David Blaine DVDs coming out

[Brad A._dup1]

On May 14, Buena Vista Home Entertainment is releasing on VHS and DVD:
David Blaine: Fearless; Best of Cutting-Edge Magician's Incredible Feats.
Special versions of such performances as "Frozen in Time," "Magic Man," and
"Street Magic."

...interesting. I myself don't own a DVD player, so I won't purchase these.
-Brad

[steve]

...interesting....I do own a DVD player and won't buy these ;)

[Adam Brooks]

...interesting...I will not buy this DVD, but I am in the process of buying a DVD player.

It's true... :)

Adam

[Dave Shepherd]

Yeah, I won't buy it either.

But let me note that many years after his first special, long after he went all weird and/or druggy, the adult audiences in the restaurants where I work continue to allude to Blaine as an emblem of close-up magic. I heard Blaine's name twice within the past week from lay audiences who were strangers to me.

I don't know many performers who have made that widespread and lasting an impression based on a couple TV shows. It continues to surprise me. I'm certainly not going to slam him when someone brings up his name admiringly--that's just bad form.

Not defending him, just pointing out.

[Terry]

Not interested...own a DVD player...not going to waste money.

[Jim Maloney_dup1]

Well, look like I'm gonna take the unpopular point of view.

I'm definitely thinking about getting the DVD.

-Jim

[Alpen]

I don't think buying his DVD actually is a relevant relfection of one's personal opinion of David Blaine.
I'm unbiased when it comes to him (don't really like him, don't dislike him either) but he did happen to give magic a boost, expecially when the WGM were no longer being produced. Even though as a fraternity, magicians might not have approved or necssarily liked his shows, he did spark a vast interest in magic.
Furthermore, his style and idea of street magic is unique, and just as all different styles of performance, should be studied, and analyzed for personal knowledge. It's important to realize that when we get a DVD/video of this kind, it is not necessarily an endorsement of the content. All personal views aside, I beileve he contributed to magic, and its popularity. I'm not trying to promote the DVD, just giving him the credit that he deserves.

[Richard Kaufman]

I've recently heard that Blaine has claimed/admitted that his "weird/druggy" appearances last year were an act.
Yes, he says that he was just faking it.
Does that make anyone who had to sit through it feel any better? Or worse?

[Pete McCabe]

I am definitely going to buy the David Blaine DVD.

However, I am not going to buy a DVD Player!

Take THAT, David Blaine!

[Arthur Martello]

My goodness, does it really matter how drugged up David Blaine is or isn't? If there was useful material on this DVD and it is entertaining, it will sell no matter how sanctimonious the rest of the magic community wants to reamin.
It is David Blain's name that people know!! It is his name that is mentioned among the very few that lay people can actually name if you ask them to name a magician. Much of the music that we have been listening to for the past 40 years was created by musicians who may have been a bit drugged (I assume that musicians all listen to Merle Haggard or Frank Sinatra).
This is not to defend Blaine's appearance, attitude, marketing strategies etc.
All I am saying is....get real. This is the 21 century and all tha David Blaine has done is become rich and popular. I believe what I hear from many magicians only amounts to "sour grapes".
I do own a DVD and won' buy it, but at least he will have one out there.

[Brian Marks]

buy the dvd already!!! Support good magic on tv! what does it matter that he doesnt use patter. It doesnt even matter that laymen think hes better because he can "float" 6 feet above the ground while I can change an indifferent card into their own.