Film Fatale

Do what you can this week to avoid reading reviews of THE PRESTIGE, the new film from Christopher Nolan. Despite the entreaties of Touchstone's PR reps, critics can't help spoiling some of the duelling-magician thriller's finest surprises. (The movie's trailer, by the way, contains some masterful misdirection, setting up the conflict without ruining the coolest trick.)

What no review can wreck is your impression of the lead actors' performances. Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman are well cast as the rival showmen. Bale has three films this fall. Werner Herzog's RESCUE DAWN debuted at the Toronto Film Festival, and HARSH TIMES, due later this month. New York magazine's Logan Hill talks to Bale about Batman, magic and Herzog -- take a look.

Update:

Scott Foundas' review from LA Weekly praises the seductive mysteries of THE PRESTIGE without wrecking any of the film's pleasures. I hope my review in the Boston Phoenix will do the same. It'll be posted on Oct. 19.