The Prestige

The story of 'The Prestige' begins in a rapidly changing Victorian-era London. At a time when magicians are idols and celebrities of the highest order, two young magicians set out to carve their own paths to fame. They are two contrasting characters: Robert Angier (played by Tony Award winner Hugh Jackman, beloved on screen for his portrayal of the feral Wolverine in "X-Men" and its sequels) and Alfred Borden (played by Christian Bale -- acclaimed for his intense performances including his recent turn as the Caped Crusader in "Batman Begins").

They start out as admiring friends and partners. But when their biggest trick goes terribly awry, they become enemies for life -- each intent on outdoing and upending the other. Trick by trick, show by show, their ferocious competition builds until it knows no bounds, even utilizing the fantastical new powers of electricity and the scientific brilliance of Nikola Tesla -- while the lives of everyone around them hang in the balance. Rife with sleight-of-hand shocks and revelations, the film delves into a riveting world where the farthest, darkest edges of faith, trust and the possible are probed.

From acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan ("Memento," "Batman Begins") comes this innovative thriller woven out of the stuff of illusions. The film boasts of an exceptional cast of diverse characters portrayed by two-time Oscar winner Michael Caine, Golden Globe nominee Scarlett Johansson, newcomer Rebecca Hall, rising actress Piper Perabo, fantasy-film cult hero Andy Serkis and rock star David Bowie as the groundbreaking electricity-genius Nikola Tesla

Here is the official site: prestige-movie.com . The movie is rated PG-13 for violence and disturbing images.

The Infamous

'The Infamous' arrived one year too late. The film is based on the same true story that last year's oscar-contender 'Capote' was based upon. The story is of young Truman Capote (Toby Jones)and his investigation into the 1959 murders of a wealthy Kansas family of four. What starts out as a journey to figure out "whodunit" with his childhood friend Harper Lee (Sandra Bullock), turns into something utterly unexpected: an intense and complex bond with one of the murderers that inspired his greatest work ("In Cold Blood") and indelibly changed his life.

Throughout the movie, we could not avoid remembering the incredible performance of Philip Seymour Hoffman, which brought him last year's Oscar. But Toby Jones could succeed in providing some new turns and twists to the charismatic character of Capote in protraying him more like the true man.

Written and directed by Douglas McGrath, "Infamous" could still create its own distinct mark on the path created by the famous 'Capote' only last year. It succeeded in presenting a compelling study of the complex and tortured relationship that resulted between Truman Capote and convicted murderer Perry Smith (Daniel Craig), a bond formed in a prison cell that brought the destruction of Capote's career, as well as his soul. The movie is engaging and well made but unfortunately it'll have to live under the shadow of last year's Oscar.

Here is the official site: infamousmovie.com. The film is rated R for language, violence and some sexuality.

The Departed

Martin Scorsese's "The Departed" topped the box office in the United States this weekend, raking in an estimated 27 million dollars. The movie, a film about undercover men that features Scorsese's trademark blood-letting and violence is the director's biggest weekend opener ever since "Cape Fear," which started with $10.2 million in 1991. His most recent film, 2004's "The Aviator," was the highest-grossing of his career, earning $102 million after starting with $8.6 million during its first weekend of wide release. His last contemporary crime saga, "Casino," opened with $9.9 million in 1995 and finished with $42.5 million.

"The Departed" is expected to continue its success further on the shoulder of a great combination of star-power: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg. In this gritty crime drama from Scorsese, Jack Nicholson plays a Boston crime boss whose organization is infiltrated by a mole (DiCaprio) even as he plants a rat (Damon) inside the Boston Police Department, which inevitably results in carnage and the characters are plunged into a dangerous game of cat and mouse in which the stakes could not be higher.

The story of "The Departed" is based on the 2002 crime thriller out of Hong Kong called "Infernal Affairs," which achieved great success in Asia before coming to U.S. shores in 2004. An American version was soon in the works, with William Monahan writing the screenplay.

Here is the official site of the movie: thedeparted.com. The movie is rated R for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, some strong sexual content and drug material.

The Last King of Scotland

Fox Searchlight's "The Last King of Scotland" opened strongly last week in limited release. The film, casting Forest Whitaker as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, took in $143,252 in four theatres over the weekend in New York City and Los Angeles. The film has grossed $172,389 since opening Wednesday and expands to more cities this week.

Based on Giles Foden's award-winning novel of the same name, "The Last King Of Scotland" is directed by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Kevin Macdonald (Touching The Void, One Day In September) from a screenplay by Peter Morgan and Jeremy Brock. The cast includes Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Kerry Washington Simon McBurney and Gillian Anderson.

"The Last King of Scotland" features James McAvoy as Dr. Garrigan, a Scottish doctor drawn into a dangerous relationship as Amin's personal physician. Impressed by Dr. Garrigan's brazen attitude in a moment of crisis, the newly self-appointed Ugandan President Amin hand picks him as his personal physician and closest confidante. Though Garrigan is at first flattered and fascinated by his new position, he soon awakens to Amin's savagery - and his own complicity in it. Horror and betrayal ensue as Garrigan tries to right his wrongs and escape Uganda alive.

Forest Whitaker made a strong impression as Idi Amin and we can predict that he would be a strong contender for Academy award in best actor category. McAvoy also looks good in the role of Dr. Garrigan, quite different than his last outing in "The Chronicles of Narnia".

The film is rated R for some strong violence and gruesome images, sexual content and language. Here is the official site: foxsearchlight.com.