Recommended for libraries serving a trendy population.

I woke up this morning to a grayed out window and strange plinking noises -- hail striking the glass, I realized after fully becoming cognizant. It's snowy and slushy and has been all morning. I called and cancelled my dentist appointment, choosing instead to stay inside and do my reading for the weekend workshop. But first I ate breakfast of leftover chinese takeout and watched The Illusionist. I had watched The Prestige a couple weeks ago. My friend Steve has a theory that whichever movie people see first, they like better, and so far, he seems to be right. DYA saw Illusionist first and preferred it, I saw Prestige first and preferred it. It makes sense, because seeing one means you can guess the ending of the other one sooner, not because they are really the same, but you're just in the mindset (kinda like watching lots of episodes of CSI). There are other reasons too, though.

( cut for significant spoilers of both )
I'd be curious to know if others saw both movies, and in which order, and which they liked better.

Now I'm thinking about why sometimes I like stories/art that are perhaps less 'original' but are extremely well executed, but othertimes I prefer things that are new and mind-twisting to me, even if they are messier and less complete.