Apologies for not having this lead the Entertainment Wrap but check out this trailer for Smokin’ Aces. It stars Jeremy Piven (in “the Jeremy Piven” role) as a strung-out Vegas magician who decides to testify against the mob. This triggers an avalanche of professional hit persons including Ben Affleck, Ryan Reynolds, Common, Jason Bateman and Alicia Keys all while Ray Liotta and Andy Garcia attempt to keep him safe.
The movie will probably have more to do with the dark side of Sin City show business and less with performance magic, but in the hands of Joe Carnahan (NARC, This BMW short film) you can expect awesomeness.
The flick is slated to come out at the end of January. Also, here is a crazy teaser that’s been around a while as well featuring a sweet Motorhead song to keep up with our Metal theme today…
This came up before we went live, but since folks are still talking about it at the Ellusionist boards, we figured a short notice couldn’t hurt those who haven’t heard yet. Jay Sankey, of SankeyMagic is producing 40 effects for Season 3 of Criss Angel’s Mindfreak.
So to refresh, the upcoming Mindfreak season (filming now) is slated to exclusively feature the Luxor and MGM Grand, will see Criss levitate high above Vegas in Luxor’s light spire, is solidly rumored to use a Carnival Cruise Lines boat and will be peppered with Jay Sankey effects.
Sure, everyone’s seen the ol’ woman sawed in half routine. But this gruesome Simon Drake version, set to Iron Maiden’s “Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter” performed by Maiden themselves is something worth head banging to.
The musical is based on the book, The Master and Magarita, about Satan (under the guise of a magician) tormenting Stalin’s Russia before being challenged by his mistress. Webber said he would like Copperfield to provide his touch to illustrate the supernatural elements of the story. He specified one effect in particular…
“How do you fly a naked girl across Moscow is my first question to him. He hasn’t gotten back to me with an answer yet.”
Webber announced the project in August and has yet to set an opening date.
The parent of an Israeli fifth grader who had to be hospitalized after imitating a trick performed on Uri Geller’s new reality competition show, is urging the network to implement an age restriction. The child was attempting to stop his pulse, as was demonstrated during the show’s premiere, which drew in a third of Israel’s viewing audience. The child was treated for a bruise on his forehead and was listed as “slightly injured.”
“I think the segment [on the show] where a person stopped his pulse could lead kids to do all sorts of silly things. What happened today could have been a catastrophe,” Elezra said. “There was no warning that the show is not appropriate for children.”
The show’s producers responded by explaining that the show’s performers have “special abilities” and their actions should not be replicated under any circumstances
NEWS AND NOTES
• Daniel Radcliffe, the actor who plays the film version of Harry Potter has gone on the record in saying that he wants Order of the Phoenix director David Yates to return for the next installment, The Half-Blood Prince. The young actor called Yates “inspired” and said he would “walk on hot coals” to work with him again.
Since Chris Columbus helmed the first two movies, the Potter franchise has had no director return for a second film.
For those who enjoy the mix of magic and religion but are seeking something a little “lighter” than Stuart and Barry or Penn and Teller, look no further than Brian Happie: Gospel Magician.
The owner of B. Happie Entertainment specializes in non-denominational performances for church groups that “introduces people to the idea of living for Jesus.” In comparison to say, mimicking the exact acts of the bible for a television special, Happie is very specific in the differences between his show and the bible’s accounts of Christ’s works. Here is a description of one of his tricks…
“I have a volunteer drop a crumb in a small box, say the magic words and ask everyone what they think is in the box,†Foshee said.
The response is always “a loaf of bread.â€
“I open the drawer and it’s my bunny rabbit,†he said. “I say ‘I am a magician; Jesus does the miracles.’”
He is also very flexible on his appearance fee.
“I have a fee, but if an organization can’t afford even a penny of the fee, I will be there with just as big of a smile on my face,†he said. “I will take my reward here or in heaven.â€
Irish magician Keith Barry has had a very busy year between his CBS special and guest spot on CSI: Miami. In fact, his burgeoning fame has allowed him more than the regular exposure with certain celebrities. Barry tells two very amusing stories to the Irish Athlone Advertiser newspaper about his dealings with a who’s who of actors.
“Keanu Reeves surprised me a lot because he’s scared s***less of magic,†says Barry. “A friend of mine was having lunch with him and he invited me over to the table. There’s a scene in The Matrix where a spoon bends on its own and so I picked up a spoon and started to bend it with mind power. Keanu jumped up and ran out of the restaurant!â€
Beware unsuspecting, superstitious celebrities: if you happen to be dining with the wrong company, Keith Barry will come over and ruin your lunch.
His best story however, comes with a friendly warning.
One of Barry’s biggest fans is Colin Farrell. During a screening of ‘An Audience with Keith Barry’ on RTÉ it fell upon the magician to secretly place a card down the front of Farrell’s boxer shorts. Surely Keith Barry is now the envy of every red-blooded woman in the world?
“Yeah, I’ve had a few women ask me what it felt like down there!†he says with a chuckle. “The one thing I tell them is that he’s not as well packaged as we’re lead to believe!â€
Irish magician Keith Barry has had a very busy year between his CBS special and guest spot on CSI: Miami. In fact, his burgeoning fame has allowed him more than the regular exposure with certain celebrities.