Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Somewhere in Time (1980)

Somewhere in Time is a classic romantic movie, starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour.

During a celebration of his first play's success, Richard Collier meets an elderly woman who hands him an old watch and whispers, "Come back to me." Richard is bewildered by her statement, until several years later when he becomes instantly intrigued by the riveting beauty of a young woman in a portrait at a grand hotel. The image of the woman lingers in his mind and he soon realizes that she is the same old woman who gave him the timeworn watch. After many years, he pieces the puzzle together, leading him to his college professor, the author of Time Traveling. The next day, he prepares for an exciting journey through space and time to reach the mysterious Elise McKenna.

Every once in a while, a powerful love story captures the hearts of many. The script is well-written and compelling. Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour have great chemistry, creating a very heart-warming story that will never be forgotten. In addition, the setting, soundtrack (Somewhere in Time Rhapsody has always been one of my favorite songs), and cinematography have a major role in creating such a romantic atmosphere, perfect for the film.

The Illusionist (2006)

The Illusionist has a plot that is invigoratingly clever, downright ingenious, and endlessly twisted. Eisenheim, a professional illusionist, was searching for a volunteer among the swarming crowd in the massive theater to help him perform his magic. He was joined at the middle of the stage by Sophie, the fiancee of Crown Prince Leopold. It is revealed that Eisenheim and Sophie had a past relationship; this time, Eisenheim is determined to pursue her no matter what the consequences are.

I have seen this movie 5 times and I have never gotten tired of it. The masterful tricks that fascinate me most are the orange tree and the ghost trick. The script is brilliant and Edward Norton did a marvelous job. I love how the lighting equipment used in this film causes everything to be illuminated and gives it a film look that shows details and hues of old and romantic feeling to match the period where the story takes place. The montage at the end is intellectual and gives you a chance to piece it all together and solve the mystery.