"Now You See Me" - real magic or reel magic?

[KPopFever605]

A while ago, theory11 posted a trailer to a new magic movie to hit the big screens sometime in 2013.

It's called "Now You See Me"

The movie's basically about a team of FBI agents tracking a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during their performances and reward their audiences with the money.

It stars many great actors in cinema, such as Jesse Eisenburg (The Social Network & Zombieland) playing one of the many mischivous magicians, as well as Morgan Freeman (The Dark Knight Rises & The Dophin Tale). Other notable actors include Dave Franco, Mark Ruffalo, Isla Fisher,  and Woody Harrelson.

The movie also features theory11's Monarch playing cards, which is by far an excellent choice of deck compared to standard Bicycles.

The movie is in its post-production stage, and is due out on June 7, 2013.

The trailer can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNfiXZzmhjw
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I for one believe this is a great movie to be coming out, and it sheds some light on the underground world of the everyday magician. I'll be sure to either watch this movie on the big screen, or even purchase the DVD afterwards. I mean, when have you seen a magic movie out this potential out before. The last I've seen was 21, and that was a long while ago.

[John B.]

21 was not a magic movie, and its out on the 7th? then on the 8th (my birthday) I am going to see it. I loved how in the tralier they actually showed them doing card magic. Some movie I saw a long time ago just had a bunch of crap tricks that either were easily solvable or clearly movie editing.

[KPopFever605]

21 was not a magic movie, and its out on the 7th? then on the 8th (my birthday) I am going to see it. I loved how in the tralier they actually showed them doing card magic. Some movie I saw a long time ago just had a bunch of crap tricks that either were easily solvable or clearly movie editing.

Well, not necessarily a magic movie, but a very magical one.

[John B.]

it was a gambling movie. about black jack. I guess somewhat magical, if you stretch it.

[Don Boyer]

I for one believe this is a great movie to be coming out, and it sheds some light on the underground world of the everyday magician.

Yeah, the everyday magician...who goes around committing heists...and gives away the money to his audience...heck, I do that all the time... 

it was a gambling movie. about black jack. I guess somewhat magical, if you stretch it.

Nope - I think it would tear before you could stretch it enough to cover that mental leap...

[John B.]

mag·i·cal/ˈmajikəl/
Adjective:   
Relating to or using magic.
Resembling, produced or working as if by magic

With all the money they made did it not seem like it was working as if by magic?

[Don Boyer]

mag·i·cal/ˈmajikəl/
Adjective:   
Relating to or using magic.
Resembling, produced or working as if by magic

With all the money they made did it not seem like it was working as if by magic?

Nope.  They were hardcore mathematicians using a sophisticated counting system and operating with a crew nearly too large to keep track of, each member having only a small set of tasks as part of the game.  There's absolutely nothing about that the screams "magic" to me.  I remember hearing about the true story on which the movie was based, maybe one or two years before it came out - I think Wired did a write-up on it.

[KPopFever605]

Yeah, the everyday magician...who goes around committing heists...and gives away the money to his audience...heck, I do that all the time... 

Well, obviously not that part, but the part where the illusionist captivates the audience.

[Don Boyer]

Yeah, the everyday magician...who goes around committing heists...and gives away the money to his audience...heck, I do that all the time... 

Well, obviously not that part, but the part where the illusionist captivates the audience.

But once you start getting into the whole heist thing and the giving-away-the-cash thing, it's no longer about the illusionist captivating the audience.  Hell, I could captivate a huge audience if I offered them money for coming!

[KPopFever605]

Either way, I really enjoy the whole idea of the Robin Hood scenario, Magicians to the rescue!

[Don Boyer]

Either way, I really enjoy the whole idea of the Robin Hood scenario, Magicians to the rescue!

OK, now that, I get!

[John B.]

http://youtu.be/11TzXCWnUao

Another magic movie coming out this year, I hope they both hit my local theater.

[KPopFever605]

First Impressions: It sounds like a exciting mix of magic and comedy.

Pros: I love how it portrays the basic story of a kid just starting into magic and developing his life into a real profession. I also like the array of cast members, from Steve, to Jim, and Olivia. I know definitely Steve and Jim will pull through on the comedy side. I can sense some of David Blaine's and Criss Angel's style represented in the show, and I am really exhilarated to see it come out in theaters.

Cons: The only thing I don't like about it is the touches of retro I've seen in the trailer, but I'm sure I'll be able to ignore that.

I'm really curious to see how this movie pulls through, and how Jim portrays Criss.

[MrMollusk]

My first impression of the movie: Morgan freeman and a pretty good snap change.

[DrianAbara]

http://youtu.be/11TzXCWnUao

Another magic movie coming out this year, I hope they both hit my local theater.

That looks like a pretty damn badass film.

[Don Boyer]

http://youtu.be/11TzXCWnUao

Another magic movie coming out this year, I hope they both hit my local theater.

I thought all movies hit everywhere these days?    It's like cinematic carpet bombing!

Looks like a killer spoof.

[John B.]

no a lot of movies are in selected theaters. Ours have missed some good ones.

[Don Boyer]

no a lot of movies are in selected theaters. Ours have missed some good ones.

I thought my niece and nephew led isolated existences - they're a 30-minute drive from the nearest mall, nearest movie theater and nearest McDonald's.  But even they get access to every major new release, since the theater's got umpteen screens.  Where on Earth (or under it) are you living?   

[John B.]

I live in a decent size town, but if a movies is not really big it sometimes does not hit. With these being movies about magic I don't know if they are big releases where they will hit our theater. If they are big enough that a lot of people are talking about them I assume we will get them.

[Don Boyer]

I live in a decent size town, but if a movies is not really big it sometimes does not hit. With these being movies about magic I don't know if they are big releases where they will hit our theater. If they are big enough that a lot of people are talking about them I assume we will get them.

Jim Carrey might not be the box office draw he once was, but a movie with him parodying Criss Angel will definitely play big!

[Joker and the Thief]

Both films look great, I think I'll be saving my movie vouchers for these two!

Anyway, just to be a smart ass, I really want to go up to the counter and say: "two tickets for Now You See Me, please" and then just do a massive anaconda!

[John B.]

do it. show your skill man.

[KPopFever605]

Another magic movie coming out this year, I hope they both hit my local theater.

Do you only have one "local" theater. If you do, you must really live in a small town. In my city, I have at least three or four I can immediately think of. (And they all aren't Century)

Jim Carrey might not be the box office draw he once was, but a movie with him parodying Criss Angel will definitely play big!

It'll be a big play for us because we know who Criss Angel is. How many average Americans do you think know who he is? Aside from this magic products at Wal-Mart, he hasn't received that much attention, even with Mindfreak. (is that thing still on?) Nowadays, when you say "magician", you think of Blaine or Copperfield, right? Now those will be big hits.

Anyway, just to be a smart ass, I really want to go up to the counter and say: "two tickets for Now You See Me, please" and then just do a massive anaconda!

Just out of curiosity, if your a ticket-seller at Century, do you get background on the movie playing at your theater, or must you do external research. Beacuse, I was thinking about how they might not make the connection between cards and movie themes. For all they know, a movie called "Now You See Me" could just be about a kid's hide-and-seek adventure.

[John B.]

its not that small of a town. and its a carmike theater. There are others within an hour but this is the one most of the people in the area go to.

[Don Boyer]

Jim Carrey might not be the box office draw he once was, but a movie with him parodying Criss Angel will definitely play big!

It'll be a big play for us because we know who Criss Angel is. How many average Americans do you think know who he is? Aside from this magic products at Wal-Mart, he hasn't received that much attention, even with Mindfreak. (is that thing still on?) Nowadays, when you say "magician", you think of Blaine or Copperfield, right? Now those will be big hits.

Actually, Criss Angel, as you mentioned, had a high-rated show on A&E for several seasons, in addition to having a long-term contract to perform live for Cirque du Soleil.  Some people will think Criss Angel when they think "magician".  Meanwhile, there are New Yorkers I run into who must live in caves (or with their heads up their own asses) because they've never heard of David Blaine, despite the numerous feats of human endurance he's performing in their own city.  Then again, when I first met my ex-wife and I told her that people called me "Indiana Jones" because I wear a fedora, her reply was "Who's Indiana Jones?"  (It takes a LOT to stand out in New York...)

Regardless, nearly everyone's heard of Jim Carrey because of the wide range of movie acting work he's done, from slapstick silliness to arthouse fare.

Anyway, just to be a smart ass, I really want to go up to the counter and say: "two tickets for Now You See Me, please" and then just do a massive anaconda!

Just out of curiosity, if your a ticket-seller at Century, do you get background on the movie playing at your theater, or must you do external research. Beacuse, I was thinking about how they might not make the connection between cards and movie themes. For all they know, a movie called "Now You See Me" could just be about a kid's hide-and-seek adventure.

I worked in movie theaters.  If they're still much the same as they were then, people tend to learn at least enough about the movies to explain the plot synopsis in brief to a customer who has no idea what he or she wants to watch.  Most will also either come by on their free time to watch movies for free or attending "tech screenings" held the night before a major release to insure there's nothing wrong with the print (or these days, the digital files) and the projector.

[Joker and the Thief]

Another magic movie coming out this year, I hope they both hit my local theater.

Do you only have one "local" theater. If you do, you must really live in a small town. In my city, I have at least three or four I can immediately think of. (And they all aren't Century)

Jim Carrey might not be the box office draw he once was, but a movie with him parodying Criss Angel will definitely play big!

It'll be a big play for us because we know who Criss Angel is. How many average Americans do you think know who he is? Aside from this magic products at Wal-Mart, he hasn't received that much attention, even with Mindfreak. (is that thing still on?) Nowadays, when you say "magician", you think of Blaine or Copperfield, right? Now those will be big hits.

Anyway, just to be a smart ass, I really want to go up to the counter and say: "two tickets for Now You See Me, please" and then just do a massive anaconda!

Just out of curiosity, if your a ticket-seller at Century, do you get background on the movie playing at your theater, or must you do external research. Beacuse, I was thinking about how they might not make the connection between cards and movie themes. For all they know, a movie called "Now You See Me" could just be about a kid's hide-and-seek adventure.

I'm sure the staff would have to know a little about each film. Even if they didn't want to, being in a film based environment will sink film synopses into their brains haha.

do it. show your skill man.

Will do! I'll let you know how it went when the time arises. That's going to be a good few months a away!

[John B.]

So with it getting closer to the movies release date, they posted the 1st 4mins online. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200532285163439&set=vb.494219247258520&type=2&theater

Looks awesome already.

[Emmanuel]

I just saw an early screening of the movie tonight. I think you'll enjoy it a lot  The audience loved it and applauded at the end.

[xela]

Well that's a very star studded cast, jeez

[Jamm Pakd Cards]

Hey Everyone,

I have always been interested in card magic but I
am a beginner beginner when it comes to the tricks I know. I recently
saw the movie Now You See Me and I thought it was pretty cool. I wanted
to get the opinions of some Magicians about the movie.

Do Magicians like the movie? Do you think it represented magic tricks fairly for a movie?

Let me know what you think?

Thanks,

[Don Boyer]

Hey Everyone,

I have always been interested in card magic but I
am a beginner beginner when it comes to the tricks I know. I recently
saw the movie Now You See Me and I thought it was pretty cool. I wanted
to get the opinions of some Magicians about the movie.

Do Magicians like the movie? Do you think it represented magic tricks fairly for a movie?

Let me know what you think?

Thanks,

Some of the tricks were indeed "realistic" in the sense that a stage performer with the right crew and a good brain trust could indeed perform some of the illusions presented in the movie.  It's toward the end that the movie drifts into the fantastical.  Many of those tricks are tough to pull off without using camera tricks - a tool of some magicians practically since the camera itself was invented.  And the stuff in the last few minutes is absolutely fictional.

I'm moving this to Talk Park - it's a discussion about a movie rather than about a trick or magical effect.  I know we've had this discussion before, but we never dedicated a full topic to it, did we?  Oh, wait, we DO have a topic for this movie!  I'll just merge them, then.