Magic Unlimited with Ellis & Webster

At the movies

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!
Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
A total rollercoaster ride of a movie and the perfect popcorn action flick if you leave your brain at the door. Just forget reality and enjoy the non-stop adrenalin rush. It was a long time between DH3 & DH4 but don't be surprised if we see Die Hard 5 popping up soon!
Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End (2007)
You've got to love this movie. It's scale is massive, it's scope is epic, it's characters are familiar and questions are answered. At almost 3 hours long (the original cut was even longer, I wonder if we'll see it on DVD) it left me still wanting more.
The Prestige (2006)
More than a film this is a magic trick in itself. Some say it is the definitive movie about magic and magicians, while others say The Illusionist is superior. Personally, I think The Prestige is remarkable.
Kenny (2006)
A rare beast, an Australian comedy that's actually funny! Much of this is due to the endearing characterisation of the title character by Shane Jacobsen. The entire movie is also one big product placement for it's financiers 'Splashdown'. I can see this being a great way to find the money to make Aussie films that aren't boring enough to qualify for government funding!
The Ringer (2005)
More a whimsical film than an out and out comedy. I really thought this film would go out of it's way to offend given the subject matter, but it's 'special' actors were really given the opportunity to shine and they did. Knoxville fell down and got hit a lot, but somehow showed his heart was in the right place. (Interesting note for wrestling fans, the director's only other film was the classic documentary 'Beyond The Mat' and this film features cameos from Terry Funk and Jesse Ventura).
Mission: Impossible III (2006)
Better than average popcorn action flick. The usual outrageous stunts and impossible situations but you do end up feeling like you got your money's worth!

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.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Puchi Puchi!

I just got the strangest birthday present I've EVER received.

Our friend Saki scoured the stores in Japan to get it for me, and most stores had sold out, it's just that popular.

What is it?

It's PUCHI PUCHI!

The latest Japanese invention designed for people who are addicted to popping bubble wrap.

Here's Jonathon Ross introducing it in the UK to viewers of his TV show:

And here's the PUCHI PUCHI ad if that wsn't clear enough:

Yes, it's infuriatingly addictive.. and I don't even like popping bubble wrap!

Sunday, May 11, 2008 in Strange sights | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Big Announcement from The Australian Institute of Magic

The Australian Institute of Magic is a brand new association in Australia.

We are announcing the launch of the AIM website this weekend. Please take a look at: www.AustralianInstituteofMagic.org

Members of the former 'Magic Unlimited Group Sessions' - MUGS for short - decided to become an association earlier this year. It is the only organisation representing FISM in the Oceania region. The AIM website will become the ultimate resource on magic for agents, historians, magicians, businesses, media researchers and the general public. It is already a focal point for international liaison within the magic community.

The organisation represents the FISM code of ethics and the members are dedicated to promoting and developing the art of magic with view to raising the standard of magic in Australia.

The website is in its early stages of development, but already has a vast array of information covering many aspects of magic, including:

* Information on FISM
* Weblinks to magicians, clubs, blogs, shops, magazines
* Magic learning data base
* Tips for event planners
* Booking facility for AIM magicians
* Upcoming events... including meetings, shows, lectures and media appearances all over Australia
* Australian magic award winners - both national and international awards
* Gallery of photos, videos and press articles
* AIM merchandise
* Articles on all aspects of magic by AIM members
* Online AIM forum... plus lots more.

We encourage Australian magicians to let us know if they are having a public event, a magic meeting or convention that we don't know about to be added to the 'events calendar'... and help us fill in the 'blanks' - like award winners that have not been mentioned.

Please take a look at our site... it will be constantly updated as the Australian Institute of Magic evolves.

Sue-Anne Webster
President - Australian Institute of Magic

http://www.australianinstituteofmagic.org/

Saturday, May 10, 2008 in Magic | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Friday, May 09, 2008

Some clips from CELEBRACADABRA

Friday, May 09, 2008 in Magic, Television | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Happy Birthday to me... Wii

Well it's my birthday again today, and Sue-Anne has surprised me yet again with another spectacular gift. It's just released in Australia and I'm already starting to feel sore after just 35 minutes on it.

Yes, she got me a Wii Fit.

I've always been a fan of video games, but I hate the physical laziness that comes with them. That's why I was so happy when the Wii came along, but Wii Fit takes it to a whole other level!

Fitness in the electronic age, at least at our house is courtesy of Nintendo! Working on our bodies of Wii Fit and our minds with Nintendo DS Brain Trainer. Life has definitely changed in the last ten years!

Thursday, May 08, 2008 in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Big news coming on Saturday

Sorry I've been lacking in the posting department here on the blog... but I've been burning the candle on both ends preparing a very special something that will all be revealed here on Saturday.

Tuesday, May 06, 2008 in Magic | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Thursday, May 01, 2008

News from Las Vegas

The World's First, Global Internet Magic Competition!

We are looking for the next Vegas Magic Star! Beginning May 1st, 2008,

video submissions will be accepted on www.vegasmagicstar.com

Any type of magic act will be accepted for submission. The chosen one will

receive $1000.00 cash, round-trip airfare to Las Vegas, a one-week contract

engagement in the World's Greatest Magic Show, a 3-day workshop at

McBride's Magic & Mystery School and more from Tony Clark

Magic.

The Lecture Network, in association with TonyClarkMagic.com

will broadcast LIVE from Las Vegas, The World's Greatest Magic Show

and announce Vegas' Next Magic Star during the live

performance on June 28th, 2008 at 7PM PST.

To submit your video and application or to purchase tickets to view

the world's first, live internet broadcast of The World's Greatest Magic Show

are available at www.vegasmagicstar.com

Thursday, May 01, 2008 in Magic | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

David Did It!

David Blaine, who's aiming to stay awake for his next TV special, managed to stay alive on the Oprah show today. He was inside his water-filled sphere and he wasn't breathing for 17 minutes and 4 seconds. As a consequence he broke the world record. He said it was a "life long dream". You can read more about it here.

Thursday, May 01, 2008 in Magic, Television | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Iron Man

Just saw IRON MAN today and it lives up to the hype. Robert Downey Jr's Tony Stark is flawed, selfish and irresistible. Gwyneth Paltrow is actually very good, and Jeff Bridge's character looks weirdly familiar to me.