criss angel.... love or hate?

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Chris Loonie

Postby wardy2001 » Dec 29th, '05, 18:37



I recently saw Chris in his own show on ITV3 or something (I think it's a start of a series?) anyway he wasn't doing any magic, instead he was attempting more of a Blaine style stunt by being suspended underneath a helicopter by hooks embedded through the skin just below his shoulders. The whole show was dedicated to just this "feat" im not quite sure why? It was all very disturbing if you ask me, why on earth would you want to do that to yourself? It's not even very impressive, just stupid.

I also saw him setting himself on fire or something a while back and walking around a crowd? What the hell for? it's not magic, and certainly not new (I believe stuntmen have been doing it for years) Im afraid I find him slightly pointless.

I agree with what seems to be the general consensus, I don't think Chris will ever really make it big, there are way to many "camera and in camera" style tricks done on his TV specials. His stage show is supposed to be quite good, but thats about it. I think we will see Chris ending up in the Las Vegas brigade, growing old being the resident "glam rock" magician.

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Postby Demitri » Dec 30th, '05, 09:39

Actually, Wardy - the setting himself on fire is part of an illusion that he performs. It's nothing incredibly new, but I found it impressive.

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Postby wardy2001 » Dec 30th, '05, 15:33

Didn't he have to do it twice?

I still think it was a rather pointless thing to do :wink:

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Postby Demitri » Dec 30th, '05, 17:58

Yes, he had to do it twice - Something about technical problems and wind causing the flames to hit his face.

As for pointless - I don't quite get that comment. Are you looking for a practical value for doing such a thing?

One other thing I'm curious about. You mentioned how you think Criss would never make it big. So I'm assuming "making it" doesn't include a television series, a long-running stage production, multiple tv specials, dvds, marketed effects, and merchandise?

You speak of him becoming a Vegas act as if it's a derogatory term. So Copperfield, Penn and Teller, Lance Burton, Kevin James and many others are just collecting dust over in Vegas, too? Interesting, considering you've said elsewhere that you would go see Copperfield's show.

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Postby wardy2001 » Dec 30th, '05, 19:17

I get the feeling, Demitri, that you are a fan of Mr Angel and as such anything I say that reflects badly on him you will immediately defend with the up most vigour. While this is an admirable display of loyalty I fail to see what it has to do with my opinion of said "magician" and it is just that, an opinion.

In my opinion Criss Angel's feats of daring camera tricks and public endangerment are indeed pointless, therefore I have no choice but to label him pointless as well.

As for making it big, this is Criss's second bite at the cherry as far as I understand it? (having first tried a music career with the band Angeldust) This incarnation of his career has only been around since mid 2000 with the creation of his "Mindfreak" show, the TV series started in 2005 on the A&E Channel and is classed as a reality show. However I would put this "success" down to the rather aggressive marketing strategy of his management company "The Firm" (having first been plucked by the William Morris agency) rather than his ability as a magician.

One series does not a career make, it's a good start, but it's not Big Time yet.

He is an entertainer and as such will probably have a great future doing all kinds of Blaine style stunts and endurance projects.

It's true I would love to go and see a David Copperfield show or Penn & Teller or even a Siegfried and Roy, but they are worth seeing and have a proven track record of being able to perform quality magic.

But for every good act in Vegas there probably 100 bad ones, I was thinking more along these lines when condemning Criss to his ultimate fate (that and a KISS wig and make up perhaps :D )

Again this is just my opinion and more than likely I will be totally wrong and the name Criss Angel will become synonymous with Magic and be up there with the greats.

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Postby Demitri » Dec 30th, '05, 19:46

Actually, Wardy - I'm not a Criss Angel fan. I respect him as a performer, but his particular style is not really my thing.

My only problem comes from these blanket statements you seem to make on a number of subjects.

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Postby wardy2001 » Dec 30th, '05, 19:48

They are called opinions and I am entitled to one as much as you are.

It seems that we will have to agree to disagree on this subject.

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Postby Demitri » Dec 30th, '05, 19:54

Yes, they are opinions, and you're more than welcome to give them.

I don't care when you say you don't like someone - that's fine with me. However, when you mentioned the fire effect you said it wasn't magic (your opinion is moot since you weren't aware of the full context of the situation), and that it's pointless - these aren't giving opinions - they're imposing them.

Pointless to you is not pointless to everyone. That's all I'm saying. I wasn't trying to attack your opinions. I apologize if that's how you're taking it.

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Postby wardy2001 » Dec 30th, '05, 19:58

Demitri wrote:My only problem comes from these blanket statements you seem to make on a number of subjects.


This did sound like you have a problem with some of the opinions I have been posting :?:

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Postby Demitri » Dec 30th, '05, 20:01

blanket statements, not opinions. There's a difference.

As an example - I never said "You are dumb for hating Criss Angel. He is the best"

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Postby wardy2001 » Dec 30th, '05, 20:05

Demitri wrote:blanket statements, not opinions. There's a difference.

As an example - I never said "You are dumb for hating Criss Angel. He is the best"


Sorry I don't understand your post, are you saying that I posted something like that? or that you would never post something like that?

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Postby Demitri » Dec 30th, '05, 20:09

Sorry, should have been more clear. Yes, I'm saying in regards to opinions - I wouldn't attack opinions you make. I only make comments on things that, to me, seem to extend beyond just giving an opinion.

Regardless, we'll agree to disagree - as you said.

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Postby wardy2001 » Dec 30th, '05, 20:20

OK, if this is about the Fire stunt as being part of a trick then I apologise for jumping to conclusions without knowing the full facts surrounding the effect, my intention was not to impose my view on others, only to express my opinions about Criss and what I had seen of him.

At no point was I trying to convert or state that my view of Criss was the correct one.

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Postby Demitri » Dec 30th, '05, 20:46

That's cool, Wardy. No hard feelings.

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Postby wardy2001 » Dec 30th, '05, 21:23

Cool :D

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