The Prestige, 2006, Drama/mystery.

This movie has many stars in it such as Michael Caine, Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Scarlett Johansson, and David Bowie.

The story revolves around two magicians Robert Angier; Jackman, and Alfred Borden; Bale, who have a professional rivalry tinged with personal vendettas. The movie was okay, but I felt like I was watching the Terminator and neither would ever die.

The payback and one “up-man-ship” got to the point of ridiculous. I also felt it was predicable.

I thought “The Illusionist” with Edward Norton was much better.

Justin Chatwin plays Nick Powell who seems on top of the world as he prepares to graduate from high school. Chatwin has also had roles in  “War of the Worlds”, “Smallville”, “Weeds” and “Lost”. His character in this movie was a bit tortured and flat at first, but he grows on you.

His best friend Pete played by Chris Marquette of “Strong Medicine” and “Joan of Arcadia” is one of those friends who involves Nick in his self made disasters. The movie develops as Pete accuses Nick of reporting a crime in order to get himself out of a mess. Annie played by Margarita Levieva, is a bad apple, trying to prove her toughness to the gang. She is involved with an ex-con played by Alex O’Loughlin of “Moonlight”. Annie has Nick beaten and left for dead in retaliation for reporting her, but it’s all a mistake.

Nick then walks around in a limbo trying to connect with those who were closest to him. You end up not knowing who you feel worse for Nick or Annie. My teenagers really like this movie, and I enjoyed it.

John Cusack stars as Lloyd Dobler a recent high school graduate who has set his mind on a “out of reach” classmate Diane Court; Ione Star.

She has been sheltered and focused most of her life and is charmed by Lloyd. Lloyd has some crazy friends, one of the best is played by Lili Taylor. She’s worth watching the film on her own.

This is such a feel good, cute relationship movie.

Two other favorites of mine that have John Cusack are “Must Love Dogs”  and “Serendipity”.

Stars Shia LaBeouf from “Transformers”, and “Holes” plays Kale Brecht a teenage boy who has been traumatized by recent events in his life. He begins acting out and ends up homebound with a ankle monitor. He begins spying on neighbors to keep himself occupied. He meets new neighbor Ashley Carlson; Sarah Roener “The Grudge 2, who begins participating in his new activity. Ronnie his best friend played by Aaron Yoo from “Love Monkey” also gets in on the spying. I love his character in this film. They become focused on his neighbor Robert Turner; David Morse; bad cop from “House” when they think he is a serial killer. I thought this movie was well done with a bit of Hitchcock style. I would suggest this one if you haven’t seen it.