Best Picture of 2006 to date (Sept)

Rating: 10/10 (2 September 2006)

In the year that brought us one over-sized dreadful picture after another -- trash like Peter Jackson's awful $150 million King Kong and Jerry Bruckheimer's Halloween Squid Mask pirate movie -- along comes this very special and wonderful movie playing without fanfare in just a few theaters.
The basic story was engrossing, and was enhanced by Grade A acting by Edward Norton and others, outstanding cinematography, prolonged suspense. As a person not usually taken with magic, the 19th century tricks were astounding; but juxtaposed against a great story of one special and talented man's pursuit of his long ago pre-adolescent love. This movie grabs hold from the first moments and never lets go.
Contrary to my opinion was that of the Washington Post, whose critic found the film slow-moving. One more reason that thinking persons of the 21st century prefer the Washington Times.
We drove 40 miles to see this movie at Baltimore's Art Deco Senator Theatre, a real movie theater, rather than a once-again visit to the local multiplex. What a treat to see the year's finest film in a place where films were intended to be seen, in an essentially adult-oriented atmosphere.