I thought episode 2 was not good at all...

the escape was good but the rest of it didn't live up to the promise of #1 in any way...

hope it improves - the first episode had awesome routines

f

Not overly impressed, some nice bits here and there but there was definately a well placed edit before Magick boy made the rubiks cube disappear. One minute it was a regular cube (well Daryls self solving cube) then after the cut it was a c-----ing cube like the bird cage.

But I'm sure Bobser will tell us different?

A.R.

This was such a mixed bag of stuff that it's really hard to form an opinion.

I really admire the way they used interesting narritives to hold the routines together. "Corpse disposal" made me smile, nothing new, but a quirky presentational twist.

On the other hand, it seemed likely that the rubiks cube sequence was conceived backwards - the script was written to incorporate the effects. The pills swapping hands was really nice, and a definate fight club reference.

I loved the back yard escape. The deliberately lo-fi style really won me over and his dad added a wonderfully human element. Whilst not spectacular, the escape seemed to engender a greater sense of real danger than the typical vegas style.

Whilst I understand why they used Bez as a narrator, the tone seemed to undermine the skills of the performers.

It left me with an urge to rewatch 'stuff the white rabbit' and a new respect for the production of the Derren Brown programmes. Given that they drew from a far smaller pool (mentalism, rather than magic) they were far more cohesive, inventive and watchable.

I have to say some of the theming was fun, but still edits galore and also you can't help but feel that TV magic has gone backwards in regards to ethics. There was a time when they made a point of doing it for real.

A.R.

Yes Andrew, you're right. By that I mean you're totally wrong once again!
Sorry, but the rubik cube is embarrissingly straightforward to any magician of average ability, so c'mon, get your thinking cap on and dare to step outside the box, just for a moment!
That particular act, as anyone who has seen the guys' stage show will tell you, is identical to what they do live (apart from that particular finish obviously).

Bobser
(always helping)

I have seen it live Bob, they placed a nice cut at an awkward moment, during the d----h of the r-g---r cube with the col---ing one.

Now I know the routine is a live routine however it is a convenient edit no matter what way you look at it, right on the s--tch. now if this is because they want to deter the video rewinder brigade that's fine, also editing at awkward moments when angles are critical is understandable to a degree, however you dress it up a cut or well placed edit has been made..

When Ali Cook had the woman changing clothes behind the cloth, the appearance of the car could not have been watched live unless you stood exactly in alignment with the women, one step to the right or left would have made it a little clearer.

The bed vanish at the end of the corpse disposal piece (Which was very entertaining) would not have been able to have been performed before a live audience as the front on audience would have been staring at themselves in the gimmick-- .... or maybe it was performed in front of a live audience but the people saw the gimmick-- and no one cared?

It wouldn't suprise me..


I know many shows (probably more than most people think) that have used a well placed cut to their advantage, but it's here on the forum of Magicians not lay people that we discuss things, I think Bobser your tone in the earlier posts with John & James is just a little to defensive. Clearly you have links with the guys infact you maybe one of them ;-) and good luck to you.

The shows are fun easy television, nothing earth shattering. Penn and Teller were doing this stuff 15 years ago, even with the narration, comedic style and sureal plots.

To me Magick was better, this is Tiswas does magic and Tiswas wasn't all bad..

A.R.

Andrew,
As a psychological illusionist it is my role to make things seem like they are when they are not. And this includes the art of the written word. If you come to me as an easy prey can I be forgiven if my written words deceive you too easily? I think so.
Edit, smedt credit... I fear your argument is beginning to lose its pace somewhat don't you? I mean to say you're evidently not stupid since you are aware of what you call the 'video rewinder brigade'. If this is a fact, and it is, then what would you have these guys do?
To find fault in these situations I have to say takes no special talent. But to see the reasons why talented magicians do certain things in certain ways is the gift. One I feel you actually do possess, but I truly do wish you would use it more when ears and eyes abound.
If you have the skills I believe you have then you will have understood this post completely.

Bobser

It is becoming clear...

PM'd You

A.R.

Didn't realise there was a tread on this as I created one higher up.But my thoughts,firstly there is some dodgy editing going on in places.The spiders appearing on the guy's bed-real spiders in close up,camera pans away/cuts back to Pete then back to Ali and the wide shot is plastic spiders on the bed!! Also the rubik cube effect as mentioned,could have been a switch when camera cut away-or maybe an edit?
But whats with the swearing? Im no prude and I swear a lot,but it leaves a nasty taste I think.Magic should be fun and amazing;not crude and vulgar.Penn & Teller did it so much better when they were on Channel 4,edgy dangerous magic that entertained without the need to swear!
Ali Cook is wasted and "Lets kill Foxy" loses its comedic value after the 3rd week.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!! 'Scuse me while I pick myself up off the floor, but that is quite the funniest (gasp, wheeze) thing I have read on this board for a long time.

Fair play to Stuart and Barry for getting this far. They are talented guys to be sure, but let's not get carried away into the realms of hyperbole: "massive cult following in Europe"? Er, no, unless Aberdeen now constitutes the whole of Europe. And as for no cutting in any of their shows, well, oh dear, I'm off again ...

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha etc.

The cutting in Magick wasnt just during the famous transexual scene.LOL

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=weRdwLqTC2I&NR=1

Just to show everyone how good Ali Cook can be.