|
|
Spock10194 New user Oklahoma 25 Posts |
A couple weeks ago I went to see the movie Now You See Me and absolutely loved it. The day after was when I got started in magic-because of the movie. Obviously a few others probably did the same, found it was rather on the difficult side of things, and quit. However, if say one for every twenty people get inspired to get started in magic, and one in fifty of those actually stick with it, that's still a fairly large number. And that's great for the art.
Yes, there are some massive plot holes and some completely implausible magic, but it's a movie! It's all for fun. And it really is fun. (See, "Sleight of Hand to Hand Combat" which is an awesome fight scene in the movie. I won't say anymore, but you can guess. It's very very very fun). As far as people disliking the characters: if I may be so bold, most people here might be rather biased, being magicians themselves. Perhaps you look at the magic they aren't doing and the magic no one could do and because of that dislike them. I dunno. If you dislike them because they aren't "lovable", well, they aren't really supposed to be lovable. You're supposed to like these characters because they are portrayed to be cool and exciting. And because these magicians are cool and exciting, a layman wants to be cool and exciting too. I think this movie will and is growing the art of magic. Even if you hate the movie because of the plot, the characters, or even the acting (which I don't get, I thought it was incredible) you have to admit that it has great potential to be very good for our art. I can confidently tell you that it added at least one magician to the fold. |
Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
Welcome to the Café, Spock!
I, for one, am GLAD you developed an interest in Magic because of this movie! I have not seen it yet, so I cannot comment on it. I've done magic for more than 40 years. I understand the mentality of "thinking like a magician". It's all too easy to do. I think...well...I see a lot of "hate" everywhere. Rudeness, and just plain arrogance. No longer is it in fashion to be polite and just walk away. Disagreements develop into verbal abuse, and on it goes. No one likes to say, "I was wrong." No one likes to say, "Gee, I'm sorry." That would be "weak". Spock, it's up to you and I. We rise above this, and set an example by refusing to "play". Ya know, religions preach "Love Your Neighbor", but no one understands. My friend, we will be judged mainly on how we treat each other. Your fellow man is YOU! I don't know where this "hate" stuff started. I grew up in the sixties-the "LOVE" generation. It hurts me to see this. Thank you for this post. You're a good guy! Doug |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
The way a laymen see it is much different from the way insiders or professionals see it. To a laymen it may have been interesting, fascinating and impressive. However to someone with more experience or in-the-know they are looking at the same thing o a much deeper and different level. Once you are into the scene a few years you may see and understand the differences.
Especially those of us that do this for a living as the misperceptions may have an affect on our shows or audiences. Much different interests and reasons than a beginner. |
Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
Mindpro, you're right. I was a Radio disc jockey for more than 35 years. I saw stuff like WKRP In Cincinnati and was really surprised at how ridiculous it was! Nothing like real Radio! You had turntables and you hand-cued records, loaded tape machines, prepared live copy, and had to talk between every song! There was NO time for that inane banter. And, we didn't have a Loni Anderson as a receptionist. Ours looked something like this:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RoaN7wboYik/UG......rlss.jpg |
Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
OK, back on topic...we need to see movies for what they are. Pure entertainment. Like cartoons. And for a discussion to devolve into hate...well, that's the Internet for ya. Always has to be SOMEONE to stir the kettle. And sitting at a computer, it's easy to start or continue a flame war. I find it easier to log off and walk away...
Doug |
Pakar Ilusi Inner circle 5777 Posts |
I love the movie.
"Dreams aren't a matter of Chance but a matter of Choice." -DC-
|
Salguod Nairb Room 101 0 Posts |
Pakar loves everything. My rating is more of a 'Meh'.
We shall meet in the place where there is no darkness...
|
DrNorth Veteran user North Starr Entertainment, Harrisburg PA 364 Posts |
I very much enjoyed this film. Remember that there will probably two (at least, if not three) ways magic is approached in film.
1) some reveal of more basic tricks to add some authenticity with no reveal of major effects. 2) complete bogus reveal either because they honor the idea of our secrets via bogus tricks or solutions (The Prestige) also just for entertainment neans 3) bogus reveals simply because they don't know or don't care. (The Illusionist) "For it shows things that were, and things that are, and things that yet may be. But which it that he sees, even the wisest cannot always tell" ~Galadriel "A heretic is a man who sees with his own eyes." |
Russell Davidson Inner circle Hampshire, England 1108 Posts |
Thankfully not all of us involved in magic have forgotten how to just enjoy something for what it is - a film.
Laughable the way some turn their nose up and slate it for no good reason. It's a film, for entertainment, not some bleedin documentary. |
magicusb Inner circle 1135 Posts |
Loved the movie since one of the lead magicians is a famale, Isla Fisher, which is very rare to see in a movie. In a half a dozen or so interviews she said she modeled the role from the life and career of Dorothy Dietrich to give authenticity to the part. She gave Dorothy some really great compliments.
For those who liked the movie, I understand it was so successful that there will be a sequel.
Check out http://HoudiniOpoly.com
Houdini Museum Tour & Magic Show. Only building in the world dedicated to Houdini. http://Houdini.org http://HoudiniDisplays.com http://PsychicTheater.com Scranton, Pa (570) 342-5555 "The truth shall make you free, but first it will make you angry." -Robert Ingersoll-Atheist (on the mind of Houdini when he died.) We are thrilled we were able to bring The Grim Game to the world! Thanks TCM. |
cap casino New user 79 Posts |
I am an ‘insider’ magician and I enjoyed this movie.
Along with Prestige / Illusionist / Burt Wonderstone / etc. etc. Even if they were not totally accurate. I heard the excellent and rare female magician Angela Funovits got into magic after watching (gasp horror) The Masked magician shows. It is what it is. Even non accurate or unrealistic magic themed movies help build awareness and interest in the art or our ‘sector’ if you will of the entertainment world economy. A lot of magicians are frankly like CULT members. Too insular. Egomaniacs. To be frank I have even myself at times fallen into this trap. It is just that a trap. And the best traps have some kind of bait that seduces you at the start. With magic it is this wondrous world of intense community and exciting insider concepts and terms. You fall madly in love. Five years later all your friends and favorite books are magicians. THIS is where things become an issue. You lose touch with the vast bulk of humanity. You loose your ability to understand and respect their perspective. Huh my ten phase progressive ace assembly with coin matrix stuff blended in isn’t your priority right now? You would rather get say paid or laid right now? Ooo. Etc. etc. Now the best magicians do expand the meaning of their magic. Building the emotions and drama of it. David Copperfield is of course great at this. David Blaine also taps into some of this. He twists his arm for a doctor. He produces coins as a gift for a homeless dude, and so on. Actually magic themed movies made for laypeople (which are 99.9% of humanity and 99.9% of the market $$$ remember) also I think do some of this quite well. THIS is where the traditional insider magician gets confused or is ‘blind’ like in the Bible you are ‘blind and deaf’ even though you aren’t literally that. They can’t see how well Hollywood writers locate interesting meaningful characters and dramatic situations. In Now you See Me there is this notion that if you were a team of master magicians you might use your powers to rob banks. Wow. Bam. Yeah exactly. What if it was about getting paid. Money. Wealth. A lifestyle improvement. And then also masters of deception might further use their skills to avoid capture for their crimes. They also might be complex, charismatic, cool, or relatable and thus we deep down cheer for them- a classic caper story. In Illusionist there is this love story. Love. Yeah. Most people really care about money and love. Why? Its called happiness or at least pleasure. And so on and so forth. Human nature. When I watched The Illusionist I thought DANG SMACK WOW now THAT is a magician. Not just a guy doing tricks. But a riveting full odd mysterious powerful personality. The issue brought up in this thread is sort of like the many many ‘insider’ magicians who (have great ‘chops’ and are savvy about magic techniques and have read all the sleight of hand classics say) but despise David Blaine. They just can’t come to grips with the situation- YES he does a simple routine with a folding coin yes some basic card sleights. You can do sybil cuts and faro shuffles and have an ingenious truly robust truly virtuoso sequence or approach to that coin gaff, a coin in bottle you have finessed over the last decade darnit! And yet YOU ARE NOT DAVID BLAINE. You are not HIM. His fans like and are fascinated by HIM. A lesson for all those lovers of the art of lying, a lesson you might pass after you at last truly see and hear the truth. Best, Cap
" Hands of invisible spirits touch the strings
Of that mysterious instrument, the soul, And play the prelude of our fate." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow see capcasino.com |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
The reason I dislike this movie is not because I am a magician. It is because I am writer. The writing was all over the place. Only one character was well developed. The plot was confused and full of holes. There was no clear thrust to the story.
On top of that one of the magicians (the boy band one) was played by a young actor who couldn't steal a scene from my dog. So bad script and mediocre acting (aside from Woody Harlson) is why it didn't work.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
critter Inner circle Spokane, WA 2653 Posts |
Contains spoilers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2bqfDrtd6M I'll probably still need to own the DVD when it hits the bargain bin...
"The fool is one who doesn't know what you have just found out."
~Will Rogers |
Aster D. Grey New user but a quick learner 23 Posts |
In all fairness, "Everything Wrong With" RIPS apart every movie, good or not. It's ment to be humor not genuine critique, so don't take it as such.
Rainbows and unicorns,
Grey |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
One has to wonder if you wound have enjoyed the movie had it not contained magic? If not then you have the reasons I disliked it.
It was hopelessly derivative, it failed huge as a caper movie, it was SO unbelievable that you could not stretch belief to follow and a hundred other problems beside the horrible representation of magic. You admit to huge plot holes in it. Ok if there was not magic in the movie would you make such allowances?
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
critter Inner circle Spokane, WA 2653 Posts |
I thought it was okay, but I preferred Burt Wonderstone as far as magic movies from around that same time.
"The fool is one who doesn't know what you have just found out."
~Will Rogers |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
How about the gratuitous exposure of a mirror box?
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Magic names and the media » » Now You See Me - Why the Hate? (1 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |