Okay, I’ll admit that the number and frequency of my posts regarding Penn Jillette’s “The Aristocrats” — you know the movie about the dirtiest joke ever told, the one Michael Medved isn’t going to list in his top ten list — is surprising, even to me. But I think it’s a fascinating story about a story about a joke “normal” people wouldn’t have any business hearing to begin with.
Here’s a new review from The Daily Californian, in which writer David Boyk observes and opines:
But the middles vary from clean but funny slapstick—all slapstick is funny slapstick—to the foulest, most shocking descriptions of incestuous, pedophilic coprophagy (look that one up!) involving endangered species, and other things that don’t even have euphemisms, that ever made a crowd guffaw. And the nastiest version of all, by a long shot, is told by Bob Saget. It lasts for probably 10 minutes and will force grandmas out of their seats. It’s also very funny.
I’d heard that about Bob Saget.
He also noted — as have others — that there are few commediennes who tell the joke. It seems to me the concept of “equality” is being taken to absurd lengths. Besides, not that I particularly care to hear a dirty joke to begin with, I don’t particularly want to hear a chick tell it. But, that’s just me.
But here’s the part I found more interesting:
The movie’s emphasis on more or less obscure comedians is an asset, however. When famous comedians do show up, most of them end up disappointing. Robin Williams is incoherent, Jon Stewart is stiff, Drew Carey is self-satisfied and Eddie Izzard doesn’t even know the joke. The worst part of the movie, near the end, is the extended love letter to Gilbert Gottfried.
Aside from the startling “revelation” that Robin Williams is incoherent, it appears Mr. Boyd isn’t a fan of Gilbert Gottfried. I am. And the story behind Gottfried’s performance of this piece is actually more funny than any other venue I can imagine. It seems to me its position in the film is the right punctuation, given what comes before it.
Still not showing at a theater near me, though.
Every once in a while I find it useful and pleasant to stop everything from moving around me, sit for a while, and think. I don’t know anyone who could possibly argue that the pace of life in the Internet age is so fast that what we used to call “fast” is now old-fogey stately in comparison.
Sometimes I have to find a reason to stop. Thankfully, I was given a pretty good reason late yesterday in the form of an advance copy of Richard Osterlind’s newest e-book, “The Principles of Magic.”
If you’ve spent the least amount of time here at Escamoteurettes, you know I am a fan of Osterlind’s work. He’s a fellow who preaches from the same pulpit he works behind. It still astounds me he decided to release his first set of DVDs, filled with the stuff he does for paying audiences. As a general rule, despite how good the material is in DVDs, it’s usually not the material a working magician actually performs for “normal” people. And that’s precisely what made those DVDs so valuable.
Over the last couple of years, Richard, through his friend and business partner Jim Sisti, has released a series of e-books that have garnered almost universal praise. And for good reason: like the DVDs, they are filled with valuable material — both advice and tricks — that translate successfully in the real world because thats where it was born: in the real world.
One of the threads that’s woven through and between each of his books is the notion that magic is more than the sum of the tricks performed before audiences and their responses. In a different manner than Burger and Neale — and I love dearly the work of both of those men — Richard presents his point of view that magic is inherently and should be really magic, and the devices by which he describes for creating that are…how can I put this?…simpler. By simpler, I mean in the same way a properly performed trick with an Ultra Mental creates a moment of real magic. You have to admit, magic doesn’t get simpler than that, yet the response is all out of proportion. Why? That’s the magic. That’s the thread you’ll find through each of these e-books.
“The Principles of Magic” is described this way by Richard in his Foreward:
This book is not an attempt to list all the principles of magic as we usually think of them. There are numerous tomes which have done that job perfectly. The Tarbell Course of Magic has more to offer along those lines than any ten other books. It can safely be said that mastering that course would give the reader well over 90% of all the knowledge he needs to succeed in magic.
Rather, this work has two objectives in mind. The first is to strengthen the respect that magic deserves as an art and the second is to add to the above principles of magic. It is hoped that these ideas will be approached with an open mind and the belief that we can all improve and should always be trying to.
There’s always the fear that any follow-up to such an excellent series of books — e- or otherwise — may not live up to what’s come before. After two complete readings over the course of twenty-four hours I’m happy to say this easily earns its place next to Richard’s other e-books.
There are five main sections, each covering an aspect of the art of magic and mentalism that seems to come up in conversation over and over, and you’ll recognize the subject matter if you spend any time at all on any of the magic discussion boards. The first section covers the ground work and touches on how we got to where we are today in magic.
The second section’s topics include how to deal with guilt, the magician’s ego, and my favorite “How far is too far?” (This was a terrific section and worthy of reading several times.)
The next two sections cover some nuts and bolts topics that concern stage and close-up workers alike. Osterlind covers each from his experience and point of view and asks just enough questions to have you question why you may believe what you believe about the performance of magic. Ever ask yourself what’s the best way to walk on stage? If not, maybe you should. What are some nearly no-fail strategies in selecting volunteers, and how to best handle them once they’re standing next to you? Every get the willies when performing? (Virtually a rhetorical question, I realize.) Suppose you could learn a strategy to successfully deal with that so you can concentrate on your performance? Would that interest you?
The final section, like Richard’s other e-books, offers an excellent trick that, like the others, deserves to be sold on its own. Like the other tricks, this is one Osterlind actually uses in front of paying audiences. It’s explained in great detail and it it a killer.
Is this worth your investment? I think it is. So are Richard’s other e-books. But, unlike the other e-books, this one isn’t available yet. It actually goes online for instant purchase tonight at midnight on the Osterlind Mysteries web site.
If you have a serious interest in the magic of magic and want to explore some territory dealing with fundamental principles of magic that don’t get enough ink — electronic or otherwise — I can’t think of a good reason not to invest in this new book.
One of my occasional haunts is blabbermouth.net. A few days ago, they announced:
Master provocateur Criss Angel, whose A&E series “Criss Angel Mindfreak” debuted last week (airs weekly on Wednesday) at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT, will make an appearance at the July 30 Ozzfest date in Chicago.
Angel will have a tented area where he will be available to interact with fans and sign autographs from 12 noon to 3 p.m. He will periodically perform close demonstrations including razor blades, metal bending, and mentalism outside of the tent. Angel will also take the stage to introduce ROB ZOMBIE.
Consider, for a moment, Angel’s angle here: he’s going to interact with fans.
Compare that with top-of-mind television magicians from the last few years. Notice a difference? Anyone? Anyone? Beuller?
It is becoming readily apparent to me that “The Aristocrats” is not going to suffer the same fate as did “The Blair Witch Project” — which is to say, it appears to me many people still aren’t getting the joke. Which, naturally, makes the joke even funnier. This may become the Mobius Strip movie of the decade.
I should be a mindreader. (HA! HA! HA! HA! Sorry.)
Penn Jillette’s project, “The Aristocrats“ — known affectionately by many as the movie that presents the dirtiest joke ever told, the movie Michael Medved panned “because it’s not a film anybody’s going to see, it’s not a film that anybody cares about” — is proving itself, its premise, and bearing out what I suspected: some people just don’t get it at all.
My favorite comment is, “The joke isn’t even funny.” (I strongly suspect these are the same people who would ban dihydrogen monoxide if they had half a chance.) But I disagree; this is very funny.
The motion picture opened in four theaters on July 29th and the news continues to roll in. CNN called it, “The most foul-mouthed movie ever.” It went on to say, “‘Aristocrats’ offers no sex or violence, but plenty of obscenity.”
In other words, it’s like a trip to the local mall’s food court on a Saturday night?
AMC Theatres claims it will not show the movie on any of its nearly 3,500 screens. In an interview with a hoarse Jillette:
Q: So I’m figuring I’ll get my ticket early, hopefully at the AMC theater. At Pleasure Island. In Walt Disney World. On opening day. What’re my chances?
Jillette: Not good. Not good at all. Hahaha!
“The Aristocrats” is not about the story; it’s about the storytellers. Or, as Penn put it, “It’s the singer, not the song. It’s the craft of comedy.” Unfortunately, critics — for the most part — are staring at the bark on the tree, wondering aloud what makes it so special. Color me capricious, but I find that awfully amusing.
Not quite “man bites dog” but, as a header, it’ll do.
This weekend, Abbott’s Magic Get-Together marks the 68th year of get-togethers in Colon, MI. An article today in Sturgis Journal mentions:
This is the 68th year for the Abbott’s Magic Get-Together. Magicians from several foreign countries have arrived in preparation for the magic shows at Colon High School. Greg Bordner, owner-operator of the Abbott Magic Company, said he’s already thinking ahead to next year working on a list of potential performers.
Featured at this year’s get-together are more than 1,000 magic tricks, a new catalog and 300 copies of the just-released “Steward James Encyclopedia of Rope Tricks.â€
The FAB Magic’s “Magi Celebration†takes place under the tent outside Clancy’s and will feature two all-star shows Friday and Saturday.
The Colon Chamber of Commerce is selling copies of a new Colon Magic Capital of the World souvenir license plate for $5. It has been a popular sales item for magicians.
As Tevye would put it, “Tradition.”
The article also interviews amateur magician/atom splitter Wayne Braun — who hasn’t missed a Get-Together in 28 years.
Check out the article if you have a moment.
I wish there’d had been added to that article just a little bit about the history of Abbott’s Magic. Of course, Abbott’s own web site doesn’t offer much in the way of history, either.
The Guardian’s Alok Jha wrote an excellent article on magic.
First there’s shock tinged with disbelief. A moment of wonder follows. Then, a desperate scramble to rack your brains and work out just how you’ve been had. There’s no denying the effects of a good magic trick. From the great escapes of Houdini and the surreal mental trickery of Derren Brown to the conjurors at children’s parties, the appeal is universal.
Yes, that sounds like magic to me, too.
Lots of quotes from Magic Circle member Richard Wiseman, as well as Durham University psychologist Gustav Kuhn. Great article. Read it if you have a few moments.
Merle said it best:
Miracles appear in the strangest of places.
Imagine me finding you here.
In an article about helping people curb their appetite for junk food, mention is made of Derren Brown:
The study used techniques from illusionist Derren Brown, a man world-renowned for his ability to manipulate the minds of others.
Ah. Techniques. And which might those be? I could tell you, but then… Well, you know.
Interesting to see how successfully Derren has positioned himself well outside the ring that includes more than a few clowns. Bless his heart, he’s worked awfully hard at his craft and I’m glad to see the reaction of “normal” people to his work.
USAToday posted an article called “Criss Angel, new master of illusion” that contains a quote from Genii Magazine bossman, Richard Kaufman.
In its first two weeks Mindfreak has drawn 1.7 million viewers, easily improving on the cable network’s average prime-time audience of 1.1 million. More important, it’s drawing young viewers: The median age is 34, well below A&E’s usual 49.
“He is on track to be the next superstar in our field,” says Richard Kaufman, editor of Genii: The Conjurors’ Magazine. Criss is “a hungry guy. You have to be hungry to be a star. It only comes to those who are willing to do almost anything, and, as you can see from the series, he’s willing to do just about anything.”
Criss mentions one episode he thinks A&E may not air. Check out the article for more.
I did think his response to the inevitable “David Blaine” question was beneath dignity. There’s no way one can answer the way Angel did without looking petty.
A PR Web press release today, Wizards Teach Medicine to Doctors, announces a pairing of between Lee Grotte, M.D. and McBride School of Magic:
An unlikely alliance between two famous magicians and a physician has led to a program at the McBride School of Magic in Las Vegas to help doctors improve their communication skills. Their proposal: “modern medicine could use a little magic.â€
Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) August 02, 2005 — A magic school in Las Vegas may seem an unlikely place to instruct doctors on how to improve their communication skills, but two world-class magicians and an expert in Oriental medicine think otherwise. Each is convinced that modern medicine could use a little magic.Lee Grotte, M.D, the non-magician of the trio, points out that the goal of all systems of medicine, whether ancient or modern, is to establish a good relationship between the doctor and the patient. Once this “therapeutic relationship” is established, the common goal of improving health can begin.
Grotte adds that doctors must not only have the technical skills to diagnose and treat, but also need to master communication skills to help the patient understand the doctor’s viewpoint as well as how to change negative emotional habits, dietary, and exercise behaviors that contribute to disease.
The press release goes on a bit further down:
In response he has begun working with Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger, two of the faculty of the well known McBride School of Magic in Las Vegas, to offer classes for doctors. Grotte met them when they were visiting Cleveland for last year’s International Brotherhood of Magicians convention.
Grotte had been exploring the interface of ritual magic and medicine in Oriental culture for many years, and wanted to compare notes with McBride, who received some of his training in Asia and also widely performs there. “Soon we were discussing techniques for establishing rapport between members of different cultures and ages as they relate to both medicine and magic. Our perspectives were very similar.â€
The Dean of the Magic School also had a remarkable viewpoint to share: “On Friday night, Eugene (Burger) had given this powerful presentation on compassion, kindness, and mindfulness in magic, all subjects of great relevance to medicine, also.â€
“Here were two men who had developed tremendous skill at changing people’s belief systems,” he said. “They could even convince people that impossible events are happening right in front of them.”
It’s long been tradition that the world of magic includes many doctors. Some, over the years, have found incorporating tricks in their practice to be useful for any number of reasons. This, I think, is the first time I’ve read a doctor using magic in this direct, particular manner.
There’s lots more in the release, and a link to the web site. Worth a look if you have a moment.
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