidt

    Footnotes

    Rob mentions that one of his recommendations this week is a piece of German Expressionism; read more about this movement here, here and here. Speaking of which, here’s that eerily Joker-esque picture of Conrad Veidt. Not much else to add this week, apart from a great piece on Heath Ledger. And this is a fun article (not on movie mistakes, despite the page’s title).

    27 min
  • 2.41 - BATMAN BEGINS (2005) & Fear

    We’re back, after a week off, and it’s the first in the ‘Nolanverse’: BATMAN BEGINS. After predictably quite different opinions on the film(!), we come together to talk about fear, horror aesthetics, and how real Batman can be.

    This Week’s Media

    BLUE RUIN (2013): Jeremy Saulnier, Macon Blair, Devin Ratray
    GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 (2017): James Gunn, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana

    Recommendations

    28 DAYS LATER (2002): Danny Boyle, Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris
    THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (2011): John Madden, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy
    THE BIG SHORT (2015): Adam McKay, Christian Bale, Steve Carell
    HARRY BROWN (2009): Daniel Barber, Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer

    Footnotes

    Rob mentions the visual design of the Tumbler; if high-spec car stuff is your thing, then this article will be right up your alley. This is a good introduction to the Italian giallo genre. This is a reminder of the MacGuffin trope that Rob mentions. And finally, the links Rob made between medievalism and horror made me (Sam) think about this guy, whose artwork is beautiful and horrific and intriguing and bonkers.

    34 min
  • 2.40 - BATMAN AND ROBIN (1997) & Control

    Our Caped Escapades continue, with BATMAN AND ROBIN. Is this a film about who is or isn’t in control? And, most importantly, who is in control of this hot mess of a movie??

    This Week’s Media

    ROGUE ONE (2016): Gareth Edwards, Felicity Jones, Diego Luna
    THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (2016): Antoine Fuqua, Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt

    Recommendations

    BLAST FROM THE PAST (1999): Hugh Wilson, Brendan Fraser, Alicia Silverstone
    A BEAUTIFUL MIND (2001): Ron Howard, Russell Crowe, Ed Harris
    KILL BILL, VOLUME 1 (2003): Quentin Tarantino, Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu
    CLUELESS (1995): Amy Heckerling, Barry M. Berg, Alicia Silverstone

    Footnotes

    Again, not much in the way of further reading this week. The first thing to link to is Rob’s article on the film. Then, here’s another (though not entirely different) take. Here’s a readable list of hidden/not-so-hidden ‘gems’. And finally, here’s another link to a good book on feminism in pop culture, which the film sort of addresses, towards the end.

    32 min
  • 2.39 - BATMAN FOREVER (1995) & Addiction

    The next in the franchise — and the first Joel Schumacher film — is the 1995 commercial hit BATMAN FOREVER. Rob and Sam have…differing views of the film, but then we dive into comic-book adaptations, colour symbolism, and casting decisions.

    This Week’s Media

    FANBOYS (2009): Kyle Newman, Dan Fogler, Jay Baruchel
    THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (2011): David Fincher, Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara

    Recommendations

    TOMBSTONE (1993): George P. Cosmatos, Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer
    FALLING DOWN (1993): Joel Schumacher, Michael Douglas, Robert Duvall
    NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (2007): the Coen brothers, Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem
    WEST SIDE STORY (1961): Robert Wise, Jerome Robbins, Natalie Wood

    Footnotes

    Not much further reading this week, but here’s that article about the various choices made in the process of getting the film produced. This looks like a version that one of us would have much preferred. Rob mentions Watchmen; to remove any doubt, he meant the comic, the first in the series of which is one of the greatest books ever written, rather than the distinctly lacklustre film version. And finally, this is a good article (and video) on the symbolic uses of color in film.

    30 min
  • 2.38 - BATMAN RETURNS (1992) & Power

    Who’s in a position of power, and who isn’t? Our respective assessments of this film may surprise you; Rob’s diversion into the world of feminist theory certainly will!

    This Week’s Media

    POP CULTURE HAPPY HOUR (2013—): Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson
    DESIGNATED SURVIVOR (2016—): David Guggenheim, Kiefer Sutherland, Natascha McElhone
    THE PERFECT SCORE (2004): Brian Robbins, Erika Christensen, Chris Evans

    Recommendations

    FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM (2016): David Yates, Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston
    CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (2002): Stephen Spielberg, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks
    CELEBRITY (1998): Woody Allen, Hank Azaria, Kenneth Branagh
    ALL SUPERHEROES MUST DIE (2011): Jason Trost, Lucas Till, James Remar
    WEIRD SCIENCE (1985): John Hughes, Anthony Michael Hall, Ilan Mitchell-Smith

    Footnotes

    Rob mentions the phrase ‘beyond the pale’, right at the start, which is an interesting phrase to use when talking about power, duality, and exclusion; this is a good introduction. There’s more on the etymology of the name Shreck/Schreck/Shrek (also seen in cartoon form). As Rob explains, the name may well be a reference to German actor Friedrich Gustav Maximilian ‘Max’ Schreck. Finally, there is a LOT about feminism and femininity on film to get your proverbial teeth stuck into — the following are good places to start: 1, 2, 3, and (for an older take) 5.

    31 min
  • 2.37 - BATMAN (1989) & Duality

    We embark on another franchise, kicking off with one of Rob’s favourite directors. We get geeky about comics history, talk about why fairy-tales make parts of this film unsatisfying, and say just why the visuals and audio are brilliant.

    This Week’s Media

    MR ROBOT (SEASON 1; 2015): Sam Esmail, Rami Malek, Carly Chaikin
    JUNK FOOD CINEMA (2014): Brian Salisbury, C. Robert Carsgill

    Recommendations

    CHINATOWN (1974): Roman Polanski, Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway
    BIG EYES (2014): Tim Burton, Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz
    GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM (1987): Barry Levinson, Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker
    BRAZIL (1985): Terry Gilliam, Jonathan Pryce, Robert de Niro

    Footnotes

    If you want more comics geekery, about the 1954 Comics Code, the ‘Golden Age’ v. ‘Killing Joke’/‘Dark Knight’, etc., then these are some good links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. This is an interesting article about the links between horror and comedy that Rob mentions. Here’s a re-cap on what we mean by ‘the fourth wall’ (and 'breaking' it), and you can read more about a prominent theatrical tradition Rob talks about, here. Finally, Sam talks about why ‘Beautiful Dreamer’ is such a good theme in the film; you can get more on this, here.

    25 min
  • 2.36 - BACK TO THE FUTURE PART III (1990) & Homage

    The classic Zemeckis trilogy concludes, with talk of the many movie references in the film and discussion of what makes a parody a parody, as well as Another of Rob’s Theories about how cinema works.

    This Week’s Watching

    THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE (2015—): Frank Spotnitz, Alexa Davalos, Rupert Evans
    DAREDEVIL (2015—): Drew Goddard, Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll
    APOLLO 13 (1995): Ron Howard, Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon

    Recommendations

    UNFORGIVEN (1992): Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman
    INLAND EMPIRE (2006): David Lynch, Laura Dern, Jeremy Irons
    PHILADELPHIA (1993): Jonathan Demme, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington
    THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (1960): John Sturges, Yul Brynner, Eli Wallach

    Footnotes

    The GIF of Pauline Johnson on the train ledge in 1929 is here (courtesy of an interesting Twitter account). This is an interesting article, which covers many of the references we discuss. This is a piece espousing an opinion which you may think, after listening to this episode, may not be far from ours! The authors Rob mentions are Jules Verne and, unwittingly(!), H.G. Wells. And, finally, here’s a description of the TV series that sort of follows on from the franchise (but not quite).

    31 min
  • 2.35 - BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II (1989) & Re-Establishing

    We continue the franchise with the next Zemeckis installment, and it’s a divisive one! We talk American politics (inevitably), Spaghetti westerns (less inevitably), and how this is an interesting re-establishing of the first film.

    This Week’s Watching

    KONG: SKULL ISLAND (2017): Jordan Vogt-Roberts, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson
    IRON FIST (2017): Scott Buck, Finn Jones, Jessica Henwick

    Recommendations

    THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT (1995): Rob Reiner, Michael Douglas, Annette Bening
    PIRANHA 3D (2010): Alexandre Aja, Elisabeth Shue, Adam Scott
    THE FACULTY (1998): Robert Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Clea Duvall
    WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT? (1988): Robert Zemeckis, Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd

    Footnotes

    Firstly, Sam mentions the Marx brothers when we discuss the opening diner scene; this, as the URL suggests, is a fairly comprehensive resource! Here’s a summary of the ‘Dollars’ trilogy, for those unfamiliar with Biff’s favourite film. Back on BTTF territory, here’s an article we really should have linked to last week. Finally, here are a couple of vindications of Sam’s half-remembered Zemeckis—Spielberg connection (see? he was an EP!)g. (There are, sadly, no vindications of his theory that Elijah Wood and Orlando Bloom are secretly the same person.)

    34 min

About The Prestige

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A podcast for cinephiles of all stripes. Join Rob & Sam, two life-long friends, one a veteran of the film industry, the other a Cambridge-educated writer on books, movies and graphic novels. Each…