MAGIC NEWSWIRE :: JAMY IAN SWISS

The New Yorker recently connected with an individual that they identify as "the most feared intellectual in the world of magic," Jamy Ian Swiss. Read "The Real Work" abstract from the New Yorker HERE. In the second part of his interview on MagicNewswire.com, Jamy mentions a controversial article that he published in Antimony #9 entitled "In Search of Street Magic." READ IT HERE Then listen to our conversation with Jamy.

PART ONE OF THE JAMY IAN SWISS INTERVIEW :

OTHER WAYS TO LISTEN: ITUNES ::    MP3

HTML 5 PLAYER ::

PART TWO OF THE JAMY IAN SWISS INTERVIEW :

OTHER WAYS TO LISTEN: ITUNES ::    MP3

HTML 5 PLAYER ::

CYRIL FEATURED ON REDBELT DVD

From the press release promoting the upcoming release on August 26th of the most recent David Mamet film "Redbelt," we learn that the BluRay & DVD products will include as a bonus "The Magic of Cyril Takayama": A featurette on the Magician/Actor.  The movie also features a performance by actor and magician Ricky Jay as a fight promoter Synopsis: Redbelt is the story of Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a Jiu-Jitsu teacher who has avoided the prize fighting circuit, choosing instead to pursue an honorable life by operating a self-defense studio with a samurai's code. Terry and his wife Sonda (Alicia Braga) struggle to keep the business running to make ends meet. An accident on a dark, rainy night at the Academy between an off-duty officer (Max Martini) and a distraught lawyer (Emily Mortimer) puts in motion a series of events that will change Terry's life dramatically, introducing him to a world of promoters (Ricky Jay, Joe Mantegna) and movie star Chet Frank (Tim Allen). Faced with this, in order to pay off his debts and regain his honor, Terry must step into the ring for the first time in his life.

IS A "RIP-OFF" FLATTERY OR JUST STEALING?

Also brought to our attention due to a lively discussion on the Genii Forums, it appears that there is a perfect rip-off of Christopher Harts "Zombie Hand" act. You Decide: Watch Christoper in this video: Now watch "Magic Mara":

CRISS ANGEL :: "PRESTO STRANG-O?"

Not surprisingly, Genii Magazine's Richard Kaufman has his finger on the pulse of the magic community and recently posted to the Genii Forums saying, "Good Article on Criss Angel." It's from The Toronto Globe and Mail. The writer gives Angel too much credit as a magician, and buys into some of the publicity bullshit (Criss is still claiming he's done more TV than any other magician), however her observations and writing are perceptive. READ THE ARTICLE HERE.

CRISS CELEBRATES PAM ANDERSON'S 41ST

Gossip Girls has previously reported on incidents in which Pamela Anderson and Criss Angel have "Gotten Cozy." The most recent was apparently at her 41st birthday party where it is said that, "After blowing out her candles, Miss Anderson made out with Angel in the corner before moving to the couches for a cuddling session in which they playfully posed for photographers." See the clip above as well as these images for more.

RICKY JAY LIKES THE HAND HE'S BEEN DEALT

A nice profile of one of the master's of modern card manipulation appeared in the LA Times earlier today under the above title. In the piece, Jay discusses his return to the stage with a reprise of "Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants. "The ultimate is the two of us sitting here," he says. "I want to come as close as I can to one-on-one, impromptu experience. It's just flat-out better." As a performer, Jay treats his audience with an almost anachronistic degree of respect. "You know this is going to sound silly, but I think it is a fairly noble profession to bring wonderment and some pleasure, I really do," he says. "Would you prefer to see a great show of mystery or go to a bad doctor? Which does more to serve us?"

PIXAR'S PRESTO PRODUCED ON ITUNES

The short fil from Pixar which preceeds the new blockbuster Wall-e is now available on iTunes. CLICK HERE to get more info from iTunes. Here's the preview of Presto that we posted some time ago in case you haven't seen the complete film:

RED CARPET FOOTAGE :: WOMEN IN BOXES

AMERICA'S HAD MORE MAGIC

Kevin James (AGT 2007):

BRITAIN'S GOT CRAZY MAGIC

DR. GORE: THE DEANS OF MAGIC: