talkmagic.co.uk

Wasn't quite sure where to put this...

There's plenty of information and reviews on instructional DVDs, but I think right now, I just need to be able to watch some great magic being performed, without having to learn how it's all done.

I'm learning from books and as great as they may be, I need to see techniques being performed properly too.

What good DVDs are out there for just good old fashioned magic viewing. I want to be part of the audience again, one of the unknowing.


All I've seen recently is Derren Brown's Something Wicked... Although the broken glass and the (seen before) nail in his nose was less to my interest.

(Whoo, 200 posts and counting. )

I'm a fan of Simon Drake and you can get his performance-only DVD from his website...

http://www.secretcabaret.com/

...although his magic is not for everyone!

Replicant wrote:I'm a fan of Simon Drake and you can get his performance-only DVD from his website...

http://www.secretcabaret.com/

...although his magic is not for everyone!

Hmm... probably not for me, but thanks for the recommendation.

Actually you've allowed me to clarify. I'd like some more traditional magic rather than big stage setups.



I really enjoyed that Tommy Wonder video Wild Card posted the other day. Perhaps I'm restricted to finding videos on youtube...

Wow, after doing a search for magic products, it seems so many are so interested in the secrets of magic, yet no-one wants to just see it performed...

You've got the Criss Angel Mindfreak series which has quite a lot of close up within but it depends if you can see through the personality and just concentrate on the magic?

Also, David Blane's Magic Man and Street Magic DVD's can be picked up from a lot of magic shops for as little as £2 or £3 which makes them a bargain.

My personal favorite is watching David Copperfield Illusion DVD.

No explanations in any of them !

There are other Derren Brown DVDs, and one more due out towards the end of the year (or so I understand), from his last tour.

Wayne Dobson has done three DVDs of his TV work (called 'Dobson's Choice - TV Stuff'). They are a bit of a mix. Some is performance only, while he also explains the rough method for quite a few of the effects, and also talks about the business of magic. It's sort of a halfway house between a performance DVD and one dealing with instruction.

There are the various Criss Angel and David Blaine shows on DVD, of course.

If you want some older stuff, there is a DVD set called 'You Asked for It', comprising just under six hours of 1950s TV magic. In a similar vein, there is 'Early TV Magic', which has approximately a four hour running time. Coming further forward in time, is the six volume Magic Circus series (two volumes in each set).

Apart from two of the Wayne Dobson DVDs, and the Blaine and Brown ones, I haven't watched any of these, but you might find them useful.

Thanks. There's quite a bit there.

Are any of the Blaine DVDs perhaps early stuff or more 'believable' stuff? I don't particularly want to see a specs card being found in a tin of beans, I think it's a bit too farfetched. I'm looking for more technical ability than elaborate setup, something I can learn from while being entertained. But it's not the actual techniques I want to learn, but how they're presented and performed smoothly.

Criss Angel I just don't like. He's like Blaine Beyond.

I've got DBs other DVDs which are great, but it's all mentalism by then really, isn't it.

I'm really surprised that it's so limited. I thought there might at least be some Paul Daniels stuff out there for those who remember.

The Blaine DVD's are his earlier TV work and is the 'stuff' that made him famous.

There is some really good and slick street and close up material and event though we may recognise what he's doing and how it's done, his technique is fascinating to watch and is a lesson in itself.

Personally, I' not into Derren Brown as much and while I can watch the more traditional magic over and over, one showing of mentalism material is usually enough for me, no matter how good it is.

Each to his own I suppose

The Bill Malone DVDs are, in my questionable opinion, extremely good for what you're after. They're not performance only, but you can select to watch just the performances on the DVD menu. His misdirection is awesome.

Malone, eh?

Where do you find this stuff? I'm struggling. I found one...

you may be able to find the odd video on eBay. I've got a 'best of the Paul Daniels Magic Show' one, and best of 'The Unpleasant World of Pen & Teller'

You're right though, there's very little available. I would give my right arm for a DVD box set of ITV's The Best of Magic that was broadcast in the late 80s and early 90s. I've got many of them on video, but I'd love to see them all restored in a nice collection.

David Blaine's specials (and Mindfreak) are often repeated on ITV2 or 4, so keep an eye on the schedules if you have Sky, Cable or Freeview.

I've got David Copperfield's Illusion DVD as well, it's an extended version of the magic 'greatest hits' special he did with Claudia Sheifer. It's very good, but I wish it was twice as long as it is...

MagicBell wrote:Malone, eh?

Where do you find this stuff? I'm struggling. I found one...

He's got a DVD set called On The Loose and a DVD set called Here I Go Again. They're widely available.

You should check him out on somewhere like YouTube first to see if you like his style, since the DVDs ain't exactly cheap. He's one of my main influences for card handling style. I love his approach to cards.

This is one of my favourites of his routines: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpzuXmQm3fA

Hey, MagicBell,

A couple more DVDs that have great performances are Gregory Wilson's Pyrotechnic Pasteboards and Card Stunts. Along the lines of what Queen was saying, these are NOT merely performance DVDs. However, Both of them have whole performances of him at the Magic Castle, which are just awesome to watch. I know BlapsingBeard prefers Card Stunts; I have trouble choosing. Either way, it's nice to see a whole performance for actual spectators and see how a routine is put together, the smoothness of the tricks, the patter ,and etc. And, in my opinion, Greg is very entertaining to watch.

kevsashark wrote:Hey, MagicBell,

A couple more DVDs that have great performances are Gregory Wilson's Pyrotechnic Pasteboards and Card Stunts. Along the lines of what Queen was saying, these are NOT merely performance DVDs. However, Both of them have whole performances of him at the Magic Castle, which are just awesome to watch. I know BlapsingBeard prefers Card Stunts; I have trouble choosing. Either way, it's nice to see a whole performance for actual spectators and see how a routine is put together, the smoothness of the tricks, the patter ,and etc. And, in my opinion, Greg is very entertaining to watch.

true - for technical ability card stunts is good

though if you dont mind explanations as well, if you want to watch entertaining then watch devil's picture book!

There's this kid who documented his performances when he travelled all around the United States. He's not top notch, but it's easy to relate to him because he is still not "up there" but slowly making waves. His name is Nathan Staniforth, I think his DVDs are in Amazon.com.

Mindfreak season 1 is interesting. It's Criss Angel in his pre-bloated head days. Most of the stunts and magic effects look legit.

Finally, I recommend Copperfield's Illusion DVD (as magicmax suggested). It's captivating

I looked for Copperfield but it's another that's hard to find. Very hard in fact. It commands a high selling price and most available are region 1. My poor DVD player doesn't do region 1...