Magic Unlimited with Ellis & Webster: Magic is not a vanishing art!

At the movies

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Thought provoking premise for a film in the genre of 'Forrest Gump'. The make up and CGI is amazing, as are the performance, and the story just rambles but still manages to engage.
The Wrestler (2008)
How did you know I'd love this film? Moving, compelling, distressing, and now life imitates art imitating life as Randy the Ram gets a slot on Wrestlemania in March.
Frost/Nixon (2008)
Riveting film that transforms a simple interview into a boxing match between two prize fighters at the top of their games. Not a dull moment in spite of the dull subject matter.
Gran Torino (2008)
Great performance by Clint Eastwood with a story that moves the heart and avoids the expected cliches to great effect.
Slumdog Millionaire
An absolutely excellent film by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting) that uses a unique premise to give us a no-hold-barred look into real life in present day India. Shocking at times, but overall heartwarming. A must see.
Iron Man (2008)
Sensational superhero movie with just the right mix of humour, action, special effects and yet another totally unbelievable plot presented so well you willingly suspend disbelief.
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
An outrageously implausible plot handled superbly and transformed into a wonderful movie about pure love.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Great performances, great direction and possibly the most sinister movie villain of all time. A gritty crime tale of suspense and violence with well-written characters and real, non-Hollywoodified situations.
Enchanted (2007)
The perfect film to take the kids to that the adults will enjoy too... perhaps even more! This tale of animated characters crossing over into the real world great return-to-form for Disney and so chockful of injokes you'll have to see it twice!

Our web friends

* Australian Magic Conventions
A detailed resource looking at Australian National Magic Conventions from 1 to 29.
* Magic Convention Guide
Everything you wanted to know about Magic Conventions gathered togethered in the one place!
* iTricks
A magic news and resource site with podcasts, videos and reviews.
* Handmade Magic Wands
A great resource for magic wands and Harry Potter merchandise.
* Catch the Exotic Magic of Stallion!!!
Move over Rudy Coby... Stallion is now the coolest magician on earth.
* Engrish.com!
If you ever need a good laugh, check this site out for fun.
* 419 Eater
Andrew Wimhurst put us on to this site that tells you how to deal with spamscams and have FUN at the same time!
* Australian TV Guide
Very interactive TV guide you can customise. It even emails you reminders when your favourite shows are coming up!
* Herald Sun: ANDREW BOLT
Opinionated but well researched and extremely well argued columnist from Melbourne's Herald-Sun
* Not Good Enough - Australia's Customer Complaints Website
Got a problem and no-one wants to know about it? Tell them!
* College of Magic
Our good friends in South Africa at the only Magic College of it's kind in the world!
* ApologetiX
Our favourite band. Download music or order CDs here.
* Baptist World Aid Australia
How we hooked up with our sponsor children.
* Trick or Treat Magic Shop
Where we buy our magic from in Melbourne, Australia.
* Magic Fakers
Help stamp out rip-offs within the magic industry. Send all of your friends to this site.
* I Dream Of Jeannie.com
Featuring Sue-Anne Webster!
* Webjet Travel
This is the way to book your own airfares and save big bucks!
* The Internet Movie Database
Our favourite site for movie news and reviews
* Pro Wrestling Torch
Tim's hook-up for all the Wrestling news.
* The Genii Forum
Magicians around the world chat to each other in this forum run by Genii Magazine.
* MagicZooM
The latest in French magic, created by our friend David Stone. (Long Live Lotte!)
* Inside Magic.Com
Tim Quinlan's great site with all the latest news in the world of magic.
* The Magic Cafe Forum
A place where we chat to fellow magicians from all over the world.

Recommended Magic Books

* Penn Jillette, Teller: Penn and Teller's How to Play with Your Food
This book, is truly unique, hilarious, and inspired works in the area of magic and the allied art of practical jokes. We love to play 'The Parsley Game', and the Creamer Trick has become legendary.
* Penn Jillette, Teller: Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends
This book, is truly unique, hilarious, and inspired works in the area of magic and the allied art of practical jokes. We've tried many of them ourselves (ask us about they Sydney Harbour Bridge toll!)
* Penn Jillette, Teller: Penn & Teller's How to Play in Traffic
This book, is truly unique, hilarious, and inspired works in the area of magic and the allied art of practical jokes. Tim even gets a 'thank you' in the book's credits.
* Tommy Wonder: The Books of Wonder
An excellent combination of theory and practical magic effects. Well written and presented, a 'must' for the serious student of the art.
* Derren Brown: Pure Effect: Direct mind reading and magical artistry
This book, along with it's companion volume 'Absolute Magic', are essential reading for those who are serious about learning how magic works.
* Ken Weber: Maximum Entertainment
An excellent book for all entertainers. It will help anyone improve their show. Order your copy at www.ken-weber.com
* Tom Ogden: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Magic Tricks
The perfect book for anyone who'd like to become a magician.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Magic is not a vanishing art!

Who says people don't like magic?

The numbers are in for our first Melbourne Magic Festival and they look pretty good to me!

2 weeks of magic filled with 58 performances of 10 different shows starring 25 different performers. Also 3,000 people came to see the shows buying almost $30,000 in tickets!

But the magic doesn't end there... A quick look at the Australian Institute of Magic Calendar and we have an AIM session tonight, Cosentino performing in Canberra, and a great night of close up magic to look forward to on Monday night.

The Melbourne Magic Festival will return June 29 to July 11, 2009. Don't miss it!