Forum moderator featured on Uri Gellar show

February 22, 2010

Arvind Jayashankar, one of our outstanding forum Moderators and a long-time forum member, was recently featured on an episode of “The Next Uri Gellar.” Click here, then fast forward to 21:10.

Unfortunately, he didn’t make it past that round, but he said he is thrilled he got that far. Well done, AJ!

Posted by Joe Hadsall | Filed Under Magic on TV | 3 Comments

Exclusive clip: Berenger brings magic to movie in ‘Smokin’ Aces 2′

January 15, 2010

Who knew that Tom Berenger could make some magic?

Berenger plays Walter Weed, an unassuming desk jockey at the FBI with a bit of a penchant for magic tricks. When a plot to assassinate him is uncovered, all hell breaks loose in “Smokin’ Aces 2: Assassin’s Ball.” The guys at Universal and Special Ops Media sent us this exclusive clip from the movie.

The first change the character performs is pretty slick. But even though the card-to-pocket trick goes from clip to clip, we love the no-fluff delivery of Berenger’s character, Walter Weed. That presentation got Brad Christian’s attention: He and the rest of us were impressed with the straightforward, calm confidence that his character exudes. It’s something we can all infuse into our performances.

We also like the looks of that deck of playing cards he’s using.

“Smokin’ Aces 2: Assassin’s Ball” and all of its card-flinging, gun-firing action, hits stores on Jan. 19. It’s available as a DVD and Blu-ray. The guys who sent us the clip are also sending us a few copies that we’re going to give to you. Keep an eye on our Twitter and Facebook pages for deets.

Posted by Joe Hadsall | Filed Under General, Magic on TV | 17 Comments

Kardashian: Dynamo thrills, monkey spills

December 28, 2009

Maybe it’s because we’re Saints fans that this post from Kim Kardashian, girlfriend of running back Reggie Bush, caught our eye. Maybe it’s because she’s a hottie.

But she wrote about the magician Dynamo, who was taping with Ashton Kutcher and — if you’ve read iTricks — has been performing for all kinds of stars lately. Dynamo made a monkey appear for Kim, but the little critter took a piddle on her.

The monkey also pooped on Kutcher, so at least its priorities are straight, right?

Posted by Joe Hadsall | Filed Under General, Magic on TV | 3 Comments

Frewin’s hook for magic fame: Be family man

December 8, 2009

Ellusionist Web master David Mitchell reminded us of Greg Frewin’s upcoming Christmas special, “Greg Frewin Magic Man: Home for the Holidays,” which will be shown tomorrow by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The show sounds pretty interesting just from the CBC’s description (only Canadians can access the accompanying online-exclusive videos).

But a series of stories by the Niagara Falls Review make it downright compelling. Reporter John Law scored exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to taping for the show and preparations for a big stunt at the end; his three-part series was published this week. (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.)

Frewin, a former Vegas entertainer, invested almost everything he had into converting a factory into a 700-seat theater. The bold move paid off after its bumpy first year in 2005 — it now sells out every summer and has become a top attraction for the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. But he knows that it’s TV that will push his name to legendary status, he said. Instead of emulating Blaine’s urban shamanism or Angel’s shock and raw, Frewin’s hook is to show life behind the curtain, as a husband and father of two.

Lee Asher, Frewin’s street-magic consultant, vouches for his work ethic in part one:

“Greg is cut from a different cloth. Greg will do a show, and when he’s done he’ll go backstage and weld his props. When he’s done with that, he comes out and manages the theatre. When he’s done with that, he gets to go home and be a dad. He’s constantly doing something, constantly pushing. Hopefully, they’ll film that. There’s no one like Greg, there really isn’t. Greg’s working on the lights … I don’t know anyone (like him) who does that. They’ll wait. Greg, he doesn’t have time for the light guy. He’s gotta get down there and get his hands on that board. We work with Greg. We don’t work for Greg.”

Posted by Joe Hadsall | Filed Under Magic on TV | 3 Comments

Classic vid: Martin amazes as ‘Flydini’

November 24, 2009

We browse the ‘net like you wouldn’t believe and find all kinds of stuff. Check out this classic video that Brad found — it features Steve Martin on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Awesome stuff… bet you never thought of doing the egg basket this way.