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 The thread where we scratch our heads about The Illusionist 
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Extraordinary
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Post The thread where we scratch our heads about The Illusionist
Title says it all.

What the hell is going on with this movie, and where's it gonna end up?

Unbelieveable legs and pta for an under-radar, barely marketted adult movie.

So now that French is bleeding from my ears and eyes, i need a little distraction. What's going on with The Illusionist? Someone please enlighten me....


Tue Aug 29, 2006 3:05 pm
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People love magic, and this has a catchy title. That alone may be enough to draw folks in. It's a very unique film, by all accounts.


Tue Aug 29, 2006 3:08 pm
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Im really surprised by its success, I really thought it was going to be buried because of its limited release and it seems tracking has this movie very high. It would be wishful thinking if this is number 1 this week but it would be awesome if it was. I wonder if the movie will hurt or help The Prestige


Tue Aug 29, 2006 3:24 pm
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I saw it...it's not like The Prestige (the trailer for Prestige implies a battle between two top magicians). Illusionist is an old-fashioned type of romantic mystery but with a twist at the end. It has the look of silent films with nice period touches (Vienna, circa 1900) with excellent performances, the camerawork is stunning, and the music by Philip Glass outstanding. I really liked Paul Giamatti as the chief inspector and Ed Norton does well as a romantic, brooding magician. Both Rufus Sewell and Jessica Biel are convincing in their roles. As far as I'm concerned, it's the mystery/romance factor that draws the adults in, and ultimately, it's uplifting. Anyone from 25 to 90 can enjoy this film.


Tue Aug 29, 2006 4:04 pm
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It must be Scott Holleran's positive review.


Tue Aug 29, 2006 9:51 pm
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Scott Holleran gives maybe 1 or 2 positive reviews a year lol - so it must be it.

Ive got faith in Norton - most films he is in are atleast enjoyable - if not quality. This looks good. I cant help feel it may hurt Prestige a little though.

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Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:16 pm
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Seriously, I don't see why the surprise. The reviewes are decent enough to convince adult moviegoers and Norton/Giamatti is exactly the combo many adult moviegoers would go for as well. It won't hold up too well once it goes wider, but a total around $20-25 million should be in store. Is that all that awesome?

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Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:30 am
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I Understand the success very well. It was effectively marketed in the California area, with trailers attached to the big movies, including Pirates. And with Oscar buzz, that is why people saw it.

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Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:19 am
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I guess I'm miffed about its performance as I believe I actually saw NO trailers or ads for it. I had heard of it, but really nothing in terms of ads until the print ones the Friday it was released.


Wed Aug 30, 2006 2:57 am
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As I mentioned it in my review, the screening I went to was packed with senior citizens. As they streamed out of the theatre at the end, I overheard many very positive comments. It's an old school style movie featuring a Titanicesque romance and a lush historical setting.

The old-timer's matinees alone will drive BO business through the late-summer/early-fall, before other suitably adult movies are released for Oscar season.

BTW, it's very good...



bradley witherberry wrote:
Now here's an old school gem of a movie...

I won't be surprised to hear future comments in this thread about slow pacing, but to me the story unfolded like the petals of a rare flower -- slow; to help you savor the elegant construction of this romantic tale...

Edward Norton and Jesica Biel make great brooding star-crossed lovers, while two great character actors chow down the scenery as glorious bad guys - Rufus Sewell and Paul Giamatti -- what a cast!

As I left the movie ended, I overheard the hordes of older audience members streaming out, all saying variations of: "That was a good movie, they don't make 'em like that anymore." --- Yup, this is an old-timer pleaser and will have some serious old-timer legs. Hopefully, it catches on with the ADHD generation too...

6 out of 5.


Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:47 am
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THE ILLUSIONIST opened in the number two spot in Turkey (behind GARFIELD 2) and dropped just 11 % in its second weekend...


Wed Aug 30, 2006 11:40 am
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mark66 wrote:
THE ILLUSIONIST opened in the number two spot in Turkey (behind GARFIELD 2) and dropped just 11 % in its second weekend...


Are they really showing Garfield in Turkey???


Wed Aug 30, 2006 11:42 am
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Rolling Thunder wrote:
mark66 wrote:
THE ILLUSIONIST opened in the number two spot in Turkey (behind GARFIELD 2) and dropped just 11 % in its second weekend...


Are they really showing Garfield in Turkey???


Garfield 2 is huge overseas. This pile of crap already made 73.8% of its worldwide take overseas.

http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=garfield2.htm

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Wed Aug 30, 2006 11:43 am
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Dr. Lecter wrote:
Rolling Thunder wrote:
mark66 wrote:
THE ILLUSIONIST opened in the number two spot in Turkey (behind GARFIELD 2) and dropped just 11 % in its second weekend...


Are they really showing Garfield in Turkey???


Garfield 2 is huge overseas. This pile of crap already made 73.8% of its worldwide take overseas.

http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=garfield2.htm


That's incredible. I guess one man's pile of horse crap is another's gold. :roll:


Wed Aug 30, 2006 11:53 am
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Yes, I have to say a lot of white/gray-haired people like grandparents were at my screening too...after all, they want to go see movies too!


Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:59 pm
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I've seen more marketing for The Illusionist than, say, Invincible here in California. So maybe they just play ads in cities where the movie is actually playing?


Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:02 pm
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the general consensus is that whatever one thinks of the movie, Norton found a role that perfectly fit his talents. Having one of the most widely lusted after actresses in America in it doesn't hurt it's appeal either. As to Giammati, I see him as his generation's Gene Hackman, the respected character actor that people don't go to a movie just for him but are always glad for his presence.


Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:09 pm
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Giammati is nice in it. Could have done less with the attemted accents. Maybe they should have made it set in England. It's an Okay film nothing special though. The Magic scenes were enjoyable to watch as well. Norton needs to not have beards or moustaches in anymore roles too.

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Sun Sep 03, 2006 7:01 am
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I'm like those who are mostly surprised because they haven't seen a single bit of advertising for it. I usually see at least one ad or trailer or anything for movies that hit the top ten but all I've seen for this was a cardboard thing in the theater. And it's not like the movie isn't playing anywhere near me.


Sun Sep 03, 2006 12:01 pm
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As I mentioned before: It's Titanicesque...


Sun Sep 03, 2006 2:32 pm
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Im actually going to be seeing it tomorrow! :shout:

IT'S MAGIC!

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Sun Sep 03, 2006 2:37 pm
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