An honest liar

Speaking of magicians, our old friend James Randi, magician and debunker extraordinaire, is the subject-to-be of a new film project. The film is still very much a work in progress, and indeed the film-makers are looking for investors. So if you have a few quid to spare, you can donate here. In the meantime, here's the trailer.

An Honest Liar - Work-in-Progress trailer from Justin Weinstein on Vimeo.

The Magic of Blackpool

Just the idea of Blackpool on a February Sunday sends a shiver down my spine. But not for the reason you might think. Blackpool out of season for most people would be a rather bleak prospect. Not for me. I have very fond memories from my awkward teens, back in the 80's, when I would go to Blackpool for the Magic Convention in February, and spend the day wandering around the multitude of magic dealers to see what I could spend my pocket money on. Perhaps a magic book or some lecture notes or, more often than not, the latest gizmo that might allow me to perform the latest mind-boggling effect that was flavour of the month amongst my fellow nerds (or, should I say, young magicians).

A few years ago, some 20 or so years after my childhood excursions to the Magic Convention, I dragged Rachel along to the Winter Gardens to experience the spectacle. It was an eye-opener... I got to see many of the same magic dealers, now with more grey hairs and expanded waistlines, performing and selling much the same tricks to a whole new generation of young magicians (or, should I say, nerds). And Rachel got to see me regressing back to my awkward teens as I tried to pluck up the courage to speak to anyone.

The highlight of the day? Well that was actually down the other end of the town at the Pleasure Beach, riding the Pepsi Max Big One. Enough to send shivers down your spine.

CubeStormer

This just in from David Blaine (you gotta love twitter!). I can't tell if this is genuine or not, but I've long been a fan of the Rubik's Cube since I was first bought one as a teenager, and again when I was bought one by my sister just 3 or 4 years ago. I just love the way the cube looks, moves, sounds and feels. So pleased they seem to be re-launching it to today's kids.

Derren Brown: The Experiments

More from DB a week on Friday (21st Oct) as Channel 4 begins showing his new 4 part series 'Derren Brown: The Experiments'. You just know these are going to be good. Here's the trailer:

You'll all be doing it tomorrow!

Back so soon?

And so another 5 months have just passed by, and not once have I been bothered to post anything on this blog! Oh dear. Perhaps this blogging lark wasn't such a good idea after all? That said, when I look back at some of the posts from the past few years, I do remember actually enjoying it from time to time.

So, here I go again. I'm sure I have lost the one or two followers that used to regularly take a look at these pages so we start afresh, but there's plenty in the archives to have a root through if you so wish! I'll be playing around with a few new looks over the coming weeks, so do feel free to post a comment or two with your feedback (be nice!).

All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace

Monday night, BBC2 at 9pm. New Adam Curtis series. Here's the trailer: