Search found 338 matches

by Michael Kamen
September 15th, 2014, 12:26 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Harry Lorayne's Wife Rene has Died
Replies: 16
Views: 7741

Re: Harry Lorayne's Wife Rene has Died

So saddened to hear of this Harry, sincerest condolences. Fond memories of you on the many Saturdays at the 42nd St. Cafeteria. I only remember Rene from her lovely picture you included in Close Up Card Magic -- one felt one knew you both.
by Michael Kamen
November 29th, 2013, 4:21 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: New Blaine Special
Replies: 41
Views: 11094

Re: New Blaine Special

Thanks for posting this.
by Michael Kamen
November 29th, 2013, 3:40 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Shin Lim performance
Replies: 65
Views: 15667

Re: Shin Lim performance

I loved what he did, presuming the video reflection was not edited film. Visual magic, pure artistry, whether one happens to like the particular art work or not. An excellent example of magician's craft of illusion. No pretense. Little reliance on character acting. Lovely. And I for one did not see ...
by Michael Kamen
November 27th, 2013, 8:11 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: New Blaine Special
Replies: 41
Views: 11094

Re: New Blaine Special

Guimaraes and Delgaudio appear to be doing very well in NYC with card tricks, a lot of personality, and great presentations.
by Michael Kamen
November 27th, 2013, 12:19 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: New Blaine Special
Replies: 41
Views: 11094

Re: New Blaine Special

Ba-boom.
by Michael Kamen
November 12th, 2013, 11:51 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Copperfield: World’s Most Powerful Person
Replies: 2
Views: 1131

Re: Copperfield: World’s Most Powerful Person

Someone please tell me they are kidding.
by Michael Kamen
August 18th, 2013, 11:11 pm
Forum: Link Watch
Topic: Skeptics including Randi & Swiss
Replies: 18
Views: 6393

Re: Skeptics including Randi & Swiss

Bill -- JT has an extraordinary mind -- sometimes he gets carried away. I often enjoy the game of trying to decode him, if I have the time. At other times I just ignore. Everything you said seems very human and understandable. It takes a lot of work -- there is reward in learning something new, when...
by Michael Kamen
August 18th, 2013, 9:02 pm
Forum: Link Watch
Topic: Skeptics including Randi & Swiss
Replies: 18
Views: 6393

Re: Skeptics including Randi & Swiss

I am not a grammar cop, but I found subject and verb to be inferred. Dunno. Could have misread and stand ready to be corrected.
by Michael Kamen
August 18th, 2013, 6:28 pm
Forum: Link Watch
Topic: Skeptics including Randi & Swiss
Replies: 18
Views: 6393

Re: Skeptics including Randi & Swiss

I liked Jon's post because it introduced me to words that are part of the English language, interesting in sound, that I do not recall hearing before. That he was able to use them in a coherent sentence that expressed an opinion about the subject at hand, was to me impressive. No attempt to paraphra...
by Michael Kamen
August 17th, 2013, 7:00 pm
Forum: Link Watch
Topic: Skeptics including Randi & Swiss
Replies: 18
Views: 6393

Re: Skeptics including Randi & Swiss

Houdini always made a distinction between religious beliefs, such as belief in the afterlife, and mediums, who used trickery to deceive bereaved people. He didn't quarrel with spiritualism, even, as a religion; only with mediums. And I think he recognized that some people who claimed to contact the...
by Michael Kamen
August 16th, 2013, 11:32 pm
Forum: Link Watch
Topic: Skeptics including Randi & Swiss
Replies: 18
Views: 6393

Re: Skeptics including Randi & Swiss

Great article about the Skeptics movement, of which Randi and Swiss are exemplars.
by Michael Kamen
July 18th, 2013, 1:21 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Forward on Jewish Magicians
Replies: 2
Views: 1279

Re: Forward on Jewish Magicians

Shane Baker wrote:Nice article in the Jewish Daily Forward (English edition) about Jews in magic:
http://forward.com/articles/179810/meet-the-new-generation-of-jewish-magicians/?p=all.


Amazing article, and the video of David Blaine at TED is very impressive indeed.
by Michael Kamen
July 16th, 2013, 10:21 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: RIP Jan Howlett (David Ben's Wife)
Replies: 17
Views: 5610

Re: RIP Jan Howlett (David Ben's Wife)

What a brilliant and dynamic person we all have tragically lost. Sincerest condolences to Mr. Ben
by Michael Kamen
May 17th, 2013, 10:19 pm
Forum: Tenyo
Topic: There Was a Rabbit Explosion in My House Today
Replies: 14
Views: 4113

Re: There Was a Rabbit Explosion in My House Today

Hell, my rabbit exploded before I even got it home.
by Michael Kamen
February 20th, 2013, 10:45 pm
Forum: Alternative Media
Topic: prominent blog praises Sleights of Mind
Replies: 37
Views: 7452

Re: prominent blog praises Sleights of Mind

The parts of their work that should concern us (as magicians) are those that expose methods and practices that magicians have generally agreed should be kept secret. That is of only passing concern to me -- exposure has always existed, and this is but a drop in that bucket. (although I kind of rese...
by Michael Kamen
February 20th, 2013, 9:18 pm
Forum: Alternative Media
Topic: prominent blog praises Sleights of Mind
Replies: 37
Views: 7452

Re: prominent blog praises Sleights of Mind

Not what we do -- what they do. The predicted appreciation of magic would be incidental, as the book was not written for that purpose. My point is that this should not cause us any concern.
by Michael Kamen
February 20th, 2013, 8:32 pm
Forum: Alternative Media
Topic: prominent blog praises Sleights of Mind
Replies: 37
Views: 7452

Re: prominent blog praises Sleights of Mind

Maybe so Bill, but I am not sure I would personally care whether a scientist has a precisely accurate understanding of how magic works in performance or not. I would even suggest that there is no demonstrable harm to magicians in this, but potentially useful benefit to the public in helping them fo...
by Michael Kamen
February 20th, 2013, 3:54 pm
Forum: Alternative Media
Topic: prominent blog praises Sleights of Mind
Replies: 37
Views: 7452

Re: prominent blog praises Sleights of Mind

But the problem lies not just with their book (which is presumably intended for an intelligent, but non-academic, audience). It is also with their academic articles. These articles are filled with the same presuppositions about how magic works, and are just as wrong. To the extent that these academ...
by Michael Kamen
February 20th, 2013, 2:03 pm
Forum: Alternative Media
Topic: prominent blog praises Sleights of Mind
Replies: 37
Views: 7452

Re: prominent blog praises Sleights of Mind

I have read the book also. I think it is key that it was not written for magicians. If magicians read it hoping to gain insight into magic craft they will likely be disappointed. It is written as a popular-level exegesis about recent learnings in the field of neuroscience. It is scientific. Most peo...
by Michael Kamen
February 3rd, 2013, 12:49 pm
Forum: Columns
Topic: Tom Stone's Definition of Magic
Replies: 45
Views: 32151

Re: Tom Stone's Definition of Magic

No argument there Richard.
by Michael Kamen
February 3rd, 2013, 12:43 pm
Forum: Columns
Topic: Tom Stone's Definition of Magic
Replies: 45
Views: 32151

Re: Tom Stone's Definition of Magic

I think we might need the word illusion in there, or something to the effect of "presenting something seemingly impossible." I do not agree. There can be magic without illusion, and even without impossibility. If I put a playing card on the table, you name a card, then turn over the table...
by Michael Kamen
February 3rd, 2013, 12:29 pm
Forum: Columns
Topic: Tom Stone's Definition of Magic
Replies: 45
Views: 32151

Re: Tom Stone's Definition of Magic

Tom Stone wrote:
mrgoat wrote:Magic: When you make someone feel, even for a split second, like a 6 year old on Christmas Eve.

Depressed?


LOL :-)
by Michael Kamen
January 4th, 2013, 10:42 am
Forum: Alternative Media
Topic: Clarke found it effective
Replies: 6
Views: 1591

Re: Clarke found it effective

Pete McCabe wrote:Try this one:

Useless Machine -- Advanced Version


That is too funny!
by Michael Kamen
December 31st, 2012, 8:15 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Sausage Magic...and more
Replies: 1
Views: 911

Re: Sausage Magic...and more

[censored], it looks like the truth is finally out.
by Michael Kamen
December 27th, 2012, 8:32 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Nice cull
Replies: 5
Views: 1817

Re: Nice cull

$15 and several years of practice later. His execution is very impressive methinks.
by Michael Kamen
December 27th, 2012, 3:46 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Nice cull
Replies: 5
Views: 1817

Re: Nice cull

yah.
by Michael Kamen
December 22nd, 2012, 3:31 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Is this magical ... or just creepy?
Replies: 10
Views: 2386

Re: Is this magical ... or just creepy?

Clever, creepy, and magical.
by Michael Kamen
December 22nd, 2012, 3:21 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Trailer for The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
Replies: 1
Views: 582

Re: Trailer for The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

Thanks for the link -- looks great! Releases in March.
by Michael Kamen
December 15th, 2012, 5:16 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Juan Tamariz Kicks Some Mighty ASS!
Replies: 10
Views: 3641

Re: Juan Tamariz Kicks Some Mighty ASS!

F'ing brilliant!
by Michael Kamen
December 13th, 2012, 10:34 pm
Forum: Alternative Media
Topic: Tommy can you hear me?
Replies: 1
Views: 918

Re: Tommy can you hear me?

Well, I knew about most of those, but they really had me on the go cart track!
by Michael Kamen
December 11th, 2012, 10:43 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Absurd Cups & Balls Routine!
Replies: 19
Views: 5072

Re: Absurd Cups & Balls Routine!

Just showed it to my wife and she loved it. What the hell do I know.
by Michael Kamen
December 11th, 2012, 9:08 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Absurd Cups & Balls Routine!
Replies: 19
Views: 5072

Re: Absurd Cups & Balls Routine!

So what if it seems "borderline psychotic"? It's an incredible theatrical presentation. If you don't like theater in your magic, then it's not for you. Perhaps so. I do appreciate the skill of the performer, but I do not find the skit effective dramatically or magically. Dramatically the ...
by Michael Kamen
December 11th, 2012, 12:34 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Absurd Cups & Balls Routine!
Replies: 19
Views: 5072

Re: Absurd Cups & Balls Routine!

Yes, frustration I agree, to an extent that seemed borderline psychotic. That I think detracted from the magic, whereas Cardini's good nature about the whole thing seemed to enhance it. For Cardini's character, magical things were happening. Yann's character seemed to resist it at every moment. The ...
by Michael Kamen
December 10th, 2012, 11:41 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Absurd Cups & Balls Routine!
Replies: 19
Views: 5072

Re: Absurd Cups & Balls Routine!

Cardini was tipsy, and very understandable. I found myself asking what ailment our main character suffers from in this vignette.
by Michael Kamen
August 25th, 2012, 1:12 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Ricky Jay in NYC
Replies: 32
Views: 8822

Re: Ricky Jay in NYC

Wow -- that was a good documentary!
by Michael Kamen
July 1st, 2012, 7:46 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Final five
Replies: 34
Views: 6029

Re: Final five

No problem about being off topic. I frequently go OT myself. Part of what Geller will lecture about is how to achieve what he has. It seems to me that there's a real interesting difference between the way magicians romance the lives of people who cheat at gambling, while simultaneously condemning p...
by Michael Kamen
July 1st, 2012, 12:55 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Final five
Replies: 34
Views: 6029

Re: Final five

Quite so Mr. Goat. To JT's point, we can account for the magic in a way that feeds credulity, as does Mr. Geller so skillfully, or in a way that playfully jolts the creative imagination. I think we do have a choice. Clearly if we do not account for the magic they will, to RK's point making us defact...
by Michael Kamen
May 12th, 2012, 8:38 pm
Forum: Other Magic Publications
Topic: Something troubling in Steinmeyer's new book
Replies: 123
Views: 45010

Re: Something troubling in Steinmeyer's new book

Umpa, I appreciate your scholarly approach though I will stay out of the way of the argument over what is or is not in the public domain. Unlike say general education, whose aims are usually agreed upon as for the common good, no one cares if the next generation of audiences is amazed by magicians m...
by Michael Kamen
April 8th, 2012, 7:28 pm
Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
Topic: Who invented Bowling Ball from Briefcase ?
Replies: 64
Views: 26638

Re: Who invented Bowling Ball from Briefcase ?

Bowling ball or basketball from briefcase -- same effect as impossibly large final loads for the chop cup. Same effect as producing an elephant from whatever have you on stage, or a brick from under a hat. These things are only a matter of scale. Substituting an elephant for a tiger has technical hu...

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