When it comes to historical period pieces about magic, I must admit that my hopes are really high for The Prestige.  Come on, Batman and Wolverine in a movie directed by the guy that rescued the Batman franchise from Latex-fetish hell?  That said, I saw The Illusionist by Neil Burger, starring Edward Norton, Jessica Biel and Paul Giamatti and enjoyed it quite a lot.  If you know a little bit about historical magic effects and can spot a red herring, it won’t hold too many surprises for you.  But it’s enjoyable to watch everything unfold.  The nearly sold-out theater I saw it in clapped very enthusiastically at the end.  I think they weren’t as familiar with the Sphinx tables, Phantasmasgoria and Blossoming Orange trees as I was.

 

Go see the movie.  Buy the DVD.  The creators spent a lot of attention to detail.  Every effect, although rendered cinematically using computer visual FX, is based solidly on some historical precedent.  What the movie audience sees is very much like what audiences of the day thought they were seeing.  Eisenheim’s opening routine is a lesson in what a talented screenwriter would imagine as a proper opening for a magician.  No fog, no motorcycles.

 

Speaking of Phantasmagoria, my next effect will soon be available.  It’s wild and you’re going to want one.  It’ll cost less than $20.  Expect a trailer to show up on YouTube very soon.  Don’t ask me anything else.  THEY’RE WATCHING ME NOW.  I’VE SAID TOO MUCH.