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NICOLAS CAGE FORUM - CAGEALOT CASTLE -> The Sorcerer's Chamber -> It's about time I came out and told the world.. How much I LOVE THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE!
Post Info TOPIC: It's about time I came out and told the world.. How much I LOVE THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE!
Lula Argante


Faery Queen of Cagealot Castle

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Posts: 8403
Date: 3:33 PM, 09/03/10
It's about time I came out and told the world.. How much I LOVE THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE!
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It's about time I came out and told the whole world......
Just how much I LOVE The Sorcerer's Apprentice !



I am writing this on the assumption you have seen the film, for I won't be giving a plot summary and there will be spoilers! *spoiler alert*


The theme and background of this forum and my Twitter page probably give me away, but this excursion into the world of magic has had me enchanted from the moment the news of it's creation reached my ears!starsmileThe whole concept had me more deliciously enthralled than possibly any of Nic's previous films. And that is a big statement coming from a 22 year long Nicolas Cage superfan.



For me it was ingenious how the movie explored the idea of science and magic as being the same thing, symbolically linked by the Tesla coil theme which runs through the whole film.

Demystifying magic from the woohoo realm to something that could even persuade a devout science nerd to unleash his true magical potential, the movie cleverly presents a reality where energy and vibration can be affected by our will, bringing that which is commonly perceived as fantasy, into a persuasive reality ( not that I need persuading ) which is reinforced by bringing the ancient magical arts into a contemporary urban setting. This conjures it's own spell upon us, and transcends our need for belief / suspension of disbelief, making an everyday magical reality into something entirely obvious, just bigger than we normally allow ourselves to see.

Which of course we can't, because ''that would be complicated.''starsmile


Nic was masterful in this role, conjuring a heady yet subtle mix of wisdom, mystery, humour and a slightly scary intensity, with a sorcererly flourish of his hand.

From the plasma bolts to the Merlin Circle, Balthazar was his own instrument, playing the most ancient tunes of the magical universe.

Like it?!? I was thrilled.


Balthazar's sensitive yet deliciously unsettling and slightly menacing aura is established in the first scene, where Dave and Balthazar meet in the Arcana Cabana for the first time, with the simple line:

"because I can read minds."

For me, Nic truly captures the very essence of a slightly intimidating yet all benevolent, all knowing ancient Master Sorcerer.


Dave Stutler, the reluctant Prime Merlian, is portrayed so brilliantly by Jay Baruchel. He plays the unsure, quirky, nerdy science student with the trying to deny it magical glint in his eye, with such a breathtaking honesty to the character, that he somehow brings the macro cosmic saving-the-world and the micro cosmic discovering-one's-own-truth together, in a synthesis of emotion and humour; pulling you right into the heart of his individual story and the bigger picture simultaneously.

Baruchel completely slayed me with his ability to evoke pure emotion so immediately. It is all in his face, voice, eyes and energy. My stoicism didn't stand a chance and I liked it. There is only one other actor who has ever had that effect on me before.

The dynamic between Dave and Balthazar is effortlessly and magnetically brought to life by two great actors.

The tension in Balthazar's character, created by his one thousand year pain at carrying the one he loves imprisoned in the "Grimhold" doll, and the mission to find the prime merlinian; is held in a very contained way that seems to create a precision, you get the sense that each word spoken by him is of absolute importance and meaning, there is no wastage and every moment is at it's full potential. Yet at the same time, there is in Balthazar an acceptance and a knowing patience that the timing is in fact out of his hands - the Prime Merlinian will "find him."

The all enveloping, albeit unspoken, essence of Balthazar is his heart, and this provides a backdrop for the relationship and infuses it's way through the whole movie.

I was struck by the parallel between how with each layer of the grimhold opening up, another layer of Balthazar's character is revealed to us. It is not just the grimhold he's been carrying all these years, but the whole world in his heart.

Dave contrasts to Balthazar's relative stillness like a monkey to an eagle, his emotions and expressions like the top notes playing over Balthazar's bass line.

The relationship between Balthazar and Dave follows Dave's turmoil as he let's go of his belief system and comes to accept his higher calling. ( A very higher calling! ) We empathize with his struggle, which perhaps reflects the deconstruction of the beliefs of society at large about "magic".

As the shaky foundations of Dave's reality crumble away under Balthazar's steady stare, his inner torture unfolds before us as he tries to hold on to the security he has desperately created, after his traumatic experience as a child when he first met Balthazar. His normal, 'rational' life, rooted firmly in the material world and the most extreme form of hard science, physics, is swiftly uprooted with an intense yet fun journey alongside Balthazar through the layers of the doll.

And we always know the opposite of Dave's fears will be true, Balthazar's wisdom and heart, underpinned by the authority and strength of his experience, will ultimately give Dave the solid ground, beneath his pointy shoes, to rise to his true heritage.

The reason the movie ultimately works is that this extreme journey and unlikely relationship is held together with the glue of fun, playfulness and a huge level of heart. This quality is brought mainly by the relationship between the sorcerer and his apprentice, who whilst playing the bass notes and treble respectively, also meet in the middle for a melody that always feels friendly and free. For all the intensity, the flavour of this movie is laced with a very large dose of quirky spontaneous humour, wit and heart, that leaves you feeling warm, heady and light. heart.gifsun.gif

In all, the film is a magically sculpted, multilayered synthesis of honour, humour and heart.

Electrifying and beautiful, hilariously light yet emotional, with a glorious intensity yet an effortlessly light flow; the movie saturates without ever feeling over the top, the special effects seamlessly woven into the story, which unfolds itself layer upon magical layer..just like the Grimhold doll.






-- Edited by Lula Argante on Friday 3rd of September 2010 09:40:38 PM

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Lady Trueheart


Nicalicious

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Date: 4:29 AM, 09/05/10
It's about time I came out and told the world.. How much I LOVE THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE!
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This is a beautiful review, Lula, so expressive and thoughtful; I wish I had your writing talent. And I am so glad you loved the movie because I know how you were waiting so eagerly to see it. It lived up to all your expectations and more.

I saw it and I am waiting to see it again before I post a review. I started out loving it, enjoyed it all the way through, yet felt a slight disappointment with the ending. Not sure why, so I really want to see it again to see what triggered that feeling. Plus I just want to see it again 'cause it was so enjoyable. Nick was soooo good in it, loved him all the way through.

-- Edited by Lady Trueheart on Sunday 5th of September 2010 04:30:09 AM

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Lula Argante


Faery Queen of Cagealot Castle

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Date: 12:13 PM, 09/05/10
It's about time I came out and told the world.. How much I LOVE THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE!
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thank you so much for your feedback Lady Trueheart!loveeyes and thank you also for your compassion...yes it was an incredible exciting build up for me and I was not disappointed!starry

There is much more I could say, involving the other characters, especially the female ones and their depiction, but perhaps there will be a part 2!

And I thoroughly look forward to reading your experience of the movie Lady Trueheart, methinks you have your own beautiful way with words and a keen insight that I always appreciate and enjoy.

It was really important to me to mention Jay Baruchel. From what I have read, on the whole the critics have been, in my opinion, hugely unfair and very very wrong about his performance. He stunned me actually, with his combination of humour and emotional range in this role, which was both light and with different layers of depth. He was the one who brought tears to my eyes in this movie. I look forward to seeing more of him! action and I tell you what, no other actor has had much of a look in in 22 years. Look out Nic!lips


By the way, if you have seen The Sorcerer's Apprentice, come tell us your thoughts and vote at the poll !

http://CagealotCastle.activeboard.com/index.spark?aBID=136656&p=3&topicID=37827193



-- Edited by Lula Argante on Sunday 5th of September 2010 12:20:23 PM

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Lula Argante


Faery Queen of Cagealot Castle

Status: Offline
Posts: 8403
Date: 10:47 AM, 10/17/10
RE: It's about time I came out and told the world.. How much I LOVE THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE!
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One aspect I perhaps didn't emphasize enough in my review (it would have been part two but I ran out of steam) is that underneath all the good versus evil, the saving the world from dark forces magical shenanigans, is a really beautiful love story (or two!)heart.gif

Indeed, one could say love is the all pervading theme, it was love that ultimately empowered Dave to fully become the prime merlinian and it was love, and his heart, that Balthazar carried around in the core of the Grimhold for years, the truth of which was ever more exposed with the opening of each layer of the nesting doll. As Balthazar himself says of love, 'there's nothing quite like it.'

Perhaps that is why I like this review from 'The Pink Heart Society' so much!heart.gif

http://pinkheartsociety.blogspot.com/2010/10/must-watch-friday-sorcerers-apprentice.html

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Lula Argante


Faery Queen of Cagealot Castle

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Posts: 8403
Date: 4:56 PM, 12/11/10
RE: It's about time I came out and told the world.. How much I LOVE THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE!
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Yoohoo! Hello everyone.....you're all being remarkably quiet about this movie! and I know for a fact that I wasn't the only one who was as delighted as me to receive the precious as gold dust DvD ( or blu-ray if you're a lucky b*gger! ) this week!!jumpingjoy

So...... How about we all post some random thoughts and reactions on the movie!! What did you like best? A favourite line scene or moment?! starryaction


in my initial review here, I got something wrong. In the first scene between Balthazar and young Dave in the Arcana Cabana, Balthazar's intense and more intimidating side was established with "because I can read minds" but so was the light hearted hilarious side ( and i totally laughed all the way through this movie!yellowflowergrin (and cried a little bit cry.gif) when he followed it with "it's on your backpack" and Dave tries to look on his backpack running around in circles like a cat chasing it's tail!!rolllaugh


A random love it:

The plasma bolts...!sun.gif what about the first one Balthazar makes in the Arcana Cabana!?!sun.gif love the way he moves his hands...and the way they **crackle**!joy anyone else notice that??flowerface

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Lady Trueheart


Nicalicious

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Date: 7:15 PM, 12/11/10
RE: It's about time I came out and told the world.. How much I LOVE THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE!
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First time I saw the movie was in the theatre and I just was into the spectacle and went with the overall magic of the movie.  Now that I own and have watched it again, I paid more attention to the interation between characters this time. Jay rocks, he is so funny and deadpan and the little faces he makes are hilarious. The romance with Dave and Becky is sweet, but I really loved the hints of glimpses we see of Balthazar and Veronica's love story. Beautiful, the pathos of it. I really wish there had been more of the historical stuff. But it is Nic and Jay together that makes the movie. Really love the scene with the practicing and the cup and saucer!

The ending was a bit of a let down for me, I guess because it was a bit too Disney for me. I could go for a lot more intensity in the ending, I think. A little too cute; and more Nic was needed then.

And I remain disappointed that Nic was not allowed to have his Bruce Lee moves in the bathroom scene left in. That would have probably made the movie for me.

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Lady Trueheart


Nicalicious

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Date: 12:55 AM, 12/12/10
RE: It's about time I came out and told the world.. How much I LOVE THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE!
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Forgot to mention that most action scenes leave me cold, mostly because I can't follow them and end up all confused. Well, in SA. not so, it was balanced and fun, very smooth, no wobbly cameras all over the place.



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Lula Argante


Faery Queen of Cagealot Castle

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Posts: 8403
Date: 7:10 PM, 12/13/10
RE: It's about time I came out and told the world.. How much I LOVE THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE!
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Ditto, ditto and thrice ditto...!starsmile

But I think you get a glimpse of that in the dvd extras Lady True?! ( Bruce Lee moves ) biggrin.gif

I totally agree about the Balthazar Dave relationship, I'm glad you said that.... I was beginning to think my first impression of it must have been a bit warped when I noticed my entire review was about that with not much of a mention of the love story. You are so right...weighty pathos infusion throughout...it's like the heavy ancient flagstones beneath the dancing leaves...

And yes...I'm quite taken with Jay Baruchel...fantastic actor, in my opinion!starry



Remembered another thing I love about this movie...the bits where Balthazar answers Dave without him having to ask the question...most noticeable in the car chase scene... and ''I'm glad she likes you..'' ''and no I'm not surprised'' flowerface

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Lady Trueheart


Nicalicious

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Date: 10:44 PM, 12/13/10
RE: It's about time I came out and told the world.. How much I LOVE THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE!
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I haven't watched the extras yet, Lula :(

For some reason our dvd won't play them, weird, I know. We are both so tech illiterate that the solution is probably looking right at us. I take my movies to my daughter's house every once in a while to play, so she can show her poor old mother how to access the extra features.

Does Nic do his kung fu moves, then?!!!

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Lula Argante


Faery Queen of Cagealot Castle

Status: Offline
Posts: 8403
Date: 1:23 PM, 12/14/10
RE: It's about time I came out and told the world.. How much I LOVE THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE!
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Oh no! You must see them Meg! The extras should play automatically after the film, or, do you have a menu button on your remote control? Press that and the options will come up, you just use the arrows on your remote to scroll and press play to select!flowerface
Hope i've not raised your Bruce Lee expectations there was just a hint of a move in the Making of the Sorcerer's Apprentice section!yellowflowergrin

By the way..................has everyone watched right through to the the end of the credits........?!! You must!!starsmile

Is that a hint for a sequel!?! starrystarrystarrybouncybouncybouncy

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Lady Roxanne


NIColicious Enchantress

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Date: 8:13 PM, 11/16/11
RE: It's about time I came out and told the world.. How much I LOVE THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE!
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Lula, this is such a wonderful and magNICal insight!stars I totally agree with you. SA is one of my absolute fav! I couldn`t say, how many times I watched it! Countless times! I love it! Watched it last night, again! smile And, I love, how Nic delivers his magNICal lines. wizardstars



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"When you think about magic, it is imagination plus willpower focused in such a way that you can create a conscious effect in the material world..."

Nicolas Cage
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