While not exactly card magic related, the new movie ’21′ scored big during it’s first weekend in theater.

Based on the true story of a group of MIT college braniacs called the MIT Blackjack Team. They weres a group of students and ex-students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard Business School, Harvard University, and other leading colleges who attempted to beat casinos at blackjack worldwide. The team and its successors operated from 1979 through the beginning of the 21st century. The film draws from Bringing Down the House, the best-selling book by Ben Mezrich. 21 follows the ups and downs of the Vegas high-life while winning 100′s of thousands playing Blackjack (also known as 21 to some people). Raking in over $23 million in it’s first weekend, there are now plenty of opportunities for magicians to showcase their gambling talents (and gambling related magic tricks) to unsuspecting audiences everywhere.

Recent reports out of Berlin state that hollywood actress Pamela Anderson was injured while working with magician Hans Klok. It’s been rumoured that the two of them have been dating since 2007 while she was appearing in ‘The Beauty of Magic’ in Las Vegas during the same time.

 Pam stated that during one trick where there are ‘spikes that go through a box’, she had a close call that involved her getting burned and possibly throwing a rib out. (How that’s done I’ll never know).

We all knew that some of the big box illusions were dangerous if not performed properly, here’s the proof.

UPDATE: I want to thank everyone who’s writing in and letting me know that Pam & Hans aren’t dating, however, the key word that everyone seems to be missing is ‘rumoured’.

As the sponsor of CelebraCadabra, Ellusionist has learned that the air date for the first show has been pushed back to April 27^th, 2008. Inside sources who have seen some of the footage from various episodes say that the show is extremely well done and should entertain magicians and lay audiences at the same time. We look forward to watching the series and seeing how the celebrities learn to respect and appreciate what magicians around the world are currently doing every day.

Imagine stunning your audience with some of the most creative and innovative gaff cards ever created… well that thought will soon become a reality as we are approaching the highly anticipated UltraGaff release!

The UltraGaff 3 DVD set will give you the tools to deny reality and treat your audiences to the pure eye candy of extreme gaff handling. These effects are not possible with just any deck, and the UltraGaff deck proves that not all playing cards are created equal.

In the DVD’s, a variety of different effects are taught in great detail, and not one stone is left unturned. There is something for all skill levels too, as each DVD presents it’s own progression, always offering more to learn. Additionally every single card in the deck has it’s own purpose and magical prowess, and it all comes together with Wayne and Danny’s enthusiastic teaching of the art they love.

Danny spreading astonishment throughout the Ellusionist warehouse.

A little birdie has spotted Daniel Garcia on the streets of New York City along with the Mystery Man himself, David Blaine. Garcia is working with Blaine as a consultant for his upcoming special, which should be airing on ABC sometime in September. What will we see? Only time will tell. Congrats to Danny on such a cool gig!

Point of Clarification – As with most magic consultants, it is unlikely that Garcia will actually appear on-screen during Blaine’s special. In all likelihood, he is just working with Blaine on material for Blaine to perform himself.