The Prestige

By KaijuFMTV & Film

The Prestige episodes

July 01, 2019 4.12 - DRACULA (1931) and Abstraction
The next film in our vampire sub-season is the first talkie: 1931’s DRACULA. We do some reviewing, some not-always-favourable comparison with NOSFERATU, and then talk about late-Victorian culture, temporal distance, and the fact that there are two very different sorts of vampire film.
Next Time
Our next film is another Bela Lugosi vehicle, from later in his career: THE RETURN OF THE VAMPIRE (1943).
Recent Media
GHOSTS (2019): Tom Kingsley, Lolly Adefope, Matthew Baynton
VERONICA MARS (2004–06): Rob Thomas, Kristin Bell, Percy Daggs III
Recommendations
FREAKS (1932): Tod Browning, Wallace Ford, Leila Hyams
WHITE ZOMBIE (1932): Victor Halperin, Bela Lugosi, Madge Bellamy
THE MUMMY (1932): Karl Freund, Boris Karloff, Zita Johann
Footnotes
Firstly, here’s a reminder of the 1897 source material for both this week’s film and last week’s: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracula. After our discussion of some of the brilliant camerawork in this film, here’s some more on this: www.tasteofcinema.com/2015/30-movies-with-the-most-brilliant-camera-work and www.slideshare.net/joebsmedia/camerawork-and-cinematography-in-thriller-movies. For more on Jack the Ripper, there’s so much to read out there; this www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Jack-the-Ripper and this www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/ripper_jack_the.shtml are good places to start. Finally, this is a pre-Code film; for more on what this means, as we’ve mentioned before, see here: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-Code_Hollywood.
28 min
June 17, 2019 4.11 - NOSFERATU and Longing
In our first film in a new 'sub-season', we tackle the 1922 classic that kick-started the vampire film genre (no, it wasn’t absolutely the first, but it was the first ‘mainstream’ vampire movie, and has inspired so many others). We have a special guest this week, who talks to us about German Expressionism, how this film is a reflection of contemporary events, and how to get 17-year-olds interested in a silent film from the 1920s!
Next Time
Our next vampire film is another cornerstone of the genre: DRACULA (1931).
Recent Media
CHERNOBYL (2019): Craig Mazin, Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård
SUMMER OF ROCKETS (2019): Stephen Poliakoff, Keeley Hawes, Linus Roache
GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS (2019): Michael Dougherty, Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga
TRIPLE FRONTIER (2019): J.C. Chandor, Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac
Recommendations
THE CABINET OF DR CALIGARI (1920): Robert Wiene, Werner Krauss, Conrad Veidt
METROPOLIS (1927): Fritz Lang, Alfred Abel, Brigitte Helm
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (2008): Tomas Alfredson, Kåre Hedebrandt, Lina Leandersson
THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN (1999–2007): Alan Moore, Kevin O’Neill, Bill Oakley
TABU: A STORY OF THE SOUTH SEAS (1931): F.W. Murnau, Matahi, Anne Chevalier
BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935): James Whale, Boris Karloff, Colin Clive
Footnotes
Before we get to this week’s film, the documentary film about Chernobyl that Jennifer mentions, to which the tv mini-series is indebted, is this. Firstly, then, there’s some important grounding in the genre of German Expressionism and in the story on which this film is based. This is a good introduction to the history of the time. This is the cinematographic technique to which Jennifer refers. And here’s more on the movement in medical thought, popular in the 17th century, which led Sam to have questions about the film’s history.
34 min
May 27, 2019 4.10 - THE RAID (2011) and the Visceral
In our last episode of this mini-season, we have reached the end of our focus on the Martial Arts genre, with 2011’s THE RAID. After some perhaps surprising reviews, we talk about how who/where we are in life has a huge effect on our reception of the films we watch, as well as some discussions of cinematic violence and consequences.
Next Time
Our next mini-season is vampire films, and we kick off with 1922’s seminal NOSFERATU: A SYMPHONY OF HORROR. (It’s not the first vampire film, but it is the earliest ‘mainstream’ hit...and the first we could readily get hold of, for viewing purposes!)
Recent Media
WASHINGTON BLACK (2018): Esi Edugyan
MEGA TIME SQUAD (2018): Tim van Dammen, Morgan Albrecht, Yoson An
Recommendations
THE NIGHT COMES FOR US (2018): Timo Tjahjanto, Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim
DREDD (2012): Pete Travis, John Wagner, Karl Urban
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (2015): J.J. Abrams, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill
OLDBOY (2003): Park Chan-wook, Garon Tsuchiya, Choi Min-sik
Footnotes
Firstly, the Marlon James interview with Adam Buxton is here: (Marlon’s thoughts on filmed violence are towards the end, but the whole interview is an excellent listen). Here’s a reminder of that Jackie Chan video referred to in our DRUNKEN MASTER episode, and again today. This is worth reading, thinking about the idea of cinematic claustrophobia — as Rob mentions when talking about the way this film is shot. We also talked about the idea of the underdog — a through-line which you can see from a character like Jirokichi, nearly a hundred years ago, to Rama; you can read a lot more here
Finally, in a good place to end our focus on the Martial Arts genre, here’s a good summary article (including some films we’ve covered, and some we haven’t been able to).
34 min
May 12, 2019 4.9 - DISTRICT 13 (2004) and Freedom
The penultimate film in our Martial Arts season might be seen by some as rather loosely connected to the genre: the 2004 parkour movie DISTRICT 13. We talk a bit about the film more generally, before getting into discussions of space, class, and hierarchy (not for the first — or, I suspect — last time on the Prestige…)
Next Time
Our final Martial Arts film (and one Sam’s absolute favourites) is 2011’s THE RAID: www.amazon.co.uk/Raid-English-Subtitled-Iko-Uwais/dp/B00FZSB57O.
Recent Media
AVENGERS: ENDGAME (2019): Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Stan Lee
IRON MAN (2008): Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, Robert Downey Jr.
BROOKLYN NINE-NINE (2013—): Dan Goor, Andy Samberg, Stephanie Beatriz
Recommendations
THE HUNGER GAMES (2012): Suzanne Collins, Gary Ross, Jennifer Lawrence
THE FIFTH ELEMENT (1997): Luc Besson, Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman
LA HAINE (1995): Matthieu Kassovitz, Vincent Cassel, Hubert Koundé
RUN LOLA RUN (1998): Tom Tykwer, Franka Potente, Moritz Bleibtreu
CASINO ROYALE (2006): Martin Campbell, Daniel Craig, Eva Green
Footnotes
Looking for connections between THE HUNGER GAMES and DISTRICT 13, I could find very little of note; this reddit thread, while interesting, is a case in point: www.reddit.com/r/FanTheories/comments/1ry6ma/hunger_games_location_of_district_13_spoilers. I’ll keep looking. On the innovative use of space in film, this is an interesting book: http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=QMvpybzKNAMC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false. The question of whether or not parkour is a martial art is addressed in numerous places online, including here: www.fightorflightacademy.com/blog/2017/12/3/martial-arts-vs-parkour and here: http:///teamfarang.com/blogs/news/do-martial-arts-and-parkour-go-together. Finally, the IMDB trivia for this film is a good read: /www.imdb.com/title/tt0414852/trivia?ref_=tt_trv_trv.
31 min
April 23, 2019 4.8 - THE LEGEND OF DRUNKEN MASTER (1994) and Comedy Action
We continue our Martial Arts season with Rob’s favourite decade (not just in terms of Martial Arts films, nor even in terms of films…just ever): the 90s. After some reviewing, we look at Jackie Chan’s use of the world around him, the difference between Chan films and Bruce Lee vehicles, and the pleasingly anarchic quality that this movie has when it comes to other characters’ involvement.
Next Time
Our next film in the Martial Arts season is a potentially genre-defying one: DISTRICT 13 (2004). Find it here
Recent Media
MARY POPPINS RETURNS (2018): Rob Marshall, Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda
KILLING EVE (2018): Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Jodie Comer, Sandra Oh
Recommendations
RUMBLE IN THE BRONX (1995): Stanley Tong, Jackie Chan, Anita Mui
SHANGHAI NOON (2000): Tom Dey, Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson
KUNG FU HUSTLE (2004): Stephen Chow, Danny Chan, Yuen Wah
A BETTER TOMORROW (1986): John Woo, Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung
Footnotes
(Apologies for the short footnotes this week: Easter-related, and it’s a busy time of year. Back on it next time!) The video about Jackie Chan’s action comedy is here. Here’s more on the hero’s journey, a trope which this film happens to avoid in large part. And finally, here’s an article about the extraordinary cultural impact of one of Rob’s recommendations this week.
30 min
April 09, 2019 4.7 - THE KARATE KID (1984) and Belonging
We continue our move into the ‘Western’ arena with another modern (ish!) classic of the Martial Arts genre: THE KARATE KID. After contrasting reviews (and a confession from Sam…) we look at the film in terms of its surprising comment on class tensions in the US, the ‘finding a family’ narrative of the film, and the way in which this episode of the podcast is actually about two entirely different movies.
Next Time
(yes, it has taken me 7 episodes to work out that this title needed changing…)
Our Martial Arts odyssey continues with a film that goes by two names: DRUNKEN MASTER II, or LEGEND OF THE DRUNKEN MASTER.
Recent Media (see above comment…)
BIRD BOX (2018): Susanne Bier, Josh Malerman, Sandra Bullock
CHEF’S TABLE (2015—): David Gelb, Brian McGinn, Clay Jeter
Recommendations
OCEAN’S 11 (2001): Steven Soderbergh, George Clooney, Brad Pitt
THE WAY, WAY BACK (2013): Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, Toni Collette
THE MIGHTY DUCKS (1992): Steven Herek, Emilio Estevez, Joss Ackland
MYSTERIOUS SKIN (2004): Gregg Araki, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Brady Corbet
Footnotes
We start by talking about the existence of this film as something of a pop culture artefact, rather than a conventional film; this article provides an interesting take on the place of film in US pop culture. An unfair comparison, maybe, but Sam would like to make sure everyone’s seen this. Should you too want to spend two and a half minutes finding out about this film (and then hating yourself for doing so), go ahead. Here’s the obligatory link to more on Rob’s favourite dramatist, and his influence in cinema. Finally, here’s a useful video on an idea Rob mentions at the very end of the episode.
31 min
March 25, 2019 4.6 - ENTER THE DRAGON (1973) and Strength
This week our focus has shifted from the Japanese and Chinese films laying the groundwork for the Martial Arts genre, as we land in the realm of a classic of ‘Western’ cinema: ENTER THE DRAGON. There’s not a lot to say in terms of reviews — it’s ENTER THE DRAGON! — but we soon get onto discussions of breakout films, Western/Eastern editing, and a canny use of multiple cinematic genres.
Next Week
Next week sees us continue our movement Westwards, with another Martial Arts feature aimed at a Western audience: the 1984 classic (what a great year!) THE KARATE KID.
This Week’s Media
QUEER EYE S3 (2019): David Collins, Antoni Topolski, Tan France
THE LIMITATIONS OF THE MCU (2019): Patrick (H) Willems
Recommendations
THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. (1964–68): Sam Rolfe, E. Darrell Hallenbeck, Robert Vaughn
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (1996): Brian de Palma, Tom Cruise, Jon Voight
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (1984): Wes Craven, John Saxon, Ronee Blakley
MORTAL KOMBAT (1995): Paul W.S. Anderson, Linden Ashby, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
Footnotes
First of all, the Patrick (H) Willems YT series on the MCU starts here. Onto this week’s episode...the wikipedia entry on Bruce Lee’s life is well worth reading. (I can’t stop reading, for example, about the various feuds and spats he had with people!) These reflections on Bruce Lee’s role in the film, from those involved in its making, are interesting. For more on the use of ADR in films, as mentioned by Rob this week, see here. (And this is a good article, also on the subject.) Finally, for more on the blaxploitation genre, which explains something of the Jim Kelly narrative in ENTER THE DRAGON, see here.
31 min
March 12, 2019 4.5 - COME DRINK WITH ME (1966) and War
This week’s movie is the seminal Hong Kong wuxia piece COME DRINK WITH ME (1966). After some initial reviews, we get into discussions of fantasy and reality, wire work, and on-screen violence.
Next Week
The next film in our Martial Arts season, and possibly the most famous title we’ll be looking at, is the classic ENTER THE DRAGON (1972).
This Week’s Media
RUSSIAN DOLL (2019): Natasha Lyonne, Greta Lee, Yul Vazquez
MASTERCHEF (2019): Franc Roddam, John Torode, Gregg Wallace
MARVEL 1602 (2003-04): Neil Gaiman, Andy Kubert, Scott McKowen
Recommendations
THE 14 AMAZONS (1972): Cheng Gang, Ivy Ling Po, Lisa Lu
DOUBLE TEAM (1997): Tsui Hark, Jean-Claude van Damme, Dennis Rodman
DIE ANOTHER DAY (2002): Lee Tamahori, Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry
KUNG FU PANDA (2008): Mark Osborne, Jack Black, Ian McShane
Footnotes
As we discuss International Women’s Day in the context of Cheng Pei-pei’s involvement in the film, here are a few interesting articles: 1, 2, 3. There’s more on wuxua films here:. The rumoured Tarantino remake is mentioned here (although it was green-lit by Harvey Weinstein, so it…probably won’t go ahead). Finally, the rumour about Jackie Chan’s involvement in this film (on which Sam based one of his recommendations!) can be found here.
31 min
February 24, 2019 4.4 - SAMURAI SAGA (1959) and Drama
This week our tour through Martial Arts movies has reached the 1950s, with SAMURAI SAGA (the Westernised title). After reviews of the film we launch into a discussion that ranges from 8 MILE to Kaiju movies, via US teen high-school drama…
Next Week
The next film in our Martial Arts season is 1966’s COME DRINK WITH ME, available here.
This Week’s Media
AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR (2018): Anthony Russo, Stan Lee, Robert Downey Jr.
THE AMERICAN MEME (2018): Bert Marcus, Paris Hilton, Josh Ostrovsky
ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL (2019): Robert Rodriguez, James Cameron, Rosa Salazar
Recommendations
SIERRA BURGESS IS A LOSER (2018): Ian Samuels, Shannon Purser, Kristine Froseth
THRONE OF BLOOD (1957): Akira Kurosawa, Toshiro Mifune, Minoru Chiaki
ROXANNE (1987): Fred Schepisi, Steve Martin, Daryl Hannah
GODZILLA (1954): Ishirō Honda, Akira Takarada, Momoko Kōchi
Footnotes
The basic story of the source material is here. On day-for-night shooting, as discussed by Rob, see here. Here’s that astonishing-yet-wordless Heath Ledger performance. This is the most prominent Kevin Smith Q&A in which he refers to his weight (and his ‘ownership’ of this). Finally, here’s that piece of information about the link between Toshiro Mifune’s other films and the final scene of this one.
30 min
February 11, 2019 4.3 - SUGATA SANSHIRO (1943) and Perspective
The next in our series of martial arts films — and the first ‘talkie’ — is 1943’s SUGATA SANSHIRO, the debut of our old friend Akira Kurosawa. After differing initial reviews — appropriate, given this week’s theme — we talk about everything from sports films to the MCU.
Next Week
Our martial arts film from the 1950s, in this decade-by-decade journey through the genre, is 1959’s SAMURAI SAGA.
This Week’s Media
SAS: WHO DARES WINS (2019): Ant Middleton, Jason Fox, Shaun Dooley
THE FINAL GIRLS (2015): Todd Strauss-Schulson, Taissa Farmiga, Malin Åkerman
Recommendations
THE HIDDEN FORTRESS (1958): Akira Kurosawa, Toshiro Mifune, Misa Uehara
FANTASIA (1940): James Algar, Leopold Stokowski, Deems Taylor
THE MIGHTY DUCKS (1992): Steven Herek, Emilio Estevez, Joss Ackland
THE ASSASSIN (2015): Hsiao-Hsien Hou, Qi Shu, Chen Chang
Footnotes
Firstly, apologies for the mistakes in Sam’s introduction with respect to judo Dans, the origin of the biographical story, etc.; things are cleared up in these two articles:
Sanshiro Sugata and Tomita Tsunejirō. For more on sports films, see here. This book is also good. Finally, on respect in Japanese society, read more here.
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33 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…

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