Magical new film from Martin Scorsese - Hugo

[Travis]

This looks fantastic. I hope they consulted with John Gaughan.

http://www.hugomovie.com/#home

[Jonathan Townsend]

A very good children's book. I hope they don't lose the magic.

It's sad to take something special like "Where the Wild Things Are" or "The Velveteen Rabbit" and make something live action/animation that steamrollers the magic into mere eye candy.

[Magic Newswire]

And don't forget that he also wrote "The Houdini Box"

In his first book for children, Selznick presents the compelling story of Harry Houdini, the magician who amazed the world with his great escapes. While Houdini circles the globe performing one incredible stunt after another, Victor, a young devotee, goes through his own rigorous magician's training at home--locking himself in closets, holding his breath under water, walking into walls. This counterpoint is a witty, effective device, and Selznick's deadpan text makes the most of it. It seems that Victor will never become a magician, until one day, after a chance encounter with his hero, he receives a special box that just might contain the secrets of Houdini's success. In his arresting, informative blend of fact and fiction, Selznick splendidly captures the sense of wonder that surrounded Houdini. Equally impressive are his evocative drawings; by turns droll, touching and downright silly, they bring added vitality to a captivating book. More than anything, however, this ambitious work teaches the importance of faith and the ability to believe in the impossible. Ages 6-11.

[Andrew Martin Portala]

Ben Kingsley looks like Frederick Eugene Powell.

[Eric Fry]

Or Georges Mlis, the inspiration for the book.

[Magic Newswire]

NPR talks about HUGO & The inspiration for the film: http://www.npr.org/2011/11/18/142508464/cabret

[Travis]

Saw it last night. Beautiful. Wonderful. Magical.
A love letter to the work of Georges Mlies. See it in 3D, if you can. Scorsese uses the medium effectively and since it was actually shot in 3D (as opposed to the more common post-production conversion process) it looks amazing.

[David Oliver]

Just saw Scorsese's new film, "Hugo." What a wonderful film. Best 3D I've ever seen (no headaches, no need to squint, no blurry-fast motions, etc.), partly because it was shot in 3D, not post-produced in 3D (as Travis noted above). Story was engaging, emotional and entertaining. We went without really knowing what it was about. Pleasantly surprised to find out some of the subject matter. Their attention to detail when it came to George Melies was excellent. They did their research, for sure. The cinematography, the lighting design, the acting, the overall flow was superb. The story was entertaining, and not quite as cheesy as I first thought it was going to be. Scorsese's first attempt at a family-friendly movie was outstanding. So far, one of the top films of the year for sure.

[Richard Kaufman]

Just saw it. Superb in all aspects.

[Richard Kaufman]

And Paul Kieve did the magic:
http://www.stageillusion.com/news/film/ ... go-cabaret

[Brad Henderson]

Paul talked briefly about this in his MAGIC Live! Presentation.

[Steve Bryant]

Wow. Fabulous movie. David Oliver said it all well. I'll be sorry I don't have 3D tv when this comes out on DVD.

[Magic Newswire]

Just saw it today as well. It was great! Highly recommended!

[MaxNY]

Great movie. Wonderful stories.The Sacha Baron slapstick was too much. Never did find out what happened to the notebook...

[Lisa Cousins]

Maybe it's a "love letter" to the WORK of Georges Melies, but it's a stone-cold hate note to Georges Melies the MAN. He's depicted as a vicious, nasty, self-absorbed, humorless man, capable of playing a twisted prank on a luckless urchin. His character is utterly unappealing and unsympathetic.

And why is he like this? We find out that it's because he experienced professional reversals in his life.

Every life has reversals in it, and I feel that this movie has done a tremendous disservice to Georges Melies by depicting him as completely incapable of coping with the ebbs and flows of life. We are asked to believe that the playful, inventive, whimsical imagination that gave us those great films turned into an insufferable bastard because he had no supporting philosophy to carry him through the tough times.

Maybe that's how it went. I don't know. But I always imagined that he enjoyed his retirement years at his toy and candy kiosk. It was a charming picture to my mind - and certainly a more respectful and considerate idea of the man than the one shown in this movie.

[Jonathan Townsend]

might want to read between some lines on his Wikipedia entry.

[Scotto]

Never did find out what happened to the notebook...

I believe Copperfield bought it :D

[MaxNY]

@ Lisa, most of you observations about the MAN as depicted are true. I do have a problem with your quote of "tough times". I think that the World Wars just crushed many spirits. I believe Siegfried said his father came back from the War and would just stare into the fireplace. I can't imagine what anyone went through in those days. To have your art scraped just for a few ounces of chemicals?

[Bill McIlhany]

Hugo 3D is The MOST MAGICAL movie I have ever seen! Don't miss it!

Bill McIlhany

[Doug Thornton]

Please, Hollywood, keep making great movies like this. (Can they hear me?) This is my choice for best film of the year (although I have not seen "The Artist" yet). If you have the slightest bit of interest in the early days of film, see "Hugo". (Agreed, in 3D.)

[Dustin Stinett]

Just got home from seeing this movie. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I only wish the ending was true. But still, see this movie if you love film. See this movie if you love magic. See this movie if you love...